I owe my post title today to poet Rg Gregory whose lovely poem Silence of Reading gives us a beautiful, but brief glimpse into the experience of another reader, an experience that is oft reflected in our own reading experience. I will include the entire poem at the bottom of the post; however, I am writing today to connect all of you inspiring Michigan Writers with some inspiring Michigan reader’s retreats. These little havens, also known as bookstores, give us a place to investigate the world through the words of others. Let’s pay homage to the writers who have given us their voice and to the amazing people that house those beautifully bound books in a place worthy of their messages. These bookstores are small, community driven businesses that choose people over profit. Visit them and be grateful for their existence in our world.
Books and More: Albion
Blue Phoenix Books: Alpena
Aunt Agatha’s: Ann Arbor
Bookbound: Ann Arbor
Crazy Wisdom Bookstore: Ann Arbor
Literati Bookstore: Ann Arbor
The Dawn Treader Book Shop: Ann Arbor
Nicola’s Books: Ann Arbor
Squirreled Away Books: Armanda
Tattered Pages and Tea: Bay City
Horizon Books: Cadillac, Petoskey and Traverse City
Safe Harbor Books: Cedarville
Taylor’s Books and More: Coldwater
Archives Book Shop: East Lansing
Curious Book Shop: East Lansing
Saturn Booksellers: Gaylord
Evolve Books and Gifts: Glen Arbor
The Cottage Bookshop: Glen Arbor
Between the Covers: Holland
BookBug: Kalamazoo
Kazoo Books: Kalamazoo
Buy The Book: Kawkawlin
Everybody Reads Books and Stuff: Lansing
Leelanau Books: Leland
Snowbound Books: Marquette
Sleepy Hollow Book Shop: Midland
Book Nook: Monroe
The Book Nook and Java Shop: Montague
The Next Chapter Bookstore and Bistro: Northville
Oak Park: Book Beat
Triple Goddess Bookstore: Okemos
Great Northern Bookstore: Oscoda
Mclean and Eakin Booksellers: Petoskey
New Horizon Book Shop: Roseville
Forever Books: Saint Joseph
Mother Moon – Metaphysical Books: Saugatuck
Books Connection: Shelby Township
Lowry’s Books: Sturgis
Brilliant Books: Suttons Bay
That Used Bookstore: Tecumseh
The Bookie Joint: Traverse City
Brilliant Books: Traverse City
Higher Self Bookstore: Traverse City
silence of reading by Rg Gregory
i like the silence of reading flat on my stomach on the woollen floor my legs waving upwards like the fronds of ferns and in my mind gigantic screaming monsters or the mystery ship scuttling crablike to the shore
i am lost to the spell of words the enchantment of sea in the silent shell i hear nothing apart from that racing world alive in this room through my staring eyes and the hush of my stifled breath i miss the passing of time the gale outside and the very loud knock at the door