All posts by Diane

Books for Sale at Choo Choo Swapmeet!

Need a vintage/used book fix? I will have a very eclectic mix of books at the Choo Choo Swapmeet tomorrow! Many cookbooks, some childrens, fiction, lots of beautiful antique and vintage volumes, nonfiction, you name it. Come on down to the Tri County Fairgrounds and bring a bag!  I’ll also have some left over furnishings and fixtures.

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Final Day, Final Blow Out!

July 31 is our last day open, as you all know.  Many wonderful books have found new homes, but….. there are still many left here looking for their forever homes right?!

Please help spread the word that nonprofits can pick free books for their clientele tomorrow, as long as they bring their own boxes.

We also have many bookshelves and other furnishings still available, and reasonably priced.  Please call asap if you are interested.  Or better yet, come down and pick one up.

It is a little liberating to answer the question “are your books in any order?” with “Nope, good luck”.  So be prepared to do some serious browsing when you come in!

Best wishes to all my readers and customers.

 

“What is Your Closing Date?”

 

Watching books go out the door by the armful is beyond bittersweet.  I am so glad people are buying books, and that I don’t have to pack them. I am so thankful someone finally discovered that cool Robert Service book, the tiny book of English homes, and the Turkish Cookbook.  I am so disheartened that it took a closing sale to see THIS level of business.  In any case,  thank you everyone that has come in with kind words and support, and left with those precious armloads.

Our closing date will be by the end of the month of July.  Books will have to be gone in order to clear everything else out, so anticipate mid month.  As soon as there is nothing to sell, we will be closed, between now and July 30.  If someone still decides to buy the store, I will rip down the sale signs and sign the paper.

I would like to make a small editorial comment.  I have been told repeatedly that  I am closing because no one reads, because of Amazon, because a store like this just is not viable.  To which my response now is – Just Stop.    Actually sales have increased here every year, and while it is not a gold mine,  it keeps perking along and growing.  Nationally, bookstores are opening more than closing according to the American Booksellers Association, and independent bookstores are thriving in many, many communities that value them.   All of you stocking up while our doors are still open are still readers and book lovers, and there are MANY of us still out there.  There may be a smaller percentage of readers than in the past, but we still have many readers who appreciate bookstores.  So STOP making this our narrative.  Just start reading to kids, anybody’s kids of any age, so we have another generation of readers.  Make a point of diversifying your own  reading and putting down the devices.  Join a book club or something.  And please, please shop at local businesses if you value them in your community.  And lastly, from my personal experience,  please do not presume to tell a business owner why they are closing.

Thank you again to the many dear friends that have been a part of my family’s life for the past 13 years because of the bookstore.  I am deeply grateful.

 

Store Closing Sale Extended

Here we go – Now 40% off starting June 28.  No closing sale on ice cream, drinks or consignment items, including vinyl.  Sale is extended through July 6 .  Deeper discounts will come later, but selection will be smaller!

If you are interested in fixtures, please speak to Diane.

Help us keep looking for buyers, or support Courtney’s Go Fund Me Campaign!

Author Event with Eva Poole-Gilson

If you have been around the Owens Valley for any time, you have probably encountered our local author and poet, Eva Poole-Gilson.  This Friday, June 22, she will be reading from her newest book, Whiskered Wisdom, here at Range & River Books.  The event will include discussion, refreshments, and booksignings as well, and begins at 4:00.  

Onward and Upward for some Amazing Grads!

Graduations keep happening!  Sweet little kids keep turning into young adults and moving on with their lives.  How can it be, I don’t know.  I do know  I’m fortunate to get to know some young people here in the store, it is a highlight of this job!  We have two bookstore “family” members graduating from Bishop Union High this week, and starting an exciting new chapter in their lives.

This year, we acknowledge Jackie Ellis who shelved, served mountains of ice cream, and helped with crafts, games and refreshments at numerous community literacy events.  She has moved on to another job in the last few months, but we still miss her friendliness, loyalty, willingness to learn new things, and great work ethic.  I especially loved her pleasant attitude when asked to stay late for Street of Lights or some other busy event.  Jackie is a young woman who will do well wherever she goes.  Congratulations Jackie!

Jackie helping some royalty make jellyfish.

Jackie herding some wild hooligans at ghost story party!
A spot for Christmas reading
Jackie and Courtney kept things on track.
Jackie showing a particularly groovy album – ready for Record Store Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Eitel joined our crew in the Fall, but many people assumed he was already part of the family!  It became a standing joke as customer after customer made reference to him as one of my sons.  (It must be our glasses?)  While no relation, we have thoroughly enjoyed working with him and appreciate his sense of humor, hard work on whatever is in front of him, and his reliability.  He plans to study history at a UC, which goes to show how smart he is too!  Congratulations and thank you Thomas!

Diane and Thomas, apparently moving to fast for photos
The Miller’s Bag Toss attended to by Thomas and Walker.

Any Good News Today? Store Sale Update

Dear Friends,

Well, there is some good news and some bad news.  I’m sorry to say that I have to put a closing date out in the public.  I am still actively seeking to sell the book store, but will plan on closing on June 30 if no buyer steps up.

In good news, Courtney McElvogue who has worked in the store since we moved to

Main Street, has started a Gofundme campaign to raise the purchase price.  She has great experience, and of course we support this endeavor!  If you would like to help, here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/to-buy-range-and-river-books

 

What this news means:

  1.     We will not accept more books for store credit or cash unless we find a buyer.
  2.      You will need to use store credit and gift certificates before the closing date, there       will be no cash outs of either.
  3.      We will not take any more special orders as of June 1.
  4.      Consignment goods will be cleared out about June 18.
  5.      Yes there will be close out sales in late June if necessary.
  6.      It may or may not be the cottonwood cotton making me tear up.

I hope the next post I can make is all good news.  Thanks for your support either way.

Diane

 

 

 

 

 

Choo Choo Swapmeet

We will again be set up at the Choo Choo Swapmeet , in the first row on the South side!  Stop in for some very well priced treasures straight from storage.  What has accumulated in 4 years?  Come and see!  $3 entry fee per person to support the Laws Railroad Museum.

Every Day is Earth Day for Used Book Sellers!

Happy Earth Day weekend to all!  There appear to be many fun and probably educational activities planned around the Eastern Sierra, and I hope you enjoy them.  There is nothing more glorious than a spring green day with snow sparkly mountains to appreciate this beautiful part of the world.

My in-box is flooded with items that remind me that “every day is earth day for farmers”, which I believe is true.  Family farmers have a huge incentive to take good care of the earth that is their home, livelihood, dinner, recreation, wealth, and children’s inheritance.  Of course that is true for everyone, right?  However, this is one instance where farmers cut out the “middlemen”.  If only the job came with a crystal ball for the decisions that are within our control and the forces completely out of our realm of influence.

And my second job – selling used books?  All about recycling and reusing too!  Looking around the shop, we have recycled books from 1610 to 2018.  That’s a pretty long shelf life.  It is astounding how long the well made older books hold up to multiple readings and centuries of storage, dust, and sunlight.  I’m sure there are lessons to be learned from that example.  Don’t get me wrong, I adore shiny, clean new books with wonderful reviews, author interviews, and excerpts which are as tempting as chocolate.  Just a reminder that there are thousands of old titles out there which may not be as shiny but are wonderful reads.  Do I need to remind you that you will also be saving the Earth?