Geocaching is a fun, year round activity. You take coordinates from the geocaching website, enter them into a GPS device such as an app on your phone, and go on a treasure hunt. It’s amazing the gems you can find. In geocaching there is a concept: First to Find (F2F). When a cache is set up, the first person to find it has bragging rights of F2F. Such is the case for this blog edition. I was looking for a place in Livonia to grab a quick dinner before joining fellow Deadwood Writers for an evening of…writing. As I was turning into a mini-strip mall in Livonia, my mental radar locked on a store sign that said “Books.” By sheer luck, I’d found an independent bookstore in a place that I’ve driven by many times. Usually, Yelp guides my travels to identify such gems, but I’d never expected to find some place in an area I’m very familiar with. As it turned out it was only six months old, which makes it new. It is my F2F that I hope that you will find on your travels.
Pieces & Pages: First to Find – a Gem by John McCarthy (Twitter)
My first impression on entering the store: spare and clean. The bookshelves in the middle of the room are spaced evenly and precisely apart. Additional bookshelves line three walls. Tables are set in the window front, which reminds me of the game stores that sell and encourage play of the many fantasy card games like Magic: the Gathering and Yu-gi-ou. My second impression was the welcoming atmosphere created by the storeowner, Jill, who greeted me on stepping inside and inquires if she can assist me.
Many genres are represented, offering recent and older classics that will tempt you. I’m always looking for some of the hard to find books, such as Piers Anthony’s Battle Circle series. I have the compilation already, and I found one of the stand-alone books in very good condition in the Science Fiction section.
The comic book section is small, containing current titles. Collectors can order and hold a series that may interest patrons. Tables are available to those who want to read before deciding on a purchase and for playing games that are kept in an Events schedule.
As independent stores go, this one is part of an emerging trend to combine the traditional bookstore with comics and gaming. I’ve visited several places that did this, but few that gave equal treatment to attract all audiences. Only the future will tell how successful this approach becomes. Store culture is an important key which is steered by the owner. In this case, Pieces & Pages has taken strides to meet the needs of its diverse audience.
Stop in and decide for yourself.
BOOKS \ GAMES \ COMICS
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John, as I was pulling up to B & N last night, I noticed its welcoming atmosphere. Snow was falling outside, the roads were slick. The bookstore was illuminated from the inside, and it looked warm and cozy in the dark, cold night. I’m so glad places like this and Pieces & Pages invite us in for a little while. Thanks for discovering and sharing your F2F.
Author
Thanks Kelly. It’s a nice lical place. The iwner welcomes writers.
Ah, ha. Another bookstore for me to explore. How wonderful. Thanks.
Good to see new independent bookstores still opening up. I will have to check it out.
Author
The store owner invited us to meet or write there.
Sounds worth stopping by. Sometimes the smaller, independent bookstores have a more interesting atmosphere. Thanks for sharing!
Nice, John. Really enjoyed this. I have put it on my “must see” list. Thanks for sharing!