Nothing at all is happening at Roundabout this Saturday. Feel free to join me.
I'm not sure exactly where this started. I think I've been thinking about this sort of thing for at least 20 years. At least that long ago I realized that I enjoyed the interstices between planned things, like the conversation one might have while trying to get somewhere else.
Alongside that, I realized not too long ago, how wonderful and otherworldly it is to be in a bookstore at night. Since I live close to Roundabout, I get to walk here regularly, and even just to spend five minutes walking through the stacks can really make my evening.
At first, I sort of joked with myself calling a late opening evening an "anti-event," but now it has become quite helpful. Every time I am tempted to add something to the anti-event (thus making it more of an event) the name helps me keep it simple. So, here is my thought:
Once or twice a year, in addition to the various events and sales we do, I'd like to plan to open the bookshop late. When I can, I'd like to be open late when it is pretty weather and we can have the doors open. You can certainly buy books or tea if you like, but you don't need to feel you need to buy anything. You are welcome to bring friends or converse, but, you don't need to feel that sociability is at all required. Indeed, I plan to do some work, so I'll just be moving and dusting some shelves mostly likely. We'll continue to follow our typical norms for the shop.
Feel free to stop over Saturday and any day! Happy Fall!
Raymond
