Texas, Austin, Book People, 6th St and Lamar

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Texas, Austin, Book People, 6th St and Lamar

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1WholeHouseLibrary
dec 24, 2006, 12:13 pm

This is Texas' largest independent bookstore -- and that's saying a lot considering that when it first opened in this location, it was twice the size it is now.

It started out as a just-off-(UT)-campus bookstore called Grok Books around 1970. When it moved to its current location in the early 90's (I think), they renamed themselves to Book People (a reference to the true heroes in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451). In the adjoining building, REI has recently moved into the space vacated by Whole Foods, which is now just across 6th St, to the south. Also, across the street to the west, is a great independent music shop called Waterloo Records. Both 6th St. and Lamar Blvd. are major traffic corridors in Austin, north of the Colorado River (or Town Lake, as it is referred to). The city block contains Book People and REI on its south end, and nothing but parking -- a parking lot, and a 4 story (free) parking garage, to the north.

I could spend all day (and a LOT of money) at Book People, which is why I try to limit myself to just an hour or two with each visit. There is a large section dedicated to Art and Photography, a vast array of shelves covering every aspect of Religion -- things you wouldn't find in 'big box' bookstores. There's also a large variety of science-related books, mazes of shelves containing literature, translations, Sci-Fi ... They're a little weak in the Books-about-Books genre (my personal favorite), but what they ~do~ have, I haven't found anywhere else. And there are chairs EVERYWHERE -- comfy chairs, inviting chairs, a barber chair (go figure). They have a knowledgeable staff who actually read the books that they refer to on their recommendation card (which are all over the place). They’ve helped me out on several occasions. This is not a place to get used books, or bargain books. You get good books at fair prices, though.

Book People is a great place for kids, and children's books. A whole third of the second floor (and I'm talking more square footage than my 2-story house) is dedicated to children's books. Tucked away in one corner, oriented toward the corner to block off the noise of browsers, they've got a section set up for reading stories aloud. It's the main reason I wish my kids were still young. What a wonderful atmosphere for listening to kid's stories!!

They also have the seemingly-obligatory cafe, which is ALWAYS packed, and a large area that contains cards and stationery and gifts (you know, the kind you don't feel uncomfortable about buying for your mom). There's another section that lots of odd-ball gifts -- the Rene Descartes action figure (among other notables), the plastic ice cube with the fly in it, plastic tubs of gak... Book People hosts book signings and guest lecturers. Perhaps the only thing that I take objection to is that they have tables of ‘trinkets’ and racks of tee-shorts all over the store. Mind you, it’s all interesting stuff, and the shirts are witty (for the most part), but it’s all over the place – on the stairs, hanging off the bookracks, in the middle of a main corridor… But I forgive them. It’s a business, and they’ve got overhead, just like everyone else.

2AnnaClaire
feb 11, 2008, 12:09 pm

I'm technically an out-of-towner, but I thought I'd add a few things.

First, though I only had time to go there once, I was impressed by how organized their history section was. And believe me, any discernable organization beyond the most rudimentary kind seems beyond many bookstores.

And second, my hostess in Texas -- who has ample opportunity to go to Book People -- like them because they actually have a decent large print section, something even rarer than an organized history section.

3Makifat
feb 11, 2008, 2:09 pm

Would I be revealing my age if I told you that I remember Grok Books, which was in the same neighborhood as Oat Willie's (motto: "Onward Thru The Fog"*), and the legendary old Half Price Books on Lavaca?

As you are surely aware, Grok relates to Heinlien's "Stranger in a Strange Land", as in "Dude, I can grok that!"

*Which would make a much better motto for Austin than the self-consciously cool "Keep Austin Weird." Guess the marketing geniuses at the Chamber of Commerce weren't quick enough.

"Keep Austin Wired" might be more suitable at this point.

4AnnaClaire
feb 11, 2008, 3:00 pm

"Keep Austin Wired" might be more suitable at this point. (#3)

And I was in Austin for Halloween. Go figure.