From Randy and Ann at Destinations Booksellers.
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At 8 pm on Friday, Nov. 14th we will be screening a one-hour documentary film, Paperback Dreams, at the Carnegie Center for Art and Histoy, 210 E. Spring St., in New Albany.
Paperback Dreams tells the tale of two landmark independent booksellers and their struggle to survive. Cody's and Kepler's books helped launch a counter-culture, and for 50 years have protected free speech and celebrated intellectual inquiry. At one time or another, the owners of these stores were harassed, vandalized, threatened, and even suffered acts of terrorism for simply selling books. But their future is uncertain in our fast digital world.
Our co-sponsors for this event are New Albany's Urban Enterprise Association, Carmichael's Bookstore and A Reader's Corner.
Before the film, enjoy a reception at the Carnegie Center for artists Mary Lou Hess and Carol Brenner Tobe. There will be appetizers and music by the Jamey Aebersold Jass Quartet along with the art from 6 - 8 pm.
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I was in Cody's in March before it closed. Here is the statement on their website -
THE END
BERKELEY'S CODY'S BOOKS CLOSES AFTER 52 YEARS
-Berkeley CA, June 20, 2008-
After 52 years, Cody's Books will shut its doors effective June 20, 2008. The Berkeley bookstore has been a beacon to readers and writers throughout the nation and across the world. Founded by Fred and Pat Cody in 1956, Cody's has been a Berkeley institution and a pioneer in the book business, helping to establish such innovations as quality paperbacks and in-store author readings. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Cody's was a landmark of the Free Speech movement and was a home away from home for innumerable authors, poets and readers.
The Board of Directors of Cody's Books made this difficult decision after years of financial distress and declining sales.
According to Cody's president, Hiroshi Kagawa, "[It] is a heartbreaking moment .. In the spring of 2005 when I learned about the financial crisis facing Cody's, I was excited to save the store from bankruptcy. Unfortunately, my current business is not strong enough or rich enough to support Cody's. Of course, the store has been suffering from low sales and the deficit exceeds our ability to service it."
"When I met Cody's 25 years ago, I was a freelance journalist, enraptured by its books and atmosphere. It means so much to me and I apologize to the people who have supported Cody's for not being able to keep this landmark independent bookstore open. Cody's is my treasure and more than that, Cody's is a real friend of Berkeley community and will be missed."
Cody's would like to thank all of our loyal customers for their years of patronage.
For further information contact: Mindy Galoob, General Manager at mindy@codysbooks.com
When I lived in NYC, my favorite place to go was Muder Ink on the Upper West Side. It had been open forever but closed back in early 2007. It was dusty, had these great wooden floors and you could just sit on the floor and read (if you didn't mind Gus the Dog coming over to sniff you).
Indepedent bookstores are just so damn important (as any independent business is). Not to go all "You've Got Mail" on anyone, but we've truly got to fight and be supportive of these businesses.
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