When I’m tired and falling asleep, I read. When I’m slurping soup, I read. When I am patiently waiting for my little sister at the doctor’s office, I read. I read Jane Austen, I read Shakespeare, I read Eliot and Tolstoy; I read Stephen King, I read Truman Capote, I read Faulkner and Fitzgerald. I read young adult, I read short stories, I read poetry, I read anything and everything. Reading is the perfect break from the stress of school and the mundane of my every day. When I need a break from studying, my immediate thought is: “Let’s hit the bookstore.” Thankfully, a brand new independent bookstore has opened in Tallahassee, just in time for my finals-week-avoidance: Midtown Reader.
Upon entering Midtown Reader, I was greeted by a smiling bookseller who immediately asked if they could assist me with my shopping. When I responded with a casual wave and a “No, I’m just browsing,” she continued to inform me of the various opening events that the bookstore was hosting over the next few weeks, already warmly inviting me back to the store though I had only just stepped foot inside. On Saturday the 12th of November, they hosted their Grand Opening, sharing their presence with the Tallahassee community. On the 16th, author Robert Olen Butler will be reading from his novel Perfume River, and on the 2nd of December, Thomas Swick will be reading from his The Joys of Travel. A variety of other authors would be appearing at Midtown to read and share their works with their local reading community. On their website, their “About Us” section told me that “Midtown Reader aims to build a loyal community of patrons through a regular variety of literary events and related cultural programming.” I am excited to see what Midtown Reader holds in store in regards to community events – and you should be, too!
The atmosphere was cozy and lovely – they offer Lucky Goat coffee to be bought and sipped upon while perusing the various titles lining the shelves. They have a children’s book nook area, and an abundance of fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, cookbooks, poetry and – to my joyous applause – young adult novels for selection. The bookstore will begin offering an annual membership soon, with one of the most exciting rewards (in my opinion) being that you can have a Custom Shelf Tag put up in the store next to a book you recommend! Check out Midtown Reader and learn more about their upcoming events, the soon-to-be-offered annual memberships, and sign up for the mailing list at their website.
So, if you’re feeling down, itching to start a new book, or are simply avoiding studying, head over to Midtown Reader, located at 1123 Thomasville Road, and get lost in the magic of reading. It’s the perfect distraction technique, collegiates. Happy reading!