I’ve had a lot of people ask if I’m leaving Texas. I totally support those who feel like they need to move for their safety or sanity, but I don’t plan to leave. Perhaps that may change one day but for now I’ll continue to be here…a small blue dot. And Nowhere Bookshop will be here too. When we first started five years ago I wrote that bookstores and libraries were my sanctuary and that hasn’t changed. In fact, Nowhere has grown to be a place in the community that people come for solace and inspiration and joy and even a little rebellion.
I suspect most progressive bookshops (especially those in red states) are having the same fears that we have, so if you have one near you, drop in and say hi. It can be nice to see in real time how not alone we are. Remember that books have the power to bring unbridled joy and escape, and also the power to change minds and people. Ask a bookseller what banned book they’d recommend. Ask which books they’ve seen challenged that they love. Ask them what they read when they need to be reminded of the goodness of people or what they read to reset their brains. And if you can’t afford a book at the moment, keep in mind that libraries are magic and you can get physical books, ebooks and even audiobooks from libraries now.
And now…back to normal programming…new November releases I loved:
If you’re in the Fantastic Strangelings Book Club we’re sending you a historical fiction story about a woman struggling to pursue her dreams and help those around her, in spite of great obstacles…which feels somewhat timely even though it takes place 700 years ago.
It’s Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier. It’s the story of a woman who is unwilling to bend to the limitations her society places upon her when she becomes the unlikely apprentice to the pope’s physician during the Black Plague, at the most challenging and dangerous moment in medieval European history. Fascinating and captivating.
If you’re a member of the Nightmares from Nowhere Horror Club you’ll be getting Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney.
Finding a dead body is not normal. But Ava is not a normal teenager. In this chillingly beautiful mystery, only the obsessive spirit of youth can save a desperate town from the savagery within. Engrossing.
I didn’t have a chance to read as many books this month as usual but here are a few more new releases that I loved:
Encounters with James Baldwin: Celebrating 100 years~ A wonderful collection of poems, interviews, cultural commentary which celebrate the incredible work and legacy of James Baldwin.
The Memory Palace: True Short Stories of the Past by Nate Dimeo – A collection of surprising true stories that brings to life long-forgotten icons, heroes who never got their due, and ordinary people who never made it to the history books. Fascinating.
Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers – A mute, unkempt man with a long beard and hair is discovered in the home of his sick, elderly aunt. Both the aunt and William are admitted to Westbury Park for psychiatric evaluations, but the aunt dies shortly afterwards leaving the staff to piece together William’s history.
The Queen by Nick Cutter – A young woman searching for her missing friend uncovers a shocking truth. If you have a phobia of flying insects this one is not for you.
Cabinet of Curiosities by Aaron Mahnke – A historical tour of the unbelievable, the unsettling, and the bizarre.
Happy reading, friends.
I’m also a blue dot in red red Texas. Remember that a whole bunch of dots put together can create a solid. Stick it out and someday we’ll turn turn the state blue again! Never give up!
I lived in Dallas off and on for about 20 years before spending 3 years in Austin, then on to Floriduh. Out of the frying pan into the fire maybe? But we SUPER miss Dallas and we will eventually get back there. We are a blue dot in a red county. It’s hard, but always nice to now we are not alone.
💙
Oh how I love you for your honesty and comments. Thinking of you and yours.
Love, me
Hi Jenny,
I live in MD and hope to visit Nowhere Books someday . . .
In the meantime, what would you recommend I read to be reminded of the goodness in people, please?
I promise to buy the book(s) at an independent bookstore.
Thank you! 🥰 Susan
(Have you read Still Life by Sarah Winman? It always makes me fall back in love with people even when the world is complicated. ~ Jenny)
Visit ‘The Best Bookstore’ in Palm Springs. Right downtown on Tahquitz. Great place and they will get you anything your heart desires. You can live anywhere you want when you read a book.
Your community needs you and the sanctuary you provide.
Muwah!
If you’re a little blue dot in a red state, you help make the other blue dots feel like they’re not alone.
Plus the red dots get to know the blue dots, and learn that blue dots aren’t scary, and maybe they get to value the blue dots as human beings, and to appreciate them despite their differences. And visa versa.
And who knows, maybe the red dots and the blue dots can come together on protecting each other’s civil rights and basic well being, and make a purple dot state, which is the best solution for us all.
I did leave. Twenty eight years ago, I emigrated to Europe — and guess what I found out? Every country has its own special set of fucked up problems/history because there is no such thing as a perfect country. The right is rising here too, scary times, but I’ll be damned if I let anyone keep me from being a warrior for peace and tolerance and reaching out to people I don’t understand or agree with.
As a friendly bystander from Canada (we’re not perfect, but we sure do watch your news while shoving popcorn into our mouths), I can’t imagine the range of emotions that you’re feeling. But there are other little blue dots out there just like yours, so remember you’re not alone either. Sending lots of love from afar. XXOO
Thank you for these, my parasocial ally.
I support anyone in their choice to stay, or go. My heart goes out to those with no choice, be it lack or wherewithal to leave, or no choice but to go. Liberals will be busy at your border. I am too far away to help, but I send love, and I do what I can to support those who wash up on our shores.
Thank you, Jenny 💖
I am so looking forward to Nate’s book! His podcast is wonderful, too https://thememorypalace.us/
Thank you for the recommendations.
Stay safe out there,my friend.
I am glad you are open for your community. I am also in a red state so I know what it is like to feel a bit alone in my beliefs for everyone to have the right love, live, and be safe. Libraries and local book stores are a safe haven for the imagination. Cheers to you.
I’m glad, because after reading yesterday’s post and comments (adding my own), and absorbing it all, I decided I needed to treat myself to something wonderful, something to look forward to. So I contacted my closest friend and made plans to finally visit Nowhere together on Tuesday.
I am an Independent. My dot is colorless. The AG Elect of my state earned my vote because of his consistent transparency and honesty. I want our country to kick the party system to the curb and have people run on their own individual platforms. I care about this…I’m going to write a blog about this. It’s eaten at me for too many years.
But Jenny, did you know that there is a person who compiled a very long list of bookstagram accounts who either openly admitted voting red OR said they didn’t want politics on their account, they were there to talk boos and be kind. Not cool and very Junior High.
Thank you, Jenny, for sharing this. I’m a little blue dot in Texas as well and what passes for my “social media” experience, I have heard for several years now, “Get out of Texas! Save your family!” blah, blah, blah. etc. etc.
No.
I can leave. I won’t.
First and foremost, there are a whole lot of people who cannot leave. They need people here to help them, advocate for them, support them AND VOTE for things that will keep them alive.
Second…. Texas is awesome! Why should I cede this whole state to unpleasant people. I won’t be bullied out of here.
People from outside of Texas (and a lot of people inside) either don’t know or don’t remember Texas was solid blue for GENERATIONS. We can (must. will.) fight to make that happen again.
I’m “just down the road” from your shop (appx. Galveston. That’s like a trip to Costco, right?), and will definitely stop @ Nowhere next time I’m in your area (and have bought mail order because YOU ARE THE BEST! and want your shop to thrive).
Anyway, sorry for ranting. Thank you for giving me a place to finally put words to my thoughts. See y’all in the book shelves!
I live in San Antonio and I have a trans kid. I’m leaving before Inauguration Day and I am never ever coming back even for a fucking vacation.
Any rec’s for teen books for boys and girls? I’m collecting donations to give to teens for Christmas and wanted to give some books away. My faves are more geared toward females and I know nothing about graphic novels which I know are a hit with teens. I’m hoping to either have books donated or funds donate as well as buying a few myself and I would like to get them from The Book Loft or Birdie books, two small bookstores here in town – I luckily live in a blue city but in a very red state – Ohio. I miss when we used to swing.
(A few of my faves are Nimona, The Hate We Give, Cemetery Boys, We Were Liars, Lobizona. ~ Jenny)
I shopped at the Nowhere book store this fall , while visiting from Ohio , I love the store, I purchased many unique gifts & books for my friends and family. I understand being a blue dot in a red state . I am that as well .Thank you for your books and insights !
I’m a proud red dot, but I am hopeful that what Heather Feather said (so well put) is possible. There’s more to each side than the farthest edges. Most of us are truly in the middle but have been told we’re opposites and should hate each other. Don’t let the fear mongering override what good can actually be achieved. I will always love you Jenny for your beautiful imperfections and the way you give hope to every single reader, no matter the color of their dot.
I read this post and immediately placed an order from Nowhere. Hugs from California!
I am sending hope to your precious Hailey. I know my daughter and her girlfriend have been hit hard by this but the bonus is that they will be getting married and will not let him and his evil henchpeople destroy their or any other love. For myself I am emerging from my sense of hopelessness and thinking about how (as a pediatric intensive care doctor) I can protect families from misinformation about vaccines and fluoride and seatbelts and all the other glorious regulation and then continue the fight against misogyny and racism and hate. phew its uphill all the way.
Thanks for you outpost of joy and prose in our state. I need to visit sometime. Hopefully we get through these trying times somehow.
Im putting Deadly animals on my list.
Cheers,
James
Keep fighting the good fight, blue dots. <3
At our last house in 2018, in a red pocket of Bluer Dallas, we had these lovely and polite Northerner neighbors who it turned out, lived in another universe.
To them, they had a patriot president who was protecting their freedoms and guns, as the slathering communists attacked the ramparts of American democracy. I, instead, lived in a reality show where my entertainer president said and did things to get a rise out of people, almost out of spite. And I believed he got bad advice from occasionally low integrity people who profited from his mediocre choices.
My neighbors got strange news from different places than I did, but other than certain political conversations about long guns or George Soros, they were lovely people. They cared about the gay couple next door, and if I had been in trouble at 2am, I knew I could count on them.
I don’t know what the next four years hold, but I know that I share this story and community with my lovely neighbors who are likely celebrating this Trump win.
Though there is an information war these days, I believe there is also a path through this dark valley that involves us remembering we’re not actually at war with each other. We just all need to be reminded that all of our rights grow out of our obligations to each other.
I’m here to stay also, and Harris or Trump supporters can be my neighbors.
I was finally able to visit Nowhere a few weeks ago. (I’m old and live in Mississippi). The moment my daughter and I entered we could tell we were in the right place-love everything about your store. My people definitely.
@22 you are a “proud red dot”??? So you’re proud of being a Nazi?
@29 Kristin. Way to go with the Naz! stuff. It’s not helpful and just makes things worse
@30 MaryB. If it looks like a Nazi and acts like a Nazi, I’m going to call it a Nazi.
@31 Good job. Historically inaccurate of course, but you just proved my point.
You know, Jenny, I saw some beautiful hand painted ornaments today which had a similar etching type feel as your art ( and Edward Gorey). I think your work would translate well in that circular style.
This is such a heartfelt and inspiring post. It’s wonderful to see your dedication to your bookstore and your passion for reading. Your recommendations are spot on, and I’m excited to add some of these books to my reading list. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights. Keep up the great work!
khalidelarbi
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اغانى مهرجانات
Your blog is a beacon of light in the often murky waters of online content. Your thoughtful analysis and insightful commentary never fail to leave a lasting impression. Keep up the amazing work!