by Herschel Cozine

A Bookstore For All Seasons by Herschel Cozine is the winner of KRL’s birthday contest! We’d like to congratulate Herschel and thank everyone who entered. If you would like to check out the other entries head on over to KRL Lite!

There is a bookstore in my hometown, Ojai, California that is one of the most interesting I have ever been in. Before I tell about it, I would like to give a few facts about Ojai itself. (Pronounced “Oh Hi”). Situated in the foothills of Southern California, between Santa Barbara and Ventura, it has a short rainy season, and what rain does fall quickly evaporates, with very little runoff. The residents hardly miss a beat because of rain. Also, because of its small size and rural atmosphere, there is little need for folks to double lock or even single lock their doors. All in all, it is small town America at its best. Both of these factors, (rain, locks) make it possible for the bookstore to operate successfully.

The first thing one notices about the store is the sign by the front door: “When closed, please throw coins in slot in the door.” Lining the outside wall are rows and rows of books. One is free to read them and purchase one even if the store is closed; the honor system that is sadly disappearing in this country.

Stepping inside, the big surprise is this: There is no roof! The entire bookstore is open to the atmosphere. Shaded here and there by a tree, only the bookshelves themselves have a covering.
On the rare occasions when it rains, the books are protected by these coverings. The water evaporates in hours leaving the area dry and the books undamaged.

There are thousands of books in every category one can imagine. Fiction and non-fiction, clearly marked and separated into the various genres. History, Biography, Sports, and so on. There are a few enclosed rooms where cookbooks, art, specialty, and rare books are housed. In these rooms are chairs and couches where one can sit while contemplating whether or not to purchase the book.

The fiction is by far the most abundant. Classified by author alphabetically within the various genres, it is easy for one to find their favorite author or title. And, if you have difficulty, there are helpful staff members to aid you. Needless to say, the staff is a happy one. I overheard a customer ask an employee: “Do you actually get paid for working here?” Considering the environment, it was a legitimate question.

Once you have found the book you have been looking for there are tables and chairs available for you to sit in the shade of one of the many trees and read. There are even snacks and soft drinks available. It would be easy for one to spend the entire day in the store. I have been there several times and have still not seen it all.

The store deals primarily in used books. And, having been asked the question countless times, the management has T-shirts for sale with: “What Do You Do When It Rains?” printed on them.
For those of you who love books, and that includes everyone in this group, if you are ever in the vicinity, make the detour to Ojai and visit this amazing store. You will find it well worth your while.

Check out a mystery short story written by Herschel, published here in KRL.

Herschel Cozine’s stories & poems have appeared in many national children’s magazines. Work by Herschel has also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock & Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazines, Wolfmont Press Toys For Tots Anthologies & Woman’s World. Additionally he has had many stories appear in Orchard Press Mysteries, Mouth full Of Bullets, Untreed Reads, Great Mystery and Suspense, Mysterical-E and others. His story, “A Private Hanging” was a finalist for the Derringer award. His e-books are available at Untreed Reads.