grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

That Bookstore in Blytheville

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Mary Gay Shipley has my dream job. She is the proprietor of That Bookstore in Blytheville near my hometown.  I recall in the mid-1970s when she first opened the store, it was The Book Rack.  At that time, it was more of a used book exchange.  Nearly every week, my mother walked into The Book Rack with a stack of paperbacks to trade and walked out with a new stack of volumes to read, fueling my addiction at a very early age. Of course, this was after an hour of browsing and chatting with the ladies there, who could always make wonderful reading recommendations over a cup of coffee. The book exchange idea proved to be a great recycling program, if you are one of those people who can let go of a book. I cannot.

For years, everyone simply referred to The Book Rack as “that bookstore in Blytheville“. I suppose Mary Gay decided to go with the flow, as eventually she officially renamed it. I doubt I have ever been to Blytheville without stopping there. It’s actually the reason to go to Blytheville. It’s a destination, not just a quick side trip on the way home from someplace else.

A few of my signed first editions.

Shiny, Clean, Aligned, Happy 

Mary Gay has attracted many impressive southern authors to book signings and readings, thus I have amassed quite an impressive collection of signed first editions.  I treasure these books. When our house nearly flooded a few years ago, I was fully prepared to strap a bookcase on my husband’s back, if necessary. I have many, many more autographed books than shoes. It’s not even close. 

If I ever move back home to Mississippi County, I plan to occupy the storefront until Mary Gay agrees to hire me. I have thought this through and feel certain that it would be to her advantage. She needs an understudy.  She has earned an understudy – someone who appreciates all things southern like whipping up the perfectly balanced pitcher of mint juleps or executing a successful late evening snipe hunt among friends.  
Most of my shoes.
Faded, Dirty, Jumbled, Sad
I would cheerfully fetch John Grisham from the airport for his book signing events, engage him in clever conversation about soybean futures and discuss his latest protagonist during the drive to Blytheville. 

One day I hope to see my own book for sale on the shelves at That Bookstore in Blytheville complete with an endearing quote from Mary Gay Shipley on the back cover. That is on the very TOP of my bucket list. (The understudy position is a teeny bit further down.) But honestly, I’m not a stalker, just a fan. I swear.

talya

Grace Grits & Gardening

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Comments

  3. I’ve never even been to Blytheville, but TBIB has certainly opened my eyes to many new authors over the years. Since all of my TBIB books came from you, I’d definitely recommend you for the understudy job! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!! And I definitely can’t wait for your novel; pretty sure you’ll be getting picked up by Mary Gay at the airport when you stop in Blytheville for your book tour!

    • Love that bookstore and love your blog about it. I know Mary Gay will love it too. theBAT (I still can’t seem to register for your blog.)

  4. So many things to amen about in this one! First, I have an old paperback that has “The Book Rack” in it (that’s where I got it). Second, I have several signed books from there myself. Thirdly, can’t wait to get one signed there from you!

  5. 85 pages and you haven’t shared one page with me yet??? J/K Well, mostly. You know I can’t stand in line, so I hope you will just bring me your book and sign it at my kitchen table. Lovin your blogs!!! Immensely. Standing O!

  6. A man weighs himself in the evening so he can be impressed when he weighs himself the next morning. Regadless of diet, men will weigh 5+ pounds less in the morning. If he eats and drinks like a hog the night before, he can totally impress himself with a bit dehydration assistance and an impressive transcendental porcelain session.

    Let him enjoy it.

  8. I can’t wait for your book!!! Let me know if you need help with publishing. I can hook you up with my sister & brother in law. They’ve published several books. Dr’s. Greg & Lora Little.

    Love it!!! Love you, Timmie Lynn

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