How long does it take to learn a new home town? We've been in San Luis Obispo since September, and I was starting to feel like I knew my way around, at least for the things that matter to me. One of those things was a good independent bookstore. We had used books, and a Borders, and a Barnes and Noble. But no independent bookstore for new books. I was resigned to traveling to the cool store I'd heard about in Santa Barbara for my indie bookseller fix.
Then I read the recent New Times 'Best of San Luis Obispo County' poll results. Voting on everything imaginable. And there, under 'Best Independent Bookstore (New)' was listed the winner: The Novel Experience. It's been on Higuera Street, downtown, for decades and decades apparently. How come I didn't know about it? How come I hadn't seen it?
So Christine and DAH took a little trip to town (only a mile away). First we went to the SLO Cactus and Succulent Society's annual show and sale. It had been moved to a new location this year, because it was too crowded last year. Well, it was too crowded this year, too. So we left after about two minutes. Then we went to the library, to remedy out other slow-off-the-mark book failing: We got ourselves library cards and browsed the stacks. Then we went to lunch at Big Sky Cafe (always pleasant), and walked around the corner to where the address for The Novel Experience (779 Higuera Street) must be.
As we approached the Hands Gallery, it was clear that The Novel Experience must be just on the other side. And I knew we'd seen it before. On one of our early (pre-move) visits to SLO. It was a Sunday. The shop was closed. It was long and narrow, and difficulty to tell much from the street. It looked like mostly gift stuff and cards from the front window, then.
Now we got inside. And it is, in fact, a lovely shop. Christine said, 'We must have half the books in this shop already.' That was an overstatement, of course, but there were a lot of old friends there. A small but fine selection, especially since it so clearly reflected tastes similar to ours. A new favorite in our new home town.
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