“Bookstores, like libraries, are the physical manifestation of the wide world’s longest, best, most thrilling conversation. The people who work in them will tell you who’s saying what,” writes Richard Russo in the introduction to My Bookstore (edited by Ronald Rice) “…[T]hey’ll put in your hand something you just have to read, by someone you’ve never heard of, someone just now entering the conversation, who wants to talk to you about things that matter.”

Russo and eighty-four other well-known writers pay tribute to their personal favorite bricks-and-mortar bookstore in essay form. These impassioned and humorous testimonials highlight the importance and intimacy of the reader-bookseller relationship. Reading from her memorable tribute to Capitola Book Café will be staff favorite Ann Packer (Swim Back to Me, Song Without Words).

PLUS, a special invite to supporters and customers of the store:
We are inviting YOU to be a guest reader/writer this special evening as well! Does Capitola Book Café have a memorable place in your life? Is the café where you penned your first short story? Did you learn to read in the children’s section? Perhaps you met your partner in the Sci-Fi section? Tell us in 200 words or less what our community bookstore means to you! We will choose the top entries to be read by the authors at tonight’s My Bookstore event. Open to all ages. Email your story to events@capitolabookcafe.com by Friday, November 9. If you are selected to read, you will be contacted.