I recently came across a blog post from last year commemorating the death of one of my favorite local book stores from through the years, Ukazoo books. The store was located in Towson, Maryland not too far from my home. The post mentioned the store closing after a relocation and a fight with the pandemic. I remember that book store like it was yesterday…
The walls were painted pale yellow, the color of calm. It smelled of herbal tea and quiet. You could feel the minds of dreamers surrounding you as they flipped page by page for something new and browsed each aisle in the hope of adventure. I miss those days. A simpler time. Back then the store was located next to the infamous Record and Tape Traders. If you were a nerd, like myself, you could make a day of visiting both and spend hours. That was how I liked to do it. Im not sure when it happened, but the new music/new book combo became a matter of extreme importance to me. Somehow I didnt realize the impact until Ukazoo moved to a new and more condensed location on Joppa Road. This spot was MUCH smaller and almost hidden into a busy intersection. Worst of all, no record store next door. I would still visit and try to recreate the feeling by going to the Guitar Center about 5 minutes down the road. It wasnt the same. Ukazoo closed shortly after, and I started to hang out at my local library more.
More recently I’ve been inspired to find new local book stores again. My partner is an author and likes to find quaint little book shops with character. Recently we visited The Ivy Bookstore in Mt. Washington. The place is super cute and a treasure find. We grabbed the new Stephen King short story thriller “You Like It Darker”, and I’m excited to start reading it this week. I sure do miss Ukazoo and all the good nostalgic feelings, but as time marches on, Im ok with trying to create such feelings elsewhere. Ive noticed here and there little sprinklings of book stores in the neighborhood like Snug Books on Harford Road. Let the search begin!
What are some of your favorite local bookshops?
DropaJewel, because someone has to 
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