When traveling, we like to visit independent bookstores, and support them. When we visited Burke’s Books in Memphis, I picked up a used copy of The Secret of Ventriloquism by Jon Padgett. As I lay in bed at our Airbnb, I read the opening pages about someone meditating during yoga, and I had the idea about someone astral projecting from one’s body and getting locked out. This + the fall of the FSK bridge in Baltimore = Terms of Service.
And when we visited Livraria Lello in Portugal, I bought a copy of Frankenstein. I was working on Brains at the time, and reading it really helped.
I walked into Pioneer books in Provo, Utah, and walked up to the second level (fiction). My eyes immediately fell upon Getting food from Water.
I’m actively working on my animation Fishwife, and without giving anything away, this book relates in a very inspirational way. I got goosebumps!
As I was checking out, I told the bookseller my history with finding magical books while working on films. Asia showed me some of her art, and an amazing 3D printed vending machine her partner helped her make to sell her work. So cool.
In Salt Lake City, I visited Ken Saunder’s Rare and Used books. I picked up a used copy of The Frank Zappa Companion by Richard Kostelanetz.
The store spans 3 floors in a rather corporate feeling building. All the folks working there were very friendly.
I also visited the Salt Lake City public library. The building is expansive and beautiful, and clearly supports various populations. I found their maker space was closed, but seemed to be robust and impressive.
I was delighted to see they have borrowable zines in their collection (as well as free zines!).
