Book Exchange Revived

There is, in the literary universe, a creature known as the Romance Novel.

While relatively harmless in nature, once introduced into any bookstore, the Romance Novel breeds and overtakes local populations to such an extensive degree that it can choke out all competitors.

Few powers in the universe are capable of combating the unified forces of Romance Novels in full overflow mode. If left unchecked they can drive other endangered genres out of house and home.

Luckily for the universe, there’s The Brainy Boston Book Exchange.

What was only weeks ago a book exchange infested with suffocating populations of outdated, scattered literature has become a brilliant new environment for both reader and read-ee.

Stephanie and Nolen Dempsey, who grew up in Princeton, recently stepped into ownership of the Exchange, and say they intend it to be “not just a bookstore but somewhere comfortable to hang out.” Animal imagery bedecks the walls, new books wander the shelves, new paint and new faces adorn the desk area. Herds of Romance Novels, by the pound and ton, are being organized and culled out  to give  their newer relatives some elbow room.

The Dempseys say that in addition to giving the Exchange a new look, they want the store to join into the close-knit arts community of Mercer street, being themselves lovers of art, literature, and music. With the close community ties they already have, they want to see Mercer Street change, and they believe it is  “starting to emerge as a better place.”  The store is already doing its part to drive that goal. The bussle around it, the reformation and creativity, sigh of inspiration and imagination, which any street in any town could do with a little more of. The Exchange is another force of light emerging ex nihlo, in more than one way.

Stephanie, who taught English, was diagnosed with a complex form of bone cancer, and says that opening and running the store, pouring her creative energy into it, is a personal healing device. “It’s bringing me out of a dark place, out of isolation without an outlet,” she says. Rather than focusing on the next doctor’s visit, she is focusing on books. Lots of books. Storerooms and boxes and jungles of books. What better to focus on?

Now, here’s your part in this, dear reader.

They need books. New books. Interesting books. Particularly children’s books.

Donate some books. Take somehome! And if you like, you can also purchase the items in their window display.

Whatever you do, don’t let the Romance Novels win.

*no Romance Novels were harmed in the making of this blog.

- by Ashleigh Gill

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~ by riffraffarts on January 21, 2011.