McHuston Booksellers

Rare, Collectible, & Otherwise

Tag: bookstores (Page 31 of 107)

Full hearts. Fine days.

February 15, 2015 /

Might have been love in bloom in the Rose District, Valentine’s Day 2015. Plenty of traffic, tables full of diners, restaurants full of hustling waiters and waitresses. Great things on Main, and such a change from just a couple of years ago!

And it wasn’t just the food establishments: while walking down the sidewalk toward Fiesta Mambo, I was passed by a quickly jogging young man who trotted around the corner, up the block and into the front door of Arrow Flowers. Earlier in the day, I spotted their delivery van making Valentine’s Day deliveries. Lighted hearts brightened the windows at Star Jewelers where a steady stream of folks made their way in and out.

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The changes continue, as progress is made on the building renovations and new construction. The lighting isn’t perfect for photography this evening, but I put on the coat and gloves and wandered the block to snap a few update shots.

Atop the bank spire, the newly-installed clock is set to chime in the new day, or the next era in downtown banking for AVB, the long-standing institution formerly known as Arkansas Valley Bank. Although the footprint of the structure appears smaller than the current facility, its height makes it an impressive addition to the Rose District. Even on Sunday, crews were out in hardhats getting things done.

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Just north of Dallas Street, the building that will feature Andolini’s Pizzaria is taking shape. The upper two floors will feature upscale loft apartments and it appears that the interior work appears well on its way.

As I approached the mid-block crosswalk (which Broken Arrow drivers are still trying to understand – use caution as a pedestrian!), I spotted plenty of blank canvas waiting to become artwork at Pinot’s Pallette. It must be a popular activity, since I regularly see folks carrying their finished works toward their parked cars.

Although we’re back to cold weather (the norm for February except for Oklahoma, where we always get a few spring-like afternoons), it was a fine day Saturday and the Rose District was busy all day with folks strolling the sidewalks. A number of those who came through the bookstore admitted it was their first time to visit since the renovation.

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It still surprises me.

There is so much being offered in the Rose District, I would have thought everyone would have turned onto Main Street by now. But it’s only getting better!

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers and Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

Schooled in the arts.

February 7, 2015 /

The things I learn afresh everyday…

There are plenty of oddities and what-nots decorating the bookshelves, but they are not to be confused with the fine art near the front counter. Our little bookshop is featuring a bronze sculpture that any museum would be pleased to have on display.

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I’m always surprised at the degree of talent that surrounds us. Before opening the bookshop, I had no idea that there were so many local authors with published works. It has been a pleasure to meet many of the writers and have their books displayed on the shelves here.

And it isn’t just the writing. Many of the authors are involved in designing the artwork that graces the book covers and the eye-pleasing quality is amazing.

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Maybe because I spent a lot of years asking questions and interviewing folks, I am reluctant to pry into the lives of the guests who stop by. Some people will readily share their interests and activities. Others become known over the course of time.

Some of my research projects have involved sculptures, including one that I have been unable to locate. (I tracked it from circa 1850 New York to France – outside Paris – but the trail went cold.) There was a time when I thought I would like to try my hand at making art. Bought some materials. Dabbled at it. Ruined some perfectly good art supplies.

Then, I discover that one of our lunchtime guests has bronze sculptures mounted all around the US. It turns out, the Rose District is home to the working studio of J. David Nunneley, whose works have been displayed from Canada to Mexico and points in between, including some life-size bronze sculptures that will be around long after I’m gone. The quiet park on Main at Broadway features a larger-than-life bronze by Mr. Nunneley.

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I don’t recall how I found out he worked as an artist, but once the discovery was made I couldn’t help but ask about the creative process. Turning an idea into a bronze statue – to me – is simply an amazing accomplishment. When they are of such quality, I am thrilled to be able to have one on display.

He popped in one afternoon, carrying a weighty bronze of a ballerina posed in a manner that suggested she might simply leap into the air from her pedestal. He said he would leave it for a while, if I thought it okay.

I did.

Regrettably, my intended story about the ballerina did not get written in time, and she has returned back stage. In her place, Mr. Nunneley delivered another bronze, entitled Freedman School. Certainly, my phone-camera does no justice to the piece, but it is enough to be able to share it here. The detail is fantastic, from the schoolhouse hardwood floor base, to the alphabet-assignment in his young hands.

Mr. Nunneley’s subject matter ranges greatly, and I hope he doesn’t mind that I’m including a link to his website so that you might click over and see for yourself the wonderful artwork being completed here in the Rose District.

What a nice opportunity for us here in the bookstore, to be able to share the work of a nationally-known artist! I hope you’ll stop by and give it a look during the upcoming spring-like weather.

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

Love house-cleaning…

February 2, 2015 /

At least, when it is done by someone else and the result is extra books!

It’s the time of year when folks are rearranging shelves. Maybe it’s an effort to stow away the holiday wrappings and decorations. More books have come in the front door in the last few days than in all of December. As a result of this afternoon’s purchases, I’m thinking we may have every C. S. Lewis title ever printed.

A couple of first editions among them.

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To be honest, I didn’t know the author of the Narnia novels had penned so many books. When I’m overstocked (which is rare), his books get shelved in the literature section as well as religious reading – excepting the Chronicles, which are found in fiction, of course. Until this afternoon they had been reduced to – slim pickings.

I have learned that the Chronicles of Narnia weren’t the only fictional outings for the British author. In fact, there are plenty of titles on the table in front of me that I had never heard of before.

I’m really pleased to add the books to the shelves, but it saddens me somewhat that the fellow wanted to part with his collection. Moving, he said.

“Must be a C.S. Lewis fan,” I noted as I looked through the first box, stating what was perfectly obvious.

“I think I have them all,” he answered.

Looking over them, I’m thinking that may well be the case – as far as the non-fiction titles are concerned. So far I have only spotted a single Narnia-related volume.

The books could not have come in at a better time, though. When I took the first handful over to the literature section, I found only a single book. With the collection to be moved in next to it, I have to shuffle two entire sections of the literature titles. It’s for a good cause.

So, taking the time for this note is a break from the move-this-book-to-that-shelf, and this-bunch-to-the-next. It is nothing like ditch-digging, of course (I have done some of that in my lifetime) – but I don’t address those lower shelves like I once did.

With the shuffling completed I believe there is room to display them all, but I think I’ll leave the beautiful leather bound copy of The Screwtape Letters up in the front showcase. The gold-lettered spine and gilt front cover will fit in nicely with the first editions and fine-bindings.

A beautiful copy for someone’s library, and I can’t wait to find it a good home!

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

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