“To see the joy of what is happening in this important moment in American history, with African American, Indian, Asian, Latino women coming together and seeing it in one woman, we understand that her election … will not only benefit all women, but her perspective of being able to look at the world through a lens of color will bring inclusion and opportunity,” —Sonia Sanchez, poet-activist
Dear Book Friends,
The great statesman and civil rights leader John R. Lewis, said in his 2017 memoir: Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America: “Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.”
Our recent election begins a new turn toward a more just and free society. It is our hope this transition period is a peaceful one. “It is a time to heal,” said President-Elect Biden. And speaking about his wife Jill, Biden said, “She’s dedicated her life to education. But teaching isn’t just what she does, it’s who she is. For American educators, this is a great day for y’all!” The future of our country is in capable hands. Let the good work begin soon.
Our November newsletter includes more small press reviews by Tom Bowden in his “I arrogantly recommend…” column, an essay on the great bard and musician Ed Sanders – by local poet and educator M. L. Liebler, paw prints underfoot, wingtips overhead by M.M. Serpento, and in our reprint series of past newsletters: “Amy Goodman on Independent Bookstores” from the election year of 2008.
We would also like to reemphasize; 1. the slowdown of mail services during the pandemic; 2. the slowdown of publisher’s and distribution networks; and 3. we are open for curbside pickup and by appointment: (248) 968-1190
Consider calling us to make a holiday shopping appointment, or send us your shopping list and let us help you find the right book for that special hard-to-buy for friend or relative. We’ve made two PDF forms to help: Book Beat Holiday List for suggestions, and Book Beat Holiday Titles (if you have specific titles you’d like ordered). After filling out the lists, return them to us in person or e-mail to: BookBeatOrders@gmail.com -we will call or email you with book suggestions and arrangements for shipping or curbside pickup. We can help save you time and worry. Thank you!
We are extending our sale book tables during this exceptional good weather, so stop by soon! Wishing everyone a peaceful and healthy November. Stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Peace, Love and Books,
Cary, Colleen and the Book Beat staff
Photographer Russ Marshall at the D.I.A.
Try and make it safely to visit the Detroit Institute of Arts and see Russ Marshall: Detroit Photographs, 1958-2008 –the exhibit is up Sun, Nov 15, 2020 — Sun, Jun 27, 2021. Russ Marshall is one of the finest photographers of the Detroit landscape –a local treasure. Don’t miss it.
BOOKSTORES: How to Read More Books
in the Golden Age of Content
Below is a short film on reading and bookstores and it’s a good one. It includes powerful reading improvement ideas and tips given by experts, that can improve reading comprehension no matter what level you’re reading on. Enjoy guided tours through some of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, including the shop where J.K. Rowling wrote a good deal of Harry Potter. One interesting interview comes near the film’s end, when Max Joseph (the director) interviews Dr. Ruth J. Simmons “a total baller,” and the first African-American woman to head an Ivy League university, when she became president of Brown university in 2001. Simmons’ doesn’t believe reading a select list of “great books” or classics is important. “I’m convinced it’s reading widely that matters more than anything else,” said Ms. Simmons. The film was made by Mr. Joseph because he wanted to find more time to read. “I decided to make a film about it, hoping to find a way through my bookstore anxiety–a way to re-balance my content diet in order to read more books.”
101 Views at the Bookshop
Yes, the Holidays are coming. We can help!
With holidays around the corner, we want to help make recommendations that can help. Check out some of our Ultimate Holiday Gift Books of 2020.We have also put together a catalog of 2021 Calendars, (with many more available in store.) Consider gifting a book on wellness or meditation. As an affiliate bookstore with Bookshop.org, we appreciate your purchasing through them if unable to buy from us direct, and if Bookshop is out-of-stock of the book you want, please call or write us. Books we list on Bookshop are usually stocked at Book Beat, and we’re always happy to try and special order directly from the publisher.
We can help make suggestions for your gifting needs on our handy PDF order forms: Book Beat Holiday List or send us Book Beat Holiday Titles for specific titles you’d like to order. We are shipping anywhere within the USA for $3 for any size package. Wishing everyone a stress-free holiday! Thank you.
“The book creates meaning, the meaning creates life.”
–Roland Barthes, The Pleasure of the Text