Books & Mortar: A Celebration of the Local Bookstore

by Gibbs M. Smith

A visual feast celebrating the alluring power of bookstores—68 paintings by illustrator Gibbs M. Smith. The local bookstore, a place of wonder, refuge, and rejuvenation for book lovers the world over. Books & Mortar is a celebration of these literary strongholds. Sixty-eight oil paintings capture these storefronts at a moment in time, and pair the artwork with quotations about the joy of reading, the importance of bookstores, and in many cases, anecdotes about the shops and owners themselves. A delightful gift for an avid reader, an inspiration for any bookstore owner, Books & Mortar is the perfect keepsake for anyone’s personal library.Gibbs M. Smith, founder of his eponymous book publishing company, started the business in 1969 with his wife, Catherine, in Santa Barbara, California. After three years, they moved the company to Layton, Utah. Gibbs served as president, committed to the daily operations of the business for forty-eight years, until his death in 2017. This book is a celebration of Gibbs' legacy, the local bookstores that he loved, and fifty years of Gibbs Smith as an independent publisher.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books, Art, Travel

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

For the publishing company, see Gibbs Smith.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a prior bookstore owner, this is just a delight. Paintings of bookstores with blurbs about them. Some have quotes by the owners. So many I have yet to visit.

And as a bonus, I found Waldo!

[Brian Quast · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, breezy joyride for bibliophiles.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun! Write ups and paintings of many independent bookstores. There is a list in the back to note when you visit each featured store. I’m adding my own notes of the many I’ve visited that aren’t listed.

[Craig Leimkuehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a listing of various bookstores from around the world that Gibbs M. Smith has assembled. Mr. Smoth was in the publishing business for nearly fifty years and regretfully he passed away in 2017. Along with a description of each bookstore (history, what they are know for, etc...) there are paintings created by Mr. Smith.
If I were to make one suggestion, it is the fact that bookstores are listed haphazardly. It makes more sense to me to list them by state or city. I am planning on driving across country next year (2019) and I hope to visit some of these bookstores.

[William Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing tribute to some of the best independent bookstores from around the country and the world! Some of the bookstores that have caught my attention were:

-El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina
-Barnes & Noble, Manhattan, New York
-Politics & Prose Bookstore, Washington, D.C.
-Three Lives & Company, Manhattan, NY
-Parnassus Books, Nashville, Tennessee
-Rizzoli Bookstore, Manhattan, NY
-Prairie Avenue Bookshop, Chicago, Illinois
-Books & Books, Coral Gables, Florida
-Warwick’s, La Jolla, California
-Tecolote Book Shop, Santa Barbara, CA
-Hennessey + Ingalls, Los Angeles, CA
-Downtown Books & Purl, Apalachicola, FL
-Collected Works, Santa Fe, New Mexico
-The Corner Bookstore, Manhattan, NY
-The Depot Bookstore & Cafe, Mill Valley, CA
-Strand Book Store, Manhattan, NY
-Sherman’s of Bar Harbor, Bar Harbor, Maine

Support your local bookstore! 📚📖😁

[Julia Fesenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart from awful illustrations (when I was a toddler I draw/painted better than this guy) the book concept and implementation is fantastic! I wish this idea wasn't taken so I could do that book myself. We all travel but the travel became so disconnected, this book remind me of John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley, where the travelling involves talking to people, acknowledging people you meet, getting to know them. This book brings me hope I will do that kind of travelling some day when I can afford to go anywhere. But all of us can use this right at home, being nice to your neighbours, the grocery store lady, the post man, be humans that still remember how to interact with each other in the world of screens and digital text.

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quite different than any I have had the pleasure of reading. It names and describes bookstores from around the world...local bookstores that are part of the community that they are situated in. It is written by Gibbs M. Smith, and not only does he describe the bookstores that he knows and is familiar with (139), but he has included an oil painting (in color) of each of the storefronts. You can "peek" in and imagine what it feels like.....
A book that a real book lover can appreciate.

[Kristy Bouras · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the illustrations and a breakdown of so many bookstores across the world. Each page has its own painting of a bookstore, although I wish it was an actual photo tbh. I also sadly found out some of the stores I wanted to visit most no longer exist. There were a number of those and wish this had their own clear chapter. Other than that, I found a bunch of bookstores I’d love to visit one day. This is a cute, easy ready.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming compilation of paintings and short descriptions of local bookstores, mostly in the US. As a booklover, I enjoyed reading this. The only bookstore featured here that I've been to is The Strand in New York, described as one of the greatest experiences in a bookstore in the US. I completely agree! I could have stayed a whole day and more there.
Someday, I'll get to visit The Strand again and the other bookstores!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cool! I saw it at an independent bookstore in Manhattan Beach, California and as I browsed through it I realized I'd been to some of the book stores that are listed in this book, so of course, I had to buy it! Really cool oil paintings of each of the book stores, plus it includes a journal at the back to keep track of each book store you visit that is listed in the book.

[Valarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little book that includes a couple of local to Portland, OR book stores! Found this copy at Beaverton City Library. Still in New Non-Fic on the main level, will be in 381.45 SMI upstairs in a few months. Enjoy!

[Susan Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book shops are one of my favourite places to go and explore. This book combines information about some with quaint paintings by Gibbs M Smith. When I go to the US this year I hope to visit a few.

[Kaci Pelias · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love bookstores!!! this had very nice descriptions of each bookstore and so many of them were community-oriented or family run and !! we love to see it!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will inspire you to go on a hunt of all the independent book stores in your state- I’m 15 down out of 23 for CT.

[Barb Hildebrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many great independent book stores. In a world full of impersonal choices- small, independent bookstores are the light to guide you into the magic of a book in your hands.

[Betty-Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bookshops, art work……..Beautiful. 🙂

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice book to give as a gift . I found it a bit repetitive.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book! I love the paintings accompanying the verbiage

[dhruvii · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so special to me