By late afternoon on Valentine's Day, booksellers coast to coast will notice more desperate men lurking in the greeting card section than at any other time of year. Please do not be afraid. The panicky, last-minute card-buying behavior of the male of the species is just one sign that the holiday devoted to creating, recreating, enhancing, confirming or mending relationships is upon us. This is not a sexist comment; it's pure scientific observation, based upon years of research.
Another key sign of the season is the inevitable red-themed displays mingling tomes that would never be caught in one another's company at any other time of the year--a kind of singles night for books.
In addition to desperate men and scarlet books, a couple of recent news stories have inspired me to take a quick websiteseeing tour and find out how booksellers are celebrating Valentine's Day this year. My first bit of inspiration came from the Signal, which reported that Brave New World Comics, Newhall, Calif., held a Geek Singles Night last Friday. You have to like that.
And then I noticed in USA Today that Valentine's gifts are becoming more politically correct. You want a list? I'll give you a list:
- Fair Trade flowers
- Organic chocolates
- Cruelty-free perfume
- Selfless gifts
- Paperless love
After reading about geek singles and paperless love, how could I resist the temptation to find out what bookstores are up to tonight?
The Boston Globe features an article on Valentine's Day Singles Night at Andover Bookstore, Andover, Mass. Book group coordinator Karen Harris says, "I'm happily married, but if I was single, I think I'd be pleased to learn how many thoughtful, interesting people there are in the area."
Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, Va., tempts readers with the announcement that "Hot Lunch Returns with Two Rockin' Romance Authors for Valentine's Day! Meet Natale Stenzel & Jenny Gardiner! Hot Lunch!!!"
Mabel Iam, relationship expert and author of I Love You. Now What?, appears for a lunchtime event at Books and Books, Coral Gables, Fla., exploring "what happens after we've entered into a committed relationship."
Want to make your own book of love? McNally Robinson bookstore, New York, N.Y., hosts Esther Smith, author of How to Make Books: Fold, Cut & Stitch Your Way to a One-of-a-Kind Book. She will lead "a special Valentine's Day bookmaking class . . . Join us for a great alternative Valentine's Day activity."
Malaprop's Bookstore, Asheville, N.C., features local writers/life coaches Joseph and Sarah Elizabeth Malinak, authors of Getting Back to Love: When the Pushing and Pulling Threaten to Tear You Apart, to "discuss ways to improve your relationship by gaining a deeper understanding of both yourself and your partner."
Maybe a little mood music will help. Politics & Prose Bookstore, Washington, D.C., offers lute and Celtic harp duo Linn Barnes and Allison Hampton and invites customers to "come hear them perform on Valentine's Day."
The staff at Tattered Cover Bookstore, Denver, Colo., came up with a list of favorite romantic reads and a bit of advice: "Spend a cold February evening enjoying a little literary romance, or let us wrap one of these up for you as the perfect romantic gift for the one you love!"
But what if this whole Valentine's thing just wears you down? Some bookstores have that angle covered, too.
One may not be the loneliest number that you've ever heard after all. Cornerstone Books, Salem, Mass., says, "Celebrate YOU this Valentine's Day," and suggests that you "be your own best Valentine" tonight at a Goddess Party with Elizabeth Stahl: "From Girlhood to Motherhood to Wise Woman, the Goddess Party is a special invitation to honor a woman's life, friendships, and the many transitions she makes along her way."
An e-mail newsletter from Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, Calif., not only showcases many Valentine's Day gift items, but also thoughtfully highlights its "Better Single Than Sorry display," created "for those who think Valentine's Day is more a day to be endured than enjoyed . . . We've got everything you could possibly need to make it a day all about the fabulous, independent you!"
Finally, the remote possibility exists that on this one night, maybe our customers don't need any bookish help at all. Brookline Booksmith, Brookline, Mass., opts for the laissez-faire approach, noting in its e-mail newsletter, "We leave the itinerary for Thursday the 14th up to all you lovebirds out there . . ."--Robert Gray (column archives available at Fresh Eyes Now)