The Indie Bob Spot: Talking Leaves Books

Talking Leaves Books - Buffalo, NY

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I'm aware that I repeat myself in many of these entries about bookstores but sometimes it just can't be helped. For book lovers, there's nothing like visiting these stores and all the wonderful books contained within. And then there are the people who own and work at these stores. Talking Leaves Books is just one more example of the good fortune I get to experience by meeting so many wonderful people. I didn't get to meet Jonathon W., the owner, on my visit but he is surrounded by some of the nicest people you'll find in a bookstore. I had a wonderful time talking to his wife, Martha R., the store bookkeeper, and two of the fine booksellers, Ken P. and Melanie K. Readers, even if you don't like books you can always visit a bookstore and meet some of the most amiable people anywhere. Talking Leaves Books is one of those places and, oh yeah, it happens to be a great bookstore as well.

Martha shared with me that Talking Leaves is one of those places that has become a destination for customers. This store has been around for 40+ years so has some renown around the country with book lovers. The store's origins included a heavy emphasis on text books, similar to Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport, NY, but has definitely moved away from that. This is a good-sized one-level book store that offers new and used books, with the used books coming in as donations. The store's poetry inventory is an especially strong section. There are very few sidelines here but you will find an assortment of greeting cards, post cards, and periodicals, to name a few. One of the huge income sources for the store is an event called BABEL. Think of it as a concert series that features four authors a year. The books that they are able to sell at this off-site event are a huge boost to the store.

But the best part of this visit were the kind people I met who work here, Martha, Ken, and Melanie. If you're not into people, you can look for Booker or Petunia, the two cats who live here. So I've given you multiple reason to visit this great indie. The people, the cats, or maybe I can interest you in free on-street parking? Oh, and the store is filled front to back with an extensive inventory of all kinds of books. All of them filled with words on pages, or "talking leaves." Don't miss out on this great independent bookstore. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Nothing Gold Can Stay, Ron Rash. In almost every southern bookstore I've visited, the booksellers will mention this author and now I know why. Even the most serious of readers living in the midwest or north many not know Ron Rash. You need to check him out. This book was very good. A selection of short stories, very readable. He also has some stand alone fiction but I haven't got to that yet. I'm a hesitant reader of short stories and if you are too, this is a good one to try out.

CURRENTLY READING: The Jesus Cow, Michael Perry. This one butted in line in front of all the other books waiting their turn because I just heard this author at Prairie Lights.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: The Devil All The Time, Donald Ray Pollock. The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz, Denis Avey with Rob Broomby.

Great view from across the street.

Another nice exterior view.

Looking toward the back of the store from the front entrance.

A few of the periodicals you can find here.

A welcome from Stephen Colbert.

I caught this eager customer searching for a book. Scrupulous readers of The Indie Bob Spot may recognize this celebrity on a rare book buying outing. Yes, that's my mom.