Green Feather Book Co - Norman, OK

Green Feather Book Co, Norman, OK

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I bought some books today on my visit to Green Feather Book Co.  I didn’t go online to get these or click submit, I bought them for the experience of the bookstore visit.  Sometimes these write-ups focus on the store, a staffer or an owner, or maybe some of both.  Today’s visit for me was a mini-course in adult education and the takeaway is an owner who is deeply passionate and knowledgeable about her ethnicity as a descendant of the Chickasaw Tribe.  Heather H. is the wonderful owner at Green Feather Book Co, named after herself, Green Feather, her Native name given to her by an aunt.  My experience here was a fascinating and riveting conversation (she is the story teller for her generation, descended from story tellers) about her family, her ancestors, and her culture.  My time with her should be a required class for all.  The Chickasaw people are not indigenous to Oklahoma, but Mississippi.  Her ancestors got to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears and of course some didn’t survive.  One of her ancestors was a chief that led 5 tribes in the 1860 treaty agreement, still in place today.  It was an honor for me to be in her presence and in her store.

The strength of this bookstore is with Native American authors and subjects but you’ll find much more than that here.  They have two medium sized rooms filled with new and used books, all shelved together.  The great thing is they know exactly what used books are here thanks to a data base.  If customers don’t donate their books they can receive store credit in return, something all regulars should take advantage of.  In addition to the regulars, the store also sees customer traffic from the Oklahoma University community of faculty and students.  And if you can’t make it to the store consider supporting them online by ordering through bookshop.org.  They have frequent events, many of which feature local authors.  In their 2+ years of business, things are going reasonably well and as Heather told me all their projections are pointing up.  

As for sidelines, the stickers are hot and you’ll also find journals, buttons, bookstore candles, and miniature music boxes to name just a few.

If you want to visit a bookstore to be enlightened, to learn, this is the place.  Make a point to visit and meet Shae and Stacey, who along with Heather are the custodians of this wonderful oasis in Norman, OK.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Lion Women of Tehran, Marjan Kamali.  What a book!  Ellie and Homa become friends as 7-year olds growing up in Tehran.  Their lives include family tragedies and they are as tight as any friends could be until Ellie’s family moves.  They reconnect in high school but the volatility of Iranian politics in the 70s and 80s puts pressure on their friendship into adulthood.  A fantastic book and one of the best I’ve read in a long time.  This is a powerful tribute and example of women determined to fight for equality across generations.  Make sure one of the booksellers at your indie discovers this one.  Highly recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  All The Colors of The Dark, Chris Whitaker. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Nail's Crossing, Kris Lackey.  An Indigenous Peoples' History of The United States, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz.  Orbital, Samantha Harvey.  Not purchased but gifted, my very own Green Feather book tote.  Thanks Heather!

 

Green Feather storefront. 

Storytellers are sacred and you are welcomed. 

Beautiful display window. 

Let the browsing begin before you even enter. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

View looking to the right from the front entrance. 

Attractive display of various items just inside the store. 

An example of the candles offered. 

Head over to the left side of the store and this super browsing area. 

I love this area in the center of the store.  A great place to relax and chat or sample a book. 

View looking into the room on the left side of the store. 

The room on the left has a perfect place to sit and relax. 

I think the lighting, the shelves, and the colors really create a nice atmosphere in this room. 

An overview looking from the back toward the front in the room on the left. 

Over on the right side of the store. 

A nice assortment of Antiquarian editions. 

A very, very small model of an old home library.  See if you can find it. 

Another overview of the store's main room. 

Bookish and writerly sidelines. 

Just a few of the books of local and regional interest. 

One of the long book aisles on the right side of the store. 

Every bookstore has unique stickers. 

Miniature music boxes. 

Filing system for incoming books. 

Another excellent place to get comfy with a book. 

With Heather, the fine owner at Green Feather Book Co.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Best of Books - Edmond, OK

Best of Books, Edmond, OK

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Congratulations to Best of Books, celebrating 40 years of bookselling in a community where they’ve fostered deep ties and relationships over the years, something all indies strive for.  Success like this deserves broader recognition than city and state and is worthy of national attention.  Best of Books is still in its original location (a rarity considering their longevity) and only in its 3rd ownership.  Current owners are husband and wife Joe and Nan along with their adult daughter Elena.  In the beginning of their ownership, Nan told me they put in some VERY long hours but are now very experienced and clicking on all cylinders.  And as you would expect with a 40-year old bookstore, this one can check all the boxes.  

The store has two large, adjacent rooms that have a general organization of children’s items in the left room and adult items in the right room.  Each room has its own outside entrance but are also connected on the inside.  Best of Books offers all new books and a wide variety of sidelines that has something for everyone.  Lots of games, puzzles, greeting cards, Peepers reading glasses, stickers, and a line of items from the Naked Bee that includes lotions and balms.  The store offers a weekly story time and kids will love this place.  In addition to the books there are a variety of stuffed animals, toy dinosaurs, princess costumes, and cowboy costumes to name just a few.  Honestly, this should be your one-stop shopping for the holiday season.  Best of Books doesn’t have a cafe but they do offer free coffee to enjoy while you browse.  Can’t visit in person?  Consider placing an order online, a part of the business that has exploded and ships internationally.

The bookstore is so fortunate to have a great relationship with the local schools, something all indies would welcome.  They also maintain a very busy events schedule including an adult book fair at a local brewery.

Indeed, they check all the boxes including the one next to “great staff.”  Co-owner Nan was wonderful to talk to and on the day of my visit Shelby (business background) and Jenny (English Lit major) would seem to be the perfect talent combination at any bookstore.  

If you’re in the Edmond area and never been to Best of Books, what gives?  You’ve had 40 years but all will be forgiven when you discover this wonderful bookstore that is deserving of national recognition.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.   

JUST FINISHED:  Miracle Of The Music Man: The Classic American Story of Meredith Willson.  This book certainly includes biographical information about Meredith Willson but the primary focus is everything it took to get the iconic Broadway musical, The Music Man, created, evolved, and finally to Broadway for an incredible run.  With this musical, Willson never forgot his Iowa roots and thankfully his “Iowa stubborn” and years of perseverance were rewarded.  This book also details his following attempts at creating another successful musical and looks at the explosion of popular Broadway musicals in the 40s and 50s.  I appreciate his remarkable talent even more after reading this book.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Lion Women of Tehran, Marjan Kamali. 

Designated customer parking right in front of the store. 

The store has two entrances.  One that enters into the adult side and the other into the children's side.  This is the adult side, the entrance on the right. 

Watch for upcoming events. 

View looking into the store from the right side entrance. 

Looking immediately to the left after entering the right side of the store you'll see the connected entrance over to the children's side. 

Relevant display on the right side of the store after entering. 

If you lose your readers like I do, they've got you covered. 

An overview looking into the left side of the store. 

Unique Christmas greeting cards in the front of the store. 

Looking immediately to the right after entering the right side of the store and you'll see the attractive display of new arrivals. 

You're going to need this tote bag for all the books you buy. 

Check out what the book clubs are reading. 

Just a few of the stickers available. 

Best of Books is an award-winning store. 

I always enjoy seeing the "Blind date with a book" promotions. 

There are quotes from books along the tops of the shelves on the right side of the store...

...to see what book the quote is from, walk over and look underneath the sign with the quote.  Very creative designing. 

Head over to the right side of the store and start browsing. 

These True Genius puzzles have been popular. 

A line of Naked Bee lotions and scents. 

A wonderful seating area at the back of the adult side of the store.  Naturally, I love the BoB in the background. 

Another overview of the back of the store on the adult side. 

View looking from the back of the store toward the front entrance on the adult side of the store. 

An overview of the children's room looking from the back of the store toward the front entrance. 

The long wall of books from the back of the children's room looking toward the front. 

An elevated portion of the children's room in the back corner of the store. 

View looking from the back toward the front entrance of the children's area. 

If you have a little princess or a little cowboy at home, this might be a good gift idea. 

Partial overview of the children's room. 

Kids will love this bookstore. 

With Nan H., the fine co-owner at Best of Books.  Thanks for a great visit.