The Indie Bob Spot: Green Feather Book Co

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!