Drive by Chicago's famous Water Tower these days and you'll be struck by the light coming through the windows on the corner of Michigan and Pearson: all you can see is the bright expanse of floor space and a helter-skelter of empty book racks. As of last Saturday, the immense Borders bookstore is closed. According to Chicago Tribune writer Mary Schmich, that means that "the city's premier shopping street will be without any bookstore for the first time in decades."
Take heart, Mary! Even if we aren't quite on the Magnificent Mile, there is still a bookstore on North Michigan Avenue!
Granted, we're not exactly Borders, a big-box style bookstore with no limit to categories. At 172 N. Michigan (just a few blocks from the Tribune Tower), our categories are highly specialized: Biblical; Spirituality; Saints; Theology; Liturgy; Religious Instruction... But we do have a couple of comfortable chairs, a music listening station, and (something Borders could never boast) a tiny chapel where you can meet the One who promised to "give rest for your soul" (cf. Mt. 10: 29).
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Good one, Sister Anne! I plan to be at the 2011 Lay Carmelite Convocation which takes place in July at the Palmer House. Last time I went, about 4 years ago, I visited your bookstore and it was lovely. I bought more books than I should have, but I guess you Sisters don't mind that. I'll probably do so again in July!
Great, Ruth! Hope I see you then. Be sure to tell your fellow Carmelites about us!
Some folks cannot see the forest for the trees and therefore they judge a book by its cover
Mary Schmich, finding a bookstore on Michigan Avenue requires only a watchful eye and an open mind. Missing the forest for the trees is poignant, considering that books originate from such sources. Come and see.
Mary Schmich, I am a firm believer in actual grace. Take that walk down Michigan Avenue again and this time seek out the chapel. As Father Groeschel put it "There are no accidents".
Post a Comment