On browsing bookstores well…

Why browsing bookstores is an art, and how to do it well…

You gotta browse the right stores

To get the most out of bookstore browsing, you must browse the right kind of bookstore. Not new books only, nor a disheveled chaos zone, but a middle ground: lovingly curated & vibrant & quirky, with lots of turnover, so you actually find new things.

You gotta browse the right books

You can't just…scan the entirety of the sprawling "fiction" section. Way better to pinpoint more niche sections (also the sign of a good bookstore, if these are curated and labeled for easy wayfinding). Some bookstores have a great recent additions section!

You gotta explore the adjacent possible

Browsing a bookstore is all about expanding your antilibrary, discovering unknown unknowns in the literary landscape, bringing more things into the zone of familiarity, jotting down notes. Find books you know; surf the weird affinities of their neighbors.

You gotta embrace the place-ness of the bookstore

The best bookstores have a vibe; being there transforms or transports you, changes your outlook for the day, gets thoughts flowing, cultivates character. You're not chasing information but imbibing the metatextual, the tastes and textures…

There are undoubtedly many more secrets and tricks to fruitful bookstore browsing — what are yours?