Life, actually…

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THE Y’ALL-COME BOOK LOVERS OF THIRD AVENUE NORTH

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“Air conditioning!” Rhondrae enters the bookshop, smiling full speed ahead, and inhales deeply. “Do y’all know how lucky you are to have air conditioning?”

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Rhondrae freezes in place for a moment, experiencing the breeze. Her Goodyear Shoe Hospital is just across the street from Reed Books. She does not have air conditioning.

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Rhondrae is one of many visitors today, each of whom arrives with tailor-made light and spasmodic energy. There are two New Yorkers enjoying the Bama vibe. There is a tattooed black-tee-shirted couple on their way to needle and ink sessions next door. There is a wee bit of a four-year-old who is excited about Dr. Seuss books and books about steam shovels.

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The sunshine these browsers gift to the shop produces an ambient glow that is hard to describe. You have to be here.

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Meanwhile, Rhondrae produces a bag of nibbles and sweets to share with us. She’s always feeding us with her energy and her goodies. Another customer bounces in and is ooing and ahhing at the plethora of books and goofy collectibles on display. She has found her bliss.

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I am grinning ear to ear. I am pleasured by the good feelings that pop up each time the door clangs open. Who will be next?

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A young man from DC arrives to roam the aisles and let us know what is happening in Xanadu these days. A family from the Panhandle is chuckling over a joke book, a nearby loft dweller pops in to add Agatha Christie to her hefty collection.

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I suppose this could be called Mr. Reed’s Neighborhood. At least it feels that way at times.

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Civil rights students and Louis L’Amour fans mingle with Nietzsche seekers and Lewis Grizzard lovers. Studiers seek Calvin and Hobbes and E.O. Wilson and King James Bibles and Mad Magazine. You just never know what people will ask for.

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I’m happily grinning again. I guess this is the kind of day I love recalling later on, when I’m home resting up for the next day’s onslaught of random goodwill and well-lit souls

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© 2026 A.D. by Jim Reed