Edible Books @ Loganberry

I’ve long been intrigued by the monthly newsletters sent to my inbox by Loganberry Books on behalf of Harriett R. Logan. The events are imaginative and the new book additions are unusual. The place has an old-fashioned literary quirkiness that is a welcome respite for book lovers.

After all, on Saturday, April 5, Loganberry Books, at 1015 Larchmere Boulevard in Shaker Heights, is co-hosting, with Strong Bindery, the Edible Books Festival of Cleveland. Who would have thought of making edible art that has something to do with books? Apparently, it is an international event, but Harriett has adapted it locally.

Her newsletter says “How people choose to interpret that rule is wherein lies the fun.” Books are made from food, meals described in books are recreated, book passages are told with food. Anyone can show up to watch, but one must get there before 2PM when the voting starts and as Harriett says, “Don’t be late, the creations don’t last long after that!” For $3, one can vote and eat.

I visited Loganberry Books for the first time this week, rather apologetically. I’d been meaning to traverse the Cuyahoga River to the east side for at lease a year, and when I asked Harriett if she could tell I was from the west side, she said, “Yes, I can.” Then she said, “People don’t get out.”

But we must get out to Loganberry Books and the other independent book stores in the Cleveland area. Loganberry’s specializes in used and rare books, and you won’t find those books at Borders. For example, the March e-mail announced recent acquisitions that include the prequel to the Anne of Green Gables series by Budge Wilson (appealing to my old fashioned girl side) and a reprint of Voyage to the Bunny Planet by Rosemary Wells (appealing to the inner child).

The store has been in operation for fourteen years (since 1994), and has been in its current space at the former site of a car dealership for the last few years. Harriett installed hardwood and parquet floors, decorative tin ceiling tiles, beautiful floor to ceiling bookcases and shelves, and has made it all very comfortable with sitting areas of stuffed sofas and chairs.

The sections are well-marked (I found travel books for Alaska in the travel section under “Cold”) and the collection includes a huge children’s area, local Ohio writers and books about local places, genre fiction, Japanese art, collectibles, and English literature. One could get lost in the ballroom-sized space made intimate by the seating areas. Straight back in the rear of the store is a room full of old books and magazines under glass (and tied with purple ribbons) and an antique doll collection. It feels a little like the reading room in Cleveland’s Main Library, only much more comfortable. In other words, it’s Victorian.

I kept saying “wow!” There are so many books in so much space and the nooks and crannies and all the wonderful things to be explored were thrilling. The artistic and original card collection was worth the visit—there were hundreds of hand-made and unique cards to choose from.

Loganberry Books is locally owned, independent, a bit quirky, and old-fashioned; after all, it’s full of old books! But the owner is smart enough to know that technology helps promote her business and makes full use of e-mail announcements and a user-friendly website (http://loganberrybooks.com) with a link to a blog and local writers.

I’ve always believed a bookstore has to be more than books. And more than coffee. It should include music and art, talks and discussions. Now and then, Loganberry has a program for children, and local authors will sign their books at Larchmere’s Flea Market & Festival on Saturday, June 28.

Thursdays come alive when the books make room for art shows in the sky-brightened Annex Gallery and music surrounds the books (as the books surround the musicians). Carolyn Fitzgerald, former owner of Café Limbo, is currently displaying her abstract oil paintings along the walls at eye level and up in the rafters as well. Every second Thursday, Gene’s Jazz Hot hangs out at Loganberry--visitors are encouraged to bring food and wine (the cookies are provided!).

On March 20, as part of the Northern Ohio Bibliophilic Society forums, Larry Rakow gave a talk about the Little Golden Book series some of us knew as children, including the Stump the Bookseller Selection of the Month which had Bobby and grandpa searching for an apple. The Bloomsbury Club and Austeniana Club meet on fourth Thursdays to discuss the works of Joyce and Austen. And yes, there are workshops! One can explore playwriting on Mondays and Bookbinding on Saturdays (Strong Bindery’s studio is right on site at Loganberry’s — email: strongbind@hotmail.com).

Loganberry Books is much more than a bookstore—it’s a place for book lovers. I even like its faintly dusty smell. I think it’s just what a bookstore should be, and I’m jealous that Harriett gets to hang out there all the time.

Learn more at http://www.loganberrybooks.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia J. Taller ctallerwritesATwowway.com
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