Like No Place Else

Tea Time

written by Nicki Wilcoxson

Jim and I consider ourselves to be very fortunate to have a Chili’s Restaurant located a short distance from our house. When we want to eat in a restaurant, but we don’t want to go too far, Chili’s is often the perfect solution. Not only is it nearby, we actually like the food and find it to be very consistent no matter what we choose to order. Even more important is the fact that Chili’s has the best iced tea ever! Recently, as we sat waiting for our food, I found myself drawn to a slogan painted on the wall. I am sure it has been there for a long time, but this time when I looked at it, I actually took notice. I am always on the lookout for something that will serve as an inspiration for a topic to use in writing the next post, and I knew immediately that I would be able to use the Chili’s slogan, “Like no place else!”

When I had time, I started a list of places that could fit into the category of “Like no place else” and before I knew it, my list was long. Blog readers will be happy to know that I have been able to divide the list into several categories for future posts. These categories could include places for vacations, eating, shopping, towns/cities, and of course our homes. These are just a few of the many possibilities! One of my criteria for unique places is that they will be chosen for the effect that they have on me and hopefully others, too. In my opinion the selected “like no place else” should be places that draw us back time and time again because they exert an emotional pull or connection.

People who know me, know that I am an avid reader so while some readers will be surprised at my first choice for “Like no place else”, many will not. My first choice is Barnes and Noble! I love Barnes and Noble. In fact I love all bookstores including Book People in Austin, and Borders. I love all the bookstores I have never been to. I love bookstores that are yet to be opened. However, I have to admit that I really can’t pass by a Barnes and Noble, and I can’t go to Austin without a visit to Book People with its unique atmosphere and unique focus for its books and its own blog.. After all, Book People has made “Keeping Austin Weird” its goal!

Jim and I are drawn to visit Barnes and Noble quite often. It really is one of our favorite things to do. Upon entering the doors, we experience a delicious feast for the senses. I am not a coffee drinker, but oh the smell of coffee is so welcoming and comforting when we walk in that I am almost convinced to buy a cup at the in-store Starbuck’s. If I could only believe that it tastes as good as it smells! I never know where to look first—new arrivals, fiction, non-fiction, paperbacks, hardbacks, bargain books, greeting cards, puzzles, games, music, or magazines. My fingers literally itch to touch the smooth book covers and to turn the pages of each book (very carefully, of course.) My eyes are eager to read the book jackets and the enticing book summaries and reviews. I can hear the quiet or not so quiet conversations, maybe a poetry reading, and parents urging children to the children’s area to explore the books or to hear a favorite selection read. As I move around the huge room, I remain keenly aware of the large comfy chairs, tables, and benches that beckon customers to “sit a spell” and read.

Entering the doors ignites a sense of excitement or the keen awareness that comes when the “hunt has begun.” The challenge of finding a needed book or the knowledge that there are new books waiting for me to find them makes my pulse quicken. Who or what is waiting for me just around the corner, on the next shelf, or on the new books display? What a joy I experience when I find a new title written by a favorite author! I love fiction and I look forward to meeting new characters, seeing new places, solving mysteries, crying a little, and having a new adventure. Discovering a new author is a wondrous event!

I explore BN very methodically on each visit. If I need a greeting card, I go to that area first (saving the best for last), I slowly move through the new books section, making note of everything I want to read in the future. I pass by the non-fiction sections unless I have something specific to look for; my destination is first and foremost the mystery books. I hold my breath as I skim the new mystery book section, once again making notes about new books and pulling new paperback books that I want to purchase and read. (I never buy hardbacks.) I do a walk through of the mystery and general fiction sections paying special attention to favorite authors—always looking for the unread (by me). From there I am off to children’s books. Because I am a children’s book junkie I will occasionally buy a book that I find especially well illustrated. My final destination is usually the magazine section where I have to be really careful not to buy everything I see. I love magazines, too!

Now in case you think that people are standing back watching a crazy woman in a bookstore, I assure you that to the outside world I appear sane and sedate. I have never danced the happy dance in BN even though I would love to at times, and I have never made any little children cry in the children’s book section!

In the meantime, Jim has gone for coffee and then he spends the rest of his time looking for new golf related books and pouring over physical fitness books. He has no qualms about buying hardback books and is accruing books at an alarming rate. Soon we will have to buy a larger house just for his books. Eventually one of us will find the other; then we move to the purchase line, and leave the store clutching our purchases, eagerly anticipating the time that we can immerse ourselves in our treasures.

Now, I am sure that you are all wondering what I do with the notes that I took about new books that I plan to read. There is still one unmentioned, but related “like no place else”. That would be the public library! I have to tell you that I love libraries, too! Nothing like them anywhere! I take my list of books and put myself on the reserve lists anticipating the joy and pleasure I feel when I receive a call from the library telling me it is my turn to check out a treasured book, read it, enjoy it, savor it ALL FOR FREE!

So for my first choice of “Like no place else” I am happy to share my love for Barnes and Noble and for all the other book stores and public libraries for all the reasons mentioned above. I love the idea that they are the homes of so many of my best friends, my favorite places, and one of my greatest loves and past times—reading books.

I look forward to sharing more of my favorite places that are like no other!

FYI, the "books" scattered around the post are books I am looking forward to reading soon!!

Worth Sharing!!! In a comment to this post Jennifer mentioned her favorite bookstore, The Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver. I have been there before, too, and it is truly a "Like No Place Else" bookstore. The atmosphere is wonderful and it fits the category of drawing a person back time after time. The service is first class and the building is filled with history. I have discovered that they have a blog entitled "Between the Covers". Be sure to check out Jennifer's comment as well as the web page for Tattered Cover and for the blog Between the Covers. Thank you Jennifer for reminding me of this true treasure among bookstores!.