Jackson Heights Life

The address should be something like 77-09 or 77-11 37th Ave

au contraire.........reading requires much too much effort!

Aren't they all stationary? And if there's a bookstore, won't that attract trust fund brats?

book stores are increasingly hard to find all over the country. barnes and noble is on the verge of giving up  brick-and-mortar altogether, borders is giving more and more space to non-readable items -- like build-a-bear workshops replacing children's books -- and independent stores (always my choice) are shuttering at an alarming rate. just google 'bookstores closing' and you''ll see story after story.

sad to say, but most people don't read books. almost half of americans didn't crack even one last year, and the  average person read three. that's not a lot of revenue -- and many people view the book like any other product, one where price matters most. meaning that amazon beats shakespeare and company nine times out of ten.

sigh

If it is true that book stores are increasingly hard to find all over the country, it is truly a shame!  Perhaps if there were more book stores around we would not have as many  illiterates all over the country, & our children would not be  failing school!!!!!!!!

There's no doubt that for any bookstore to thrive in this neighborhood it must serve the neighborhood. As the previous poster suggested, stocking a solid range of classic and contemporary books in Spanish and South Asian languages would be necessary, along with a focused selection of English-language titles that run from romance and thrillers to literary fiction.

But more than the actual books, I really believe that in Jackson Heights a bookstore would also have to involve the community with readings, workshops, story hours, whatever. I've been to readings at Terraza where it is nothing but Argentine poets. Because Jackson Heights is such a diverse neighborhood, a bookstore could really focus on cultivating all sorts of internationally-minded literary events, which if done correctly could make the store a destination.

I've lurked here long enough to know some of you really dislike the idea of Jackson Heights "becoming like Brooklyn," but if you look at the popular indie bookstores in Brooklyn today -- Word in Greenpoint; Book Court in Boerum Hill; Greenlight in Fort Greene -- they cater to their neighborhoods, and in doing so have facilitated book cultures that attract neighbors and folks from all over the city because of the programs they schedule. It doesn't matter what you think of these stores, these neighborhoods and their residents. What's important is the model of considering the community at large and involving it.

If someone with the wherewithal and capital comes along thinking along these lines I believe a bookstore would thrive in Jackson Heights.  

I believe there was a small Spanish-language bookstore on 37th (around 81st) when I first moved to JH; it's probably been about 5 years since it closed.

I see pop-up stands selling all sorts of books in Spanish (including love making!). Usually outside the Roosevelt Ave subway. I don't know if he does well.