“Life, like this typewriter, has no backspace. Type strongly and don’t look back.”
Notes from a Public Typewriter
By Michael Gustafson and Oliver Uberti
Published: March 2018
Source: Advance review copy
Opening and running a bookstore can’t be an easy feat. Between keeping the bestsellers on the shelves and fighting the competition of online booksellers, the owners of Literati Bookstore, Michael Gustafson and his wife Hilary, weren’t going to be deterred from their dream of owning a bookstore.
When they opened the doors on the first day one of the first things they did was set out a light blue Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter on the lower level of the bookstore. Anyone could use the typewriter all the booksellers had to do was keep paper by its side.
It was a hit. That first they they heard the sounds of typing. What were the customers typing? Would they find love notes, confessions, funny anecdotes? This book is a compilation of how one typewriter in a bookstore helped build a community.
There are some charming stories of proposals, friendships and even one of a boy meeting the Violin Monster who can be seen around the streets of Ann Arbor. If you love books, bookstores and typewriters you must read this book. I love that there are also pictures of the bookstore scattered throughout the pages, some photos of the typewriter in use and even of the Wall of Fame of typewritten notes.
This sounds like such a delightful book! It would probably make a great gift for any book lover or bookstore employee. Thanks, Iliana!
That would be really interesting to check day-by-day, I think. Who knows what people would write? I may look for this book at some point.
I’ve read several articles about typewriters in the park, and the way the typewriters attract people is fascinating! I definitely want to read this book. π
Here is a link to one article: http://bedfordandbowery.com/2016/06/this-summer-go-to-the-park-and-toss-the-ol-typewriter-around/
Les in OR – Oh yes, this would be a great gift! Have to remember that around the holidays or for special occasions!
Kay – Wouldn’t that be fun? I’d love to have that as part of my job duties π
Jenclair – Typewriter in the park is too cool. Thank you for sharing the article. Have you heard of Typewriter Rodeo? I missed seeing them when they were in town promoting their book but I just love stuff like this.
This book has such an interesting premise. Will have to check it out.
What an interesting book you discovered! I wish I had saved my mom’s typewriters– she had a clunky manual and then an electric one. She stopped working before pcs came into use but I can still remember the quick tap-tap-tap from her home office π
I think this book will be difficult to find without actually buying it, but I’ll keep it on my radar anyway. Thanks!
What a fun and interesting idea!
This sounds like quite a find! What a great sounding book!