Book Towns: Part I

Cafe Book Bean

ruedeesperance
A Book Town is a trend that began in the 1960’s and refers to a town or village with a large number of used book or antiquarian book stores.
Along with their unique and plentiful bookstores they also host wonderful literary festivals

These book festivals attract book lovers and bibliophiles from all over the world. A number of towns are also members of the International Organisation of Book Towns.

Check out these first 6 awesome, yet quaint little book towns:

240-Montolieu-village-du-livre-Aude_focus_eventsMontolieu, France
Sometimes referred to as the “Village of Books.” Montolieu was the town that first introduced me to the concept of “Book Towns.” With a population of roughly only 747 people Montolieu contains fifteen bookshops, mostly specializing in second-hand and
16540322265_089531e1a8_zantiquarian books.
Every year the town offers many workshops such as: Used and antiquarian bookshops, Working craftspeople of books and art, The Arts and Crafts of the Book Museum, Bibliophilia…

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Blustery Days

We have been having some insane weather again here in Portland;
seriously crazy winds and oh the rain!
When you hear there’s a tornado only 80 miles away,
you know these are bona fide Blustery days!
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My solution of course is to hunker down with a nice cup of coffee,
and you guessed it, curl up with a good book.download
There is a beauty to the sights and sound of rain, and a
magic that is there if we wait for it.PWHydrolRainfall

Allow yourself to really hear the howling winds, and whooshing leaves.
We are surrounded by strong powerful forces.281624235_7529784383_z-editedTake your own sweeping breath of strength, and embrace it.

Sure it can be dangerous and it can make you sad and soggy. But now, what better excuse for a hot cup of your favorite steamy drink, and a cozy sweater or blanket to melt the brittleness away.
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The beauty is in the opportunity to appreciate our conveniences,
and to embrace an opportunity to slow down.Piglet-Blustery-Day.gifSo take a moment, stop and smell the sweet dewy breeze
(or gusts if you are anywhere near pdx.)
If you can take the time to read or write
(or meditate in the way that suits you,)00d19f0fdbc9d711061194d882230dd4I think you would be glad you did.
For those without that ability, just take a moment to stop,
reflect for a moment, and breath in the day.Rainy-days-quote-image-hd
And treat yourself to something hot, be it cocoa, tea, or coffee!alphabetcity
I’m reading “The Wisdom of The Shire”
on these blustery days.
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What are your favorite rainy day reads?

rainy day quote by maya angelou