I was in Boston a few days ago and one day we travelled by train to Concord, a pretty small town about half an hour from the city. The purpose of the visit was to go to Orchard House, the home of Louisa May Alcott, she of Little Women fame. Her books were hugely important to me as a child and it was quite emotional to put my hand on the little shelf in her room that she used as a desk. I couldn’t quite believe I was really there.
Wandering the Main Street of the town we found a sizeable bookshop: The Concord Bookshop. I was pleased and a little surprised to find that an independent bookshop could survive happily here, as always under the threat of Amazon. I bought 2 books and enjoyed a long chat with the owner. Inevitably he wanted my email address so I now know all the goings on of this New England community. It is interesting and probably gives me the answer as to how this indie bookshop prospers; it is deeply involved in all that goes on in its surrounding area. A win win situation I think.
… I looked at a map of Massachusetts to see where Amherst lay in relation to Boston. I would have loved to visit the home of Emily Dickinson as well. Really, sadly, just too far for a day trip.