For The Love of Bookstores - BookBar


 BookBar is a bookstore for wine lovers and a wine bar for book lovers. I didn't get it until I finally visited the cute bookstore on Tennyson Street in Denver on a sunny Saturday morning. As soon as I walked in, I felt strangely at home. Not because of the wine (I'm allergic), but because of the energy the place exudes. Actually, let me back up a little. Tennyson Street is one of those areas in Denver in which you could spend an entire day - restaurants, pet stores, parks, bookstores, and other places to delight your senses. The more I explore Denver, the more I'm seeing pockets like Tennyson Street. Havens of Third Places for people who need a break from their work and home. BookBar consists of books galore plus a cafe that serves all kinds of drinks, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, and you want to find a table and just chill. I wandered through the bookstore, not really looking for anything in particular, until I reached the local authors' section. I located a super cool novella titled No Regrets by Juliana Rae Nicewarner (look for my review soon!) and clutched it to my chest. Finding a book by a new author means a lot to me. I get to see their view of the world. 

BookBar, and the rest of Tennyson Street, is super hip and super laid back. Nothing wrong with that at all. I also felt at home in that area, thanks to finally embracing my hipster side and not having it clash with my Goth, literary, bohemian, et al sides. At one point, I looked outside of a window in the back of the bookstore and noticed that there were outdoor sofas just waiting for someone to purchase a book and a drink, then proceed outside to resume with their self-imposed chill. I keep saying the word chill but it's true. BookBar is a reservoir of CHILL. I kept thinking to myself: I gotta bring my boyfriend here. 

Colorado continues to amaze me with what the state has to offer. I came here with no expectations except to expand upon my inner self and I find that the state is okay with that. In almost every bookstore I have visited here, I have felt nothing but WELCOME IN AND BUY SOME BOOKS! BookBar has been added to that list. They even have a Well Read Black Girls Book Club that I'm looking forward to attending, AND they are always looking for local authors to share their books. I hope they like Jackie Verona. 


BookBar - 4280 Tennyson Street, Denver, Colorado 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Crows

Image
  (tea leaves photo by me) The old crow flew down from the skies and perched next to me. Of all the times when I flew, he said in a gravelly voice, I wished to be on the ground. He cocked his head at me and waited for my reply. Instead, I set a small tin cup before him and filled it with my morning Tea. He cawed once, then lowered his beak into the warm liquid. Conversations are always important, I replied while he drank. That's why we are lost without them. The crow continued to drink the Tea. Just then, a woman with red hair and dressed in all black, walked up to us and sat down on the other side of me. I've forgotten how to think, she said in a singsong voice. The crow raised his head and cawed - then how are you talking now? His black beady eyes focused on her crooked smile. She closed her eyes and transformed into another crow. I stared off at the clouds and wondered if our thoughts betray us, or if we are the result of them. I then poured Tea into another cup and gave it
Read more

A Flash of Jazz - Acoustic Bicycle

Image
  When Abby declared that she was now the proud owner of an acoustic bicycle, I rolled my eyes and congratulated her on finally getting that last badge that would claim her to be a Black Hipster. She looked at me as though I had just told the funniest joke. You're just jealous that you didn't know the term, she laughed. At that moment, I wanted to leave but instead replied with - I've heard that snarky ass term before, thank you very much. In fact, I added with my own spoon of snark as I leaned forward on the table, I first heard it when I hung out with that really cool singer-songwriter, you know the one? Now she rolled her eyes at me, giving me full permission to continue on my soapbox. Yeah, yeah, the one who talked about planting wildflowers every time someone purchased her CDs. THAT one. So, Abby replied, I guess you're now going to save the planet, stop eating burgers, and plant a fucking tree every time someone farts? How very original, Wendell . The way she said
Read more

Choices - Flash Fiction

Image
  A young woman walked into the room, glanced around at the plethora of books for sale, and then noticed the older man assisting a customer as he stood behind the checkout table. He must be a volunteer, she thought as she began to slowly peruse the titles ready to be purchased and carted off to their new home. She flipped through a box of Fiction titles, only to wander to another box filled with graphic novels. She pulled out several books in a non-committal manner, then walked up to the man and set the books before him. Oliver offered her a smile that spoke - Welcome to the library book sale. So glad to see you here! Can you help me, she asked him, as his smile faltered just a little. I'm not sure which book to purchase, so could you read through them and let me know which ones sound interesting? The man resumed his regular smile as he replied - sure, glad to do it. The two other volunteers watched with careful eyes as he gently flipped through each book and read their dust jacket
Read more