#39: The Word Is Change

The new shop on the block

The Shop: The Word Is Change

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn: 368 Tompkins Avenue

Fresh shop alert: The Word is Change is the newest bookstore in Brooklyn! Don’t let the awning for the space’s former tenants fool you, this spot is no longer selling real estate– unless you count real estate of the mind. The Word is Change features new and used books with a pretty wide selection that seems perfectly pitched for Bed-Stuy hipsters. Roughly a third of the store is dedicated to lefty political stuff, Adorno heads take note! I especially enjoyed browsing their selection of posters from the Celebrate People’s History series, which are both excellent looking and educational. TWIC has some steep competition in Brooklyn. Its finds are not quite the funk level of nearby competitors Human Relations or Better Read Than Dead. That said, this is only the beginning for this bookstore, and I’m excited to see a cool new spot open up so close to my house. This spot is only going to get better with our support, so go drop some bucks, sell some books, and help spread the word.

What I Got:

Celebrate People’s History Poster: Ursula K. Leguin

Ursula K. Leguin’s a hero of mine. The Earthsea author opened up a generation of imaginations and pushed the envelope of fantasy and science fiction. Young adult fiction would not exist without her. Putting this poster in my kitchen so I can think of her while I’m making tea– the most important part of my day.

American Utopia

In those blissful weeks before Omicron took NYC by seige, Marissa and I had the chance to see David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway. I thought this beautiful book of Byrne’s musings and Maria Kalman’s illustrations would make a great Christmas gift for Marissa (shh… don’t tell her!), who got me Byrne’s How Music Works book as a present a few years ago.

The Simple Abundance of Gratitude Journal

This journal by Sarah Ban Breathnak is another Christmas gift for Marissa! It’s a charmingly designed hard cover with words of affirmation and space to write notes of gratitude. I think this would be a great gift for Marissa as I am super grateful to have her in my life.

The How

Yrsa Daley Ward crossed genre streams to write this poetic self help book on “the great work of meeting yourself.” This book is another present, this time for my Aunt Becky!