Writer's Block | April 29th, 2015
A world in which independent bookstores can still thrive is certainly a good one. Independent bookstores enrich their communities in many ways, partly by connecting people with local authors and fostering a unique sense of place.
This year, these unique shops get a special day in their honor.
Saturday, May 2 marks the first national Independent Bookstore Day, sponsored by the American Booksellers Association and Penguin Random House. More than 400 bookstores nationwide will be taking part, and Zandbroz Variety in Fargo will celebrate by holding an all-day book party.
Zandbroz has been a proud independent bookstore in the Fargo-Moorhead community for 24 years, and the shop continues to open its doors to all bibliophiles, gourmands of the written word, supporters of all things local and independent and Fargo-Moorhead, and to everyone else here, there or anywhere in-between.
Plenty of special offers will be available throughout the day. All new and vintage books will be 15 percent off, and exclusive Independent Bookstore Day items will be offered as well. Drawings will be held for prizes including books, special broadsides and more. Free doughnuts will be provided to the first 50 customers of the day, and coffee will be on the house for the duration of the event.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. attendees will also have the opportunity to have books signed by two favorite local authors.
Lin Enger will be signing copies of his critically acclaimed novel, “The High Divide,” released in 2014. This signing will also mark the national debut for the new paperback edition from Algonquin Press.
Melanie Hoffert will sign copies of her book “Prairie Silence,” which was the winner of the 2014 Minnesota Book Award for Memoir & Creative Nonfiction.
HPR reached out to Melanie Hoffert to get her take on this event, as well as her thoughts on the important roles independent bookstores perform for their communities.
“I think it is critical for a community to support independent bookstores,” Hoffert said. “We've lost so many unique community businesses over the last few decades as superstores have saturated our culture. And with those small businesses we've lost personalization and connection and aesthetic. I think this is sad.”
“The remaining independent bookstores that are still thriving, like Zandbroz, create rare spaces where we can form relationships with the owners, interact with staff who are passionate about books, and invest in places with deep connections to the local landscape. Independent bookstores still provide the shopping experiences of yesteryear; experiences that have faded all too soon.”
Hoffert also had some kind words specifically for Fargo’s own Zandbroz.
“Zandbroz is a gem of the Dakotas. There is nothing like the hardwood floors, high ceilings, perfectly curated gift selection, handmade jewelry and paper, and compelling book selection. During college I often drifted into Zandbroz to be surrounded by beauty as I devoured new books. Today when I visit Fargo, I never leave town without visiting this bedrock of the community. I am so thankful it is still here.”
Independent Bookstore Day
Zandbroz Variety, 420 Broadway N
Sat, May 2, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
FREE
April 23rd 2023
March 15th 2023
March 8th 2023
February 12th 2023
August 17th 2022
__293px-wide.png)
__293px-wide.jpg)
__293px-wide.png)
MayFargo MarathonNow - May 20Youth run Thursday, 5K Friday night, 10K, half and full marathon, entertainment along route on Saturday. fargomarathon.comKids to Park DayMay 20Bring the kids to Theault Farm in Fargo for crafts,…
By John Showalter john.d.showalter@gmail.comHuman rights is a subject that often comes up in the media. One has only to tune in to any of the major news broadcasters to hear heated debate and discussion regarding the treatment of…
Event by Moorhead Parks & Recreation and Swing Barrel Brewing Company, LLCW. H. Davy Memorial Park, 1st Ave & 8th St N, MoorheadTuesday, June 27, 5:30-8pmThe Gina Powers Band + Petting ZooHeather & Thistle Pipes and DrumsArt…
__300x100.jpg)
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comOur opinion: Keep your chins up, class of 2023As the school year draws to a close, this seems to be the time of year when most editors offer up their best advice to the most recent graduating…
By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comQuestion for 2024: Will a Billion Guns and a Quadrillion Bullets Make DSA Safer?Ever since Lucy fell out of an African tree 3.2 million years ago, animals have been designing new ways to kill each…
We are looking for 55-gallon plastic food grade barrels, do you have ideas or connections?We use these barrels to teach our resilient yard workshop series including Make Your Own Rain Barrel and Make Your Own Compost Tumbler. If…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.comSpring has finally sprung. It’s time to bounce out of the house and try a few new places to eat. Let’s explore what restaurants are trending on the Fargo-Moorhead Eats Facebook page. With nearly…
Event information provided by Morgan Thompson, Marketing and Sales Associate, FARGODOMEMThompson@fargodome.comIt’s the official kickoff of summer, and the return of the best BBQ around and look who’s going to be there! Getting…
By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comWriter-director Nicole Holofcener leans in – all the way in – to the sturdy milieu of the well-heeled, narcissist-inhabited, New York-based comedy landscape dominated for so many decades by…
Hjemkomst Center 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead April 25, 3:30-7:30pmPaint a rock, make a stranger smile and be a part of the movement! Keep your rock or add it to the pile to be labeled, sealed and…
By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…
By Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comSpring is here (mostly), and our area is buzzing with people eager to get back out and about -- many newly vaccinated and feeling a bit safer. Partnering with Jade Events, Fargo Brewing is just…
By John Showalter john.d.showalter@gmail.comThey sell fentanyl test strips and kits to harm-reduction organizations and…
By Traci Sethre traci.sethre@gmail.comAn integral piece of fencing is your mask. Its integrity keeps you safe. It’s typically painted black to hide your face…
By Ken and Alice Christiansonsubmit@hpr1.com HB 1332 is currently before the North Dakota legislature. The bill proposes to permit social workers to use a discredited treatment method to convert the sexual orientation of gay and…
