A Different Light Bookstore to close in April
During my brief blogging hiatus, there was some sad news about a West Hollywood institution: A Different Light Bookstore announced that it will shut its doors on Santa Monica Blvd. for good in April.
My friend Mark Kellam called me last Thursday while standing in front of the store and read me the sign on the window: “We regret to announce that we will be closing the store in West Hollywood within the next two months. There are several factors whose impact make this the logical time to close the store and thank all of our customers and wonderful employees for their support during the past 19 years. at this location. It is our intention to proviude services to customers through our website at www.ADLBooks.com and our store in San Francisco.
I went for a shop there over the weekend and there were all kinds of books being sold at half-price. I picked up Farley Granger’s autobiography, a book about Gus Van Sant, two novels by Christopher Rice and a book of columns by Dan Savage.
As I shopped, I thought about how much I will miss this store greatly and have wonderful memories of attending book readings and signings. I also got my Christmas cards there just about every year. One year, my great friend, the late Tim Fairholm, went there after as lunch at The Abbey and on display was a copy of what I believe was “The Guide to Anal Sex.” Christmas carols were playing fairly loudly so I decided to joke with Tim. I held the book up and said, in a loud voice: “Hey! Isn’t this book you were looking for?” Just as I began tio say it, the music stopped playing so the entire store (which was quite full at the time) looked and laughed. Tim turned beet red and busted up. One of muy fasvorite memories of a friend who died far two young just a few months later.
I’ll miss A Different Light so much. I hope everyone will show the store lots of love in its final weeks.
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