Beginning in the 1970s, with the popularity of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings series, a variety of independent bookstores specializing in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and related genres (often mystery, comics, games, and/or collectibles), began opening.[1] Among the first were Andromeda Books in Birmingham, England (1971-2002),[2] Bakka-Phoenix Bookstore in Toronto and A Change of Hobbit in Southern California, both established in 1972. As independent bookstores suffered during the business shifts of the late 20th and early 21st century, many of these closed.[3] During their heyday, however, they were a key part of science fiction fandom, facilitating not just publishing, distribution, and promotion of books, but public events, social events, and community-building.
List of notable bookstores
editThis list is meant to include past and present "brick-and-mortar" bookstores. Bookstores that were once "brick-and-mortar", but have moved online, should be included. Bookstores that have only ever been solely online vendors should be listed separately.
- A Change of Hobbit, 1972–1991, in Southern California[4][5]
- The Other Change of Hobbit, established 1974 in Berkeley,[1] later in El Cerrito (now mail-order only)
- DreamHaven Books,[6] Minneapolis, Minnesota (established 1977)[7]
- Forbidden Planet, New York City and London
Notes
edit- ^ a b Bullock, Ken (August 10, 2010). "The Other Change of Hobbit is Living in South Berkeley". The Berkeley Daily Planet.
- ^ "Andromeda bookshop closes after 30 years. - Free Online Library".
- ^ Lisa Pickoff-White, "Borderlands Helps Make the Bay Area a Sci-Fi Bookstore Haven", SF Weekly, April 2, 2008.
- ^ Duke Helfand, "For Science Fiction Fans, Old Habit Dies Hard : Change of Hobbit Devotees Are Already Mourning Bookstore Demise", Los Angeles Times, Feb. 10, 1991.
- ^ Sherry Gottlieb, "Escape Velocity: A History of A Change of Hobbit Bookstore".
- ^ "Home". DreamHaven.
- ^ Our Store History, last visited Dec. 29, 2015.
External links
edit- "Bookstores Specializing in Science Fiction", Biblio.com (last visited March 31, 2014)
- Independent Genre Bookstores, Worlds Without End (last visited March 31, 2014)