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100 Things To Do In Holland Before You Die: #84 - Get Lost In A Book At Reader's World

This entry is where the whole inspiration behind "Tulip City Dispatch Does The 100 Things To Do In Holland Before You Die," came from.  Since I started this blog in 2019, I've spent an inordinate amount of time at secondhand stores, bookstores, antique stores, and the library trying to find books on local history and culture. I've got a pretty good pulse on what's out there, and the types of books on the market right now.  There are a few specific authors who have written many books on local history, of which, I own several.

100 Things To Do came across my dashboard sometime in 2023; I don't remember if it was a targeted ad on Instagram or a post or what.  I do remember that I became aware of the book through Instagram, but details aren't important here.  Point is, I was oot and aboot on a Saturday (hitting up the aforementioned thrift stores and antique stores), when I happened to duck into the Barnes & Noble in Holland and walked to the "Local Interest" section.  I saw 100 Things To Do, and got STOKED!  I picked it up and began flipping through the pages as I walked to the register.  I opened to page 114 (entry #84, the one I'm writing about) and a lightbulb went off - why was I buying a local interest book from a nationwide chain, when I know several other local bookstores that could very easily use my purchase better?

I set the book back on the shelf at B&N, got in my car, and drove to Downtown Holland, to Reader's World.  They've got their Local Interest/Michigan Authors section immediately to the right when you walk in the door, and New Releases on a table in the center of the entryway.  100 Things To Do was situated on that New Releases table, front and center.  So, I bought it and immediately walked down the street to Our Brewing Company and began highlighting, dog-earing pages, and making notes in the margins.  I contacted the author on Instagram and got her blessing to share my experiences with the things to do in her book.  I was feeling uninspired about writing at that time, so I thought "Great, I've got a year's worth of content here!"

I became aware of Reader's World in 2007 or thereabouts, in my peak Board Life era - Reader's World was one of the only bookstores in Michigan that sold Concrete Wave magazine.  As the issues were released quarterly, I was able to swing by Holland during school breaks to pick up the latest issue.  As I was there, I'd also pick up a few odd books throughout the years.  But, Reader's World has been a staple of my Downtown Holland experience for almost 18 years now - holy cow!

In addition to the crew at Reader's World, I'd like to throw a shout-out to Bluestocking Bookstore on Holland's north side.  While they weren't specifically mentioned in 100 Things To Do, they're good people - I've made several book purchases there, history related and otherwise.  I have yet to stop at The Next Chapter, but hey, they're located pretty much here.

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