<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/peacebooks.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-789" title="Peace Love Books" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/peacebooks-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p>

<p>I hate to shop. </p>

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<p>That’s right.  You heard me.  I am a woman, and I hate to shop.  Loathe it.  Detest it, even! </p>

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<p>There is one exception to my madness:  bookstores. </p>

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<p>I love to shop for books.  There are few things that entice me more than lollygagging for hours in a bookstore.  Preferably an independent one. </p>

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<p>About a week ago, I realized as I rushed in and out of my favorite indie bookstore that I hadn’t lollygagged around there for quite some time.  I could list for you the many reasons why, but excuses are not an excuse. </p>

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<p>We need to make room in our lives for lollygags.  Perhaps we even need to make it a national holiday.  I’ll look into that.  Have you ever noticed really obscure holidays on some calendars?  Someone has to dream those up and get them rolling!</p>

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<p>Precisely because I had not lollygagged for quite some time (I adore that word so much that I think I shall use it 100 times throughout this post.  Teasing!), I decided that disappearing for the afternoon into <strong><a href="http://www.changinghands.com/" target="_blank">Changing Hands Bookstore</a></strong> was no longer an option.  It was a necessity. </p>

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<p>With a to-do list a mile-long and thousands of thoughts roaming around my overactive brain, I told life to take a hike and vanished into thin, bookishly-blissful air. </p>

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<p>Changing Hands is one of my favorite places on earth not only because of their fantastic and eclectic selection of gifties and books, but also because of their <em>story</em>.  They are The Little Bookstore That Could. </p>

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<p><strong>A Tale of Two Bookstores</strong></p>

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<p>Once upon a time, Changing Hands Books lived on Mill Avenue in Tempe, AZ.  Think local and well-loved bookstore in the heart of a college town.  Think people of all ages and stages frequenting this bookstore at all hours of the night and day for more than 20 years. </p>

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<p>As in all picturesque, fairytale scenarios, The Big Bad Giant had to show up and spoil all the fun.  In this case, it was a bookstore giant that rhymes with “hoarders”.  </p>

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<p>Despite outrage and discontent from the little people, The Giant That Rhymes with Hoarders tried to stomp on The Little Bookstore That Could.  But The Little Bookstore was too smart and too fast and too savvy for The Giant.  The Little Bookstore That Could did not waste time and stay for a duel.  Instead, it quietly packed up its belongings and chugga-chugged-chugged to a not-so-far-away-but-far-enough location safe from the Giant’s big and stinky feet. </p>

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<p>The citizens were <em>pissed</em>, and since this was a college town where people were usually more idealistic and opinionated and fiery than most, people like Late Bloomer refused to buy as much as a cup of coffee from The Giant.</p>

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<p>And so The Giant That Rhymes with Hoarders starved to death.  The End. </p>

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<p><strong>The Little Bookstore That Could:  The Sequel  </strong></p>

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<p>The idealistic citizens drove from far and wide to The Little Bookstore’s new digs.  This new location provided more room for all of The Little Bookstore’s fantastical things.  There was even space for a Prince Charming Bakery &amp; Coffeehouse next door!   </p>

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<p>And so The Little Bookstore That Could flourished and lived happily ever after.  To this day, it remains one of the most beloved indie bookstores in our great nation.  The End.</p>

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<p><strong>Abracadabra!  </strong></p>

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<p>Back to the disappearing act of Day 12.</p>

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<p>Can you see why I am ga-ga over this place??? You, too, will fall head over heels when you visit.  Or, search for your own local bookstore Utopia at <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder">http://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder</a> .</p>

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<p>Initially, I visualized myself lounging for hours in Changing Hands with book in one hand and coffee in the other.  However, I remembered that nothing says “Happy Birthday to You” like the 25% off everything that Changing Hands bestows on its customers during a birthday month visit.  With September nearly finished, I decided that shopping was no longer an option.  It was a necessity.  I mean, 25% off books and fantastical gifties?!  Be still, my heart! </p>

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<p>Look at the treasures that I gathered for $128.78! </p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/chhandsloot.jpg"><img title="changinghandsloot" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/chhandsloot-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

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<p>4 birthday gifts for girlfriends and 4 accompanying cards, niece’s birthday present, niece’s Christmas present, 2 Halloween cards for niece and nephew, Breakup Survival Kit for girlfriend, 3 books for me, a mood calendar for me, and an inspirational giftie book for someone as the need arises. </p>

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<p>To set me over the edge of giddiness, I also used my $25 gift certificate from my sissie (thanks, sis!) AND I received 12 stamps on my “blue card” which means I save $10 on my next purchase. </p>

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<p>Peace, Love, Books.  You’re the best, Little Bookstore That Can! </p>