State Senator Carl Levin meeting Elmore Leonard for first time at the Book Beat 30th Anniversary in 2012.
We recently asked staff and former staff members to write an anecdote, story, or memory from their time working at Book Beat.
“You know my mind has gone fuzzy on details, but I have many fond memories of working at Book Beat: book signings (so, so many!); author talks (so, so informative!); special events like midnight Harry Potter book release parties (costumes, chocolate frogs, young children up at midnight!); some romances, and marriages (between customers and staff, and customers and customers!); and most importantly, enduring friendships, with fellow staff, customers, and BOOKS! I will always be a BB customer, and an occasional staff person (when needed!)”
`-Sharon Z
“Working with Colleen, Cary, Millie, Lynne, Johnny Ray, Jack, Joe and others was a highlight for many years. When I first started in 1985, the store was much smaller and, of course, packed with goodies. C&C and I would talk about how great it would be to have a larger store but didn’t think that the corner spot occupied by DTE would ever become available. There was a butcher to the other side and that seemed undesirable. Then by some miracle DTE decided to close the Lincoln Center location and the expansion became reality. We had to move everything out of the original small store into the new space to ready it for carpet. A group of us, employees and customers, worked after store hours hauling thousands of books and various other store contents from one area to the other. It was grueling physical work but my recollection is filled with laughter, joy, fun and discovery. Working together with those Book Beat friends and fellow book lovers to fulfill C&C’s dream of a larger store was completely rewarding. Then when the new, improved, beautifully expanded store finally opened it was an amazing accomplishment that still fills my soul with joy to this day. Congrats on 40 years!”
~Jody Kohn
“Working at Book Beat back in the early ‘90s felt like living in the center of the universe. It may have been tucked away in a strip mall in Oak Park, Mich., but it was a Mecca for fellow book lovers like I’d never experienced. Art (and art books, which led to a collection of illustrated children’s books, thanks to Colleen) were already a love, but I was so fortunate to learn about photography from Cary, who’s knowledge and passion guided everything he did.
So many memories. A particular favorite was when a woman called to ask what the soup of the day was at Bread Basket. Truly. And I even went over to check for her – because that’s what we did at Book Beat. Also, next time you’re in the store, ask about the Bob Seger visit.”
-Lynne Konstantin
“I was there just after the transition to the larger space. One of my favorite shows was the opening of the Detroit Images exhibition with a book published by Wayne State University press (1989). I enjoyed seeing that collection with most of the photographers present and sensing their comradeship and celebration.”
–Jack Killean
Erika at the Midsummer Nights Dream Party
“The first year I was working at Bookbeat (I think it was 1995 or 1996), I was scheduled to work on Christmas Eve. While at first I thought it would be a bummer to be working that night, it turned out to be really magical. There was a big snowstorm, so every time someone came in, they were covered with large white snowflakes. Almost all the customers were there for last minute gifts so there was an exciting sense of urgency as we helped them, but no one was rushed or rude. Cary and Colleen provided some nice drinks and snacks for the staff and a kind of liminal work/play vibe pervaded the night. Cary and Colleen also gave the staff thoughtful gifts (I got a bottle of Kniepp’s hops and valerian bath oil, the smell of which still reminds me of that night). That work shift is actually one of my favorite holiday memories!
Another year, during a busy Saturday close to the holidays, one of my co-workers asked me to put on some music that would suit the occasion. I popped on Jewels of Thought by Pharaoh Sanders, reasoning that the bells on the track would be appropriate. At that age, it didn’t really occur to me that the loud squawky solos which kicked in later on the record could bother anyone, until a bunch of customers charged the checkout desk begging us to change the music. It did suit the chaos of a busy Saturday, but the scolding I received from my co-worker was fully appropriate.
I absolutely loved Bernard Waber (Lyle Crocodile, Ira Sleeps Over, Rich Cat Poor Cat, etc). I could not have been more thrilled when he came to do a signing at Bookbeat and I got to wear a full size Lyle Crocodile suit, in which I was asked to hand out balloons and pose with children. It was fantastic, but very hot in the suit. When, at the end of the event, I took my crocodile head off to meet Bernard Waber, I was beet red and sweaty (and also I babbled incoherently at him about how great he was). During the years I worked at the store I amassed a big collection of children’s books, including a giant stack of signed Bernard Waber picture books. I was buying them for myself, but also for any possible future children I might have. I did end up having two kids and got to fully make use of all those books. Still have them all, now clearly well used.”
–Erika Hoffmann-Dilloway
“So many great memories but my favorite was putting on the Bertoia exhibit in 1998. Driving to the studio in Pennsylvania and collaborating with Val Bertoia on the pieces for the exhibit was special. Cary and I were like excited children getting to play the Sonambient sculptures and share our love for the art, jewelry and furniture that Harry and Val created. What touched me the most was the support from the art community and members of the Bertoia family during the opening and the following weeks that the show was displayed.”
-Frank Rotundo
“I worked at Book Beat in the early 2000s. It was truly a magical place and certainly more than just a bookstore. The people I worked with were all bright, creative folks, and the customers — who came from all over — were just as interesting. Looking back, it’s amazing how much I learned working there, e.g., the history of photography as well as Detroit (from Cary) and all of the incredible and sometimes under-the-radar children’s books recommended by Colleen, with her eye for high-quality, beautiful material for young people. (She was also the best gift-wrapper I’ve ever known!) I miss those ribbons.
A few mini memories from that time:
-Working Monday nights with Sharon, talking about Cranbrook and art.
-Glen recommending The Secret History to me, which is now one of my favorite books.
-I remember Sadie, Aran, Greg and I poring over the Forced Exposure music catalogue deciding what to order (for the store but also for us!). This brings me to one of the great constants of Book Beat: the stereo rotation of music. I remember Roland Kirk, the Incredible String Band, Alice Coltrane, Gary Bartz, Damon (Song of a Gypsy!), Blue Cheer, and a bunch of Can (if Greg was working, especially). I loved looking through the eclectic music pile and picking an album for the day’s mood.
-One of my favorite Book Beat Gallery shows ever was of the Harry Bertoia sound sculptures. I still think about those works and listen to his Somnabient albums (which I got at Book Beat!) today.
-I recall Aran Ruth and I sometimes randomly opening a page from one of The Onion books and laughing hard, soundlessly, almost in tears.
-And I always loved how someone at work could be obsessed with a topic and you could have discussions on anything —Japanese Joinery, Hannah Höch, concrete poetry, Something Else Press, Fado music, Fluxus, Edward Gorey, Jandek, Warhol, the Black Panthers, Newbery award winners, Soupy Sales, or mid-century modern furniture.
In writing this, I realize it’s hard to capture in words how special Book Beat was and is. I look back and see it as a wonderful, eclectic education and a job where I worked with the best people ever. I am thankful Book Beat is in this world!”
~Nicole Lanctot
Kelly DiPucchio reading Zombies in Love at the “Make a Valentines” party, photo by Karen Lloyd(c)2015
“I came to inquire about a job. Cary asked if I read frequently. He handed me an index card to write a few sentences about a title or two including summary and some thoughts.
Though the book was released in 1936, I think it was Colleen who turned myself and the rest of the staff on to Junichiro Tanizaki’s The Makioka Sisters. It was an unforgettable, exquisite read and we let customers know that.
I learned to better wrap packages with a greater degree of beauty and precision then if left to my own devices all these years.
I read Elizabeth McCracken’s new novel at the time, The Giant’s House, telling of a librarian’s love for a boy who is a giant. Not long after reading, I decided to go to library school. I don’t think this step was due to any literal translation/interpretation for me, but at the time Colleen pointed out she thought the book did indeed influence my decision. And I think she may have been right!
The best thing about working at Book Beat was that there was no one best thing about working at Book Beat. I enjoyed and learned from co-staff then. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that a good deal of my pay went to incredible discounts on art and literature works we always had access to! It was a great place to learn from Cary and Colleen, whose commitment to “their creation” was no different then, than it is today. Similarly, *”It’s as true today as it ever was: he who seeks beauty will find it.” It’s at Book Beat.”
~Tracy Karbel
*Bill Cunningham, Fashion Photographer- NYT acceptaning French Govt. Legion of Honor – 2008
“Some of my favorite Book Beat memories revolve around author events and our Harry Potter release parties. One of the HP books- I can’t recall which one- had a bunch of pre publication buzz that a MAJOR character dies. So.. we decided that Harry himself died. We made a coffin and our darling Andy dressed up like Harry and laid in the coffin. The rest of us wore black “ widows weeds” mourning the tragic death of Harry. Book Beat parties were wild and creative; dubbed by Cary as High Street Art. I would want to come to our parties if I didn’t work there!
Another great memory is the Anne Rice signing. HUGE crowds. Anne Rice, a superstar author, I believe at the height of her fame. The book was Servant of the Bones. Ms. Rice arrived at the event in queenly fashion, rolling up in her her giant, rockstar style tour bus. So thrilling!! She was dressed in gorgeous goth. She took time with each fan, never rushing them along and there were around 2000 people there that night. Maybe more. This was a major undertaking for a small independent bookstore but BB absolutely pulled it off successfully. RIP Anne Rice. That evening was one I’ll never forget and it was an honor to be there.
Many beautiful and long standing relationships have formed through Book Beat connections.My Book Beat family has been with me through the hardest and best times in my life. I’m getting misty thinking about that…”
With love and respect to all,
~Lori Keros
“In case life gets in the way and I never reply, I’ll say that Book Beat shaped who I am as a writer, reader, thinker, and a person. I’m 30 now and I’m doing pretty good with my job and where I am, but I’ll always look back on my Book Beat years as the best time of my life.”
~Kyle Callert
Christopher Paul Curtis and Son, photo by Karen Lloyd(c)2017