Gothic Bookshop a rare treasure

I’m writing in reference to the “Fall Book Preview” published in the Recess section on August 30. The Chronicle asked the owners of Durham’s Regulator Bookstore about their most anticipated books this fall and paid tribute to the locally owned business as a Durham literary landmark—which indeed it is, and one that I’m proud to support.

But I wondered if the editors overlooked another top-notch, locally owned bookseller even closer to home. The Gothic Bookshop, located in the Bryan Center on Duke’s West Campus, has been an independent bookstore at Duke since 1956. In fact, it’s one of the few independent bookstores left on college campuses, and it has long been a favorite haunt of booklovers all around Duke. Indeed, I seldom walk out empty-handed, even though I work in a rather sizeable library! And I always appreciate the excellent recommendations of the friendly, well-read staff.

If you want to support independent, locally owned businesses—and I hope you do—remember Duke’s own entrepreneurs right here on campus. Universities will always have libraries, but a cozy, carefully stocked bookstore is a rare treasure these days, and we’re fortunate to have one right here in the neighborhood.

Deborah Jakubs

Rita DiGiallonardo Holloway University librarian and vice provost for library affairs