I love inspiring people. Though that’s not why I write. It certainly isn’t why I write poetry. But I got an e-mail yesterday telling me that I’ve inspired a local bookstore owner to start a blog. It made my day.

Jim Lewin runs the local independent bookstore and curiosity shop called The York Emporium. I’ve written about it before. It seems that he had a little too much to drink on New Year’s Eve (sorry Jim) and made a New Year’s Resolution to maintain a blog. He credits me as the inspiration (now I know he was drinking!).

Bookflaps is just the kind of blog we need. Already, Jim has written some interesting blog posts:

• 50 Cents (dated Dec. 24, 2008 – get the impression I’ve been drinking?)
• Raymond Chandler
• Year 4
• The neatest thing in the shop
• We have a ghost? (People in these parts are infatuated with ghosts)
• Ian Fleming
• The Stratemeyer Syndicate

These are just the type of blog posts you’d expect from an emporium. I love Jim’s ephemeral tone about vintage trivia – literary things that matter. I’m also looking forward to more of Jim’s very interesting tidbits about the books and things he sells at the Emporium. From time to time I stumble in just to be reminded of what a book store is supposed to smell like. And when I leave, I’m hardly a short pace away before I miss it. I have a feeling that’s the way I’ll come to see Bookflaps too.

You’ll notice that I’ve added Jim’s blog to my blogroll. I hope you’ll visit often, kick back, and enjoy a good read. Just don’t lose your cigarette in the velour.