Remembering Things Past
Article by Jeremy
When Karl Kilian opened Brazos Bookstore in the spring of 1974, he raced to beat the annual summer exodus as those who could abandoned Houston’s sweltering heat. He opened the store just in time for everyone to say, "Hello!" and flee the city in search of more temperate climes. Left on his own, he had plenty of time to lay on the sofa and read Proust.
Our 40th anniversary celebration continues this summer with a remembrance of things past and a commemoration of that first year of Brazos Bookstore. Starting in early June, we’ll install our own Proust sofa--an antique French day bed--and will have the complete collection of Proust’s books available for reading. Come lounge on the couch, read from the books, enjoy madeleines and lime blossom tea. (We’ll have plenty on hand thanks to Dixie's Dessert Delivery service.)
If the thought of tackling Proust on your own seems too intimidating, we're here to help. The Brazos Book Club reads the new Lydia Davis translation of SWANN’S WAY during June, July, and August. The first meeting on June 18 covers pages 3-191. At the final meeting of the book club, we’ll have one last discussion--and more madeleines! Don’t worry if you’ve never read Proust before, or if you get a little behind on where the book club is; our discussions are extremely casual, and we’re always delighted to see new faces.
