Discerning strollers along lower Fleming St. have no doubt noticed the emergence of a "clean, well-lit" addition to the Key West Island Bookstore. Owner John Boisonault has expanded exponentially in terms of space, titles and bargains. Long a mecca for Hemingway collectors and seekers after contemporary fiction, the Key West Island Bookstore has expanded into the adjacent space (formerly occupied by Rainy Day Records) and brought the world of remaindered titles to Old Town.
This means that last season's hottest titles can often be purchased in hard cover for half the paperback price! Gorgeous oversized Art books, works by local writers, journals, compendia and a broad informed diversity of subjects are available just in time for Holiday giving. The newly expanded sections include: "Fifty Feet of Quality World Fiction," boating (eg. "Chapman's Guide to Piloting" $13!), cookbooks, (eg. "Bubba's Gumbo Shrimp Co." $7!), Cuba (eg. the beautiful "Cuba's Special Period $10!), fishing (eg. the incomparable "McClane's New Standard Fishing Encyclopedia" $35!) and, speaking of bargains, "Every Woman's Guide to Sexual Fulfillment" for four bucks! (Batteries not included!)
There are Audio Books, Bodice Rippers, an extensive Travel selection, Biographies, Reference, Computer, Literary Studies, Children, Gay, Horror, Sci-Fi, Natural History and, of course, current and recent Best Sellers.
Compilers of "What's Happening" in Key West invariably overlook the readings and signing soirees at Island Books. The fact of the matter is that the only arts venue in town where the very best practitioners of a given genre appear on a regular basis is Island Books. Recent appearances by Robert Stone, Ann Beattie, John Leslie, Randy Wayne White, Bob Shacochis, Joy Williams, James Hall and Tom Corcoran have often overflowed the allotted space.
This tradition will kick off the New Millenium in grand style with a party for Carl Hiaasen's latest "Sick Puppy" on Fri., Jan. 7, 6-8 p.m.
The Key West Island Bookstore. 513-515 Fleming St., Old Town, Key West, 294-2904, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., 7 days and 7 nights. All major cards.