A treasure trove of books awaits
AT HOLLYWOOD BOOKS (left to right) Macklin Casnoff, owner Rebecca Ressler, and Amelia Kring with dog ZZ.
I walked into Rebecca Ressler’s small bookstore, Hollywood Books, at 6917 Melrose Avenue, to learn what she is suggesting to read this summer and found out so much more, including how a small independent bookstore has found its way.
My timing was impeccable as local resident Amelia Kring was in the shop with her dog ZZ picking up a few books for her annual trip to the Bahamas. Kring said, “My first stop before a vacation is always Hollywood Books!”
This is not your typical Barnes & Noble. Here there’s a rotating rack with recommended books from friends in the neighborhood of Ressler and her husband, Macklin Casnoff, who happens to be one of the owners of nearby restaurant and wine bar, Stir Crazy, also on Melrose Avenue.
SUMMER READING suggestions for a read you might not come across elsewhere.
Heading to the Bahamas with Kring will be three books. The first is called “The Perfect Nanny,” by Leila Slimani. Ressler said, “It’s a French novel that was a best-seller there. When it was translated and released in the U.S., people lined up around the block to get it. It’s big page turner—a murder story.”
The second book is called “The Princess of 72nd Street,” by Elaine Kraf. Ressler said, “One of my friends recommended it. It’s about a woman who lives in New York City in the 1970s and has a persona as a princess, despite being a broke artist. It was just reprinted.”
And the third book comes from a group of novelas, or short stories, that haven’t been printed for a long time. Ressler said the publishing house New Direction just recently printed the series. She suggested “In the Act” by Rachel Ingalls. “This one is really amazing. It’s about a domestic relationship gone wrong. I can’t say more or I’ll give it away!”
A CURATED SELECTION of books from cooking to novels to art to children’s stories chosen by Ressler sometimes from your neighbors’ libraries.
So here’s your answer—the person who decides to open a small, independent bookstore these days is someone who really loves books, so much so that she helps neighbors curate and organize their own collections. This is truly something that is a specialty of Ressler’s. She said, “People with large libraries in Hancock Park and around town need help organizing their huge book collections and often want to sell or offer me their books. I really enjoy helping them go through their collection and appreciate what I am introduced to.” People contact her because she looks at books like they are treasures.
FIND OUT WHAT LOCALS IN OUR AREA are reading by spinning the book rack.
The shop is a small, but well-curated collection—some used, some new. There is a section of cookbooks her husband has chosen, art books, novels, and close to her heart due to her own young toddler, she has an extraordinary selection of children’s books. Some of the children’s books are classics you don’t often see in chain bookstores, and some she has found from other countries. Ressler pointed out there might be a way of teaching a lesson through a childhood story, or even a different lesson taught from a different culture with these books.
It is certainly worth a visit. You might be surprised, and return often!
Hollywood Books, 6917 Melrose Ave., Tuesdays through Saturdays 12-6 p.m.
Category: Entertainment
