Louisville Bookseller Looks Forward to Welcoming Wi3 Colleagues

November 28, 2007

From January 24 - 27, 2008, Louisville, Kentucky, will become the center of the independent bookselling community in the U.S., when 500 bookseller-members of the American Booksellers Association converge for the Third Annual Winter Institute.

Eagerly awaiting her fellow booksellers is Carol Besse, the "Car" in Carmichael's Bookstore, which has two Louisville locations -- the original store on Bardstown Road and a second store on Frankfort Avenue. Besse, who co-owns the nearly 30-year-old business with her husband, Michael Boggs, is extremely pleased that Wi3 is happening in her city.

With the bookstores at 1,000 square feet and 1,700 square feet, respectively, Besse told BTW, "We won't be able to hold any events here, but we hope that people will stop by and say hello." Besse encouraged visitors to sample some of Louisville's rich literary and cultural history while in town. Louisville, she explained, has one foot in the Midwest and the other in the South. It's often referred to as either the northern-most Southern city or the southern-most Northern city in the U.S.

"Because we're in the state of Kentucky," Besse said, "we have an Appalachian influence." Among the many writers whose works give readers a sense of the area, she mentioned Harriet Simpson Arnow, Jesse Stuart, and Silas House, who writes about contemporary Appalachia.

In a class by himself, according to Besse, is Wendell Berry, a neighbor and frequent visitor to the store. A novelist, poet, farmer, and environmentalist, Berry believes "in living simply," she explained. "He encourages people to grow and eat their own food. Buying local -- that's his ethic.

"[His philosophy] is more identified with California, and people like Alice Waters, but it's happening here in Kentucky in a big way," she added.

One of Louisville's literary connections is with the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic The Great Gatsby. Besse noted that the grand Seelbach Hotel, one block from the Winter Institute host hotel, was the venue for the wedding of Daisy Fay, the most popular girl in town, to the wealthy Tom Buchanan. The hotel's real life patrons included Al Capone, who is said to have used the hotel poker room's hidden doors and panels to evade federal agents.

Muhammad Ali is probably Louisville's most notable hometown resident. The Muhammad Ali Center, located in the city's downtown, and site of the WI 3's kickoff event Thursday night, is both a testament to the boxing career of "The Greatest," and a showcase for art, culture, and the peace movement that Ali has championed.

Besse mentioned two other Louisville highlights: Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and the bourbon distilleries located throughout the area. Although the Derby will be months away, Besse recommended booksellers visit the museum, which includes many displays about the world-famous race and a multimedia show. As Louisville produces one-third of the nation's bourbon whiskey, Besse was certain that interested booksellers would easily find one of the many distilleries to tour. --Nomi Schwartz

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