Bob Manson is a retired teacher from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who has visited over 600 bookstores in the past decade across 49 states, Canada, and Mexico. Inspired by the book “My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read and Shop” by Ronald Rice, Manson set out to visit every store mentioned in the book. He documents his visits and conversations with owners and regulars on his blog and social media accounts. Manson also shares his experiences and insights into different types of bookstores across the country. He has made friends in nearly every bookstore he has visited and notes the welcoming and open nature of the people in these places. Manson’s passion for indie bookstores has led him to support the BINC Foundation, a nonprofit that helps bookstore owners and employees deal with emergencies. Through his travels, Manson has discovered the diversity and unique qualities of each bookstore he visits, highlighting their importance in communities and the connections they foster. Despite challenges like severe weather impacting small businesses, Manson remains dedicated to promoting and celebrating the vibrant culture of indie bookstores in the U.S.
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Get to know the man who has explored over 600 independent bookstores
