{"product_id":"books-mortar-a-celebration-of-the-local-bookstore-9781423650430","title":"Books \u0026 Mortar: Illustrated Celebration of Independent Bookstores","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA Visual Tribute to Independent Bookstores\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBooks \u0026amp; Mortar\u003c\/b\u003e presents 68 original oil paintings by illustrator Gibbs M. Smith, capturing the unique character and charm of independent bookstores across the globe. This hardcover collection serves as both an art book and a documentary of literary culture, preserving the storefronts of beloved local bookshops at a specific moment in time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's Inside\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach painting pairs detailed storefront artwork with personal anecdotes about the shops and reflections from the booksellers themselves. The book offers an intimate look at the people and places that form the backbone of independent bookselling, told through the voices of owners who have dedicated their lives to connecting readers with books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe local bookstore represents more than a retail space—it's a place of wonder, refuge, and rejuvenation for book lovers worldwide. This collection celebrates these literary strongholds and the communities they serve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFormat and Presentation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePresented as a hardcover coffee table book, \u003ci\u003eBooks \u0026amp; Mortar\u003c\/i\u003e combines fine art with literary appreciation. The oil paintings showcase architectural details, window displays, and the distinctive character that makes each bookstore unique. The accompanying text provides context and personal stories that bring each location to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Perfect Gift\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book makes an ideal gift for avid readers, bookstore owners, bibliophiles, and anyone who values independent retail and literary culture. It serves as both inspiration and keepsake—a tribute to the enduring appeal of physical bookstores in an increasingly digital world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Artist\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGibbs M. Smith\u003c\/b\u003e founded his eponymous book publishing company in 1969 with his wife, Catherine, in Santa Barbara, California. After three years, they moved the company to Layton, Utah. Gibbs served as president, committed to the daily operations of the business for forty-eight years, until his death in 2017. This book is a celebration of Gibbs' legacy, the local bookstores that he loved, and fifty years of Gibbs Smith as an independent publisher.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gibbs Smith","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680893407506,"sku":"9781423650430","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_47159b8b-9b0c-4282-a690-e3e3089d95ee.jpg?v=1733945300","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/books-mortar-a-celebration-of-the-local-bookstore-9781423650430","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}