Bookavore

The keynote speaker was Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!, a daily TV/radio news program that is different from any other news program (due in large part, no doubt, to the fact that it is the only news, public or corporate, that is absolutely not underwritten by any corporations). Inspirational as all get out; Goodman is an incredible speaker. Her new book is Standing Up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times, which I look forward to reading. (For some reason listening to her speak made me think of What Are You Optimistic About?, and now I want to do an endcap on optimism, which might be nice as we get closer to the election.)

Quotes I wrote down:

“Dissent is what makes this country healthy.”

On the importance of indie media and indie bookstores working together: “We are stronger together. We are weaker alone.”

“These are people you would not want to meet in a dark alley, especially if you’re hijacking someone’s civil liberties, and these are the librarians of this country.”

On librarians and booksellers who have opposed the PATRIOT Act: “They’re not looking for trouble. But when trouble comes to them, they stand up.”