Paperback Dreams
Encyclopedia
Paperback Dreams is a documentary film directed by Alex Beckstead
. It is part of the KQED (San Francisco's PBS station) documentary film series, Truly CA. The film is "the story of two landmark independent bookstores and their struggle to survive. The film follows Andy Ross, owner of Cody's Books
, and Clark Kepler, owner of Kepler's Books
, over the course of two tumultuous years in the book business."
Publishers Weekly
notes that Beckstead became interested in the topic after becoming a "fan" of Cody's and Kepler's. While working in Menlo Park, California
, he frequently shopped at Kepler's. Beckstead stated: “When I heard Kepler's was closing [briefly in 2005], I was shocked: it's in one of the most affluent, educated cities in America—just 15 minutes from Stanford University—and it made me realize that if an independent bookstore couldn't survive there, there must be a larger story.” After making the documentary, Beckstead stated that he discovered "four elements essential to the survival of an independent bookstore: Own your own building [...] Hire experienced staff [...] Sell used books [...] Figure out some way to sell books online."
(presented jointly with the Oakland Film Office) on August 1, 2008.
Alex Beckstead
Alex Beckstead is a documentary filmmaker based in San Francisco.Beckstead graduated from the University of Utah with a B.A. in Film Studies. His first short film, "sXe" screened at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival...
. It is part of the KQED (San Francisco's PBS station) documentary film series, Truly CA. The film is "the story of two landmark independent bookstores and their struggle to survive. The film follows Andy Ross, owner of Cody's Books
Cody's Books
Cody's Books was an independent bookstore based in Berkeley, California. It "was a pioneer in bookselling, bringing the paperback revolution to Berkeley, fighting censorship, and providing a safe harbor from tear gas directed at anti-Vietnam War protesters throughout the 1960s and...
, and Clark Kepler, owner of Kepler's Books
Kepler's Books
Kepler's Books and Magazines is an independent bookstore in Menlo Park, California. It was founded on May 14, 1955 by Roy Kepler, who had previously been a staff member of the Berkeley listener-supported radio station KPFA...
, over the course of two tumultuous years in the book business."
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
notes that Beckstead became interested in the topic after becoming a "fan" of Cody's and Kepler's. While working in Menlo Park, California
Menlo Park, California
Menlo Park, California is a city at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, in the United States. It is bordered by San Francisco Bay on the north and east; East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, and Stanford to the south; Atherton, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City...
, he frequently shopped at Kepler's. Beckstead stated: “When I heard Kepler's was closing [briefly in 2005], I was shocked: it's in one of the most affluent, educated cities in America—just 15 minutes from Stanford University—and it made me realize that if an independent bookstore couldn't survive there, there must be a larger story.” After making the documentary, Beckstead stated that he discovered "four elements essential to the survival of an independent bookstore: Own your own building [...] Hire experienced staff [...] Sell used books [...] Figure out some way to sell books online."
Screenings
Paperback Dreams aired on PBS stations beginning in November 2008. It was previously screened at Book Expo America on May 31, 2008. and at the Oakland Museum of CaliforniaOakland Museum of California
Oakland Museum of California or Oakland Museum is a museum dedicated to the art, history, and natural science of California located in Oakland, California....
(presented jointly with the Oakland Film Office) on August 1, 2008.