One gloomy Sunday afternoon, I crossed the street from Press Bay Alley, turning the collar of my wool coat up against the wind. A beautifully decorated chalkboard had attracted me to a small bookstore in a semi-basement, tucked beneath a robin’s-egg-blue awning. As I stepped inside, grateful for the shelter and warmth, I was greeted by glowing bookshelves, more exquisite chalk art, and the obligatory sanitization station. Ambient light streamed through the ground-level windows, but the chatter and bustle of pedestrians faded away when I walked in the door. It felt as if I’d stumbled upon a perfect little corner of the world, untouched by the neverending stress of everyday life. In that moment, I was sure I could have stayed for hours or days, blissfully buried in the stacks.
Located at 115 West Green Street, the Odyssey bookstore was opened in June of this year by Laura Larson, who seeks to unite the Ithaca community by creating a space where people can share their unique interests, voices, and opinions. She’s also a lifelong bibliophile and wants to help others find their next favorite book. To this end, the store boasts an impressive selection of reading material, ranging from romance to self-help, the latest medical research to political theory, fantasy to social science to classic plays and beyond. This variety furthers their mission to create as inclusive and diverse a space as possible, with something for readers of every background.
Immediately on my right as I walked in was the fantasy and sci-fi section, which was figuratively calling my name. First, I picked up a copy of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, a classic that I’d been wanting to read from an author I liked. Then I found a graphic memoir by one of the funniest and most candid authors I’ve ever read, Allie Brosh. I loved her Hyperbole and a Half, so I had a feeling I’d love Solutions and Other Problems as well (I was right). As I was leaving the section, a glint of copper in my peripheral vision pulled me back to the shelves. I had spotted a book whose cover bore a striking similarity to that of Circe by Madeline Miller, a beautiful retelling of Greek mythology. The title embossed on the matte black cover was familiar too: Piranesi. This Susanna Clarke novel was seemingly named after Giovanni Battista Piranesi, an Italian Classical artist whose work I fell in love with at first sight and have been intrigued by ever since. He was an archaeologist and architect who created spectacularly detailed etchings of both Rome and imaginary carceri, or prisons. His immaculate use of chiaroscuro (light and shadow) rendered his artwork absolutely breathtaking, populated by intricate citadels, creeping vines, and towering ruins in eerie light. After reading the book’s synopsis and noting the mentions of a labyrinthine house, scenes of ethereal beauty, and a perfect ending, I felt compelled to take this one home as well, and I absolutely couldn’t put it down.
I stopped into the nonfiction section as well, and immediately located the shelves devoted to science. Within seconds, I had chosen yet another classic by a favorite author, The Selfish Gene. I was thrilled to add another Richard Dawkins book to my collection as the witty evolutionary biologist’s work never fails to delight me and expand my mind. After that, I had to exercise some self-restraint lest I go bankrupt buying every book in the store.
As I checked out, I ruminated on the fact that in less than twenty minutes, I’d found four books that I couldn’t wait to read, three by authors I knew and loved, and a new one that I ended up adoring. Besides, the atmosphere was incredibly inviting, a haven for every type of reader. If not for the plague and time constraints, I would gladly have sat in the cozy annex for hours, devouring page after page. To anyone for whom reading sparks joy, and even to anyone who has never understood why some people love books so much, I implore you to check out the Odyssey bookstore. They truly do have something for everyone, and the vibes are immaculate.