The University of Tennessee Press, which published my latest book, Land of Dreams: An Immigrant’s Journey from War-Torn Vietnam to America, in June 2026 recently sent me a neat picture that I’m excited to share with you below. It shows my book in a window display at the Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, Mass. (second from left, bottom row). I Googled it and learned that this is “a beloved cultural landmark in Harvard Square, in continuous operation since 1932 . . . and named a top book shop in Forbes‘ World’s Top Shops 2005 list.” Even more thrilling is the fact that Land of Dreams is actually on the store’s shelves, as displayed in its catalog (“In stock,” and “on hand”).
My interest piqued, I looked around on the Internet some more and made a couple of interesting discoveries. The book is also carried by two other independent bookstores of legendary stature. The first one is called Politics and Prose, in Washington D.C. Founded in 1984, “it has grown into a premier cultural institution and a famed national hub where literature, ideas, and politics intersect in the U.S. capital,” according to Gemini AI. Land of Dreams is on the shelves at P&P flagship store in the Chevy Chase/Forest Hills neighborhood of D.C., at least as indicated in the store’s online catalog (shown below).
The other renowned bookstore is Prairie Lights located in Iowa City, a UNESCO city of literature. Open for business since 1978, “Prairie Lights has an incredibly tight, legendary connection” with the famous University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. I’m stoked that Land of Dreams has notched a shelf spot there as well, as shown below.
I’ve always loved bookstores and libraries, so these findings really made my day. One final note about bookstores. I will have a book signing for Land of Dreams at Warwick’s in La Jolla on Sunday Sept. 20 (about 5 weeks from now). See the announcement below. Founded in 1896, Warwick’s “holds the prestigious title of being the oldest continuously family-owned and operated bookstore in the United States.” If you’re in the mood for a late-summer afternoon by the ocean–and who isn’t?–come on down to La Jolla on Sept 20 and drop by Warwick’s between 1:00 and 3:00pm to say hi. Can’t wait to see you there!
Jim, your book was interesting from beginning to end for me. I hope all your readers will “push” this book in any way we can. I buy a lot of my book club assigned books from a bookstore in Washington state called Watermark Books. When I place my next order, I’ll tell them the better bookstores are carrying this book front and center. This to me seems like a perfect reading for serious students at a high school age, about to start college. Maybe better yet, it is perfect reading for a high school slacker. A wakeup call.
Hi, John! So good to hear from you. And thanks so much for your support. Here’s to more readers like you and more bookstores to carry the book!
This is fabulous and you are amazing!
Hearty congratulations on your journey!
Please, let me know when you’re out in the desert! Sending hugs!
Thanks so much, Ruthie! I got a big kick out of discovering that my book was actually in those bookstores. But that’s only 1 compared to your 12! Hopefully we can meet the next time I’m in Palm Springs.
Jim- I’m so impressed with all your success. Fantastic. I’m going to be 91 in a few weeks. Still writing, and publishing. Just wrote a thriller with two writing colleagues- it was fun. We are doing a second one now.
The Mallorcan Gambit. It took 5 years to write, because of Covid, the death of a spouse, and a cancer surgery. I’m the lucky one. It just took time. I live in Assisted Living here in Palm Springs now. Be well, and if you come to Palm Springs, please come visit me.
Hi Judith, it’s such a pleasure to hear from you. You’re a true inspiration. To get your MFA in your eighties and still publishing at 91, now that’s a wonder. When I’m in Palm Springs next, I’ll be sure to drop by to visit. Take good care, and happy writing!