What makes for a good book city?

San Antonio ranked No. 43 on the list of Best Book Places in the U.S.

The list, published by Clever Real Estate, is here:

https://listwithclever.com/research/best-book-places-2022/

The site used data based on the per capita number of libraries, independent bookstores and coffee shops. It also considered literacy rates. Based on what I gather from the daily newspaper, this might be where San Antonio’s score suffered.

These folks obviously are interested in selling real estate, but they raised an interesting question:

What makes for a good book city?

I think this is one of the many things that Galveston got right.

The Rosenberg Library got a dedicated cut of the city’s tax rate, under the city charter. It wasn’t subject to the direct whims of the political folk.

The library has a wonderful collection. It also has rooms where people can meet and discuss books — individually and in organized book clubs.

The library is seen as neutral ground in the community. It’s a safe place for people to go to discuss controversial topics.

The city also has a lively newspaper, and the discussions in the coffee shops ought to be mentioned in guidebooks for tourists.

If you’ve never been to Galveston, go and sit in a coffee shop and just eavesdrop. Prepare to be astonished.