Book stores are endangered, the old kind where the staff read the books and offer informed advice, where you can sit and read. The Internet has brought us speed, access and more choices, but, with all that, a loss of personalized community. We should treasure the places that remain; and Island Books, at 4013 78^th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, Washington, is certainly a treasure.

On November 3 from 3:pm to 6:00 pm, Island Books celebrates, at the store, forty years of existence, the last twenty-four with the current owners, Roger and Nancy Page.

More significantly, it has survived the last ten years, when so many other wonderful homes for books have disappeared.

If you can’t visit the store to offer congratulations in person, call (206-232-6920) at least visit Click here to savor its richness or to post your own congratulations.

If you like what you find, you can stay in touch with Island Books and learn much about new books, through two remarkable, free news letters. Sign up for them on the web site.