When we moved to Twentynine Palms to be near our daughter and find a moderate priced area to live, we only knew that is was part of the Southern California high desert area. We did not know the area was part of the Morongo Basin, nor did we know what a wonderful place it was for adventure, art, drama, and literature.
The Joshua Tree National Park is here, three live theaters, and art galleries in every community. There are also some very different kinds of bookstores. Space Cowboy Books store is one of my favorites.
The store is owned by Jean-Paul Garnier and Zara Kand. They started the bookstore in January 2016 in a three sided outlet among several art galleries. They now have a brand new space in the same area, but it does not have a Shed number. This store has windows and a door, plus about three hundred spare feet of floor space. True to their name, the used books that they carry are Science Fiction and Westerns. You’ll find a wide selection from new and old. They do have new local authors’ books available also, and I am one of the local authors they carry.
They have instituted a wonderful feature for children. Any child that comes in with their parents, grandparents, or doting uncle or aunt can select one free children’s book. What a fantastic idea!
Both Jean-Paul and Zara are authors. Jean-Paul has sold his short stories and poems to publishers in this country and abroad. He also has published a book of poetry entitled The Great Encounter. I’m the proud possessor of a signed copy.
You will find more than just printed books, however. They have a selection of audio books, CDs (both books and movies), old U. S. pulp magazines and old French pulp magazines. These magazines are primarily from the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Zara is a talented artist and several of her amazing art prints are also available for purchase. Desert themed key chains and other small items complete their inventory.
Jean-Paul is more than a shop proprietor as he has a fledgling publishing business. He has published one of his poetry books and is planning to publish more local authors. His Space Publications has another book in the works. This one is a graphic, poetry, chap book by Rik Livingston. A periodical entitled Simultaneous Time Magazine is also planned. Then another paperback book of short stories.
The talented Zara Kand is primarily an artist. As stated, you’ll find her prints at Space Cowboy Books. You’ll also find her at places like Gallery 62 in Joshua Tree, California or at her own website
www.zarakand.com. Do check those places out also.
Their efforts help build the wonderful art and literary community that stretches across the Morongo Basin. If you are in Joshua Tree, California, drop by Space Cowboy Books and meet this enterprising and great to know young couple. You’ll find them at the Sun Alley Shops, 61871 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.