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How to Find the Love of Your Life in a Bookstore: The Ray Bradbury Method
If you want to fall in love with a reader, go where the readers go. The late Ray Bradbury met his future wife, Marguerite McClure, at Fowler's Bookstore in Los Angeles when he was 22 years old.
"He carried a briefcase and wore a trench coat on a clear day, so I was immediately suspicious," she remembered later. "I expected him to slam his briefcase down on a pile of books and make off with a few. Instead, he told me he was a writer and invited me to have a cup of coffee with him."
She said yes, perhaps smitten with Bradbury's line: "I'm going to the moon someday. Wanna come?" As readers around the world know, the young writer wasn't exactly lying. During his influential and award-winning career, the author of Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles took readers to other planets, other dimensions, and other times.
McClure was the first woman Bradbury ever dated—and the last. They were married in 1947 and remained married for fifty-six years until McClure's death in 2003.
So what's the lesson from Bradbury and McClure's romance? Are we suggesting that single book lovers should browse their local libraries and bookstores, acting like a shoplifter? Probably not. (But if you do, please write and let us know how that goes.)
Instead, maybe we'll take away the simple truth that a type of magic can exist wherever books and readers gather.
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Discover more of Ray Bradbury's books and quotes here. And share your thoughts on Bradbury, meeting soulmates in bookstores, or both in the comments!
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(Top image credit: A 1976 edition of Fahrenheit 451)
Comments Showing 51-100 of 110 (110 new)
A couple got engaged in my bookshop. They were a couple for a long while. One week on her own, she bought Fifty Shades of Grey. The same week he bought the Story of O. Next thing is they come downstairs from the cafe and tell me they are getting married :-) (They broke up a year later though, sadly)>
I would much rather have a guy come up to me in a book store and offer to buy me a book instead of going to a bar offering to buy me a drink. Plus with the prices of some drinks it's probably cheaper to buy someone a book ;)
I work in a bookstore...I've seen strangers start conversations and keep talking...couples come in and shop for books together w/excitement!...or the guy who wants to spend time picking out the perfect book for his girlfriend or wife. There's MAGIC in bookstores. Maybe one day I'll have my own story to tell.☺
Linda Abhors the New GR Design wrote: "Yaaresse wrote: "There are worse places to meet a potential spouse. At least there's a good chance they are literate and are interested in something other than himself/herself. You can probably tel..."
Yes, the pretend-readers are the worst. Give me a good honest philistine any day.
Yes, the pretend-readers are the worst. Give me a good honest philistine any day.
Petra Eggs wrote: "A couple got engaged in my bookshop. They were a couple for a long while. One week on her own, she bought Fifty Shades of Grey. The same week he bought the Story of O. ..."
Petra Eggs wrote: "A couple got engaged in my bookshop. They were a couple for a long while. One week on her own, she bought Fifty Shades of Grey. The same week he bought the Story of O. ..."
But in that year they had done everything that most of us take decades to achieve.
Petra Eggs wrote: "A couple got engaged in my bookshop. They were a couple for a long while. One week on her own, she bought Fifty Shades of Grey. The same week he bought the Story of O. ..."
But in that year they had done everything that most of us take decades to achieve.
Ave wrote: "I would much rather have a guy come up to me in a book store and offer to buy me a book instead of going to a bar offering to buy me a drink. Plus with the prices of some drinks it's probably cheap..."
Even better if he offers to buy you a book AND a drink! (And perhaps some flowers also)
Even better if he offers to buy you a book AND a drink! (And perhaps some flowers also)
Mark wrote: "Petra Eggs wrote: "A couple got engaged in my bookshop. They were a couple for a long while. One week on her own, she bought Fifty Shades of Grey. The same week he bought the [book:..."
I first read O as a naive and impressionable teenager. I like to think that I have recovered now though ....
I first read O as a naive and impressionable teenager. I like to think that I have recovered now though ....
I dunno about this... If she's in the Harlequin Romance section you better run like hell.I think hanging around a college or university is a better idea. Jim Morrison said look in the art department.
And, Patti, about Mr. Potatohead - Use *this*on him:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_...
They're easy to make... I've got one. (And if he's not wearing anything under his trenchcoat, aim carefully.)
Duane wrote: "I dunno about this... If she's in the Harlequin Romance section you better run like hell.I think hanging around a college or university is a better idea. Jim Morrison said look in the art departm..."
Gets creepy if the guy's over 40 and not employed by the college
Does not happen if the man ain't Ray Bradbury. Source: I went to a bookstore yesterday, saw many men there, none said a word to me. Not even a smile.
Damn! I'm doomed.
Patience Felicia! The men yesterday were obviously a poor batch, perhaps tomorrow the man of your dreams will be there.
Mark wrote: "Patience Felicia! The men yesterday were obviously a poor batch, perhaps tomorrow the man of your dreams will be there."Haha, thanks for the kind words. Just wallowing in self pity.
Diana wrote: "*looking in the YA section*, helloooo, any soulmates here?" Not sure but I can get you a copy of my new YA novel..
Coffee gives an immediate benefit, but the flight of fancy is also attractive. I would have married him.
Ray spoke to our writers' group almost every year for 60 years, because they invited him to speak when he was still unknown. He told many inspirational stories and was known for sayings such as, "Jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down."
Felicia wrote: "Does not happen if the man ain't Ray Bradbury. Source: I went to a bookstore yesterday, saw many men there, none said a word to me. Not even a smile.
Damn! I'm doomed."
LOL. I met many people in library school, but only married one of them. ;)
Maybe this is why Rachel Bloom loves him so much?Cute post!
I met my wife in a bookstore 16 years ago. She asked if I'd ever read anything by Jeannette Winterson. :)
Ah I like it! I'll keep this idea tucked away for a rainy day. ;)
Hey I like it! Another reason to hit the bookstore.
Joshua wrote: "Wasn't this like over forty years ago? If I tried to find love at a local bookstore, I'll probably be charged with sexual harassment, or be a sex offender because most women working in these stores..."Well, yeah, but if Ray Bradbury was 20-something today, he'd just put roofies in her coffee and she wouldn't remember what happened anyway.
I met my boyfriend of 2 years because we both worked at the college bookstore. Completely by chance that he worked there because he didn't even go to the same university, he went to the one 15 minutes away. Fortunately for me, his university's B&N wasn't hiring so his friend suggested he apply to mine. And the rest is history :)
I see the hand of the Fates in this Julie. Good luck to you both.
Stef wrote: "This is beautiful! I often desire something like this. :) <3"I'm sure you will! :)
Julie wrote: "I met my boyfriend of 2 years because we both worked at the college bookstore. Completely by chance that he worked there because he didn't even go to the same university, he went to the one 15 minu..."julie - my best advice is to rely on what you're feeling and don't listen to other people! i met my husband of 38 years when i was 18 at Rutgers dorm party! we married when i was 20 and 2 days before his 22 birthday. i swear we were the only ones in the church who thought it would last other than my cousin who was the maid of honor! hugs!!
Great story- congrats to you both!Joan - xstitchfan wrote: "Julie wrote: "I met my boyfriend of 2 years because we both worked at the college bookstore. Completely by chance that he worked there because he didn't even go to the same university, he went to t..."
I have teeth.i>Patti wrote: "Okay so I went to a bookstore yesterday. Just wandering around. Got a Starbucks coffee and perused the proverbial hangouts where a guy might choose in a bookstore. Then wandered to the literary sec..."
Patti wrote: "Okay so I went to a bookstore yesterday. Just wandering around. Got a Starbucks coffee and perused the proverbial hangouts where a guy might choose in a bookstore. Then wandered to the literary sec..."bahahaha! Patti, you're not alone! Trust me!
So sorry that happened, but love the way you told that story!
There's a book for you....."50 First Dates Worse Than Yours"....
Patti wrote: "Linda Abhors the New GR Design wrote: "Patti wrote: "Okay so I went to a bookstore yesterday. Just wandering around. Got a Starbucks coffee and perused the proverbial hangouts where a guy might cho..."I will read them happily and with joy! Unless my worst ones were worse-in which case, I shall feel a great sadness! :D
I tried this in a hiking group, but one woman there had a story that beat any of mine!
Is this now a competition for the worst date???
Patti, I await your stories with great interest ....
Thanks for the tale. I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry ...
All this modern dating behaviour is alien to me, as my last dating was before the internet age. But I suppose that although the technology has changed, the basic process is unchanged: person A and person B meet, first impressions are made, conversation ensues, conclusions are reached.
All this modern dating behaviour is alien to me, as my last dating was before the internet age. But I suppose that although the technology has changed, the basic process is unchanged: person A and person B meet, first impressions are made, conversation ensues, conclusions are reached.
Patti wrote: "Linda Abhors the New GR Design wrote: "Patti wrote: "Linda Abhors the New GR Design wrote: "Patti wrote: "Okay so I went to a bookstore yesterday. Just wandering around. Got a Starbucks coffee and ..."Girl, I live in RI! Nothing is unbelievable! :D
Patti wrote: "Mark wrote: "Patti, I await your stories with great interest ...."Okay this one is for you Mark.
I met this guy on a dating website(I can't believe I did it). We talked back and forth for a while..."
Yep. That one will win!
Mark wrote: "Thanks for the tale. I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry ...All this modern dating behaviour is alien to me, as my last dating was before the internet age. But I suppose that although the techno..."
We wish it were that simple....whole new ball of wax.
God, if we could all be so lucky!! What a beautiful love story.
Janice wrote: "Like the artwork. I assume it came from a movie poster. Great book, and great movie. Graphic novels, fine too."It's from the cover of an edition of Fahrenheit 451: http://pics.cdn.librarything.com/pics...
Pick someone to date who reads what you read. Thanks for the story!
that will work! Only real readers in there!