The 29 Palms Book Festival this November 2024 ended on a high … So many genuine creative masters making an impact. Thank you.

          Remember you can get a copy of BLACK HEART WORDS & POEMS. An inspired anthology from the edge of darkness illuminated with a sprinkling of light, from the Desert General on Mesquite Ave in Twentynine Palms, while stocks last.

Before ending the day with a celebratory nonalcoholic herbal wine from SPARK wine , I decided to go on a little adventure.

I went looking for a bookstore at what seemed like THE END OF THE WORLD, in Wonder Valley (Approx population of 4,000).
A little background on this high desert town at the outskirts of the high desert:

          “Wonder Valley is a community … east of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. After homesteaders acquired land following the 1938 Small Tracts Act, hundreds to thousands of homesteader cabins were built in the area. Since then many homesteads have been abandoned and demolished. Today Wonder Valley has a sparse but diverse population of nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, desert rats, retirees and artists. From https://countywideplan.com/community/east-desert-unincorporated/wonder-valley/#our-community”

Many of you may know that I am a huge Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit fan. I love all that whimsy. So, when I found out that there was a bookstore called WONDERLAND BOOKS I set out to fi nd it. According to sources online it is only open on Sundays from 9 or 10am until 1pm.

So off I set, so as not to be late, late, late 🐇

It was not that hard to find. Up highway 62, then, out further into the desert. A few turns here and there, leaving the dust and everything behind in the distance.

But then when I found it, the bookstore that is, it was a mystery as how to get in. 🤔

The Wonderland Bookstore is located on Amboy highway across from The Palms restaurant. The only two buildings around for miles.

As I got closer the White Rabbit seemed to beckon. But the barbwire fence encircled the property and the gate was locked. I felt like Alice. Whatever was I to do to get inside? 🤔

I won’t tell you everything as it might be a secret, or maybe too long to put on paper, or just not relevant for now. On my adventure I came across Kevin, the wife of Laura, the owner of this magical book filled room in the high desert. Once I shared my desires to visit the books in the desert, he ran to unlock the gate and unlock the bookstore.

He told me to take my time and look around. Pay for any of the items I wanted, and then lock the door on the way out. It was very Alice in Wonderland like, or welcoming desert community vibe, which could just be the same thing.

I felt like I’d gone down the rabbit hole, although this was in Wonder Valley in the high Mojave Desert of California, and I’d landed in a bookstore.

The bookstore in the town of few, did not disappoint.
Inside this compact concrete room in the desert, it was a beautifully curated collection of books, music, movies and more. There was something for everyone’s taste.

From local hiking trails to movies and films. Romance, crime, magic and children’s books. Literary classics, all there. What a wonderful offering of love to the Wonder Valley community and visitors alike.

In a corner there were crystals and potions from other local merchants.

Everything was carefully organized by theme and genre.

The space itself was comfy, with couches and chairs making it a perfect spot to get lost in a book. This was in stark contrast to the brown sandy expanse outside.

I really want to host one of my monthly writing sessions here in person or do a poetry reading. So, stay tuned. I’m sure it will happen.

While I was getting lost amongst the pages a blue car pulled into the gate and a young lady from Los Angeles pulled in. She said she’d always wanted to stop in but it had always been closed. I welcomed her in. I told her what Kevin told me, which was to enjoy herself. Pay for items she wanted and of course take a picture with the white rabbit.

The blue car left with the happy gal inside. Then walking from the distance and in through the gate strode another young lass. No car with her though. I was not sure where she appeared from. But she strode over with purpose. She stated she’d come to see what was new. I thought this quite odd. All these people arriving at a bookstore in the desert with nothing else around. Hmm.

Then I pondered some more. They were just like me. ❤️🖤🐇
Lovers of books and tea. Lovers of the white rabbit and Alice and the adventures yet to be.

@blackheart_alchemi @wonderland.bookshop @wondervalleyca @palms_wonder_valley_ @29pbf @29palmsinn @sparkwine_n_liquor