Odyssey Book Shop

History

This book shop has been a fixture in South Hadley center for over 35 years. Barbara Norris Kiang, MA 1965, reminisced:

"I was in South Hadley at the time of the transition from Glesmann's to the Odyssey Bookshop. Romeo Grenier was a pharmacist who owned and ran Glesmann's; he was interested in books and gradually amassed a huge inventory of books to sell in the drugstore. In my first year ('63-'64) the books were crammed into the back of the drugstore. In the summer of '64 construction of the Odyssey was completed and the inventory was moved in. Romeo held an opening soiree that was attended by most of the college. That bookshop was a greatly appreciated resource."

The Images

All cards are available with both front and back scans, and comments about what is written on the front or back, either by the user or by the publisher, are included below.

Odyssey Book Shop: front Untitled; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Odyssey Book Shop Romeo Grenier Proprietor 29 College St. So. Hadley, Mass. 01075 413-534-7307 Established 1963" Dynacolor Graphics, Inc., Miami, FL. I bought this card at a postcard show the day that Romeo Grenier died in November 1997; when I got home, I read about it on an MHC newsgroup online.
Odyssey Book Shop: front Untitled; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Odyssey Book Shop South Hadley, Mass." Color photo by Robert Grenier. #MA 1587. Published by Bromley and Company, Inc., Boston, Mass. 02210. Zip code on Boston address implies it is post-1963.
The Odyssey Book Shop: front Untitled; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "The Odyssey Book Shop Romeo J. Grenier, Prop. 29 College Street South Hadley, Mass. 01075 413-534-7307" #P6872 Color photo by The Greniers, Holyoke, Mass. Dynacolor Graphics, Inc., Miami, FL. Zip code on South Hadley address implies it is post-1963.
College Inn Courtyard Cafe and Odyssey Book Shop: front Untitled; back Divided back, postmarked Oct 27, 1967[?] in South Hadley. "College Inn Courtyard Cafe and Odyssey Book Shop South Hadley, Mass." #MA-1650 and also #80262 Color photo by Robert Grenier. Published by Bromley and Company, Inc., Boston, Mass. 02210. No zip code on Boston address implies it is pre-1963, but since the sender used a zip code, it must be posted after 1963. "Dear folks, Staying here at College Inn. Got here by 4:00. 91 is a marvelous highway from New Haven. Took a walk around campus S & I both think we'd get tired of girls, girls, girls! Thanks for the good lunch. Give our love to Tim & Chris. Hope they remember "Charlie Brown" tonight. Love, Shirl"
The Grand Complication: front "The Grand Complication: A Novel [by] Allen Kurzweil Author of A Case of Curiosities"; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Allen Kurzweil reads and signs The Grand Complication on Wednesday, December 5 [2001], at 7 p.m. at The Odyssey Bookshop (413)534-7307 9 College St., South Hadley, MA 01075"
Ash: front "Ash a novel by Holly Thompson" A label adhered to the front of the card states "Holly Thompson reads and signs Ash: A Novel on Saturday, February 23, [2002] at 2 p.m. at The Odyssey Bookshop (413)534-7307 9 College St., South Hadley, MA 01075"; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Publisher's statement about the book, and contact information.
My Mother's Island: front "My Mother's Island a novel Marnie Mueller" A label adhered to the front of the card states "Marnie Mueller reads and signs My Mother's Island on Tuesday, May 14, [2002] at 7 p.m. at The Odyssey Bookshop (413)534-7307 9 College St., South Hadley, MA 01075"; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Reviews of the book, and contact information.
Eleven Stories High: front Cover art from "Eleven Stories High: Growing Up in Stuyvesant Town, 1948-1968" by Corinne Demas (English professor at MHC).; back Inscription: "Corinne Demas at the Odyssey together May 25, 2002" - she and I had shared a table at the Odyssey signing books for the first reunion weekend of 2002.
Nina's Waltz: front Cover art from "Nina's Waltz" by Corinne Demas (English professor at MHC).; back Inscription: "Corinne Demas 5/25/2002" - she and I had shared a table at the Odyssey signing books for the first reunion weekend of 2002.
The Disappearing Island: front Cover art from "The Disappearing Island" by Corinne Demas (English professor at MHC).; back Inscription: "Corinne Demas" - she and I had shared a table at the Odyssey signing books for the first reunion weekend of 2002.
If Ever I Return Again: front Cover art from "If Ever I Return Again" by Corinne Demas (English professor at MHC).; back Inscription: "With warm wishes from Corinne May 25, 2002" - she and I had shared a table at the Odyssey signing books for the first reunion weekend of 2002.
Demon of the Waters: front Cover art from "Demon of the Waters" by Gregory Gibson.; back Divided back, unused. Reviews of the book, and contact information. A label is adhered where the address would go, that states: "On July 16 [2002] at 7pm Join Gregory Gibson for a discussion and signing at The Odyssey Village Commons 9 College St., South Hadley, MA 01075 For information call 413-534-7307"
Ruby River: front Cover art from "Ruby River" by Lynn Pruett.; back Divided back, unused. Review of the book, and contact information. A label is adhered where the address would go, that states: "Join Lynn Pruett when she reads from Ruby River Tuesday September 24 [2002], 7:00pm Odyssey Bookshop 9 college [sic] Street, South Hadley (413)534.7307"
Made by Hand: front Cover art from "Made by Hand: Art and Craft in the Heartland of New England" by Jeanne Braham.; back Divided back, unused. Advertisement for a publication party on Sunday, March 28 [2004] at the Odyssey.
Katz on Dogs: front Cover art from "Katz on Dogs" by Jon Katz. A sticker on the front reads: "Author Reading Sunday Nov. 13 [2005], 3 p.m. the Odyssey Bookshop"; back Divided back, unused. Publisher information for "Katz on Dogs."