California Documentary Project
Paperback Dreams
Catticus Corporation
Producer-Director Alex Beckstead
The rise and fall of independent bookstores
Alex Beckstead tells of the rise and fall of independent bookstores through the story of Andy Ross, co-owner and cofounder of the landmark Cody’s Books in Berkeley.
The film begins with the opening of a new Cody’s in downtown San Francisco at a time when bookstores across the country are going out of business and follows Ross as he closes the door on his flagship store in Berkeley on the store’s 50th anniversary and fights to keep his new store afloat.
“Independent stores function as literary laboratories, and publishers rely on them to champion new and controversial work,” said the film’s Producer-Director Alex Beckstead. “Internet superstores like Amazon can only sell you want you know you want. Who will guide readers to their next favorite book? 'Paperback Dreams' will document the struggle of the independents to survive, and demonstrate that their role in bring new ideas to readers remains as essential as ever.”