Year(s) of Magical Thinking

Hey friends, this is no ordinary update. We've been working on something special, and it's finally time to share it...

I am a big believer in the power of coffee, beer, hospitality... and books. Over the years, I've seen how these things can bring people together and foster friendship. Beer contributes by tearing down walls (people get honest after a pint or two). And the books we read open us up to new ideas, new experiences, new worlds.

Books make us think. They give us something to talk about.

I discovered Joan Didion's Year Of Magical Thinking while sitting in a coffee shop in downtown Missoula back in 2006. I was working on my computer, while the college student next to me sat turning pages in the morning sun. "Any good?" I asked. "Life changing," she replied. That comment sparked a conversation. I ended up buying the book, then devouring it myself. My life changed. We became friends.

I can't tell you how many times this has happened – with The Lord of The Rings, A River Runs Through It, The Brothers K, Crossing To Safety, H Is For Hawk, and many more – so many books have barged into my life, rejuvenated my imagination, at just the right time, each in their own unique way.

And all of them came through friends. (Sometimes you find the book through a friend; at other times you find a friend through the book).

At it's heart, Lazarus is about friendship.

Yes, we exist to make great coffee, beer, and tacos (that's what we do). But really, we're in the business of bringing people together (joy!).

That's why we created a living room in our first location – comfy couches, a hand built coffee table, with an armored elk on the wall. We wanted a space where people could sit and talk, or just read. My daughter and I filled those mahogany bookshelves with a hundred plus favorites culled from our own personal family collection: these are the books that have shaped us, over and over again.

When we opened Lazarus on Airport, we had a chance to create something bigger – an upstairs den, with more couches, a river rock fireplace that reminds me of my dad's cabin back home in Montana... and even more bookshelves. But that exposed a problem we hadn't anticipated: our own personal book collection wasn't nearly big enough to fill the shelves.

That's why I'm writing now: we need more favorite books!

Over the past year, I've spent plenty of time thinking about how to expand the Lazarus library. Some people suggested buying random used books to "fill in the gaps". But we didn't just want filler – we wanted every book to be someone's favorite.

We wanted books that move you, books you come back to (over and over again), books you are passionate about, books you think everyone should read. We wanted the books which, if lost or stolen, you'd immediately try to replace (in hardcover if possible). And we really wanted readers to know who recommended what (and why!). We wanted to help connect kindred spirits.

Enter my new friend, Kester. I met him last March.

Kester used to work at Book People. Kester loves books more than I love beer. The guy is constantly reading. Every time we meet he's got 4 or 5 books with him. Every time I mention a book, he's already read it. In fact, I think Kester has read almost everything there is to read. (I'm exaggerating, but not by much).

Kester doesn't just love books – he loves people, too. And what Kester loves most is helping people find books they'll love. He is a master at recommending books.

Kester is my kind of guy.

This September, I asked him to help. Together, we hatched a plan – we reached out to all the booklovers we know, people we've met over 30+ years of reading; to friends, staff, patron saints. "Give us your favorites!" we cried (criteria above).

And slowly but surely, Kester has carefully curated the Lazarus Library Wish List – 500 of the best books we'd like to add to the shelves at Lazarus on Airport. Intrigued?

Here's how you can help.

1. Browse our wish list - If you see a book (or two, or twenty) that YOU'RE passionate about, add it to your cart and pay at check out. Once a book has been purchased, it's no longer available on the list (so the sooner you click, they more you have to choose from.) A physical copy of your title(s) will be mailed to us at Lazarus, and Kester will get them added to our bookshelves! Plus, a portion of the proceeds will go to support First Light Books (a friendly neighborhood bookstore right down the street in Hyde Park). So, you get to promote your favorite books, help us fill the Lazarus Library, and support a local bookseller, all in one fell swoop. BOOM! It's easy.
2. Tell us what you've bought - Once you've purchased your books, please email Kester@lazarusbrewing.com so we can keep track of what's coming. We'd like to acknowledge you for your contribution. (Think "This book donated by..." placards in the front of each book). Plus we want to invite you to a private "Library Launch Party" that we'll be hosting sometime in January.
3. Make your own suggestions - See something missing from our queue? Send us your own top 10 list. If your suggestions make the cut, we'll add your favorites to the book list as well. We can't wait to learn what books you love.
4. Get ready to discover - Filling our shelves is just the beginning. Over the coming year, Kester will be working as the official "Lazarus Bookmaster" (not trademarked, but it should be!) to help Lazarus organize reading groups, sponsor book-related events, answer questions, and help fellow booklovers (like you!) find great books and connect with great people.

Books and beer bring people together!

I am super excited to see where this goes. We've got big plans for the future... but first we've gotta fill those shelves. Ready, set, GO!

Here's to years of magical thinking...

Christian
Founder & CEO

ps - feel free to spread this email vociferously!