A new generation of readers finds inspiration at The Bookstore.( Bernard Schwartz)
bookstore owner. He’ s a literary curator. And he’ s damn good at it.”
Together, Matt and Shawnee are the keepers of a rare flame, a vital thread in the fabric of the Berkshire’ s literary culture. As voices rise on stage this September, ideas ripple through audiences, and books fly off shelves, it’ s their labor— quiet, exacting, and loving— that ensures the words continue speaking long after the last page is turned.
“ This is the first year my seven-year-old daughter can read,” says Schwartz.“ It was such a pleasure bringing her to The Bookstore’ s Bus Stop Corner where she sat and started quietly reading to herself. They say it takes a village to raise a kid. When part of that community is The Bookstore, everything’ s in place for connection, inspiration and growth.”
The WIT festival thrives on partnering with a growing number of entities and individuals in the Berkshires community. We are proud to be a partner, in our ongoing coverage of The Authors Guild Foundation and the festival. The following list of partners, in addition to the ones we’ ve already mentioned, is not complete by any means( because it keeps growing!): Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Mezze Catering, Berkshire Community College, Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, Shakespeare & Company, CTSB, Doctor Sax House, the BSO, Berkshire Catering Company, Belvedere Lenox, Savory Harvest, Modern Milk Bar, Upstreet Smoke, Rustic Eats, Cuppa Love, The Constance, and others. authorsguild. org / wit n
CELEBRATING JEWISH PLAYS
AN IMMERSIVE WEEKEND OF STAGED READINGS
OCTOBER 10 – 12 Tina Packer Playhouse & Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre
Get Tickets: 413.637.3353 SHAKESPEARE. ORG
Featuring John Douglas Thompson( HBO’ s The Gilded Age)
Fall 2025 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 77