On a cattle ranch outside Benson, AZ, the Singing Wind Bookshop may be our favorite bookshop in the whole world.

Winn Bundy has lived and worked on her ranch for almost 50 years; she has owned and run the bookshop in her home for almost 30 years. With an inventory of over 150,000 books, Winn specializes in small-press publications about the Southwest. There are so many topics represented, though, that she gives first-time visitors a shelf-by-shelf tour of her homey shop.

In early March, we returned to Singing Wind for a special book symposium. Four authors spoke passionately and entertainingly about the nearby San Pedro River. We learned about everything from wildlife habitat to water rights issues. The Sorocco Wind Quintet played water-themed music throughout the afternoon and one of the authors sang and played his guitar. Winn also plied us with food from a hearty buffet table, built of boards from a bowling alley. It was a perfect way to spend an afternoon.