Bell first met Bradbury in the 1970s at one of his speaking engagements. The author has been a common visitor of the bookshop, attending 10 birthday celebrations and holding several book signings throughout the years.
“He was an incredibly inspirational speaker, and we became friends after that,” she said. “He’s always been supportive of small, independent bookshops.”
On Saturday, fans sang “Happy Birthday” and presented Bradbury with a birthday cake decorated with a large pumpkin donning black glasses similar to the author’s own black Ray-Bans.
“I wish you all live to be 89 years old,” he said before sampling the cake’s frosting with his finger.
George Clayton Johnson, a science-fiction writer who wrote several “Twilight Zone” episodes, lauded Bradbury’s influence on the literary world.
“He’s been a comet with a trail of admirers,” said Johnson, a longtime friend of Bradbury’s.
With the small bookshop packed to capacity, many fans spilled onto the sidewalk awaiting their chance to get a book signed and speak with Bradbury.
Michael Williams, a “huge” Bradbury fan, fondly remembers his father reading him the author’s work as a child.
“I’ve always been hooked on his prose,” he said. “It’s very poetic.”
Williams, who brought several works to be signed, said Bradbury is best known for a science-fiction novel, but his writing spans a range of genres.
“It really runs the gamut,” he said.
Standing with Williams in front of the bookshop, Don Bitters said he is one of the author’s newer fans. He read “Fahrenheit 451” in high school, but only recently started reading other Bradbury books that he borrowed from a friend.
Bell said Bradbury enjoys attending events at Mystery and Imagination because it gives him a chance to speak personally with fans of his work.
“He has one-on-one time with the customers, which he can’t get anywhere else,” she said.
MELANIE HICKEN covers City Hall. She may be reached at (818) 637-3235 or by e-mail at melanie.hicken@latimes.com.
