A few hundred fans applauded Dutton's Brentwood Books on Sunday afternoon, filling the courtyard where so many authors have spoken on their L.A. tours. The store closes April 30, and this was the final book party. "We have built a kind of utopia here," owner Doug Dutton (tan coat in foreground) told the crowd. "Reading books — it's a crummy business model, but it's a wonderful life." Former mayor Richard Riordan, at center in the picture above, followed Dutton to the microphone and said, "I feel like I'm at an Irish wake...Doug, we love you." Photo bigger

Also spotted in the audience were authors, publishers or journalists Jonathan Kirsch, Janet Fitch, Lisa See, Denise Hamilton, Erika Schickel, April Smith, K.C. Cole, Joy Horowitz, Mary Rourke, Kenneth Turan, Victoria Steele, Henry Weinstein, Laurie Becklund, Martha Groves, Anne-Marie O'Connor, William Booth, Diana Wagman, Paddy Calistro, Scott McAuley, Cecilia Alvear, George Lewis, Mickey Kaus, Murray Fromson, Jim Bell, Marisa Silver, Aimee Bender, Thomas Perry, Sonja Bolle, Jay Kugelman and Scott Wannberg. Plus those I missed. Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and his wife Barbara also attended.

More photos after the jump:

The crowd filled the Dutton's courtyard and balcony.

Doug Dutton being congratulated in the crowd.

Author and bookstore partner Diane Leslie.

Photos: LA Observed