Loved this from Sarcasmo.
"There is a certain sensual joy that comes with a used book store with its stacks in jumbles. First, there is the heady, dusky smell of old books, that heralds of time, history, and the sweet faint promise of mildew, so potent it fills the lungs and leaves an after- taste on the tongue. Then there is the visual joy of seeing so many books pressed so indecently together, huddled in corners, or in large, promiscuous piles; heaven! For the ears, a symphonic shush of slowly turned pages from every free corner and aisle, where fellow book-lovers carefully persuse yellowing pages. And then, ah! the feel of them...I especially like finding books with worn covers which open to yellowing pages and a name written on the plate decades ago..fading with time. I like the idea of sharing this story, these moments, with someone from the past...gently holding something they once held, running my fingers tenderly along the pages they handled, being touched by the same words that once moved them too."
For the rest, go here.
Posted by Shannon at July 2, 2004 01:50 PM | TrackBackI would have to disagree with you whole hearttely and the main reason is with the store owners or the employees at these used book stores. I mean you get better service at your local animal dog kentle! As to the great finds your correct about that. The Book Lady on Keith Street down town off of E-23 is or Main Street is a good place and relaxed to shop and find some goodies.
Posted by: tony campbell at July 2, 2004 03:34 PMThey can be a surly lot, but it's worth it if you're brave enough. Where else can you get ten books for a buck?
Posted by: Shannon at July 2, 2004 03:59 PMI love old used-books stores, too, Shannon... and so far haven't found a surly keeper... mostly odd and eccentric types who are as interesting to draw out and get to know as some of the books I pick up... once... while traveling in south Alabama... I stopped in an old antique store... and spent hours looking through books and furniture and knick knacks... left with one of your plates... a ragged, yellowed copy of "Elephant Walk"... yes, the same book they did a movie of years later with a young Elizabeth Taylor... and an old Mccoy buttermilk pitcher... and in th midst of my wandering... I formed a friendship with the elderly couple who were living in the back of their little store... and waited while she baked home-made cookies... and sat with them to eat cookies warm from the oven with REAL milk... icy cold from the fridge... that had just that morning come from one of the five cows out back... I think I spent about three hours at that shop... extending what should have been a five hour trip from Troy, Alabama to Gulfport, Mississippi to almost nine hours... but I love adventures like that...
Posted by: Aunt Vickie at July 6, 2004 12:34 PMWe've learned through the years not to keep dinner waiting. :)
Posted by: Shannon at July 6, 2004 12:56 PM