October 2008

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And Speaking of Used Bookstores

October 31, 2008 in Uncategorized by Claire | 2 comments

or should that be used book bookstores?  It’s not the bookstores that are used, it’s the books inside them.    Hmm, I’ll have to think more about that one.

I’ve been thinking about used books a lot lately, and not just because Kim recently wrote about a bunch of ones I’d like to check out someday, or because I’m beginning to dream of another visit to Bart’s Books.  It’s more because of the economy and the environment: the pressures caused by the downturn of both make me wonder whether the responsible thing to do these days is to buy used books whenever possible. Read the rest of this entry »

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Used Bookstores 101

October 29, 2008 in Uncategorized by Kim | 9 comments

While I’ve been visiting independent bookstores wherever I am for years, since we started the blog, I’ve hunted down stores with a renewed vigor.  The number of used bookstores surprises me.  The rents are so expensive in Los Angeles that independent bookstores selling new books withevents and activities struggle, so covering the overhead with a stock of used books is doubly difficult.  As I’ve visited used bookstores over the last several weeks, I’m jealous of the communities that have them.

I’ve found that used bookstores fall into three broad categories:  those that sell mass paperbacks, those that resemble a bookstore with new books but the stock is used, and those that carry fine or collectible books (calling them a used bookstore is a bit like calling an antique store a used furniture store).  One of the attractions is the discounted price for everyone, but also the potential trade polices.  Many bookstores give credit for donated books that can be used to purchase other used books.  Some stores pay for used books, but those tend to be for collectible or rare books.  As I’ve wandered through the used bookstores, I’ve noticed that the owners are extremely knowledgeable about books, their stock, and what they see coming through.  They all knew the American Guide Series and gave me advice on how to collect them (avoid reprints), although none of them had any at the time.  I found these fun stores recently: Read the rest of this entry »

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One of the Nation’s Best – Tattered Cover Bookstore

October 26, 2008 in Uncategorized by Kim | 3 comments

There are a few bookstores that are talked about over and over again – The Strand, Elliot Bay Book Company, Powell’s, Shakespeare and Co and The Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, Colorado.  I could move to Denver for the Tattered Cover, it’s that good.  The staff is fantastic.  I overheard a customer walk in and ask for a book that he couldn’t remember the author and only one word of the title, with that the clerk immediately led him to the book he was looking for.

One of the employees was so excited about Neil Gaiman and his graphic novels that she convinced me to try one.  I know that graphic novels are a huge publishing phenomenon, but comic books never appealed to me (but I did like Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay) and I don’t like scary stories (I’ve never read King or Straub), so imagine my enthusiasm, but hers was so genuine and it’s almost Halloween, what better time to try one?  On her advice, I bought Neil Gaiman’s The Doll’s House from The Sandman series.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Talking Books with Connie Martinson

October 24, 2008 in Uncategorized by Claire | 3 comments

If you’re a book writer, there aren’t a ton of ways to publicize your book.  Trust me, I know.  For a lucky few  brilliant (or well-connected) literary types, there’s the New York Times Book Review and the New York Review of Books.  You can pay for an Amazon blast (ever gotten one of those?  an e-mail suggesting that “if you liked this book, you’ll love this one” ?).  You can pay for real ads in real magazines.  You can hope that you’ll make some kind of sexy splash and be asked to appear on “Good Morning, America” (yeah, good luck with that one).  Or you can simply curl up in a foetal position in despair over the lack of outlets for an author.

Or you can go be interviewed by Connie Martinson.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Introducing Our New Page

October 22, 2008 in Uncategorized by Claire | No comments

In creating this blog, Kim and I set out to support independent bookstores by showcasing the ones we’ve visited and encouraging people to shop locally.  That’s still our goal.

Turns out, though, that it’s hard to talk about bookstores without, at least occasionally, talking about, you know . . . books.  

A long time ago, Kim discovered that if she asked the owner or employee of an independent bookstore to recommend a book to her, she’d wind up bringing home something she might never have stumbled upon on her own and (more often than not) really enjoy it.   It also always gave her insight into the leanings and interests of that particular bookstore and of the area it resided in, so now, when she reviews a bookstore for the blog, she always mentions the books she discovered thanks to the people who work there.  Read the rest of this entry »

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