Space Station Mir

I took a day trip to Annapolis the other day, and we ran across this magical bookstore. It's primarily a used bookstore, but new releases were on the shelves next to old classics. It's not the cheapest used bookstore around, but it's well-organized and fairly large. There are some antique books, and older hardback versions of classics, like the 1918 edition of Louisa May Alcott's Rose in Bloom , which I bought. The primary focus is fiction. There were some whimsical displays, and friends "lion" around too. Highly recommended if you find yourself in the area. I can't wait to go back and explore some more! Me in the Mirror of Erised. MD socks bought in different Annapolis store.

The other day, I came across this at my workplace, and it literally transformed my whole day! My co-workers and I had fun picking out what we wanted. I took home Every Last One by Anna Quindlen and The Night Watch by Sarah Waters. One of my co-workers took The Little Prince home for her kids.

I'd been hearing about this little free library phenomenon over at BookRiot , and was thrilled to discover one in my neighborhood! I picked up a copy of Cinder by Marissa Meyer, and dropped off a couple of books ( We'll Always Have Paris; Songs for the Butcher's Daughter ) that had already been snagged last time I checked!

Walking through my workplace last Friday, I found a sign for "Free Books" next to a pile. I picked up these:

6. Readings: Essays and Literary Entertainments by Michael Dirda It is entirely apt, actually poetic, that I discovered this collection in a used bookstore. Throughout these pages, Dirda leads us down labyrinthine library steps, through bookstores forlorn and flourishing, to conferences focused on Wodehouse and Faulkner, to his own private paradise sabbatical featuring the The Tale of Genji . He is always in quest of the cheapest, most covetable, most elusive quarry--the books he wants to read. Readings is a collection of essays that appeared in The Washington Post Book World from 1993-1999. Although they could easily be read separately, reading them together produces a pleasing mental marinade. For example, Dirda's emphasis on the physicality of books in each of his essays becomes all the more clear, even more so against a modern backdrop. In 1993 or 1995 or even 1999, it might not have stood out so much that Dirda is preoccupied with old paperbacks and books of corresponde...

I've received a couple new reads lately, hopefully reviews will be soon! Against the Country: A Novel by Ben Metcalf, through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld, via Bookmooch

My friend came in from Boston last weekend, so we naturally went to explore all the bookstores around my newish domicile. I'd noticed Gramp's Attic Books before, but never had occasion to venture inside. What a treat I was missing! Gramp's Attic Books is an apt name, if your grandfather was the sort to value really fine editions of classic novels, or the type to gather vast collections on rifles, American history (emphasis on the Civil War and World War II), bookbinding, and London, respectively. Although relatively small, Gramp's Attic Books boasts an extremely well-curated stock. Most of the books in the store itself (there's a couple shelves of mere paperbacks in the anteroom) are hard covers, and all are in excellent condition. I would not be surprised if there were a majority of first and second editions. If your tastes run to classics and the aforementioned collections, you might never want to leave. There are handsome caches of Fitzgerald, Hemingway, ...

My friend was in town for the weekend, and we traveled to Second Story Books . I'd been there before, but not in many years. Second Story Books almost feels more like a warehouse than a bookstore. This feeling was exacerbated as, while we were there, a loading dock at the front of the store was open, letting in air. This was more than an aesthetic choice, as we found ourselves (and other customers) continually sneezing in the midst of the rather musty collection. Mustiness aside, however, the selection was quite impressive and reasonably well organized. I did come across a few grab-bag boxes in the sci-fi section, but they rather added to the sense of adventure and exploration that often accompanies used bookstores (for me, at least). In addition to generous fiction selections, Second Story Books really shined in the non-fiction, references, and antiques sections. Unfortunately, the latter means many of their wares are more expensive than in your average used bookstore, but extra...

My university's library held a book sale last week. On the final day, hardbacks went for $1 and paperbacks for 50 cents. Not to miss out on the bloodbath, I braved the musty stairs into a dimly lit room. I came across gems, such as a book of Saxon Medieval Poetry, a compendium of the works of sixteenth-century Spanish composers, and a tempting biography of George Sand. While I made it my mission to find the lowest-brow possible fiction, others squabbled over a copy of Orlando Furioso (Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah, I all but heard the winner exclaim) and required boxes to cart out their loot. I emerged with: 1. Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran I hope I like it better than her other book, but man, she does a great job choosing subjects I'm interested in that hardly anyone has written about. 2. Jane Austen: A Life by David Nokes Okay, it's kind of academic, but it's not in my super-specific area, SO it counts as pleasure reading. 3. Scarlett by Alexandra R...

My recent book acquisitions include a few books that have been on my mind for a year or more, as well as a few that were completely unexpected! From Bookmooch, the online book swapping community in which I partake, I received: The Last Boleyn by Karen Harper I received for review from Tor: The Inexplicables by Cherie Priest Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone The Rise of Ransom City by Felix Gilman For Hanukkah, my dad gave me: This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz The Joys of Love by Madeleine L'Engle Looking at them together and knowing what I know of both authors, they look like a delightful juxtaposition. Finally, I had the opportunity to visit The Book Bank in Old Town Alexandria. The used book store was impeccably organized and boasts an impressive collection both of antiques and recent releases. I was actually surprised at the quality of the latter, since I saw several books I thought people would have wanted to hold onto! They also have an excellent sele...

Ever since I moved here, I've been overwhelmed with events; academic, artistic, community, personal. But when I saw there was a used book sale this weekend, I couldn't resist. And when I saw that it was $1 for a paperback and $2 for a hardback, well... Some of these are old favorites that I didn't actually own, like Certain Women by Madeleine L'Engle, Gloriana's Torch by Patricia Finney, and The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. Others are from known and beloved authors such as Philippa Gregory and Alexander Pushkin. Similarly, the Allende and the Erdrich are sequels to books that I've already read. I saw the Barbara Pym book and thought I'd try it out, since I know Boston Bibliophile is a fan. The MLA Handbook I thought might come in handy; A Passage to India is a classic I've wanted to read for a while. A Traveler in Time , however, is my big gamble. I've heard neither of the book nor the author, but the title and cover...

So in the week leading up to and during DragonCon, I went book crazy*. I picked up some used books at Capitol Hill Books in D.C. before I left: They have quite an impressive collection of Bradbury and Heinlein in the basement, if one is interested in such things. And quite amusing handwritten notes (depending on your political affiliation) scattered throughout the store. I also scored a free book from T.C. McCarthy, the one science fiction author on the Transhumanist Panel at DragonCon: Unlike the other panelists, he was interested in the darker implications and dangers of self-directed, mechanically enhanced evolution. Since this is a book blog, I'm not going to talk too much about it, but audience members brought up some really insightful questions about who will own or control the technology, what people have a right to do with their own bodies, and what constitutes "you." Several people did suggest science fiction books on the topic, including Singularity Sk...

Meanwhile, I've been extremely promiscuous with literature lately: Books Acquired in the Library: Books Acquired for $1 each at the Decatur Book Festival ,which took place the same weekend as DragonCon: Books Received for Review (from Tor on the left and Algonquin Books on the right):

7. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler Parable of the Sower has been on my reading list for a while and I picked it up recently at Capitol Hill Books , a used bookstore near Eastern Market in D.C. that really does seem to have everything. Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives in a walled-in cul-de-sac in a suburb of Los Angeles. The few times she has been Outside, her father, a Baptist minister and other adults from the neighborhood have escorted the children in an armed group. Although her small community helps each other, attends church together, and grows their own food, outside their wall lurks a constant assault of increasingly desperate, homeless, and drug-addicted people. Money and jobs, not to mention water, are scarce and the federal government is all but defunct. State borders are heavily patrolled and the incompetent police are only available for exorbitant fees. No child has a hope of a life better than their parents, who still keep insisting 'the good times wil...

This weekend, Fri. Nov. 13-Sun. Nov. 15 is the 33rd annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair. Hours are listed on the web site. I went last year, and had a fantastic time. In particular, I noticed a LOT of Mark Twain as well as Thoreau, Emerson, Hawthorne, Alcott, Melville-the usual New England suspects. It's amazing just to see these works up close and think about who bought them and read them and owned them, and how they're a part of history and literature. There were also quite a few bookshops from overseas, particularly Britain, but also France, and some of the Scandinavian countries. I don't think I'll make it this year, since $8 just to see isn't worth it when I've probably already seen most of it and unfortunately can't afford to buy. But if you're a book lover in Boston, and haven't been, definitely go!

I was surprised a couple of weekends ago, while traversing the narrow commodity-laden streets of Downtown Crossing, to run across the famed Brattle Bookshop ! I encountered them when I attended the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair back in November. This was the first time I had been to their location though. Practically an entire store is housed outside the shop, partly in bookcases built into the brick of an alleyway. Antique books were to be had for cheap, I remember skimming the memoirs of a countess, published in 1809, on a $5 book rack. There were also volumes of the Everyman library, all manner of cookbooks, and a wealth of old biographies. I didn't even really get to explore the actual premises, though centenarian books reclined on red velvet in the window display. I wanted to, but I thought it might be too tempting. I've promised myself I will buy no new books until I have finished every single book in my room. This includes The History of God and The Theory ...

I was just in Rodney's Bookstore . Their postcards are kind of hilarious, I bought two. Also, they have a ridiculous poetry collection, like I'm going straight there next time I have to read a bunch of emo Victorian poets. Note to self: Stop saying ridiculous so much.

I love Wonder Books , I've been to their store in Frederick when I was younger and more recently ordered from them off Amazon. Yay used books!