Favourite Edition? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Hilde Bracegirdle · 10-09-2005, 05:13 AM

You know, living in the countryside, it is about 40 minutes ride to any bookstore. So I tend to depend on the Internet for books and music, (though I do browse titles in thrift stores and library sales locally.). I have felt guilty about this, for even though it is often easier to find what I am looking for on the computer, I felt as though I was helping kill little bookstores left and right. Just the other day though, I ordered a used CD that I found through Amazon, and imagine my surprise when I found it came from a familiar used bookstore in Baltimore called Secondstory Books! It gives me hope that Internet sales might help the little guys out there too.

Still, I do miss thumbing through actual copies of things, and unfortunately I have yet to come across anything Tolkien at a ‘Book Sale’.

Lalaith · 10-09-2005, 05:30 AM

Yes, Lalwende, I'm in the UK, London to be precise. I spent a lot of my childhood sitting on the floor of that bookshop that is now a Subway, reading all sorts of stuff off the shelves, it was one of the great things about little bookshops like that, you were allowed to do that...
We do still have an independent bookshop within cycling distance and I try to use it as much as I can. But the local Waterstones is of course often all too handy, not to mention Amazon.

But Hilde's point about the internet and second-hand bookshops is an excellent one. I frequently use abebooks, and I like to telephone the bookshops that come up with the volumes I want to make my purchase, rather than just order them impersonally through the net.

Lalwendë · 10-09-2005, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formendacil

I pretty much can't pass up a copy of any Tolkien book if I come upon it in a thrift store or used bookstore. Fortunately, such visits are rare and such sightings rarer, because although I already have three sets (none complete) and several extra copies of the Fellowship, I would be hardpressed to not buy another copy, if I came on one I did not already have.

Another rescuer of forlorn books, eh? I do this myself to be honest. I can feel comforted in the knowledge that all books which enter my house get a good home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalaith

I spent a lot of my childhood sitting on the floor of that bookshop that is now a Subway, reading all sorts of stuff off the shelves, it was one of the great things about little bookshops like that, you were allowed to do that...

They don't seem to encourage that sort of thing in the big chain bookshops, which is one of the reasons I don't find browsing in them all that pleasurable. Yes, you can be almost certain of getting what you want, but there is not that surprise factor that you would get in the small bookshop of suddenly discovering something you had not thought about before. That factor is one of the reasons I especially love second hand bookshops. We used to have one here that was full of chairs to sit in, they even had a cat who would sit on your knee.

Up in Scotland, the small (tiny) town of Wigtown is worth a visit as it is devoted to bookshops, and my father thinks Hay-on-Wye is another good place for books, though I haven't been there yet. York used to be good but only has one good second hand bookshop now sadly. Southport up the coast from Liverpool has lots of wonderful second hand bookshops, including the best one I've ever been in, and Whitby has two lovely little bookshops. I do judge towns on the quality of their bookshops, as I couldn't see myself living in a bookless town, even if it is a chain store. There's something about the tactile quality of browsing books that I would miss.

Mithalwen · 10-09-2005, 10:24 AM

I am going to have to say something in favour of chains The independent bookstore in the town where I tend to shop was absolute rubbish. It is so much better in every respect now it is Ottakars and they had most of HoME in stock as standard. The others and "The Road goes ever on" they obtained with great efficiency.

Hilde Bracegirdle · 10-09-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalaith

I frequently use abebooks, and I like to telephone the bookshops that come up with the volumes I want to make my purchase, rather than just order them impersonally through the net.

Now, that is a wonderful idea, Lalaith!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

They don't seem to encourage that sort of thing in the big chain bookshops, which is one of the reasons I don't find browsing in them all that pleasurable.

Ah, things are different in the US! The truly big chains have very comfortable chairs and coffee shop so you can read to your heart's delight. You don't even have to leave for lunch. My daughter even read half of one of the Lemony Snickett books aloud to me at Borders one snowy afternoon. It is a lovely memory. But I think it is a good choice. I know that I have yet to leave a Border's without making a purchase, even if it is small one.

The only thing that might be an improvement would be to have a used book section, treasure trove filled with books you wouldn't normally see in stores with only new ones, (and perhaps the addition of a few cats).

Sorry Mithalwen, I did not see your post. Good to see that not all big stores are bad there as well!

***Mister Underhill*** · 10-09-2005, 12:51 PM

The best thing about a good used-book shop is the smell -- that musty, musky, ancient spice smell of aging books. I imagine the archives at Minas Tirith smell much the way my favorite used bookstore down on San Fernando smells.

There's also nothing like unearthing a buried treasure from the stacks, some old volume by a favorite author that's long since out of print. I have several old collections of Robert E. Howard stories and a handful of Max Brand westerns, each purchased for two dollars or less a throw.

Mithalwen · 10-09-2005, 01:21 PM

My only Tolkien bargain was picking up a hardback copy of the biography in a remainder bookshop soon after I first read LOTR. Even so it cost about a week abnd a half's income.....

Bêthberry · 10-10-2005, 07:52 AM

Hmmm. Isn't it a good thing that books are neither a Ring nor a Simaril? Or perhaps...

Aiwendil · 10-10-2005, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Isn't it a good thing that books are neither a Ring nor a Simaril? Or perhaps...

What, am I the only one who's taken an oath to pursue with vengeance "whoso hideth or hoardeth or in hand taketh my Tolkien books"?

Lalwendë · 11-08-2005, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Hmmm. Isn't it a good thing that books are neither a Ring nor a Simaril? Or perhaps...

I think you may be tempted by this rare gem I found on ebay.

Of course, if anyone is hoping that Father Christmas may pop this rather expensive gift in their stocking this Christmas, then they will have to have been very, very good indeed. And make sure to leave him not just a glass of sherry but a barrel of the stuff.

10-09-2005, 05:30 AM	#2
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Yes, Lalwende, I'm in the UK, London to be precise. I spent a lot of my childhood sitting on the floor of that bookshop that is now a Subway, reading all sorts of stuff off the shelves, it was one of the great things about little bookshops like that, you were allowed to do that... We do still have an independent bookshop within cycling distance and I try to use it as much as I can. But the local Waterstones is of course often all too handy, not to mention Amazon. But Hilde's point about the internet and second-hand bookshops is an excellent one. I frequently use abebooks, and I like to telephone the bookshops that come up with the volumes I want to make my purchase, rather than just order them impersonally through the net. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

10-09-2005, 10:24 AM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	I am going to have to say something in favour of chains The independent bookstore in the town where I tend to shop was absolute rubbish. It is so much better in every respect now it is Ottakars and they had most of HoME in stock as standard. The others and "The Road goes ever on" they obtained with great efficiency. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

10-09-2005, 01:21 PM	#7
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	My only Tolkien bargain was picking up a hardback copy of the biography in a remainder bookshop soon after I first read LOTR. Even so it cost about a week abnd a half's income..... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

10-10-2005, 07:52 AM	#8
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Hmmm. Isn't it a good thing that books are neither a Ring nor a Simaril? Or perhaps... __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

10-09-2005, 05:13 AM	#1
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	You know, living in the countryside, it is about 40 minutes ride to any bookstore. So I tend to depend on the Internet for books and music, (though I do browse titles in thrift stores and library sales locally.). I have felt guilty about this, for even though it is often easier to find what I am looking for on the computer, I felt as though I was helping kill little bookstores left and right. Just the other day though, I ordered a used CD that I found through Amazon, and imagine my surprise when I found it came from a familiar used bookstore in Baltimore called Secondstory Books! It gives me hope that Internet sales might help the little guys out there too. Still, I do miss thumbing through actual copies of things, and unfortunately I have yet to come across anything Tolkien at a ‘Book Sale’.

10-09-2005, 12:51 PM	#6
*Mister Underhill* Dread Horseman Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Behind you! Posts: 2,744	The best thing about a good used-book shop is the smell -- that musty, musky, ancient spice smell of aging books. I imagine the archives at Minas Tirith smell much the way my favorite used bookstore down on San Fernando smells. There's also nothing like unearthing a buried treasure from the stacks, some old volume by a favorite author that's long since out of print. I have several old collections of Robert E. Howard stories and a handful of Max Brand westerns, each purchased for two dollars or less a throw.