Since the indie bookstores on Bissonnet were open late Wednesday night, I went to Murder By The Book and croaked to David, “Help!” while I held up the second, third, and fourth books in that Unnamed Series I’d bought in May. I explained that I wasn’t bringing the first one back, since I’d actually read the whole thing (it’ll end up at Half Price Books), but that I just couldn’t read the other three because I feared they might be as dull. I’d ultimately liked one character in that first book, but she only had two lines, which wasn’t enough to sustain me.
David was more than happy to take back the books, but I told him I’d rather exchange them for three more, if he could advise me. When I told him the books I DO enjoy (if you’re curious, much of what I’ve read during the last two or three years is listed right here–and no, the Dull Book is NOT on that list), David suggested that rather than buying three of any one series, he’d present me with the first book of three series, all of which are highly recommended by the owner and other staff members at MBTB. As Tim said, that’s smart selling. Not only did David willingly take back my books, but he may have gotten me hooked on THREE new series. That’s fine with me; books are better than Vicodin.
We’re so lucky to have this bookstore in Houston–writers who travel from city to city say it’s one of the best in the country. Still, though a rare breed, you can find great booksellers anywhere–the indies and the chains–and thank goodness for them, because there’s nothing like a real human to help a reading addict.
Later, I met Tim at Brazos Bookstore. I think Brazos is where I saw Mark Doty and Paul Lisicky read to a packed house in the late ’90s. This literary gem can’t be stocked like the supersize bookstores, but the selection there is interesting, and both Tim and I took advantage of their sale. So WOOHOO, I’m set with reading material for a while (since I also bought seven, I think, paperbacks by a new-to-me-author at Half Price Books a few nights ago).
I’ve always felt a little sad about people who don’t read (and I know many, and they are bright and funny, but they don’t read), because as Emily Dickinson said, a book offers one of the least expensive and most exciting journeys we can ever take:
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!
G’luck with the new authors.
Absolutely books are better than vicodin! The kids I babysit are home on holiday at the moment and they’re all so bored and restless, apart from Jazzy who has thrown herself into tennis camp. I can’t imagine a holiday being boring as long as there’s a book to read, I really feel sorry for them not knowing how to keep themselves from boredom, it’s really sad.
Meeting a new book is like meeting a possible new friend. Sometimes it’s BFF at first read, other times it’s a love hate relationship that grows on you and sometimes it just wasn’t meant to be.
But every time I visit a book store I try to pick up someone new. Gee, I even remember when you could do that for real, too. But that was when a lot of hot guys used to cruise the book stores.
The independents here are getting harder to find these days since there always seems to be more and more space between them. And I still miss Library, Ltd. It was the ultimate independent that grew until it filled a city block. It gave the chain stores a run for their money, until one bought them out.
Love your list, we share quite a few reads and fav authors.