Topic 5 of 47: Favorite bookstores
Mon, Nov 4, 1996 (08:12) |
Paul Terry Walhus (terry)
Maybe you're in Austin, Texas like me. This place has
*great* bookstores. What are your favorite bookstores?
Where do you live? Are you happy with the selection of
bookstores in your town? How do the prices and selections
compare?
42 responses total.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 1 of 42: David D. (sfpclot) * Thu, Nov 14, 1996 (21:29) * 3 lines
I shop at half-price exclusively. My bibliophilia far overshadows my net income. Stores I browse at - Adv in Crime and Space, Fringeware, I'm really curious about the upcoming B&N taking taking the place of Univ Coop general books. There's a small used bookstore on south Manchaca (?) I go to for good deals on used crime and sf.
The last few years have been good for bookstores in Austin. Seems like five or six years ago there were only a tiny handful.
Haven't been to Borders. Bookpeople scares me. Still haven't found my dream bookstore yet.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 2 of 42: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Fri, Nov 15, 1996 (08:43) * 7 lines
For me, my dream bookstore has to be BookPeople.
It helps to know about their humble origins in the shopping center
next to Whole Foods. They're mega and kinky at the same time,
and metaphysical. Man, I took a course in *acrosage* there.
How, how many bookstores offer a course in *acrosage*?
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 3 of 42: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Fri, Nov 15, 1996 (08:49) * 3 lines
I have to say the best small bookstore/magazine stand is
the Congress Avenue Booksellers. They have a good Texana
section.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 4 of 42: Carolyn (clueless) * Thu, Jan 16, 1997 (14:35) * 1 lines
BORDERS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 5 of 42: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Jan 18, 1997 (17:47) * 13 lines
Borders is good. I really like their speakers series. And they have a coffee house
built in. It's sad to see the gradual phase out of BookStop by their acquisitor Barnes and
Noble. BookStop is our best local discount bookstore. No warm and cuddly milieu like Book People or
Borders but you could always count on this store for the one or two books you needed at 20% off.
Sometimes I have to sacrifice atmosphere for price when it comes to these high dollar,
quick-to-go-out-of-date computer books. Despite it's opulence, Barnes and Noble just doesn't have an
intangible something like you get with the other stores in town, BookStop included.
My favorite out of the way bookstore is the fringeware store on Guadalupe, for those out of the way
zines and 'schwaa'/xfiles topics. And the folks that run it have a cool website (
http://www.fringeware.com ).
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 6 of 42: aubrey (aubrey) * Tue, Apr 8, 1997 (14:51) * 2 lines
I guess I already ripped on Half Price Books in the Austin conference area; let me just re-iterate that they pay squat when you want to sell. We have a better deal here in big D (amazingly enough)--and it's conveniently located 2 blocks from me! They're called Paperbacks Plus and what they do is give you credit instead of cash. They give a really fair price, and you log up all this credit that you can then use to buy books at their stores all over town--the credit knocks your price to 1/4 the cover pri
e. I really like that system...I have to say again, tho, for those of us true slackers living in squalor, you can't beat the Public Liberry. Sorry, I'm working on a weird old computer that forces me to write this all on one line so I can't edit. I meant to tell you that PaperBacks Plus has an amazing website under www.luckydogbooks.com sorry I can't html you there!
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 7 of 42: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Apr 8, 1997 (23:06) * 3 lines
You can html us there if you list it as:
http://www.luckybooks.com
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 8 of 42: ooooh! (aubrey) * Tue, Apr 15, 1997 (09:29) * 1 lines
Well aren't you Mr Fancy Pants! I PROMISE to learn html'ing. Honest.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 9 of 42: Karen Mirabile (Kayc) * Tue, Apr 15, 1997 (10:45) * 2 lines
My favorite bookstore is Aticus in New Haven, CT. I haven't been there recently but I have very fond memories. Situated in the heart of Yale it's a cozy cafe/bookstore. One can sip coffee and munch yummie treats while savouring the aroma and feel of their eclectic collection. They are also know for their lectures and "meet the author" events. I wonder how many books get sold at half price because of the coffee stains and fudgy fingerprints......? I am now relocated in South Jersey with the
earest borders being built an hour away. I sustain my addiction at a local mom and pop store, they'll order anything that's in print. I have never heard of "peoples" please elaborate.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 10 of 42: Karen Mirabile (Kayc) * Tue, Apr 15, 1997 (10:47) * 1 lines
That should have read "the nearest borders ....."
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 11 of 42: howdy! (aubrey) * Tue, Apr 15, 1997 (12:37) * 2 lines
Book People is a really cool huge bookshop in Austin that has much of the ambience you mentioned (except the coziness...did I mention it's BIG?). Terry can fill you in more about its roots (or go to Austin conference); I can only say I've enjoyed every visit, they have a huge selection, helpful staff, comfy chairs, and they're attached to Whole Foods so you can get all your shopping done in one stop! Say--I also have the problem of the computer doing its own wraparound and dropping out letters when it do
s. Any suggestions on how to make it STOP?
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 12 of 42: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Apr 15, 1997 (22:37) * 4 lines
The two ultra, ultra hip places to see and be seen in Austin are Whole Foods/BookPeople
and Central Market/BookStop/Central Park. So draw a line between them and get a place exactly
half way in between them and you'll be at the hipness center of Austin. I kind of like to eat out
and hang around Central Market more than Whole Foods, which is a little too cool.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 13 of 42: kay (kay) * Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (11:57) * 1 lines
I'm from VERY rural Nevada. We only have one bpook store within 250 miles. not a very good one at that. When we go to town,Las vegas, reno , Salt Lake city, we hit any and every book store we can. but the all time best one is borders.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 14 of 42: Charlotte (Charlotte) * Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (12:32) * 3 lines
Borders was my favorite bookstore until I discovered Amazon.com.
Now there simply is no contest.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 15 of 42: kay (kay) * Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (16:58) * 1 lines
I'll look it up. so much on the web that i get lost quickly. thanks for the tip i'll find it.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 16 of 42: Charlotte (Charlotte) * Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (18:37) * 5 lines
No need. Just click here:
Amazon! World's largest bookstore!
Be forewarned...it is very addictive. :)
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 17 of 42: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (18:43) * 2 lines
Gotta put my vote in for Half Price. They may not pay squat when you sell but... I never sell my books (personal problem!) and they don't have ANY in Colorado!!!
Tattered Cover is by far my favorite. In Denver, Five stories, Great speakers, coffee (with caffeine!), and a bargain wall (of overstocks -- no used) to beat the band!
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 18 of 42: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Tue, Jan 20, 1998 (18:46) * 7 lines
Too bad BookPeople is going mainstream. They're moving out of their
extraordinary location with their 400,000 plus titles and into a smaller
mall location across the street where they'll have fewer titles. I guess
it's a money move and can't blame them for wanting to survive, but jeez,
the place they have now is so awesome.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 19 of 42: LS (LorieS) * Wed, Jan 21, 1998 (15:01) * 5 lines
I'll agree with Terry's post about the loss of diversity. So many bookstores have gone out of business in my area (greater Chicagoland) that it isn't fun to walk in a mall anymore. We lost a Chicago area chain, Kroch's & Brentano's, several years ago. I know, a chain is a chain--but their stores all had personality, they weren't all cookie-cutter copies of the downtown store (which was a religious experience back when I was a kid).
And a recent visit to OakBrook mall with a friend found us scanning the directory in vain for even ONE measly bookstore to browse. Of course, there is a huge Barnes & Noble nearby now (not walkable, tho, since it's adjacent to a highway).
Sort of a "lost bookstores of my youth" commentary. Well, there are a few good stores left in the area, and lots of second-hand stores, too. On the corner near my office there's Brent Books, a tiny but always intersting store with well-informed staff who seem to actually read themselves. So if you're in Chicago, that's the one to check out.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 20 of 42: Autumn Moore (autumn) * Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (12:23) * 2 lines
My small town on the Chesapeake has just one bookstore, one of those little used bookstores that has so many books everywhere it makes you feel cramped. Lots of meandering aisles, no windows, funny book smell...you get back into a little alcove and get a little panicky wondering "what if there suddenly were a fire?
But it's charming nonetheless. Of course, there's Barnes & Noble, Bibelot and Walden's up at the mall, but it's not the same at all.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 21 of 42: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (17:45) * 4 lines
We shant forget SF's City Lights. All the history and ambiance certainly make it one of my favorite.
A little used book hole in the wall off of Broadway in Englewood (where I live) reminded me of Book People (of yore).
Everyone's welcome to come visit!
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 22 of 42: Martha Livingston (arthamom) * Thu, Jan 22, 1998 (17:45) * 2 lines
I hope to see Tattered Cover before I die, Stacey! I used to work in book stores: two different independents (now, sadly, defunct) in Minneapolis and a bad, crappy chain (Waldenbooks, ptooie!) when I moved back to my home town. I am very uncomfortable with giving custom to chains because Barnes & Noble drove my beloved Odegard Books out of business, and I don't trust the superstores to stay super once they've stamped out all of the competition...blah, blah, blah...it's the same old independent-lovers lame
t. Sometimes I sneak into the big, shiney B& N that sprang up a few years ago here, just to feel that feeling of unlimited possibility that a big bunch of books can inspire, but I try not to buy. The twin cities still have Hungry Mind Bookstore in St. Paul--a real bookstore and still (I hope to God!) firmly on their feet.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 23 of 42: wer (KitchenManager) * Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (09:08) * 3 lines
Thomas always stops at City Lights when
he's out that way, also. Maybe I'll make
it that far west someday...
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 24 of 42: LS (LorieS) * Fri, Jan 23, 1998 (15:10) * 1 lines
Glad to see there's so many independents left. Now to plan a trip just to hit good bookstores...
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 25 of 42: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Mon, Jan 26, 1998 (18:03) * 2 lines
[BMartha... let me know when the hankering to see TC is too much! You're welcome to come visit with me!
Everytime I go into Tattered Cover, I end up sitting on the floor (in the middle of everything) completely engrossed in a book. I "wake up" about and hour later... groggy and very happy! Then it's time for a cup of java (rarely gotten in the bookstore as I prefer several coffee houses around town -- Stella's) to make me coherent again!
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 26 of 42: LS (LorieS) * Tue, Jan 27, 1998 (11:08) * 1 lines
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 27 of 42: Stacey Vura (stacey) * Tue, Jan 27, 1998 (11:08) * 2 lines
*smile*
yes, it is.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 28 of 42: wer (KitchenManager) * Thu, Jan 29, 1998 (01:46) * 1 lines
too bad we couldn't pull that one off back to back...
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 29 of 42: Wolf (Wolf) * Sat, Feb 28, 1998 (21:24) * 4 lines
My fav bookstore is Books-A-Million. It's so casual, no one looks at me weird
for planting myself down on the floor and browsing through whatever I can get
my hands on. We have a Barnes And Noble but it's so presumptuous. Need to
find a hole-in-the-wall bookstore.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 30 of 42: Doug Larue (doug) * Sun, Apr 5, 1998 (06:28) * 83 lines
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Marybeth Gradziel - ( seasoned veteran writer specializing in Arts &
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Milos Fortunato - ( Award winning screenwriter and Fine Artist )
Doug La Rue (Me)- ( Award winning Artist and Photographer, Co-Publisher
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Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 31 of 42: George Klos (osceola) * Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (18:12) * 2 lines
One more vote for Half Price, specifically the one on Guadalupe. Used book stores are only as good as the stuff that gets traded in, and I like that store's selection. On the other hand, the one up north on Research is rather lame. The one near my house in south Austin is surprisingly good. Don't try to sell books at that one, though. I once brought in about a dozen books and was offered only $4. I took them to the Guadalupe store that same day and got $18 for the same books. There's a place near UT calle
Desert Books, run by some of the people from the old Europa -- I recommend it.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 32 of 42: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Aug 31, 1998 (18:12) * 2 lines
Where near UT is Desert Books, George. I haven't seen it. I miss the old
Europa Books, that was one great bookstore.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 33 of 42: George Klos (osceola) * Wed, Sep 2, 1998 (13:21) * 1 lines
It's in a bank building across Guadalupe from Dobie Mall, down the street from St. Austin's church on the same block. It's in the basement under the bank.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 34 of 42: wer (KitchenManager) * Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (11:38) * 4 lines
http://www.CrimeandSpace.com/
you should at least go by and subscribe to their mailing list...
http://www.crimeandspace.com/subscribe.html
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 35 of 42: Adam C. Lipscomb (AdamLipscomb) * Sat, Jan 23, 1999 (20:45) * 7 lines
Adventures In Crime and Space ROCKS!
I'm a big SF/Mystery buff, and ACS has not only the best new titles, but they've got a killer used book section, not to mention their assortment of rare and autographed titles. If I could get away with it, I'd spend every paycheck there.
I used to work (10 years ago) at Oxford Books in Atlanta, Georgia. Oxford isout of business, now. Barnes and Noble and Borders opened huge stores within a few blocks of Oxford, and within a few years, Oxford Books was no more. Since then, I've avoided whenever possible shopping at the megachains.
I like stores with character, dangit!
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 36 of 42: wer (KitchenManager) * Sun, Jan 24, 1999 (13:40) * 1 lines
and stores that characters visit as well, it seems...
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 37 of 42: Adam C. Lipscomb (AdamLipscomb) * Mon, Jan 25, 1999 (19:44) * 5 lines
There's a great store in Brimingham, Alabama that I used to shop at. Smith and Hardwick. For years, it was owned by a woman everyone knew as "Miss Anna". The books were stacked in huge, towering cases that seemed to arch over the aisles, and there was no strict genre breakdown - a great store in which to browse. You could often find out of print books there for a song. Miss Anna didn't take credit cards or checks, but she would be glad to let you take the book home and come back with the cash.
She died a few years back, and I think her nephew runs the store now. It's moved to a new location, and they take checks, but it still has a really cozy feel to it.
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 38 of 42: Lindi (linise) * Thu, May 31, 2001 (01:04) * 1 lines
I really like the Tatered Cover book stores in Cherry Creek and Denver Colorado. Does anyone here know of any good stors in the Orlando Florida area?
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 39 of 42: Mike Griggs (mikeg) * Thu, May 31, 2001 (16:30) * 3 lines
I'm afraid not, but I can definitely recommend some book shops if you're ever in London!
Are you in Florida, Lindi?
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 40 of 42: Lindi (linise) * Sun, Jun 3, 2001 (22:09) * 1 lines
Why I am going to London in a few weeks! It is so funny that you should mention that! Yes, I am located in Florida....bloody hot and humid place!
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 41 of 42: Mike Griggs (mikeg) * Tue, Jun 5, 2001 (15:17) * 1 lines
Oh wow...what brings you to London? Have you been here before?
Topic 5 of 47 [books]: Favorite bookstores
Response 42 of 42: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 12, 2001 (17:49) * 1 lines
W. H. SMith comes to mind straight away. I think along with the British Museum Bookstore, the Ordnance Survey and W.H. Smith, I did a good job of shifting my worth from US$ to £ Sterling.
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