I am addicted to bookstores. A place where I can sit and feast my eyes on a jungle of books. The bookstore adventure begins with splashes of color, then shapes—skinny, fat, tall or short. Books lying down or standing at attention. They jealously await my caress.
Respectful of the adage that you can’t tell a book by its cover, I open one. Since I have only one hand, I either place the book on my lap or lay it on top of other books while I flip through the pages. The one I pick up is “The Perfect Predator” by Steffanie Strathdee and her husband, Tom Patterson, both of whom are professors at University of California San Diego. There’s really no good reason to open it, since this will be the fourth copy I’ve purchased. But I do it anyway so I can look at the pictures again. It’s a compelling read about a highly respected infectious disease epidemiologist whose husband nearly died several times after contracting an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection. She helpe
d find a cure for him by using unconventional bacteriophage therapy. Go buy it, it’ll be hard to put down.
The first time I bought this book, I went to “Books at Amazon,” searched for “The Perfect Predator” and read the book description. I quickly moved my cursor over the “Add to List” button, clicked once, and then exited the Amazon site.
Yes, that’s right. I exited the Amazon page with a grin on my face knowing that as soon as it was released for sale, I’d drive down to Warwick’s, and stimulate the local economy by purchasing it. In addition to being my favorite Indie bookstore, Warwick’s is also the oldest continuously-owned family bookstore in the country.
I know that once I get in the store, other books wlll call out to me. Books that haven’t been put in front of my eyes by a computer algorithm. Books that take my mind places my body can’t go. Books about things or people I’ve never heard of. Books that strike me as something my husband or a friend might like to read. I’ll learn, laugh, cry, be amazed, and sometimes puzzled, by whatever I choose to take home. And if I need advice, I just look around for real live, walky-talky people like James, Adriana, Tami, Mary Lee, or any of the other fabulously informative booksellers.
Waiting my turn at the checkout counter, I see the trap. “Around the World inn 80 Novels“. I can’t resist. A book full of book recommendations.D GO”
SEE OTHER “GET OUT AND GO” BLOGS BY LINDA K OLSON
Only better place is a library filled with kids and others who can’t afford bookstores.
Yes, that’s true.
This is a poetic lovely Ode to Books, with a nod to Warwicks, also my favorite bookstore. Keep blogging, they always inspire! Edie
It’s SO too bad that, in school, kids are encouraged to read via the computer. Go to garage sales and note how few books there are compared to several years ago. I’m told the only book store in Coronado, Bay Books, is going to keep the store open. The joy of reading is soon going to be a thing of the past. I agree with you, Linda!!!
Oh goody, another book addict exists.. I still have my Enid Blyton books “The Adventure series” and my first dinosaur book – Wind in the Willows – The Day of the Triffids….I love reading my old books over and over again – one I have read 9 times and at 800 pages …. its like putting a warm blanket around you on a cold day – I cried when Dobby the house elf died in Harry Potter, I laugh, I get excited, I get sad and I live all the emotions in the story… it is my escapism… better then TV anyday… I don’t do Kindle … I love paper book, the smell, the feel and the battery never runs down… books are the best!!
I am with you Linda….
Linda, you gave me the Da Vinci Code – when I was returning to India & promised me that it would make my flight easier! And it so did, could not put it down!
As usual all your write-ups are so nice!
What better place to spend time. I recently made a visit to Portland, Oregon with my grandchildren. We spent hours in Powell’s Bookstore. Each of us went our separate ways–Aidan to sports, Sydney to fantasy, and me, Bubby, to the Jewish section, the how-to books on memoir writing…when I emerged with five books the kids said, “Remember, we’re not carrying them for you.” I had no intention of having them carry my books. They are my new friends. Some I have completed and others sit in the stack on my nightstand, and yes, Warwick’s is addictive.
You have a gift of writing! Think about writing books during your retirement – any genre.
We are so fortunate to have Warwicks. It’s my go-to place for books, stationary and gifts. I love watching my grandkids get lost in a book there.
I also love our La Jolla library. A great place to binge on design magazines or just enjoy the cool air there on a hot day.
I really enjoy reading your blog!!! This last post put a smile on my face! I know your feeling!!!So true about books. They also have a certain smell that a kindle cannot give you. I’m going to get The Perfect Predator today.
I love bookstores. My family would go on cross country trips California to Florida to Maine and back again. When we weren’t hitting all the landmarks we would be at a bookstore… we would get lost in the literature always alone, but together in our love of books. Feeling the pages flip within my hands is still such a pleasure.
I’m so pleased I had the chance to met you. Keep going strong and inspire more people!
Thanks for your support.