Our brightest blazes of gladness
are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.
~Samuel Johnson~
Tis so true. The spark in this case being the casual mention of a used bookstore in north Kansas City that had somehow escaped our notice. The scene for said spark was the local comic shop, approximately two months ago. While milling about, no doubt discussing something of great import, Jerry mentioned a used bookstore that he had stumbled across that was a goldmine for science fiction/fantasy readers. He assured us that one entire wall of the store was hardback sci fi/fantasy and that the paperback selection was nothing to sneeze at. Only those as geeked about these genres as I am can understand how frustratingly inadequate most used bookstores are in meeting our genre needs. Though tempted to quit work and bypass the holidays in order to check this place out, we opted for the first opportunity after eggnog and auld lang syne. Saturday morning Jeff and I ventured out to the the great metropolis of Northmoor (a small town we did not know existed…but is essentially just north Kansas City) to see if Lasus Used Books would live up to the hype. Kudos Jerry, it was a bright blaze of gladness indeed!
Lasus was small, but packed behind that unassuming, bland facade was a mother lode of science fiction goodness. As promised one entire wall was hardback science fiction and fantasy. As we perused the shelves Jeff quickly came across a Patricia A. McKillip treasure that he knew that I would want:
It is a signed hardcover of the third book in the Riddle-master trilogy, Harpist in the Wind. No matter to me that it is a personalized signature (feel free to call me a Nancy boy), it was a true find. McKillip’s novels are magical and among my favorites in the genre. I was, and still am, so excited about this one.
I also picked up a hardback copy of her book Winter Rose. I have been wanting to read this one and I have hardbacks of most of her other novels with the Kinuko Y. Craft covers so this is a welcome addition.
I picked up Deep Secrets by Diana Wynne Jones for two reasons, the first being the magical art of Charles Vess on the cover. The second because over the years I have read comments by Neil Gaiman about how much he/his daughter enjoy the works of Wynne Jones and since then I have wanted to try her out. I think this will be a great introduction.
Last but not least I picked up The Dark Beasts by Frank Belknap Long. The cover illustrations appear to be by Edward Gorey which was part of the reason I had to take this home. The main reason, however, was the back-cover blurb that pulled me in:
Sounds like a perfect book for the R.I.P. Challenge.
If I told you that two book enthusiasts would enter a Borders store armed with 30% off coupons and would emerge without a single purchase you would think I was joking, right? In our defense it appeared to be a much smaller Borders. Not a Borders Express, but possibly a Borders Light.
The rest of Saturday included:
-watching the Chiefs play inept football
-the second annual Spectrum review (highlights later in the week)
-watching the Dallas Cowboys unravel
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I had rejected the idea of watching The Office when it made its way to the states simply because I knew it was a retread of a Bristish comedy. It couldn’t possibly be good. My resolution crumbled late last year when my sister and her husband invited us over to eat and watch Season One. By the end of the first episode we were hooked. Over New Year’s weekend Mary and I borrowed Season Two and tore through it. We were understandably disappointed when we came to the end as we realized Season Three was 11 episodes old and it will be months before it comes out of DVD. What were we to do? Call Jimmy, of course!
My friend and web-host James came to the rescue, finding and sending me all 11 episodes. The last few nights Mary and I have been camped in front of the computer getting caught up. Two more to go. Thank you so much, James!
The screwball humor is obviously a large part of the appeal of the office. However the characters are what I have come to love about the show. My favorite storyline is obviously the unrequited love story between Jim and Pam. It is agonizingly bitter-sweet and masterfully done. Their friendship and unspoken romance adds a layer of depth to the show. In addition there are occasional moments when the surface of Michael Scott (Steve Carroll) is scratched and one sees that there is such a poignant longing to be loved and accepted there. It is a fantastic ensemble show and I like each and every character, even the annoying ones.
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As I return to my office I am wondering how was everyone else’s weekend? Happy Monday everyone, here we go again!
Dare I mention that there is only one chain book store (B. Dalton) in our town? Its about the size of my livingroom. By way of contrast there is a terrific used book store which gets a bigs thumbs up.
http://www.amicusbooks.com/
You should try the original version of The Office, it really is great.
Oh how great it is to discover a new bookstore! I don’t read any sci-fi but just hearing your enthusiasm about these books makes me want to go in search of one. Enjoy your books!
You really got a great haul. Congratulations!
Looks like some great finds!
I picked up, and started, Greywalker!
And I looooooove The Office. Several of us at work discuss the show on Friday mornings. Talk about our favorite parts. And, basically, run through the entire show.
I love the back of that book! Looks awesome! I rented a storage unit this weekend, moved a ton of things, read (The Secret History by Donna Tartt), played with my cousin’s puppies, had a great meal, and read some more.
Suzanne, that sounds like my bookstore situation growing up as far as new books goes. That Amicus store looks fantastic! Everyone should click on that link and drool.
I would like to sometime, Fence. I like British humor so much that I am sure I would really enjoy it.
We’ll have to get you to read some sci-fi, Iliana.
Thanks JenClair and Angela! I can see once we get caught up this week that Mary and I will be talking about the show more with people who have been watching it all along.
Sounds like a great weekend, Janet. I really enjoyed Secret History when I read it years ago. I did quite a bit of reading during commercials of football games this weekend.
Oooh! Excellent loot!
I’ve been informed that near to where we hope to move, there is a very good bookstore with a big used section – will have fun checking that out.
I too am just about to start delving into Diana Wynne Jones’ work, Carl. 🙂 Look forward to hearing what you think of her.
I will probably save the Diana Wynne Jones for the fantasy challenge (we’ll see though…I have way too many fantasy books already that I am theoretically ‘saving’ for that time). I look forward to reading her for the first time.
Moving close to a big bookstore makes the place extra special! Hope it all works out for you soon!
I’m not a real big fantasy reader, but these look so good that I’m adding them to my list. Sounds like you had a great weekend. I slept most of Sat, not feeling well. Sunday we had a big crew over for dinner and then played Killer Bunnies, so that day was great.
What is Killer Bunnies? Sounds fun! If you haven’t read McKillip I recommend starting with Ombria in Shadow as that is one of my favorites. Harpist in the Wind is the third in a trilogy so don’t start with that one.
well since I don’t work in an office I survived.
I hate used book stores for the same reason. When a book feels as if it has layers of grime on it – it’s just not readable. However, in my early high school years while walking with a friend we stumbeled upon one called Libra – my birthsign! I walked in to find that there was an old old man there. We became instant friends and after I bought my first book there he never let me pay for another again! I would return every week for another and buy him a coffee and we would talk for hours. He was about 65 years older than me. He died a few months into our relationship and his children allowed me to fill up a box of books. I’ve never really been able to walk into a used bookstore without thinking of Peter,,, ain’t the same without the great company.
Thanks for sharing Carl!
Great story Nessie. I don’t mind used paperbacks that are a bit worn if they are much loved classics and I cannot find a decent copy. Larger books, however, have to be in god shape. All the books I bought Saturday were as close to immaculate as you could expect to find in a store. The only worn one is that paperback and it is actually just faded a bit from age and is still in good shape.
Oh what a fantastic find in that used book store.
I do love to browse the great used book store and it is sooooo hard to find a good old fashioned one with a vast amount of hard books in sci fi/ fantasy.
(or just good hard backs these days.)
The copy you found of
‘The Dark Beasts’ by Frank Belknap Long is a real treasure.
He was buddies with and Mentor to H.P. Lovecraft and they used to swap monster ideas togeather.
Here is some info.
http://www.gwillick.com/Spacelight/long_fb.html
The cover is a real gem too, it sure does look very Edward Gorey!
That book would be a great read for this years Autumn Reading Challenge.
Thanks for the info. His name sounded really familiar when I saw the book and I found it very comical how melodramatic the quote on the cover was. Like I said, though, the description on the back guaranteed its fate as a book that had to come home to me.
Great haul, indeed! There’s nothing like finding a great new used bookstore. If you get my drift.
I do indeed, LK and couldn’t agree more.
The bookstore was great. Cameron if your reading this you MUST come with us next time. Carl also found me a brand new copy of Ghost Brigades for only 6 dollars there. I was so jazzed. I can’t wait to return to this store soon.
What a fun trip and some great finds!
Omg! I am insanely jealous of your finds! I’ve been dying to read on of the McKillips with the Kinuko covers–NONE of them are in stock at any of the local bookstores, forget used–and the jones! And the Edward Gorey cover!
Sigh.
Your bookstore sounds like a wonderful find. It is so exciting to find a new used book store. I had a wonderful weekend. Saw two good movies, had a long lunch with one of my most favorite people in the world, then went to my own birthday party and. I’m happy to say, got more books. Who could ask for more!
And who exactly was that lunch with, Pat? 😉 I enjoyed myself as well.
Ooh! I LOVE Diana Wynne Jones. Deep Secret’s a pretty good place to start, actually…I was rereading it recently and discovered several things I hadn’t known enough to spot the meaning of before. (References to ancient ballads, things like that. ;))
If you like her style, and are interested in checking out some of her other works, try Howl’s Moving Castle, Archer’s Goon, A Tale of Time City, or perhaps the Chrestomanci Chronicles, which are IMO loads of fun.
I have the strangest feeling that you might like The Homeward Bounders, too, not that I really know why I think that…I only read it the once, and don’t really even recall what it was about.
Thanks for the recommendations RB. I have seen so many of these at the bookstore in the past and considered picking them up but just haven’t. Glad I found this one cheap so that I will now have an excuse to go ahead and read her work.