tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41991726205284703532024-03-13T22:16:03.288-05:00The Exile BibliophileAdventures in book collecting, and book trade ephemera.Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-76594899794738554282020-06-19T17:18:00.000-05:002020-06-19T17:18:00.980-05:00Book Trade Labels<h2>
Book Trade Labels, Bookbinder Tickets, Bookseller Chits</h2>
They have a lot of names. I've come to group them all under the phrase "Book Trade Labels" to encompass booksellers, bookbinders, stationers who sell books, etc., ad inf.<br />
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That said, if you have any of these little guys, collect them, or just happened across them, let me know! Also, I love to collect them, so if you have a duplicate or a whole collection, LET ME KNOW. If you're kind of new to it and want to swap, ... you get the idea now, right?<br />
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PS, This blog is no longer actively updated. Go check out my current website: <a href="http://benjaminlclark.com/">benjaminlclark.com</a></div>
<br />Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-88118450029489709352017-01-24T09:56:00.001-06:002017-01-24T09:56:17.061-06:00New site, new blog, new newb<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://benjaminlclark.com/blog" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vsPI6RjEGT5B3KCZfsVAheoqlvqxR80X1hDIbTN3lVX1AIBkxXRk-cuOoLWltKj5ZydYTcS0ioeHO0AnTlU5j9185j7PPYx_9SssQ9yeqMycD-yoQ9Iw8jpCy3HhAYve35Nuyuf_QqHW/s400/new+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a>New blog, new site, new ... everything</h2>
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Did you know I have a new blog? <a href="https://benjaminlclark.com/" target="_blank">A whole new *site* in fact?</a> Yes, I still collect books, but I've been focusing more effort on writing, and if you'd like to stay in touch with me, explore and celebrate books, and especially if you're into mystery novels, then be sure you follow me over at my new site, <a href="http://benjaminlclark.com/">benjaminlclark.com</a>.<br />
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I regularly review books, talk about my work as a history museum curator, and of course, good mysteries.<br />
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From there, of course, you can sign up for my newsletter (launching soon), <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1744596642526449/" target="_blank">my facebook group</a> (currently private, but send a request and I'll add you!), and pretty much whatever social media platform you like (I'm on most of them).<br />
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About the Author<span style="background-color: white; color: #2e4453; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;">: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Benjamin L. Clark writes historical mysteries and works as a history museum curator.</span></span></h3>
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<br />Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-32899464660879084952016-04-04T19:09:00.000-05:002019-07-10T13:43:15.446-05:00Review: The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZhFihickl0kXiYe7VVPuyheWa614GFrdzN-ViOPun2bqTFMo1pp71R9Q20EVlFphfeO_eCCgqoZsFZVBA5r5sHXh1nHRLL_TTypixo5ZmOCpmFkKs-DaTiXfri2fOcF9y5SEFbSueSJQ/s640/blogger-image-1828226619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZhFihickl0kXiYe7VVPuyheWa614GFrdzN-ViOPun2bqTFMo1pp71R9Q20EVlFphfeO_eCCgqoZsFZVBA5r5sHXh1nHRLL_TTypixo5ZmOCpmFkKs-DaTiXfri2fOcF9y5SEFbSueSJQ/s400/blogger-image-1828226619.jpg" width="225" /> </a>I've just finished <a href="http://amzn.to/1PhQLo3" target="_blank"><i>The Murder of Mary Russell</i></a>. Wow. It's ... fantastic. I get nervous with Laurie R King's new books in her beloved Mary Russell - Sherlock Holmes series. This is book 14 of the long-running series. Sure, I love some books of the series better than others ... but this book was marvelous and absolutely the follow up I needed (as a fan) after <i>Dreaming Spies</i>, <i>Garment of Shadows</i>, and (deep breath), <i>The Pirate King</i>. </div>
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After a deadly confrontation, readers are drawn through the history of one of Sherlock Holmes's earliest cases and the true background of the fascinating Mrs. Hudson(!), and the true nature of her relationship to Sherlock. We even get a bit of King's take on a Sherlock Holmes not long before his arrival at Baker Street. I know I could read a *lot* more in that vein. Maybe someday King will give us a little more. </div>
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About half-way through this latest of the series, I had an idea that though I was enjoying it, <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1PhQLo3" target="_blank">The Murder of Mary Russell</a></i> would only appeal to the die-hard fans of Mary Russell and maybe those true completists of Sherlock pastichery. And a few unbranded #histfic mavericks. After all, we're delving deep --- real deep, into the supporting cast of the series, usually territory for only the most devout readers of fanfic and scholars of minutia. However, after that half-way mark (or so), all that build up became more and more meaningful, reaching deep into the story of King's Sherlock, which incidentally, is among my favorite interpretations.</div>
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We're also (mostly) but not entirely back in London and Sussex for this tale. If you're among the legions of King's readers who love the globe-trotting nature of Russell and Holmes's lives, you shouldn't feel too cooped up, after sojourns at sea and a bit of time in Australia during the days of Transportation and gold. </div>
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So, a spoiler free review, given how little I can tell you, given that title. Yikes. Read <i>The Murder of Mary Russell</i> and see how the world of Sherlock and Mary Russell is changed forever. </div>
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Disclosure: I received a free advance ebook copy for review.</div>
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Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-31049919343318013722016-01-30T10:59:00.004-06:002016-01-30T10:59:41.794-06:00Review: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye<h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Gibson, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Book Review: <a href="http://amzn.to/1nuHCPr" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye</a></span></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN1B6DtQSFRbtSSoxBVpupQSSL2a8Nb_vqyVdinyBl2OwY8FLU7zSAUnmucoaJgIFcZ8k3xKr6XUMkEBHdKMVO7T4Rycafzk-tlzBoo6QKAHZwanFUAsxregVF_avat1aU3BfAu_4n-k7/s1600/Jane+Steele+ARC%252C+Lyndsay+Faye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN1B6DtQSFRbtSSoxBVpupQSSL2a8Nb_vqyVdinyBl2OwY8FLU7zSAUnmucoaJgIFcZ8k3xKr6XUMkEBHdKMVO7T4Rycafzk-tlzBoo6QKAHZwanFUAsxregVF_avat1aU3BfAu_4n-k7/s400/Jane+Steele+ARC%252C+Lyndsay+Faye.JPG" width="356" /></a>"Reader, I murdered him...., A reimagining of Jane Eyre as a gutsy, heroic serial killer....”</div>
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With a lead-in like that, I had high expectations. That and this is <a href="http://amzn.to/1nuHPlI" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lyndsay Faye</a> we're talking about, the creator of <a href="http://www.benjaminlclark.com/post/126095050220/abookblog-i-had-such-fun-staging-gods-of" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">the marvelous</a> <a href="https://www.librarything.com/series/Timothy+Wilde" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Timothy Wilde</a> series, and the one who finally gave us <a href="http://amzn.to/1SrjN72" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a gripping account of Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper</a> that frankly is better than anything Conan Doyle would have come up with. </div>
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Jane Steele is a fun, action-filled homage to the Gothic triple deckers of the Victorian age. It has the classic tropes: Girl orphaned young, named Jane, abused by the wealthier kinfolk she lives with, sent away to horror-show school and becomes governess ... I go into books labeled ‘reimaginings’ with gun-shy wariness. Like satire, it can be a fine line between brilliant and obnoxious, too cute or cloying. Steele is not a satire of the genre, but it is sly and winking, more like a quiet unspoken joke between old friends. Jane Steele is even published as a triple decker --- thankfully under one cover. It’s action-filled and just tons of fun with some great characters I deeply hope to see again. </div>
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Steele, is also unflinching from the ugliness in ugly people, and hardships of the time. Some of that ugliness is only hinted at in those classic Gothic novels we love, but here if someone is a sexual predator, it’s said/shown. </div>
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Anyone shying away from the ‘serial killer’ tag -- I think it’s not used well here. Jane Steele isn’t a serial killer. More like a vigilante, or frankly just someone who lives in hard place during a hard time. The violence is largely unflinching, but far from Tarantino-esque. This isn’t a cozy knitting mystery, but I think the majority of readers won’t be put off by the violence.</div>
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Faye’s descriptions are gold, building tension then giving readers that pinching little twist of anticipation making payoffs that much sweeter. Book to book, she just gets better and better.</div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1Vxw0q4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jane Steele comes out in March, and available for pre-order now.</a></div>
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Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-18583789149346265612016-01-05T16:58:00.000-06:002016-01-05T16:58:10.643-06:00Christmas List 2016 started<h2 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Gibson, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s not secret, </h2>
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I <a href="http://exilebibliophile.blogspot.com/2015/12/review-infidel-stain-by-mj-carter.html" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">really enjoyed</a> the Blake & Avery series of historic thrillers by historian <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/edit/twitter.com/MJCarter10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">M.J. Carter</a> last year. And my (not so) idle curiosity went ahead and tweeted the author herself when one could expect Blake & Avery 3 ----- </div>
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It wasn’t entirely presumptuous on my part she was working on it, she’s tweeted before that the manuscript was underway. </div>
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So, this is what I learned:</div>
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So, there we have it. It will hopefully be a later 2016 release, and not need to be put off further still. Until then, I hope M.J. Carter feels better!</div>
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Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-86511247207147173542015-12-31T10:51:00.000-06:002016-06-09T10:43:04.102-05:00Review: The Infidel Stain by MJ Carter<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1P2wS1x" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_large/public/thumbnails/image/2015/05/03/13/infidel-stain.jpg" height="640" width="406" /></a></div>
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It's been three years since Jeremiah Blake and bibliophile William Avery teamed up in India for what was one of the most enjoyable books I've read recently (<i><a href="http://amzn.to/1P2wK23" target="_blank">The Strangler Vine</a></i>) -- getting in on the ground floor as it were of a new series. <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1P2wS1x" target="_blank">The Infidel Stain</a></i> takes us to London in the early 1840s, into the orbit of publishers and pornographers, dissidents and rebels. Oh, and of course, murder. It's one of those novels that just oozes with atmosphere of dank and dark London, after a terrifying time in the dangerous jangals of India. Our heroes have become something of celebrities given their encounter with Xavier Mountstuart. We learn a little more about the mysterious Jeremiah Blake's background in this novel, which was interesting to say the least. We don't get much more of Avery, which I would have enjoyed. Maybe the only thing I'd have expected was that ardent bibliophile William Avery, on a rare visit to The City would indulge himself in a visit to a bookshop.<br />
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Historically rich, and textured, a thriller that had me reading late in huge gulps.<br />
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Ok, an admission: I liked the first book better. But with reports of Blake & Avery 3 well underway, I can't wait to see what happens next. <br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/1IGrkNE" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Like this? Subscribe to my newsletter</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">.</span>Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-28891779022081813552015-11-16T09:57:00.001-06:002015-12-31T11:10:32.514-06:00Review: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel<br />
<a href="https://41.media.tumblr.com/f8ef5ffe4803b09bd4c0fa32883fb4c2/tumblr_inline_nxaqrcJ3Gx1qbihiy_540.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/f8ef5ffe4803b09bd4c0fa32883fb4c2/tumblr_inline_nxaqrcJ3Gx1qbihiy_540.png" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">READ THIS! We read it aloud, and … wow. My partner now wants to read more post-apocalyptic stuff (I recommended: </span><a href="http://amzn.to/1H7LRJD" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alas, Babylon</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">). We follow the intertwining strands of several people’s lives who experience a nearly extinction level pandemic in the near future. I didn’t find it overly gruesome the way some books in the genre go, though there is death and injury, and other unsettling events, as anyone would expect. The book does a lot of slipping and sliding in the timeline, but these shifts are handled deftly by </span><a href="http://amzn.to/1MyWmBW" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.298039); background-color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(68, 68, 68, 0) 50%, rgba(68, 68, 68, 0.247059) 50%); background-position: 0px 1.15em; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: 1em 2px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.15em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Emily St John Mandel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">. The post-apocalyptic chapters and scenes largely take place 20 years after the pandemic, which is very interesting. If you’re at all interested, I know you’ll look at more reviews, and have probably already heard of this book. I’m just adding my voice to the choir singing its praises. It’s a creepy, beautiful, touching story about family, survival, and at its core: art. I loved it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Enjoy this post? <a href="http://bit.ly/1IGrkNE" target="_blank">Why not subscribe to my newsletter</a>?</span>Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-39577125737438794092014-10-23T21:24:00.003-05:002016-04-13T16:23:20.612-05:00Review: First Impressions by Charlie LovettIf you're a follower of many bloggers, talkers, and reviewers in the bibliosphere, you've probably already heard about <a href="http://amzn.to/1Pn6S5K" target="_blank">Charlie Lovett's new book, <i>First Impressions</i></a>. I received a copy of Lovett's latest foray into bibliomysteries from his publisher. <br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1Pn6S5K" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNpI7l040BQ_3yuKRpLIl4ettu4gHwVuvMeaJgCaadp-blnW0yVlca3qjvhL8WokhR-HhAr_ldDk-Pz-v1QsbOGnKOzhHiZgbNx4ZRy2koMWMN03omPFKKaR_vdasVnRURFk0dpTw1Vul/s640/first+impressions,+charlie+lovett.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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It's good.<br />
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Ok, now that's out of the way ... I was a "Decide to read a book, finish it no matter what" reader for much of my life. If I chose poorly, it was an act of contrition to the bibliogods to finish that crappy book. But, I was beginning to feel like Life's Too Short for that kind of strict observance. I started asking around what other readers did. Some read to page 100, which seemed like a lot. I was surprised how many were like me -- finish it no matter what. Those who would drop a stinker didn't follow any guidelines, which should have been obvious with those that lead that kind of bohemian, free-wheeling lifestyle. <br />
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I wasn't sure what to think until I heard Nancy Pearl's good advice (like so much of her advice), to subtract your age from 100, and that's the number of pages you should give a book. As you age, and your reading time on earth shortens, and you become a better judge of literature, you don't have to be quite so full of grace for books that don't quite deserve to take up precious reading time.<br />
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So, for me, that means 66 pages.<br />
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By page 40, Fred got his answer:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LNdSAgFLlVl3iStkgDumeEVs-7t6KdwyROToiy_Oe48_Dc-CdhVMssd-zzDgf-vJl2_r_Pp0WG9OpfTvfOr5nal-YPWXMq0XKAKo0WGUamVFQ_8imZD4I3y-9VatNqy8GtQ2lEm3LRAc/s1600/kissing+book.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LNdSAgFLlVl3iStkgDumeEVs-7t6KdwyROToiy_Oe48_Dc-CdhVMssd-zzDgf-vJl2_r_Pp0WG9OpfTvfOr5nal-YPWXMq0XKAKo0WGUamVFQ_8imZD4I3y-9VatNqy8GtQ2lEm3LRAc/s1600/kissing+book.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes. Yes it is a kissing book.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And by page 66 (actually well before page 66 ...), I was hooked. But it was good I had had adopted that guidance to give <i>First Impressions</i> a fair shake -- the opening is cheesier than the pick up lines borne bravely by our protagonist. (An aside: I had a lot of terrible <i>First Impression</i> puns I've spared you. You're welcome.) Not that I'm cheesy-opposed -- I'm a big fan of the <a href="https://www.librarything.com/series/Aubrey-Maturin" target="_blank">Aubrey-Mauturin series</a>, but when it comes to romance, I prefer it given a bit more straight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, back to the task at hand, I found myself drawn in by Sophie Collingwood, a bibliophile in modern London who inherits an amazing library and far more trouble than she ever wanted. A curious bibliophile through and through, I was fascinated to tag along with her for a fun story, intertwined with a story about Jane Austen. I'm no <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janeite" target="_blank">Jane-ite</a>, so I'm definitely not the best one to tell you how accurate/ fulfilling/ uhhh..... Janey(?) that part of the story was, which I know is why many readers will pick this one up. To be honest, I found myself frequently wanting to skip ahead to the modern side of the tale. Not so much because the Jane side of the story was not interesting, but that I identified much more closely with Sophie and her side of the tale. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the end, it was a good story I'd recommend especially to anglophile bibliophiles, and I deeply hope it's a dandy for the Jane Austen fans out there. After all, it's probably been at least a week since the Jane-ites had a new book to read, which can be wayyyyy too long for you people. Also in the plus column, I'd rank it highly on "bibliofactor". The book stuff was meaty and not at all the simple McGuffin some authors try to foist off on us, rather the only setting in which this story could be told. Very good stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, don't forget you can find me all over the web: <a href="https://twitter.com/BLClark" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://exilebibliophile.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a>, and .... places.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">Enjoy this post? </span><a href="http://bit.ly/1IGrkNE" style="line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Why not subscribe to my newsletter</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">?</span></span><br />
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<br />Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-75839952926877768052014-10-16T21:28:00.006-05:002022-09-07T13:22:35.499-05:002014 Lincoln Public Libraries Book Sale<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylI7cFY0EeKPar0MTwie0ReTU6VBeBfqaHXSd8taGN6yYe70Xy_d7Nn-oCXAZxLFl2QrcmF_GJ7dYFQVcaD_EXqzdkKCDl93SeL88faQ3HXIyX2cN5P4_16BNfM9cFBNPgN_8eoKi4iBV/s640/blogger-image--1987120295.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylI7cFY0EeKPar0MTwie0ReTU6VBeBfqaHXSd8taGN6yYe70Xy_d7Nn-oCXAZxLFl2QrcmF_GJ7dYFQVcaD_EXqzdkKCDl93SeL88faQ3HXIyX2cN5P4_16BNfM9cFBNPgN_8eoKi4iBV/s400/blogger-image--1987120295.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hooray for books! Hooray for libraries!! And hooray for Lincoln, Nebraska. I've missed you. This annual autumn sale is one I grew up attending. Every year (when Mom remembered) we'd go. And over the years, I started remembering myself to ensure we got there to fill a couple grocery bags with treasures. It's moved a couple times over the years, and I was looking forward to attending once more.</div>
<br />It was a busy weekend, but I managed to slip over for the FINAL HOUR of the annual Lincoln Public Libraries book sale. Posted prices were a little higher than normal for FOL book sales in the region, but by Sunday afternoon it was "Fill a good-sized box for $5!!" I managed to nearly fill said good-sized box and gladly paid the $5 asked. Lots of misc. from the "literary criticism" part of the world I love so much (author letters, essays, etc.) even some old bound editions of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dial" target="_blank">The Dial</a>. <br />
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I only had about an hour, so I didn't get much through the fiction section ... requires too much browsing to find good candidates. For me, nonfiction is a much higher ratio of serendipity and success.<br />
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The sale for 2014 was held at the "new" Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. I say "new" because it really isn't very new anymore. But it is to me, the Exile who has wandered far from home has returned to his hometown for a sojourn. Not permanent. I think. Why? Life's funny, that's why. But books are constant.<br />
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Points of note for anyone in the future looking: plenty of free parking, there were concessions available for purchase on-site, and things were pretty well organized and kept tidy ... at least in the final hour! This tells me it was probably kept pretty tidy and well organized all along. <br />
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One thing that wasn't posted was that it was fill a box for $5 Sunday afternoon. In fact, I think they still had the Friday prices posted -- I guessed it was something along the lines of "fill a box," but waited until it was announced over the P.A. to really start loading up. You make different choices when it's $1 or $2 per book than you do at "fill a box" time. Right?<br />
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<br />Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-27348744183412126522014-05-05T04:00:00.000-05:002016-04-13T16:24:40.439-05:00New Bibliomystery by Charlie Lovett coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR1IByJreFmBPL1uldxNn3pNr5H7AKgigmaU_6NG6IKk7X578d6JFSbH9njzaBpnMQt3iKIaJ_LDmPPD5AFt_MSzhclLXTgEMDTyrt5rzPhUtmYzbJgXoqiOSs81XJu4R73dhvBcFqaO3/s1600/9780525427247_large_First_Impressions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR1IByJreFmBPL1uldxNn3pNr5H7AKgigmaU_6NG6IKk7X578d6JFSbH9njzaBpnMQt3iKIaJ_LDmPPD5AFt_MSzhclLXTgEMDTyrt5rzPhUtmYzbJgXoqiOSs81XJu4R73dhvBcFqaO3/s1600/9780525427247_large_First_Impressions.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.librarything.com/author/lovettcharlie-1" target="_blank">Charlie Lovett</a>'s second foray into bibliomysteries is coming this fall (October it sounds like). <br />
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Last year I really enjoyed <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bookmans-Tale-Charlie-Lovett/dp/0670026476" target="_blank">The Bookman's Tale</a></i><span id="goog_1002639987"></span><span id="goog_1002639988"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>, which delves into Shakespeare, art, book collecting, and plenty of mystery and suspense. And a little romance, but not too much. I can be a bit like Fred Savage in <i>The Princess Bride</i> when it comes to the romance sections ... Not that I don't *like* kissing, I do!! It's just sometimes in mysteries it can feel awkward, or somehow the author felt it was obligatory and characters go through passionless motions, or many other unfortunate experiences mirrored in my own life now now that I'm dating again and ... Wow, I am derailed. Anyway....<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/P/0670026476.01._SX450_SY635_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/P/0670026476.01._SX450_SY635_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bookmans-Tale-Charlie-Lovett/dp/0670026476" target="_blank">The Bookman's Tale</a></i> was a good read, and includes a satisfying amount of biblio-ness (and art too!). It's rooted around Shakespeare, which for me is honestly a strike against a bibliomystery (especially a new author!). There have been lots of real mysteries surrounding Shakespeare and his works, and some really exceptional fictional ones too. But, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bookmans-Tale-Charlie-Lovett/dp/0670026476" target="_blank">Bookman's Tale</a></i> holds up which isn't surprising once I learned Lovett has a deep passion for rare books, and has spent time doing the necessary research to meet a bibliophile's critical eye.<br />
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It wasn't that books and the book world were merely the McGuffin to keep the plot plodding along, or that the main character's employment tangentially involved books -- so there's a few scenes in a library (or the moon for all it matters) -- NOT SO! Peter Byerly (the main character) is a rare book dealer who has lost his wife ... with lots of flashing back to their early years together (which informs the mystery), which undoubtedly a devoted husband would do at such a time. It was good, not sappy, and certainly not a story that just happens to include a book or two to tell the *real* story of a man and woman falling in love. NOT HERE! The bibliofactor is on the same level of importance as the characters and the setting, which is what I look for in bibliomysteries. So, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bookmans-Tale-Charlie-Lovett/dp/0670026476" target="_blank"><i>The Bookman's Tale</i></a> is a recommended read from me if you haven't read it yet. Then you can join me looking forward to <i>First Impressions</i>.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Impressions-Novel-Unexpected-Austen/dp/0525427244" target="_blank">First Impressions</a></i>, coming out this fall, will also delve into authorship, Jane Austen, and more old books. And being rooted in Jane Austen, I bet there'll be some kissing and I'll like it.<br />
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From the publisher:<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="color: #270a92; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Impressions-Novel-Unexpected-Austen/dp/0525427244/" target="_blank">First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen</a></span></b><span style="color: #270a92; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> (Viking; <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2060635845" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">October 16, 2014</span></span>; 978-0-525-42724-7)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #270a92; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Book lover and Austen enthusiast Sophie Collingwood has recently taken a job at an antiquarian bookshop in London when two different customers request a copy of the same obscure book: the second edition of <i>Little Book of Allegories </i>by Richard Mansfield. Their queries draw Sophie into a mystery that will cast doubt on the true</span><span style="color: #270a92; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> authorship of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>—and ultimately threaten Sophie’s life.<br /><br />In a dual narrative that alternates between Sophie’s quest to uncover the truth—while choosing between two suitors—and a young Jane Austen’s touching friendship with the aging cleric Richard Mansfield, Lovett weaves a romantic, suspenseful, and utterly compelling novel about love in all its forms and the joys of a life lived in books.</span></div>
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<br />Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-20725494643690874102014-04-27T15:09:00.000-05:002016-04-13T16:22:39.908-05:00Montana Bouquiniste<br />
This post was never published, and that was a mistake. And since I'm now planning to leave Montana, I thought I'd better post it while I was still here. The Book Farm may come back once I get settled in Nebraska ... it was a lot of fun. So, cast your minds back to December 2011 ----<br />
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The snow is piling up this beautifully today, which means the tea kettle has been gurgling away and I've been reading. Time for a little break, and also a small realization. I was going to share something with you, dear readers, at the end of the summer, but forgot, and now it's been months--- You know how it is.<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1NN3mBq" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQEWML06vPJPt5G4gupaZ5AdMAKqlafwhkN6ToybJ-3hGcv22cqG2yZIZOeFX3woyRVEBHFj1QcNkI_5mu-D9vB05RUIEQkEt9XDVi7Uao9JyNjXCJI26S0k9HpBwjcIbkIC3-Bx_Q05U/s320/Off+in+Zora.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
I sold books here and there online several years ago, it's been a hard habit to break. I've heard book selling gets into your blood, and I think it's true. <br />
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As a book lover in a far flung place without any bookstores, I get out to the garage sales, farm auctions, thrift stores, etc. when I can because that's where the books are. Pickins ain't great, but every so often I find something surprising. That's why we all do it-- Anything can be Anywhere. <br />
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I'd often find good books cheap -- not collectible stuff, or even books I want to add to my shelves, but books that deserved a better home than the burn barrel. (We still burn garbage in Montana). Like the stack of decent hardback Cormac McCarthy for a dime each. I already have what I want of his, but these are books that need a home, and without a used bookshop in the area, there was nowhere to buy from, or take them. Not really. <br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1NN3mBq">This summer I also bought a book by Alan Armstrong called Off in Zora,</a> about packing up a VW bus and setting up with his dog (Jefe) and his buddy Tom on the side of the road and sell books all over New England, but further afield too. Not just any books make it into the rolling bookshop. Books he believed in. Books they could talk about. Books worth passing on. <br />
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This appealed to me deeply. I also admit, I was jealous of all the good bookish talk along the way. Being pretty new still in my remote Montana community I've not met a lot of bookish people, or have many good book-centric conversations. That's how Armstrong sold books -- through conversation. <br />
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"I've learned from Tom that people need to be <i>sold </i>books. It's a mistake to think that folks know what they want. Most readers are willing to have their susceptibility tried and even stretched a little. So we swell and puff like Falstaff to share enthusiasms and mind each other's business, or what's the passion for? Real booksellers at work glow like musicians when they're making music."</blockquote>
And it works. While reading <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1NN3mBq" target="_blank">Zora</a></i>, I found myself with book in one hand and my phone in the other, buying obscure, unheard of books online from Armstrong's descriptions. Just wonderful. It also occurred to me, that if this method of selling books worked on me as a reader, perhaps I could make it work in person. <br />
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The problem is that I'm gainfully employed, and unable to sit at the side of a road somewhere, set up and wait for traffic. Where I live, that could mean 5 cars all day. <br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/BookFarm" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaWiZHC3QrnKAxsF7RfL4sCkeMOmIFoE3-rEKfCcG6vzfCpw2ului4lTq44GV-aZ1iYtGvF7c44rIuWIZIqKTPy7OJcBBKkVZ4pPGDfIJhIsvKbEAWrVqVhdQXhPMAroamh-tqlN0_7Ec/s400/Book+Farm+crate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
So, The Book Farm was born. In northern Montana, we have a pretty short gardening season, and an even shorter term for our local farmer's market. It doesn't open until mid- to late August and closes down at the first freeze, which is usually early October. So, maybe 8 Friday mornings, from 7:30 AM until noon where farm wives and widows come to town with pickups and SUVs full of produce, jams, and bread. I thought, this is where I could sell some books. <br />
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So, I slapped together a few wooden flats from scrap I had laying around from a few yard projects, and voila! I put a couple shelves up in the garden shed to house my stock and hit the garage sales hard. I only had a couple weeks, and had enough boxes to offer maybe 150 books. As any veteran bookseller will tell you, the trouble isn't selling books, it's finding books to sell. <br />
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But, fortune favored the bold -- I started out with a little over 100 books that first Friday-- and every one of them I could vouch for in some way. I tried to have something I could recommend to most readers, but I also wanted to be able to say -- there is no junk here. <br />
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That's enough for now... More to follow. I need to get back to my book.<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/1IGrkNE" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Like this? Subscribe to my newsletter</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">.</span>Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-3061372405030569262014-04-23T17:28:00.000-05:002014-04-23T17:28:45.060-05:00Bookworm ripples<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bookworm" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-pKDigzARyQQBp2RsgovtSOag2YbvKv62vJsWMQYl3mNJgfj7dFuThUTlpbdSx3QS5MuiC1bRZzZlgBGBhDz-vCgMZefJPMK58POBs9aYi4g0In10iNB0c8S1LM3f20swgHSQbDnx2Ec/s1600/The+Bookworm+%25281850%2529%252C+Carl+Spitzweg%252C+Milwaukee+Public+Library.jpg" height="400" width="230" /></a>We learned earlier this week on <a href="http://www.bookpatrol.net/2014/04/original-painting-one-iconic-book-images-bookworm-might-sold.html" target="_blank">Book Patrol</a>, the long-time bibliophile favorite painting known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bookworm" target="_blank">The Bookworm by Carl Spitzweg</a> is coming up for sale. Maybe. Apparently there are three versions of the painting by Spitzweg. The one potentially coming up for sale is currently held by the <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/milwaukee-public-library-may-sell-famous-bookworm-painting-by-carl-spitzweg-256061261.html" target="_blank">Milwaukee Public Library</a>. They have *not* come out and said they were definitely selling, just that it was something they were considering. <br />
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I wondered if this one was the one that hung at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leary%27s_book_store" target="_blank">Leary's Book Store in Philadelphia</a>. Leary's is remembered fondly and well by throngs of bibliophiles, and many remembrances can be found online. It closed in 1968 after operating for "nearly 100 years" and the building was torn down. The quotes are because no one is quite 100% sure when Leary's was founded, but their history as a book selling operation certainly goes back well over 100 years. <br />
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Leary's has a long history, and <a href="http://library.temple.edu/scrc/learys-book-store-records" target="_blank">its archives</a> are preserved at Temple University. I had no experience at Leary's being born a decade after it closed, very, very far from Philadelphia, but sounds like a place I would have loved to visit. 500,000 books? Road trip worthy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq2dxIT3569aRJYKtgJkGGolp-BDWoqlPJ53CbcXnsb9dNmIMcItT23qWH9zNlG9q6IU9u5Y5Rwrru0m2a9mPQtqjrEbZwSaR7DiA90jnQ0a94gEs0y8JSVJQCsTeBlfPQ9vMzRVH8_-4/s1600/1893%252C+Philadelphia%252C+Leary+Stuart+Co.%252Cad+cover+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq2dxIT3569aRJYKtgJkGGolp-BDWoqlPJ53CbcXnsb9dNmIMcItT23qWH9zNlG9q6IU9u5Y5Rwrru0m2a9mPQtqjrEbZwSaR7DiA90jnQ0a94gEs0y8JSVJQCsTeBlfPQ9vMzRVH8_-4/s1600/1893%252C+Philadelphia%252C+Leary+Stuart+Co.%252Cad+cover+front.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1893, Leary, Stuart & Co.</td></tr>
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So I dug into my question about the painting, remembering it from Leary's related ephemera. A cursory search online revealed (to me, and maybe I'm wrong!!), that Leary's didn't actually own a copy of the painting, but rather appropriated the image. They had a stained glass window created for the store interior, and incorporated the image as a huge sign on the exterior of the building. The sign, when sold at auction was <a href="http://libraryhistorybuff.blogspot.com/2008/12/learys-book-store-and-bookworm.html" target="_blank">acquired by the Gale Research Company</a> where it went to Detroit. I wonder if its still there. Or with whoever owns Gale Research now. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtctoSXJ0zK8tZuZRGEIemCf7ROqrHBcMEnMaBxw8xdITRb42eUP1JG3Y0rBOhGIRSAzZVcny872eKENNpXfTSmcG5h0hjP929upCZ9lhI16wzl3C6bUe6_mCkX_LiTDtnAq1TjHcx09Yk/s1600/1902%252C+Philadelphia+PA%252C+Leary+Stuart+Co%252C+cover+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtctoSXJ0zK8tZuZRGEIemCf7ROqrHBcMEnMaBxw8xdITRb42eUP1JG3Y0rBOhGIRSAzZVcny872eKENNpXfTSmcG5h0hjP929upCZ9lhI16wzl3C6bUe6_mCkX_LiTDtnAq1TjHcx09Yk/s1600/1902%252C+Philadelphia+PA%252C+Leary+Stuart+Co%252C+cover+front.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1902, Leary, Stuart & Co.</td></tr>
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I know I can't afford the Milwaukee library painting's auction estimate of $400,000 (and I wouldn't be surprised if it went for more), but nearly anyone can afford cool Leary's ephemera from their good-ol-days featuring the work! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1955 postcard featuring The Bookworm <br />
hung from mezzanine</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhdCd7En7TKBwnBeXxV0Hbg0D6k6hzYPMfnXi3FUQh5Y5rXDT3C-I3w_U4IKEkvsKuWF7S65oyJ-hzo_8dhIZcqwBsTcTH7QbQhr9QpXfdoeliWIlHb9WSf46Zu52dP84YFmUJhL9Thwge9VP3QsMQCcEdXgpzvpQ6-l2lE53WpZaU3Yg=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Leary's_back.jpg" height="640" width="105" /></a>On an unrelated note, I hope this post didn't frighten anyone thinking I was long gone. I won't get into gory details (this is a book collecting blog!), but shortly after the last post in Dec. 2012 my life exploded, what remained imploded, and then flipped upside down. I've been rebuilding since, wandering in exile. I'll be landing in Lincoln, Nebraska (my hometown) this July, and hope to get settled in quickly, and maybe even get to posting here again on occasion! I'd like that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://libraryhistorybuff.blogspot.com/2008/12/learys-book-store-and-bookworm.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://books.google.com/books?id=72gyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1443&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U1nSw2iAJHa3l41vI7c-vLzuBTBXw&ci=35%2C42%2C955%2C1520&edge=0" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bookworm sign on the exterior of Leary's in 1920.</td></tr>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fe%2Fe9%2FLeary%27s_back.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhdCd7En7TKBwnBeXxV0Hbg0D6k6hzYPMfnXi3FUQh5Y5rXDT3C-I3w_U4IKEkvsKuWF7S65oyJ-hzo_8dhIZcqwBsTcTH7QbQhr9QpXfdoeliWIlHb9WSf46Zu52dP84YFmUJhL9Thwge9VP3QsMQCcEdXgpzvpQ6-l2lE53WpZaU3Yg=" -->Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-56329011298351784382012-12-08T13:41:00.000-06:002016-04-13T16:23:52.631-05:00The Mystery of Cloomber - A Conan Doyle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://amzn.to/1RN0Ppq" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzFgVGs3CyR_uZHRtaosdZMrHzgOCMqicug9OOhoAJxtImTd50pHr68GjysrxqlQANLi7Lefds93aDnKfsdyhISah2Fq-nQ7y2SG8WzR1xdWimbBPM1_Fsnwz1i2o6A13FbUDPDJM8LcY/s400/image0.jpg" width="270" /></a>It's *pouring* snow here in my little corner of Montana this morning. Was only supposed to be a skiff of snow, but it's at least 4" of heavy stuff and still pouring down. It's a good day to take a minute and find my next read. Like many bibliophiles, I can't help but turn to British "classics" in winter. I'm not sure what it is. Some sense of nostalgia for a place and time I've never experienced first-hand must have something to do with it. No matter, I don't have to understand it to enjoy it. Personally, it's not Dickens at Christmastime, but Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and PG Wodehouse that usually accompany me before my winter's naps. A recent find was this unknown to me book<a href="http://amzn.to/1RN0Ppq" target="_blank"> <i>The Mystery of Cloomber</i></a>. I know nothing except a man (Santa?) is horrified by what he hears. I also happen to know this copy was once in West Virginia. </div>
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This copy includes a great book trade label from Bluefield Book & Stationery Company in Bluefield, West Virginia. Like many book stores approaching the 20th Century, they also sold other goods, like cut glass, china, office equipment, stationery along with "All The Latest Books." I also wonder if this book was in a subscription library of some kind with the contemporary numbered label in the upper corner. Now, where did I put <i>that</i> list?</div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/1IGrkNE" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Like this? Subscribe to my newsletter</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">.</span>Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-20283830704573620282012-06-04T17:50:00.001-05:002016-04-13T16:25:22.327-05:00Happy 100th Loeb Classical Library!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/loeb-library-devotees" target="_blank">The Loeb Classical Library</a> has been around for 100 years this year. You can read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loeb_Classical_Library" target="_blank">all about the history</a> of this monumental series over at Wikipedia. But even better, you can start reading the classics themselves thanks to a cool site that has streamlined digital access to these wonderful books. <br />
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Also, you can share your love of Loebs in a new-ish <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/loeb-library-devotees" target="_blank">Flickr group</a> for folks who love the series.<br />
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There is lots of amazing work going on all the time to preserve and share these ancient texts-- and more discoveries to be made! Here is William Noel from the Walters Museum of Art in a recent TED Talk about revealing Archimedes. PS, thanks TED people for getting a recording out shortly after it was actually made!<br />
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Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-63586887943540505802012-06-01T16:06:00.001-05:002016-04-13T16:25:33.452-05:00Ralph Ellison speaks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was catching up on some podcast listening this week, and heard the folks at <a href="http://bookrageous.podbean.com/" target="_blank">Bookrageous</a> talk about "one hit wonder" authors. One of my favorites is <a href="http://amzn.to/1MIm8bU" target="_blank">Ralph Elliso</a><a href="http://amzn.to/1MIm8bU" target="_blank">n</a>. A fascinating interview with Ralph Ellison has been digitized from the archives of my old work place, the Oklahoma Historical Society, and as of this writing has about 10 views. Thanks OHS for making this available to everyone to see. <br />
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You can browse <a href="http://www.librarything.com/profile/RalphEllison" target="_blank">Ralph Ellison's personal library</a> on Library Thing's Legacy Library project.<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/1IGrkNE" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Like this? Subscribe to my newsletter</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">.</span>Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-52455794793002560442012-03-29T19:46:00.000-05:002016-04-13T16:27:04.279-05:00While you were out...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZq5Up_VCY42X0YfwuYQl5KhUpdShFYFk3nyIQL7NS63Rq-BEFd6bKtBCmE2DE0UKulgy8fPp47FJs7kzvF6fHeAOV66yRmV4rk8fnKKbTzRarZiA6zfAK43BKNgNUjBbxxTGg2e_4IhOH/s1600/While+you+Were+Out+vintage+small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZq5Up_VCY42X0YfwuYQl5KhUpdShFYFk3nyIQL7NS63Rq-BEFd6bKtBCmE2DE0UKulgy8fPp47FJs7kzvF6fHeAOV66yRmV4rk8fnKKbTzRarZiA6zfAK43BKNgNUjBbxxTGg2e_4IhOH/s320/While+you+Were+Out+vintage+small.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
So, you understand I wasn't just sitting around all winter waiting for the blog to unfreeze, I was up to a few things, and now I can finally share. <br />
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I started using Tumblr for things that don't quite fit the format here. The first is like the Exile Bibliophile blog but on tumblr, just like the blog only less wordy: <a href="http://exilebibliophile.tumblr.com/">http://exilebibliophile.tumblr.com/</a>. Also, I should note completely different content than the blog. Tumblr also makes it easy to run audio content, which is something I've wanted to do with Exile Bibliophile for a while -- a podcast. I know it's very 2007 of me, but I can't help it. If I ever get one "in the can" as they say in the "biz", I'll be the first to tell you so.<br />
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I also started a Tumblr dedicated to library ink stamps -- <a href="http://libraryinkstamps.tumblr.com/">http://libraryinkstamps.tumblr.com/</a>, which has been surprisingly popular and features daily posts. I've also started another dedicated entirely to errata slips <a href="http://fixedinprint.tumblr.com/">http://fixedinprint.tumblr.com/</a> -- this one is a little slower going, but is picking up steam. The errata slip tumblr was created in response to a conversation on twitter and then it got out of hand. You know how it is.<br />
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Of course, you can find me on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/BLClark">https://twitter.com/BLClark</a><br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/1IGrkNE" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Like this? Subscribe to my newsletter</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">.</span>Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-30232926691756969002012-03-15T13:07:00.001-05:002012-03-15T14:42:54.663-05:00FINALLY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoj-emrFgJV_gblMKzm7drGpP7-ruMclq4w5p_pX1u0VZeTmv3myo871p-7KrY3W7q7rqzbXcFqhxahSgNzByEJzDk53YnoSImGFcLa7eTTtEOnOXtaBc0CdOkmU75F2LEq9x_AnJyXiu/s1600/Great+Falls+Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoj-emrFgJV_gblMKzm7drGpP7-ruMclq4w5p_pX1u0VZeTmv3myo871p-7KrY3W7q7rqzbXcFqhxahSgNzByEJzDk53YnoSImGFcLa7eTTtEOnOXtaBc0CdOkmU75F2LEq9x_AnJyXiu/s320/Great+Falls+Library.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After battling Google over a snafu with 2-step verification, I'm back! Egads. I'll have a few old posts that never went up because of the lock-out, and updates too. <br />
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I have several updates in the hopper, but I'm hitting the road tomorrow for what will be a great time in Great Falls, Montana to be one of the speakers for their Festival of the Book series. So, briefly, if you can catch me, please do at the <a href="http://www.greatfallslibrary.org/" target="_blank">Great Falls Public Library</a> this Saturday at 2 pm. They've also got some other good stuff lined up on other Saturdays, so check it all out. More to follow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReqqhk7Ydrp_XGf1EUhgE0uws8TccsjoGulsYGPbMWcdHGxd7b53CtiYuLuDZQFp2qWo6BxHPlymjwPZ0IXhRn5js4iTA0RPxqH2g6-0M3cdKCGQm2o0P7YPbvVi9RZ5yAoLBDicIu9G3/s1600/Great+Falls+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReqqhk7Ydrp_XGf1EUhgE0uws8TccsjoGulsYGPbMWcdHGxd7b53CtiYuLuDZQFp2qWo6BxHPlymjwPZ0IXhRn5js4iTA0RPxqH2g6-0M3cdKCGQm2o0P7YPbvVi9RZ5yAoLBDicIu9G3/s640/Great+Falls+poster.jpg" width="394" /></a></div>Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-60826817715670647462011-12-03T16:01:00.001-06:002016-04-13T16:23:41.300-05:00Book Trade Labels spotted!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATtr8HN6i_W5S0HEYnhfvUYgQ0a9s0-Cooubn7bm4p0seczaZkyDecx-1zJ9ro_hyJc6rL9mGQ4GiAePoCwye7JHDIn1mBl9ZtSWoyYBOXZQ_vxzxAArdnFYFg-fRRw0dNBVkLEZow1Vd/s1600/The_Tattooed_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATtr8HN6i_W5S0HEYnhfvUYgQ0a9s0-Cooubn7bm4p0seczaZkyDecx-1zJ9ro_hyJc6rL9mGQ4GiAePoCwye7JHDIn1mBl9ZtSWoyYBOXZQ_vxzxAArdnFYFg-fRRw0dNBVkLEZow1Vd/s1600/The_Tattooed_Map.jpg" /></a>It's been a while since I've posted on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/book_labels/" target="_blank">book trade labels</a>, but believe me, they are never far from my heart. Over Thanksgiving, the Mrs. and I took a pleasant trip to visit friends and our old stomping grounds in Oklahoma. Luckily for me I was able to include nearly all the surviving used and indie bookshops in Oklahoma City-- and a new one! <br />
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I made quite a haul home in my suitcase, and had to ship a goodly sized box back to Montana as well. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nN5plxjaFcypc_DDPRomi3k5PBoEw4UdbMKnBP0LjWxZDhatwSXhY06p-LunM8UfGbYZ13lASYhvMiyFSg5u7uDQQjaRFgYr5JedLg1nfA8a0LxJcF2BGe4Jc3Ux_4PK93mQlxWCt84t/s1600/image0-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nN5plxjaFcypc_DDPRomi3k5PBoEw4UdbMKnBP0LjWxZDhatwSXhY06p-LunM8UfGbYZ13lASYhvMiyFSg5u7uDQQjaRFgYr5JedLg1nfA8a0LxJcF2BGe4Jc3Ux_4PK93mQlxWCt84t/s200/image0-3.jpg" width="200" /></a>One of the books I bought on an impulse was <a href="http://www.tradinginmemories.com/" target="_blank">Barbara Hodgson</a>'s<a href="http://www.librarything.com/work/1422360" target="_blank"> The Tattooed Map</a>. What initially caught my eye on the Clearance shelf at the new Half-Price Books in Edmond, OK was the <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/" target="_blank">Chronicle Books</a> colophon on the spine-- these folks put out wonderful books. Always worth a flip through at the very least. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9B8UuXV0egA-gX3_acbqkB_SL-Thp90jp5AyDoqTfxjqAvRnr5fOuzt-LPE3m7mTaUaORf_sIUJ6cWXrM71HNXWttUF1dgLgKhoCQuemE7ZUqZZ5uemYz6XUGekdBPXOiH3sTx3BXW3M/s1600/image0-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9B8UuXV0egA-gX3_acbqkB_SL-Thp90jp5AyDoqTfxjqAvRnr5fOuzt-LPE3m7mTaUaORf_sIUJ6cWXrM71HNXWttUF1dgLgKhoCQuemE7ZUqZZ5uemYz6XUGekdBPXOiH3sTx3BXW3M/s200/image0-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
What a surprise when I did. It was a constant flow of beautiful ephemera reproduced throughout. Then, closer to the back, <a href="http://www.booksellerlabels.com/" target="_blank">bookseller labels</a> started popping up. I include here only three of the six. They came out a little blurry. I think my scanner is just too much for my rickety desk and that's what's causing that. They really are beautifully reproduced in the book. I found myself running my fingers over things and surprised it wasn't pasted in. <br />
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Maps, books, and ephemera play an important role throughout the story, although it really isn't about that. Newspaper clippings, receipts business cards, fold out maps, are complimented with exact details (like library stamps on the backs of maps) and handwritten lists and notes throughout. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZpTnXbPox21SRUKKkvsp4rmUXUoQOs8fRiVUy76zNFZ0l6o8zsg06C_xYDGfBquKLWfhsJWLLuRaqb56aG3WErKIPWE9TpPpQvFFScelWOHE_gH7_zHYY1nX5LJGajq2HHofKVCwqMgZ/s1600/image0-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZpTnXbPox21SRUKKkvsp4rmUXUoQOs8fRiVUy76zNFZ0l6o8zsg06C_xYDGfBquKLWfhsJWLLuRaqb56aG3WErKIPWE9TpPpQvFFScelWOHE_gH7_zHYY1nX5LJGajq2HHofKVCwqMgZ/s200/image0-2.jpg" width="200" /></a>As a story, it didn't blow me away, but it's gotten better in my mind with a few days of perspective. Hodgson has produced a few other books described as Illustrated Novels along similar principles, but this was my first. Hodgson's more recent book, <a href="http://www.librarything.com/work/3979776" target="_blank">Trading In Memories</a>, about being an ephemera hunter, has moved from my "Acquire On Sight" list to "Acquire Now" list. <br />
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<br />Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-81880362459417852732011-11-30T12:45:00.001-06:002016-04-13T16:27:38.210-05:00TwitterDid you know <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/BLClark" target="_blank">I'm on Twitter</a>? Do you follow me there? I love Twitter. I have a nice list of bibliofolk as well. Check it out!<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/1IGrkNE" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Like this? Subscribe to my newsletter</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">.</span>Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-67795899356616899182011-11-11T10:02:00.001-06:002011-11-11T11:06:15.033-06:00Exile Bibliophile the Tumblr EditionI've started an Exile Bibliophile tumblr edition, in hopes to lay groundwork for a podcast. So, I'll have fewer of the posts like the previous here, but even more bibliophilic content in general. You can find it here: <a href="http://exilebibliophile.tumblr.com/">http://exilebibliophile.tumblr.com/</a>. The tumblr will NOT replace or likely displace any posts here. It'll be business as usual on the blog, but even more goodies here: <a href="http://exilebibliophile.tumblr.com/">http://exilebibliophile.tumblr.com/</a>. So, check it out already!Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-47728365714063028592011-11-05T12:45:00.001-05:002011-11-05T12:50:00.801-05:00...out of the window<div style="font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0;">
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<br /></div>Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-70443880272959687912011-11-05T11:17:00.000-05:002016-09-20T13:33:25.959-05:00A gentle introduction to the gentle madness<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This week, I have the pleasure of guest blogging over at <a href="http://gonereading.com/site/blog/">GoneReading</a>, <a href="http://gonereading.com/site/">a site for people who love books</a>. I've especially enjoyed the series A Dude Reads Jane Austen. Also, GoneReading has a great store with bookish gifts and things and proceeds support libraries and literacy. Pretty great stuff. </span></div>
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<a href="http://gonereading.com/site/blog/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAyYqcoHBT__LcGv-fPNL7OYXqcYBZ0HigtAV-qquK4opi4GMfAnqJuJP5iDiVuueD0cvbQiPxkU2wAZqTDOiBhxIeGMo8DI6Hx2Jp-oG2mCayMnx5kIVbhbb6lSxWETjntk15GvEhKx2/s400/gone_reading.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, here it is:</span></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.2928614686243236" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s interesting so many people love books, but so few people claim to be book collectors. Is it because it sounds like claiming to be a breeder of polo ponies? Perhaps.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I collect books. I do not own a yacht. I’m not embarrassed by either fact. I even seek out others who collect books too, so maybe we can be friends. (The Mrs. says I need people-friends too, not just book-friends.) In my quest to find kindred collectors of books, I’ve found quite a few proto-collectors. Proto-collectors are people who are very nearly collecting but can’t quite claim full book collector status for themselves. They seem to be charmingly unaware how a quest has come upon them, consuming money, energy, and precious time-- but still they claim to not be book collectors. I’m the first to admit, it’s hard to say when exuberant Bibliophilia become full-blown Bibliomania. But the first step is certainly to admit there are stronger forces at work than the love of a tale well told. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not everyone who owns a lot of books is a book collector. Granted. I wear pants most days, and own many pairs, yet don’t think of myself as a pants connoisseur. Book collectors are the same way. A book collection has a purpose beyond accumulating, beyond, even, reading. A book collection has a purpose. What should the focus be? That’s the beauty of it. It can be anything. Anything at all. And though book collectors have been carefully forming collections for centuries, the most interesting book collections are yet to be formed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Collections often focus on a particular author, a particular illustrator, publisher, series, a style of bookbinding, a particular subject (like books of made-up words, or pants-wearing polo ponies). Not long ago a short article was circulating about a collector of books that use human blood in their production or signed in the stuff. I was surprised at the variety of books that fit into the collection. Another great way to see what’s new in collecting is to review the entries for the </span><a href="http://hq.abaa.org/books/antiquarian/abaapages/contest"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sponsored by the ABAA (The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America). Nearly all of these entries demonstrate what amazing collections can be assembled on a college student’s budget. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another thing to do is get to know other collectors. They may not be on your street, or at your 8-to-5, but there’s a big beautiful blogosphere pulsing with the thoughts and purchases of serious bibliophiles. I have over 250 blogs in my RSS reader dedicated to bibliophilia, and I know I don’t follow everyone. I’m constantly finding new ones. And people find me through </span><a href="http://benjaminlclark.com/blog" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my own blog</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. There are also several clubs, societies, and other organizations for book collectors, many of which can be found at the website of the </span><a href="http://fabsbooks.org/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. There may also be sites dedicated to your preferred objects of book love-- a great example is </span><a href="http://www.modernlib.com/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Collecting the Modern Library</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a site dedicated to the Modern Library series of 1917-1970, compiled by collectors over many years and still growing. I wish there were many more like it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you love books, you’ve likely heard booksellers bemoan the unliterate age of the e-panopticon we live in today. Publishers are even worse. The moaning has its merits, but the moaners are overreacting. Historically, booksellers considered the end of books with the emergence of radio and television too. The great thing about the internet is it has largely removed one of the biggest barriers of book lovers: geography. Historically, book collecting has largely been a past-time for urbanites, but that is no longer true. The internet has also caused what were once thought to be rare books into a wider market place to be outed as actually fairly common. But books are finite, and I think we’re currently living in what will be “the good ol’ days” of book collecting. A time we’ll look back on fondly when nearly everything was available and most of it cheap.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is still frontiers to be explored and treasures to be found in book collecting. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1IGrkNE" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', helveticaneue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;" target="_blank">Like this? Subscribe to my newsletter</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;">.</span></span></div>
Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-42967524681946475012011-10-30T21:47:00.001-05:002011-10-31T15:16:01.708-05:00The Lumberjack's Boxcar Library<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0U8BJpgFlDq7bDrA-PeQRrBMgM89ibIglEYc6aXPzu090xraGo0NS8oFiojUmf-w1z5RLJHrc2oCq-6aK5MTg1kAcTK_j04CvfWfbFgnArmyo2CZ1__u2Mm00ahXuLc5uAOxEUQvF5DM/s1600/railroad+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0U8BJpgFlDq7bDrA-PeQRrBMgM89ibIglEYc6aXPzu090xraGo0NS8oFiojUmf-w1z5RLJHrc2oCq-6aK5MTg1kAcTK_j04CvfWfbFgnArmyo2CZ1__u2Mm00ahXuLc5uAOxEUQvF5DM/s400/railroad+library.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The problem of getting books into the hands of readers has been solved in many ways over the centuries. Of course, one of my favorites is the bookmobile. A classic, and staple of rural life in the 20th Century. But in 1919, there was something else in the works to get books into the hands of the lumbermen in the employ of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaconda_Copper">Anaconda Copper Mining Co.</a> The Anaconda company is one of those "too big to fail" sorts in the history of Montana-- it's name was apt. But that's not to say this wasn't a great idea. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMGwBKeWJ3NQmIQKERCoJzaoQTv4gy1ZHGaUx8T899dJH4tEI_lUgla8Ssh612xtWJCBCrhJzLIVKJ7k_d4_TlvKDHpfd1ivCUKI14rKDNkTjeGJk9-_P-WHZ6XQNFrMj7fnbxsTsBsz9/s1600/library+car+floor+plan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMGwBKeWJ3NQmIQKERCoJzaoQTv4gy1ZHGaUx8T899dJH4tEI_lUgla8Ssh612xtWJCBCrhJzLIVKJ7k_d4_TlvKDHpfd1ivCUKI14rKDNkTjeGJk9-_P-WHZ6XQNFrMj7fnbxsTsBsz9/s400/library+car+floor+plan.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-3-H2NuLwHPhiy7UlwwlGZKYddW4EeADP_OVwYCO0ZXh8q1Y0wIbLV4pdP110t3ZsIUnjTMXuSKG1xxJMU_m_BwRnyVqYpp3bgY5q0_Oj5jT0U7s6y9wUB297gvOUeZr6iCva_RIeXxs/s1600/library+car+interior+0+original.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-3-H2NuLwHPhiy7UlwwlGZKYddW4EeADP_OVwYCO0ZXh8q1Y0wIbLV4pdP110t3ZsIUnjTMXuSKG1xxJMU_m_BwRnyVqYpp3bgY5q0_Oj5jT0U7s6y9wUB297gvOUeZr6iCva_RIeXxs/s400/library+car+interior+0+original.JPG" width="400" /></a>Beginning in 1919, this railroad boxcar was refitted to be a library on rails to serve the mobile timber camps in western Montana. The men and their families could be in these remote camps for a few months at a time, and undoubtedly anticipated the days when the library car came. That's how it was at least where I grew up on bookmobile days. According to the info posted, it was perhaps administered by the <a href="http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/">Missoula Public Library</a>. I would certainly love to hear more about how this "cooperative effort" really worked between the public library and the Anaconda Co. <br />
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I'd also love to get my hands on lending records--- what were lumberjacks reading in the 1920s? Especially lumberjacks with access to an ostensibly public library working for an enormous multi-national "evil empire" type corporation whose practices gave rise to the modern organized labor movement? How were books selected? Did the employees and their families enjoy it? It must have been effective since it was in use into the late 1950s as a library by the Anaconda Co. After that, it was used by the University of Montana at one of their lumber research stations-- first as a library then as a dormitory. It was later used for storage, until it was discovered by the museum and acquired for restoration and interpretation of the timber history of the region.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpbAvrRRdaP8hj7RhhZnDiI-_d9k1NEKmV0enQw7sQgNXVWdIrJ7tZrxB1VGCkm4wOYUjcLqYdb7Qk3sZOBs1DSqisKSf08VGAGS2eeejeB9GSBgZRefHyoHiSHzKmpbKk5BGcpKoVzl3/s1600/library+car+interior+0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpbAvrRRdaP8hj7RhhZnDiI-_d9k1NEKmV0enQw7sQgNXVWdIrJ7tZrxB1VGCkm4wOYUjcLqYdb7Qk3sZOBs1DSqisKSf08VGAGS2eeejeB9GSBgZRefHyoHiSHzKmpbKk5BGcpKoVzl3/s400/library+car+interior+0.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
To interpret my own photos a little, the floor plan above is oriented opposite of how the car actually sits in the first photo. The restoration is underway, and although I know the administration at the museum where it is, I haven't had a chance to chat with him about the project. It certainly is impressive, and should be on the biblio-tourists list of stops when passing through Montana.<br />
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Today this railroad bookmobile resides at the <a href="http://www.fortmissoulamuseum.org/">Historical Museum at Fort Missoula</a> in Missoula, Montana. The restoration so far is impressive indeed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5XcAHeNnEOIJHGthJ2WvXjZlnJgbAoFbYrqlPBCWAbwvMDW59bRjXKwZGdRhV2KEYSlGS1IuX61-VSkpIydw35832rqOTCzoYG22_qzM303UJFQNvtrTNzGuZEHhZnXEDkSzA5xRYUgZ/s1600/library+car+interior+6+original+Mr+Dwyer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5XcAHeNnEOIJHGthJ2WvXjZlnJgbAoFbYrqlPBCWAbwvMDW59bRjXKwZGdRhV2KEYSlGS1IuX61-VSkpIydw35832rqOTCzoYG22_qzM303UJFQNvtrTNzGuZEHhZnXEDkSzA5xRYUgZ/s400/library+car+interior+6+original+Mr+Dwyer.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsa6Jvr34Gk-hN-_7KkD0snfn3Thc1BXy0xunl4zgBAGlV7wkXnrfXoxbPljxAqt9Yof87lrJuwHTyhWht8tHKGeyr66lo3oj-Wa3-fUQOfrngMXBjvpHyK1e5DLupR1Pp3DjQNdKhmYUw/s1600/library+car+interior+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsa6Jvr34Gk-hN-_7KkD0snfn3Thc1BXy0xunl4zgBAGlV7wkXnrfXoxbPljxAqt9Yof87lrJuwHTyhWht8tHKGeyr66lo3oj-Wa3-fUQOfrngMXBjvpHyK1e5DLupR1Pp3DjQNdKhmYUw/s400/library+car+interior+6.JPG" width="400" /></a>Of course, if you know more about this amazing piece of bibliophilic history, please get in touch. A real dream would be records, or even a book with markings that showed it was used on this unique library. Even if it's not about this particular library on rails, I'd love to hear about others. Do any others even exist? Surely they do, but I've had a hard time finding any online. I know the <a href="http://www.fortmissoulamuseum.org/">Historical Museum at Fort Missoula</a> would also appreciate any stories as well.<br />
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<br />Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-25841675459145520572011-10-23T22:18:00.000-05:002011-10-23T22:18:54.098-05:00The Exile Roams West Part 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNWEgycyJe49vQR9FIp5S8DpMkDP2pwilWFerHpFNuhXQk5HDIGFevr5jmift72BcI-IFpdyUzZPoTYJvJWY-9gzBDFy7nmD_xr6NNHq9wFlX0oSYMjQ_LCoOdkBCHSOQcvr61PTT48KY/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNWEgycyJe49vQR9FIp5S8DpMkDP2pwilWFerHpFNuhXQk5HDIGFevr5jmift72BcI-IFpdyUzZPoTYJvJWY-9gzBDFy7nmD_xr6NNHq9wFlX0oSYMjQ_LCoOdkBCHSOQcvr61PTT48KY/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" width="320" /></a>It's been a hectic month! I'm finally home after a few weeks of meetings and conferences that took me west. I'm a truly blessed man to be able to drive the length of Montana several times during a gorgeous, mild autumn. <br />
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While I was in Missoula, I was able to find<a href="http://www.birdsnestbooks.com/"> The Bird's Nest</a>. It's not hard to find, but parking can be an issue. I was parked about 2 minutes too long on the street and was greeted with a $2 ticket. I used it as a parking permit the rest of the weekend. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSTXWQeBCwvV356WhdOoPhyphenhyphenbd8P116T7TeHz4jQDggJn1Nkk2AaP_ht32OuupHJXmd9RcBQN1JCXQ6j2AeBBpVgqHCTN4cvE55Q2v7gTpRYLtw4iAX2jiI-vNt_1y1g6HAPZfvMyALNGB/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSTXWQeBCwvV356WhdOoPhyphenhyphenbd8P116T7TeHz4jQDggJn1Nkk2AaP_ht32OuupHJXmd9RcBQN1JCXQ6j2AeBBpVgqHCTN4cvE55Q2v7gTpRYLtw4iAX2jiI-vNt_1y1g6HAPZfvMyALNGB/s320/IMG_1130.JPG" width="240" /></a>I was very happy to find this shop. Why? It's a true booklover's used bookshop. When they say "Books & Stuff", it's really more about the books than the stuff, but some of the stuff was interesting too. Ephemera anyone? It was also nuts. Having lived in a tiny town on a highway to Canada, I've enjoyed the quiet things in life. But Missoula, is nuts. The streets don't make sense, bikes everywhere, young people, buskers, Occupyers shouting, etc. Not what I'm used to in my small town. So, finding this quiet shop was exactly what I needed. <br />
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There were great books to be had here and prices were good too. Very good in some cases. I had worried that being in the center of a "happening" downtown in the arts district would make books dear. It wasn't so. The lady at the front desk was even great. Completely silent the day I came in to browse (for nearly 2 hours), and helpful and pleasant when I needed help another day. In other words, perfect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I5aqgzRjdTj0NPMpJkQBy6wzqcZ71KYny48KLL78L87LfckcSOW2V469H6X1LsJuV1zwn3BqLcEtpeSejQgSaoFnzmEPSctHZAA_m8t7zo4hwnVUrdZt1ilMGuovDwbQls81ZU6vVSWR/s1600/IMG_1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I5aqgzRjdTj0NPMpJkQBy6wzqcZ71KYny48KLL78L87LfckcSOW2V469H6X1LsJuV1zwn3BqLcEtpeSejQgSaoFnzmEPSctHZAA_m8t7zo4hwnVUrdZt1ilMGuovDwbQls81ZU6vVSWR/s320/IMG_1132.JPG" width="320" /></a>There was even some older stuff to be found on the shelves, but prices there were bad, especially as much of the 19th C. stuff was warped/ moldy/ etc., but prices didn't reflect the generally poor condition of old stuff. And by "old", I mean 125 years old plus. Almost everything from the last century was in nice shape and fairly, even low priced. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ItEr4KLFzdHvEktaLktby4hYNQJbWbCz6suIp0TmFHsaC0d8_gfNXpV1B_P6qQAeTTFkVI2vSKkrDVDZdG-iS89DhLPIJ2_yTfPzCz_ra4KwThgM62euv9ShoD5KQKsPm26yLctTuxbH/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ItEr4KLFzdHvEktaLktby4hYNQJbWbCz6suIp0TmFHsaC0d8_gfNXpV1B_P6qQAeTTFkVI2vSKkrDVDZdG-iS89DhLPIJ2_yTfPzCz_ra4KwThgM62euv9ShoD5KQKsPm26yLctTuxbH/s320/IMG_1131.JPG" width="240" /></a>I was in town for the Montana Festival of the Book and realized I had forgotten an example of a trade edition and a book club edition to be passed around so folks get an idea of the difference. It's one of those things best explained when holding both in your hands. I knew the Bird's Nest would have examples, and they did, as long as I wasn't too picky (It was a Crichton title for the curious-- in both BCE and Trade hardcover). <br />
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I didn't find anything in my particular collecting areas, but I did come away with bargains-- like 4 pristine volumes of The Anchor Bible for about $15! It may have even been $12. It's been a couple weeks ago now, but I do remember thinking I couldn't cover Media Mail shipping for the four books for that price from separate dealers. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8h7gwgslJbXR8i4vc3MMw8EitHJ3VfnoEo3-FgtAGcfk8J0ChTw-RONIg9g4x5XnqFQs2WxbVbCR6nn6LlZlllVw3kkEZHEO6VtsEXzYPCJlBdnCD73CiKltsU4dhSigrft8BnPGTNn6/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8h7gwgslJbXR8i4vc3MMw8EitHJ3VfnoEo3-FgtAGcfk8J0ChTw-RONIg9g4x5XnqFQs2WxbVbCR6nn6LlZlllVw3kkEZHEO6VtsEXzYPCJlBdnCD73CiKltsU4dhSigrft8BnPGTNn6/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" width="320" /></a>There were also nice vintage copies of classics and now-obscure-but-the-rage-in-1935 stuff too. There were surprises, and groaners too, but it was all well chosen and the stuff that hadn't been culled in many years of shelf-sitting you could see why it was still there. It seemed to be a well trafficked shop, which means constant turn over. Which is nice. <br />
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The Bird's Nest is the kind of shop where they still hang a review of Francis Parkman's works from a 1926 New York Review of Books, because it's still informative. The old building has some charm too, which I'm certainly among the least immune. It creaked and groaned, had odd platforms and tiny nooks I had to duck and hunch to get into. Granted, I'm a big dude, but still--. It was also fun to play "What Dept. Store did This Fixture Come From?" <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkipURaUXkLF1Xaf7Z5RE3IaFUxGho8J-4KJJ3YWr43GnaJCLm4oJ-PJDU0d5YfwXwyN_N9m7BKABsxyOv3mveXU7DIQjADm70D99HDStBUNTpAL5YIRBurJtEvXHwgGwcmkSN25hg5Ze/s1600/IMG_1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkipURaUXkLF1Xaf7Z5RE3IaFUxGho8J-4KJJ3YWr43GnaJCLm4oJ-PJDU0d5YfwXwyN_N9m7BKABsxyOv3mveXU7DIQjADm70D99HDStBUNTpAL5YIRBurJtEvXHwgGwcmkSN25hg5Ze/s320/IMG_1170.JPG" width="320" /></a>I also stopped in at another book shop, this one more akin to Half-Price Books, for those familiar with that outfit. (I like them a lot, but have moved far from their area). This one is called The Book Exchange. For most used book lovers, and seekers of the rare and odd, it was a bit too clean, a little bit slick, but they had a decent coffee shop built in, which I remember desperately needing when I arrived. For books they had very nice remainders, gently used books, etc. Prices were really good here as well for most things. I came away with a lot more than I had anticipated when I walked in. I definitely bought books out of pure serendipity. It was about what one would expect from a smaller, more local version of Half Price Books in a modestly sized college town. One of the things I noticed was a very large selection of comics. I don't go in for them myself, but for those who do (and I know there's a lot of you), this would likely be a stop you wouldn't regret. They also had a great genre paperback section, which was nice since I was needing the next installment of a series, and they had the next two! Also, lots of parking (which is honestly almost never a problem in Montana). Sorry I didn't seem to take many pictures inside. Probably because my hands were full of books.<br />
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So, if you're in Missoula, there are a couple fantastic book shops in town and another close by. Check them out and say hi. Or not. Silence is a virtue in Montana.Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199172620528470353.post-62238323204185595352011-10-15T10:14:00.000-05:002011-10-15T17:11:14.762-05:00The Exile Roams West part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzVdxjpeBY8LBpaGngosGMrWoOrcgdDPfwYHPuCj169lawtjVn4QX-DHQSYk9BxbiYSNFVZcEghyphenhyphenVaaIeNZ85qz-TaKG8_H8pQqvqmnWrSCwQfA2uDBytYQSE6iZzgf8DylF-JTMJ-6c-/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzVdxjpeBY8LBpaGngosGMrWoOrcgdDPfwYHPuCj169lawtjVn4QX-DHQSYk9BxbiYSNFVZcEghyphenhyphenVaaIeNZ85qz-TaKG8_H8pQqvqmnWrSCwQfA2uDBytYQSE6iZzgf8DylF-JTMJ-6c-/s320/IMG_1172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I've recovered from my latest trip to Missoula, this time for the <a href="http://www.humanitiesmontana.org/programs/fob/index.php">Montana Festival of the Book</a>. What a wonderful event and an amazing group of people who put this on. Upon arrival I picked up the loose paper bundle gathered for orienting presenters. I scanned the program prepared as a supplement to the local newspaper, and lo and behold, thanks to alphabetical listing, there I am on the same page with <a href="http://www.librarything.com/author/burkejameslee">James Lee Burke</a>! How about that. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sure there are six names between his and mine (including the amazing <a href="http://www.bonniejocampbell.com/">Bonnie Jo Campbell</a>), but there I am.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeHFGXK-xVw1OYZOqwpZN2085FyEn5gzzbIBESKdWJg9_6yJh9LoV1WaNmS0dH82YArSAFWHGwtgnALTDCD0Jv_7r5CAAa4ItVQSi1dNf3mTyUBp0CqqSHmp64VP13ulsdX5H_VXzwYNE/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeHFGXK-xVw1OYZOqwpZN2085FyEn5gzzbIBESKdWJg9_6yJh9LoV1WaNmS0dH82YArSAFWHGwtgnALTDCD0Jv_7r5CAAa4ItVQSi1dNf3mTyUBp0CqqSHmp64VP13ulsdX5H_VXzwYNE/s320/IMG_1174.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
The festival itself was only a couple days long, but included enough panels and presentations I was forced to make tough choices. There were often 6 choices at any one time, and all of them with fantastic authors and presenters. You can see for yourself at the Festival website, while the 2011 info is still up.<br />
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One such session I enjoyed was a discussion between <a href="http://www.keirgraff.com/">Keir Graff</a>, <a href="http://www.craig-lancaster.com/">Craig Lancaster</a>, <a href="http://www.jennyshank.com/home">Jenny Shank</a>, and <a href="http://davidabramsbooks.blogspot.com/">David Abrams</a> about "online stuff." It was focused on blogging and social media but did get around to a few other topics as well. Especially as all four have published/ soon-to-be-published novels. Also, Craig was funny. So was Jenny, but you expect her to be, having written for The Onion and <a href="http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/how-to-go-along-to-get-along">McSweeney's</a>. Sorry, but it's true. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30ay3FxWOM-shbILafAh6jmgNCgID1L0cA2ja4T1vwCLMnKobdDLrgsk45tM0j45a5RlrSoG6mBV0VzFFHDdPQ3hE9jnHeFxXXFq4ZX0Dx5dhybxsJa7amqEXksObfJ2ArfTqGwUdC9x3/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30ay3FxWOM-shbILafAh6jmgNCgID1L0cA2ja4T1vwCLMnKobdDLrgsk45tM0j45a5RlrSoG6mBV0VzFFHDdPQ3hE9jnHeFxXXFq4ZX0Dx5dhybxsJa7amqEXksObfJ2ArfTqGwUdC9x3/s320/IMG_1173.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Montana's Festival of the Book is really dedicated to literature and literacy. It's also almost entirely attended by middle-aged and older people, which was a surprise. There seemed to be a lot of young people around for a few key sessions, especially in Poetry, but that would be it. Odd. I thought to myself, well, this is more the demographic for book collecting anyway, so I'll likely find other collectors here. But I really didn't, until my session. I found the idea of a session on book collecting or a talk about books as objects was disorienting to many participants. And intriguing. They checked their schedules, asking, "When are you, again?", and "I'll have to catch that." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZGaFrLBgAnHk2BLwG4kHVvMtXPDmOnER44BxXwDnd3mjfYLGo3s0LZssbkqbzi0GvBLuZuTbhAXW0jgqoWid69kOuVS0m8A8qTVgj0rx4W1DUpYH3tA6PHKL9q4jwfuI2exDSREd44ev/s1600/IMG_1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZGaFrLBgAnHk2BLwG4kHVvMtXPDmOnER44BxXwDnd3mjfYLGo3s0LZssbkqbzi0GvBLuZuTbhAXW0jgqoWid69kOuVS0m8A8qTVgj0rx4W1DUpYH3tA6PHKL9q4jwfuI2exDSREd44ev/s320/IMG_1181.JPG" width="240" /></a>My session (titled Adventures in Book Collecting) was pretty well attended (about average for the smaller sessions). There were tons of great questions, and people seemed genuinely interested in learning more when it was done. Of course, my favorite part, was all the smiles at the end. It didn't hurt <a href="http://www.librarything.com/">LibraryThing</a> hooked me up with some great swag to give away! You can't tell, but the guy in the greenish shirt is holding a cue-cat. Everyone else ran away to gloat over their prizes, so I missed photographing about half of the swag winners because I was mobbed by the audience. I should bring an assistant next year. Any volunteers?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7z4o6H09cUmsFcNPkfA12EVnBN1KLvNNqC7eHPD6MF6jExxhYRBPZINIYIYD33KEwIwpkmBQmQ7FDIokH_tzHSjBKGvCvuduihoORgmd9_xziOltwjoJKYyHqnrulqK52UHVwmOd_ijrC/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7z4o6H09cUmsFcNPkfA12EVnBN1KLvNNqC7eHPD6MF6jExxhYRBPZINIYIYD33KEwIwpkmBQmQ7FDIokH_tzHSjBKGvCvuduihoORgmd9_xziOltwjoJKYyHqnrulqK52UHVwmOd_ijrC/s320/IMG_1182.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Since I was in the last time-slot of the last day, the festival was drawing to a close. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to trying it again next year, if they'll have me. <br />
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Attending these kinds of high-quality events, one should be forgiven the temptation to name-drop, so I will only indulge it only once more. <a href="http://www.librarything.com/series/Corduroy+Bear">Corduroy</a>. <br />
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<br />Benjamin L Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00489486832142866020noreply@blogger.com3