Bookstore Adventure

This afternoon I went to check out local used bookstores for what in my head was the “Columbia Bookstore Tour of Amazingness”.  Nevermind that I only made it to two of my intended three or four stops.  I still had a grand ol’ time!

First, I traveled to Adam’s Walls of Books (I’ve already been there before, and I wrote about that visit here).  The owner told me last weekend that they had a Ralph Waldo Emerson book somewhere and that she’d give me a call if she found it (since I was searching high and low for an Emerson book).  Well she called me just as I was headed out the door to visit her shop again today!  I was stoked to get my mitts on that Emerson book!  Of course, I imagined it to be in a pristine, leather bound edition for only $5…(Haha!)  Well, it wasn’t that pretty, but it was a hardcover and a good collection of Emerson’s works for $8, so I took it.  There’s a clear plastic cover over the dust jacket, so it’s actually nicer than it appears.  And the book is in good condition to boot.

Once I got the Emerson book, I almost immediately stumbled over the cutest 50’s kids book ever.  I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed it the weekend before.  It’s a Golden Book, but it’s a different shape and thicker than most, and it has a good amount of stories in it with super adorable illustrations to match!

(Click the picture of the illustrations below for a larger version.)

After that, I asked the owner if I could take pictures of her store and she gave permission.  So I walked around looking at various things, taking pictures of the signs and the interestingly set up shelves.

I paid for my two new/old books with a promise that I will return sometime and I headed on to the next bookstore, Columbia Books.  This one I had never been to.

Inside I was greeted by rows and rows of used books in excellent condition, a fluffy, laid-back cat named Fred (nevermind that he attempted to bite me), and extremely nice workers (people who I assumed were also the owners, but I could be wrong).

While perusing their shelves I ran across one books by one of my favorite authors, Calvin Miller, and a book of his that I had never heard of before.  I already owned the first book of a trilogy, evidently.  It was great to accidentally run into the second book in the series.

I clutched my newfound book and slowly explored most of the bookstore.  It really was the best used bookstore I have ever seen.  A great variety of books which were in the best of shape.  As I bought the book I spoke with the workers and explained my tour I was on and how much I adored their store.  They were very kind and also allowed me to take the pictures I’m putting in this post, and even suggested featuring Fred the Cat.  As I left I told them I’d most definitely be back.

I had a blast today searching through rows and rows of books, talking with nice book-people, and enjoying the perfect fall weather with a bit of rain.  And I’m looking forward to visiting these stores again sometime!

Note:  All bookstore adventure and book pictures can be found in a set on my Flickr page here.