Things I Like - Books

Book stores are special places. No matter where I might be traveling, I can walk into a bookstore and immediately be at home. And while I'm not above ordering from Amazon every now and then, there is something about wandering up and down the aisles of a bookstore -seeing old friends, finding something new from an author you've read before or discovering a completely new voice, that you just don't get from the on-line experience.

Anyone who reads a lot likely has a favorite bookstore, maybe even more than one. The three below often show up on current lists of best bookstores and for good reason. Although the big chains like Borders and Barnes & Noble will have bigger inventories of current titles, I have never walked out of one of these three without having found something of interest that I am pretty sure would be hard to find at one of the chains. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend stopping in to browse.

City Lights in San Francisco

I first walked into City Lights in 1986 when I was in San Francisco for work. Probably not the best place for mainstream fiction (it's the smallest of the 3) but definitely the place if you're looking for anything unusual, thought provoking, alternative, progressive...

Almost more interesting than what you'll find in the store is the store's history. Check out their website to learn more about this historical place founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin. http://www.citylights.com/

The Strand in NYCThe Strand is a used bookstore. Let me re-phrase, the Strand is a used bookstore of unequaled size and selection.

Inside the Strand - 18 miles of books...It's easy to get lost in this place, I've only made it up to the top floor once in the many times I've been here. There's just too much on the ground floor and in the basement (where they keep the review copies of new titles) to explore. And although I am not a big fan of the makeover they did a couple years ago - I much preferred the books packed in so tight that you could hardly walk down the aisles - they still have the feel of an old school hardware store, one where you're not sure what treasure is waiting for you in the next bin. Their website is just as fun - check it out to see what they've got in stock now as well as for info on some of their special services like 'Books by the Foot' for decorating and design needs. http://www.strandbooks.com/

Kramer Books in D.C.

Kramer Books is probably my favorite of the three. I found this perfect bookstore in 1989 when I lived in D.C. for 9 months. In addition to a great place for brunch or lunch as well as live music on weekend evenings, Kramer Books has the best selection of fiction and non-fiction I have ever run across. While not as large as the chains, their selection of popular science, history and political titles is so well put together that all but the most esoteric interests are covered. On the fiction side of the house, they have all the expected authors and titles plus options that you don't find in the chains, at least not until they hit the best seller list. A great place for finding something new and interesting plus you can take your purchase to the cafe and get started reading immediately!
http://www.kramers.com/

So what's missing from my list? I don't have a favorite bookstore in Chicago. I used to love Aspidistra, the used bookstore on north Clark that closed years ago but I haven't found anything to take its place. Powell's Books has been recommended and I'll check out the Wabash location next time I'm downtown but I don't see myself taking the train down to Hyde Park for the original location. And given the current economy, new independent bookstores are not likely any time soon. I have a feeling that I'm going to need another trip to DC soon.