tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post6571097379451007720..comments2024-03-19T03:21:49.937-04:00Comments on SleuthSayers: Book ’Em, PaulieLeigh Lundinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-63039993559167132152018-03-08T15:04:50.988-05:002018-03-08T15:04:50.988-05:00Great article Paul! I grew up going to Bob's B...Great article Paul! I grew up going to Bob's Bookstore in Highland Park. Bob was a bookie who ran his biz out of the store. My older brother would go in dressed in a long Army surplus jacket and shoplift like crazy. He ended it up with just about every Doc Savage book written. You can't experience that shopping online.Lawrence Maddoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03057386966178865691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-10391418690271561862018-03-08T12:09:36.320-05:002018-03-08T12:09:36.320-05:00Yes Paul, by the ocean would be a perfect location...Yes Paul, by the ocean would be a perfect location for a bookstore/café/coffeehouse. And of course it would have the most complete selection of books on The Beatles of any store anywhere. :)Evelyn Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12882459807311789522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-75552771830228001962018-03-07T18:37:51.762-05:002018-03-07T18:37:51.762-05:00I should have figured you bought the book, Eve. Th...I should have figured you bought the book, Eve. That is such a cool thing. And some day if I get to Omaha I hope you’ll give me a tour of all those bookstores.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-54619813914447833082018-03-07T18:37:32.323-05:002018-03-07T18:37:32.323-05:00Thanks, Lida. I had fun working on that, it's ...Thanks, Lida. I had fun working on that, it's pretty off the wall. And yes, there used to be a ton of really wonderful bookstores, but I’m hoping there’s a renaissance of sorts. And Santa Barbara is a beautiful place, but not that big. So the fact that it can support five bookstores is terrific.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-43633853105575488782018-03-07T09:41:39.337-05:002018-03-07T09:41:39.337-05:00Paul - of course I bought that book! And learned ...Paul - of course I bought that book! And learned a lot about the League of Nations. Still have it.<br />BTW, Jackson Street Booksellers, The Mystery Bookstore, and the Bookworm in Omaha are all worth a stop. (A few years ago, I cleaned out Jackson Street of every Maigret in French that they had. I'm hoping they've gotten a few more...)Eve Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03015761600962360110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-23229076233487634972018-03-07T08:55:05.332-05:002018-03-07T08:55:05.332-05:00I love the title of your short story, Paul - congr...I love the title of your short story, Paul - congrats to you! And yes, being a former Angeleno, I remember and miss so many lovely bookstores. But the area I live in now (Santa Barbara) has five(!) bookstores which are going strong, including the wonderful Chaucer's and The Book Loft. Nothing quite like the feel and scent of books. Great post!Lida Siderishttp://www.lidasideris.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-48932328210154198652018-03-07T02:01:50.755-05:002018-03-07T02:01:50.755-05:00Evelyn, I also have/had a fantasy of owning a book...Evelyn, I also have/had a fantasy of owning a bookstore – well, a bookstore/coffee shop/café. Maybe we can pool our resources and go into biz together. And on the shore would be a good place :-) . And, of course, we'd have a huge section just on the Beatles (Evelyn will get this).Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-71456447131775157432018-03-07T01:59:20.146-05:002018-03-07T01:59:20.146-05:00Thanks, Barb. Yeah, those times with my mom are so...Thanks, Barb. Yeah, those times with my mom are some of my best memories of her. And we did it fairly frequently for a long time. Wish we still could.<br /><br />And congratulations on your Bouchercon story.<br />Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-14926488735825259502018-03-07T01:17:18.110-05:002018-03-07T01:17:18.110-05:00Paul I agree that there's nothing like being i...Paul I agree that there's nothing like being in a bookstore and being able to physically open a book and browse. I managed a bookstore for a couple of years (Waldenbooks then Borders Express) and it was great but a lot of hard work. Books are heavy! My favorite brick and mortars that I visit on occasion are Small World in Venice, Mystery Ink in HB, and Barnes & Noble in Manhattan Beach. I have had a long time fantasy of owning my own bookstore; maybe someday, when I am independently wealthy. ;)Evelyn Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12882459807311789522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-62742344153411426812018-03-06T23:48:38.042-05:002018-03-06T23:48:38.042-05:00I love that you and your mom used to leave booksto...I love that you and your mom used to leave bookstores with your arms filled with books. A love of reading is one of the best things a parent can instill in a child. Good blog!<br /><br />And thanks, Paul and everyone, about the Bouchercon anthology. I'm honored to have one of my stories in a book with those of Paul and John and so many other fine writers. Barb Goffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16013123434790272424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-25323725757052589572018-03-06T22:55:22.842-05:002018-03-06T22:55:22.842-05:00Thanks for all the recommendations, Joe.Thanks for all the recommendations, Joe.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-34467493295715806972018-03-06T22:36:03.635-05:002018-03-06T22:36:03.635-05:00Denver Book Mall, West Side Books, and Capitol Hil...Denver Book Mall, West Side Books, and Capitol Hill Books in Denver... Strand and Mercer Street Books in New York... Green Apple Books in San Francisco... J. L. Abramohttp://www.jlabramo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-45916560245764581252018-03-06T21:35:57.307-05:002018-03-06T21:35:57.307-05:00That’s a great story about getting lost in time in...That’s a great story about getting lost in time in the Book Stop, Leigh. And you should be glad your girlfriend believed you. And I better quit on that one while I’m ahead and before I say something I shouldn’t ;-) .<br /><br />And that’s too bad about the B&N changing the store they bought. I think ambience is important, but the most important ambience is just the books. The store in Ohio sounds like it has/had ambience plus. That sounds like a great place. As does the one in Edmonton. There’s still some places like those around, but I guess it’s harder and harder for them to say afloat, which is a true bummer.<br /><br />And thanks for the congratulations. I wrote a pretty off the wall story and had a fun time doing it.<br />Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-13075562650745864452018-03-06T21:09:30.506-05:002018-03-06T21:09:30.506-05:00A few days ago, a friend and I were discussing boo...A few days ago, a friend and I were discussing book stores. We had a local chain called Book Stop that I spent more than a little time and money in. I landed in one in the afternoon. When to my surprise they announced they were closing, I looked up to find it was nearly 10p and dark outside. I’m not sure which was worse, explaining to my girlfriend that I lost six hours out of the day in a book shop, or that she believed me.<br /><br />Both Book Stop and Borders offered sofas and armchairs, which I sank into for hours at a time. I doubt I ever left the stores without half a dozen books. Months after Borders pulled out chairs and couches, it closed. Barnes & Nobel bought out the large 2-storey Book Stop east of downtown. They yanked out the sofas and overstuffed chairs. My attendance trickled off until I realized I haven’t visited the store in years, one I’d practically lived in, one I used to drive out of my way to camp there. It no longer felt welcoming.<br /><br />I admired a small book store in Dublin, Ohio. They ladies who ran it understood the art of making visitors comfortable. They’d broken up the long, narrow premises into chambers. The first was separated from the second by a small bench and chairs in a garden motif, and then near the back, another garden-like sitting area invited one to sit, sip, and read.<br /><br />Another wonderful place was a multi-storey store complete with bookstore cats in Strathcona, an arty suburb of Edmonton, Albert, Canada. Besides new and used books, they carried 1950s issues of Mike Shayne, Black Mask, EQMM, and AHMM, as well as Playboy. (Just reporting the facts, ma’am.) THAT was a bookstore!<br /><br /><br />Congratulations to you, Barb and John!<br />Leigh Lundinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-77045727991866020562018-03-06T20:00:08.409-05:002018-03-06T20:00:08.409-05:00Thanks for the updates, Jeff. And for the link on ...Thanks for the updates, Jeff. And for the link on Facebook. I’ll check it out.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-48192810021688111532018-03-06T19:59:46.922-05:002018-03-06T19:59:46.922-05:00I hope your dreams come true, Gayle. It would be n...I hope your dreams come true, Gayle. It would be nice to see bookstores come back. Maybe they are to some extent. And I’ve also seen a lot of them bite the dust, but hopefully that trend will slow.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-54852364457317905402018-03-06T19:59:28.275-05:002018-03-06T19:59:28.275-05:00Thanks, R.T. And I did sort of the same thing as y...Thanks, R.T. And I did sort of the same thing as you, wandering various bookstores here and there. It’s how I got much of my David Goodis collection when virtually nothing of his was in print anymore.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-39478488142329539972018-03-06T19:59:01.046-05:002018-03-06T19:59:01.046-05:00Thanks, Maggie. And I used to go to Dutton’s too. ...Thanks, Maggie. And I used to go to Dutton’s too. I wonder if we ever crossed paths without knowing it. I still prefer paper books, but I also read about 50% on ebooks these days. And if I’m ever in Richmond I’ll have to check out those stores, hopefuly when you’re doing a launch at one of them. I’ve also wanted to open a bookstore-café forever, but I think it’s one of those dreams that probably won’t be fulfilled.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-68382075316348113212018-03-06T19:58:41.725-05:002018-03-06T19:58:41.725-05:00Thanks, Melodie. I’ve been to Burlington (I assume...Thanks, Melodie. I’ve been to Burlington (I assume you mean Vermont). It’s where my dad’s from and some of his family is still there. So maybe if/when I go back I’ll be able to check out Different Drummer. And if I ever get to Toronto Sleuth of Baker Street will be on the agenda.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-28942704781763408982018-03-06T19:58:14.461-05:002018-03-06T19:58:14.461-05:00Wow, Eve. I hope you bought that book and the Leag...Wow, Eve. I hope you bought that book and the Leage of Nations documents. That is so cool. I also like going into bookstores in cities I don’t live in. Makes me feel at home. Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-79155532028491920352018-03-06T12:51:33.614-05:002018-03-06T12:51:33.614-05:00I stand corrected---the Fitzgerald Theater is in S...I stand corrected---the Fitzgerald Theater is in St. Paul!Jeff Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00316081079528920123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-57402904408230557392018-03-06T12:48:38.967-05:002018-03-06T12:48:38.967-05:00Paul, the theater is still there; it's the one...Paul, the theater is still there; it's the one they used to do "Prairie Home Companion" out of!Jeff Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00316081079528920123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-19932218170907060222018-03-06T12:42:56.753-05:002018-03-06T12:42:56.753-05:00Your post was painful to read, Paul. I watched hal...Your post was painful to read, Paul. I watched half a dozen bookstores die around my area and it's hard to do. I was the assistant manager at a Walden's years ago for a year and a half. It was in the Glendale Galleria. We had the distinction of being the second most profitable store in their chain. The top grossing one was in Washington, D.C. People actually bought books back then. Real books. It was wonderful. I heard a rumor that people are going back to actually reading real books, not e-books. But then again, if people are reading, we are half way there to seeing bookstores come back. I can dream, can't I?GBPoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12190573764848658894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-76274786772785656442018-03-06T11:00:50.045-05:002018-03-06T11:00:50.045-05:00I share your love of bookstores and regret the dem...I share your love of bookstores and regret the demise of them in malls which gave me a place to go while the wife was shopping. Back in 1971, when I was in Basic Agent school at 14th and I Street, I'd roam D.C. on weekends off to find bookstores. That's where my collection of Chester Himes paperback novels about Coffin Ed and Gravedigger Jones in Harlem got started.<br /><br />Congrats to you, Barb and John on getting into the B'con anthology.R.T. Lawtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15523486296396710227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-88523306025994661082018-03-06T10:59:29.097-05:002018-03-06T10:59:29.097-05:00As I’m also a devotee of bookstores (and libraries...As I’m also a devotee of bookstores (and libraries) this post is near and dear to my heart. Back in the early nineties my friend Linda met every other Thursday at the Soup Plantation in Brentwood, then went next door to Dutton’s to spend 1-2 hours browsing. I thought about opening a used bookstore, but that never happened.<br /><br />I don’t spend enough time in bookstores now. And, while I still read paper and ink books, I often read ebooks now---mostly a concession to my aging eyes. I don’t think I’d have managed War and Peace without my Nook. <br /><br />The Little Bookshop is a charming indy bookstore in Richmond that just opened about 2 years ago. And The Fountain Bookstore is in a historic part of Richmond on a cobblestone street. I’ve had two book launches there. Paul, I’ve been in every one of the LA stores you mentioned and loved them all.<br /><br />I could go on and on about bookstores, but maybe I should just write my own post. Thanks, Paul. Congrats to you, John, and Barb on your Bouchercon stories.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com