Filed under: Books
I’ve been here…
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since Sunday for work. This is my first time to the Big Apple, so you can imagine my wide-eyed awe when I stepped out of Madison Square Garden into the middle of downtown ((I took the train up from D.C.). I was scheduled to be here for two weeks – two weeks! – but, in keeping with my terrible luck, we ended up finishing in one day. Now I have to go home tomorrow, and I’ve clearly not had enough time to see all I wanted to see.
But, on the bright side, before I leave tomorrow evening, I’m waking up bright and early to go here…
Ah, New York City Public Library – my idea of heaven. If I haven’t chained myself to the library doors (which is highly possible), I’ll go here afterwards…
This bookstore claims to be the home of 18 miles of new and used books. I know, I know, I’m supposed to be avoiding bookstores, but I’ll regret it for the rest of my days if I don’t visit at least one bookstore while I’m here. Hopefully, I’ll be able to exercise some restraint. If not – there isn’t a luggage restriction on Amtrak, is there?
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What terrible luck…finishing up in one day, that way. Here’s hoping that you were able to make the most of the little bit of “book time” that you could squeeze in. I know how frustrated you must feel to be rushed that way.
Comment by Sam Houston September 25, 2007 @ 8:51 pmVery frustrated. Only me…
But, ah well. I’m actually making plans to move up here next year so I suppose the fact that I didn’t get to see much isn’t so bad. Still, a bit disappointing.
Comment by J.S. Peyton September 25, 2007 @ 9:08 pmThe library looks wonderful! Hope you had a good time.
Comment by Nicola September 26, 2007 @ 3:38 pm18 miles?!! Sounds like that’s worth a trip to the Big Apple all on its own!
Comment by Debi September 27, 2007 @ 8:52 am*drool* Enjoy!!! Try not to go too far into debt!
Comment by Heather (errantdreams) September 27, 2007 @ 9:31 amI’ve never been to NYC, but too bad you don’t have more time to explore. I’ve tagged you for a meme. Of course, if you’re too busy I understand. But here it is if you’re interested.
Comment by Eva September 27, 2007 @ 12:34 pmI certainly would be disappointed if you didn’t go into the world famous Strand bookstore, even if you didn’t buy anything.
Comment by kookiejar September 27, 2007 @ 1:16 pmStrand books is a store I’m looking forward to stepping into one day, if only to see how it compares to my hometown bookstore called Powell’s City of Books.
Comment by Christopher September 27, 2007 @ 5:32 pmNicola, I did have a pretty good time, but I didn’t make it to the library!
Ah, well. I intend to return to New York some time in the near future, so hopefully I’ll make it next time.
Yep, 18 miles of sweet, beautiful books, Debi. I wonder exactly who and how they do those calculations. I don’t know if it comes out to 18 miles, but there are a whole lot of books. I spent almost an hour just browsing the $1 books they had on the sidewalk! Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t live in New York.
I didn’t do so bad, Heather. In fact, I did better than I expected. Of course, I went in resolved to stick to my budget, and low and behold, I actually did! Strike up the band and give my my cookies! ;D
Thanks for tagging me Eva! I always have time for memes.
kookiejar, he Strand is world famous?! Well, I guess it’s a good thing I did go there. I hadn’t heard of the Strand until I Googled bookstore and New York. Oh and I did buy something. Several things, in fact.
Christopher, Powell’s City of Books? That sounds mouth-wateringly good. Where do you live again?
Comment by J.S. Peyton September 27, 2007 @ 6:28 pmWow ,how neat but how disappointing not to have more time in New York!
Comment by merrimerri September 27, 2007 @ 11:17 pmI really want to go there one day!
It’s not a bad city at all merrimerri. I liked it a lot, but then I was born a big city girl. I do think the people of New Yorker could use a little bit more politeness in their lives. I want to grab everyone on the sidewalk and say, “Smile! It’s okay!” But, to be fair, I met some really nice people there, and the food is amazing! Not to mention the books…
Comment by J.S. Peyton September 28, 2007 @ 9:57 pmPortland, OR. http://www.powells.com
Comment by Christopher October 1, 2007 @ 6:50 pmJ.S.
Tackle Richard Matheson’s short fiction–it’s even better than his novels. Another full-length effort by the Master you might try is HELL HOUSE (it also provided fodder for the best screen version of Matheson’s oeuvre, though admittedly the movie is quite hard to find). Also have a look at the work of his colleague, Charles Beaumont. I’ve been thinking a lot about horror lately and just finished a post talking about the state of the field today (very sad, full of slasher crap, gore and misogynistic rape/revenge stories).
Thanks for this, always a pleasure to pop by your site.
Comment by Cliff Burns October 5, 2007 @ 11:43 amThanks Cliff. There are some stories at the end of my edition of I AM LEGEND which I’m going to start reading. After I’ve done that I was thinking I’d move to Hell House, and eventually Charles Beaumont. I haven’t been reading much horror lately, but I’ve always been a fan of horror movies as well. There is an excellent article in last month’s Believer mag on the current trend toward slasher flicks, it’s history, and what it says about the state of the field today.
P.S. Not sure if you meant to post this comment here, but if not – don’t worry about it. It’s stupid WordPress, acting up again.
Comment by J.S. Peyton October 5, 2007 @ 12:13 pm