Ten Pound Island Book Co.

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Long ago, in my brick-and-mortar days, when there were never enough customers, and money was always short, I’d collapse in despair following the Christmas retail season – which was always a disappointment because not many people bought used books as gifts, despite my incessant promotional agonies. The first weeks of the New Year would inevitably be cold and dark and still, and I’d be exhausted and depressed, wondering where I’d find the energy and courage to keep fighting this losing battle. Then, at the deepest depth in my slough of despond, everything would stop. Time and space would open to infinitude, and suddenly there’d be nothing to worry about, and all the time in the world to not worry about it.

It was time to sit in my chair by the corner widow and read for hours, immersed as deeply in that activity as a bear might be immersed in hibernation, the text my winter dream. After a couple of decades, I wised up and shut the last of my bookstores down, but the habit of hibernation stayed with me. Even now, and for the next few weeks, I’ll be sitting in my chair and reading away, gazing occasionally out the corner window to see how much snow has piled up. By the time the California book fairs roll around I’ll be good to go another season.

This list was inspired by that memory. It consists almost entirely of books that I’ve read or would have enjoyed reading in the depths of winter, hibernating in my chair by the corner window. I might even read a few myself if you don’t buy them. I’ve always been interested in Dahlberg…

NB: To order from this list please send an email to tenpound@tenpound.com state author, title and number of the book(s) you wish to purchase.

Bookman’s Log

A weekly blog of news, gossip, recent adventures and acquisitions, and deep thinking about the antiquarian book trade

Holding steady in my Chair by the Corner Window (see last week’s post). In fact, it’s snowing now, and seems likely to keep snowing for most of the day. This allows me to look up from my book, note the lovely but unwelcoming landscape, and congratulate … More >>