There's Nothing like an Old Book

I can't quite explain why but, as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing more relaxing than visit to a used book store.

No, I'm not talking about one of those shopping strip mall alphabetized, computerized, bar-coded places with high school-aged sales clerks that have trouble reading a book's title; but an honest to God real used book store. And you can quote me on this: there aren't many of those to be found.

Fortunately, I live in Albuquerque (the place where Bugs Bunny always made a wrong turn) which also happens to be the home of one of the last used book stores of the old school: Downtown Books.

Downtown Books is about as close to bibliophile heaven as one can get without having to risk the results of a one to one conversation with Saint Peter. Its owner, chief financial officer and purchasing agent Scott Free (yes, that's his name) has assembled an inventory of titles that the "chain stores" will not stock due to low demand or, more importantly, are out of print.

Another feature of stores such as Downtown Books is that a telephone call will put you in touch with someone that actually knows what is on the shelf. For someone with limited mobility, such as your humble correspondent, this can save wear and tear on a body that's already worn and torn. Additionally, the proprietors of such establishments tend to remember their customers' special interests such as particular authors or subjects.

In testimony to the above, I am fascinated by the life and literary career of H.L. Mencken and will devour practically anything written by or about him. Scott, knowing my passion for all things Mencken, will set aside anything on those subjects until my next visit. This must be a good arrangement because I have, strategically located within arm's reach of my computer, about 2 feet of bookshelf space (11 hardcover and 3 paperbacks) devoted to "The Sage of Baltimore." All but 3 of these books were purchased at Downtown Books.

Over my years of frequenting such establishments, I've developed what I call the Cultural Anthropology of Bookstores (CABs). The fundamental theorem of CABs is very simple: a quick look at what's on the shelf at Downtown Books, or in any other used book store, can tell you quite a lot about the surrounding city, town or community.

As an example, since Albuquerque is the home of the main campus of the University of New Mexico, an active visual arts community, as well as Sandia National Laboratory, it isn't surprising to find entire sections devoted to major branches of the arts and sciences such as art history, classical literature, or even high energy and optical physics.

I could go on and on about the merits of businesses such as Downtown Books, but I will spare the reader any more of my (semi-impersonal) comments but make but one request.

Your mind is like muscle tissue: the more you use it the stronger it gets.Pay a visit to your nearest used bookstore and exercise your mind..

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Downtown Books

109 8^th St. SW (Corner of 8^th and Gold)

Albuquerque, NM 87102