We continue to go through that collection of pervy comics we’ve been mentioning, but are pleased to announce, for you less inclined folks, that more, um, NORMAL books have been filtering through our hands recently as well. While our imaginariums prefer at times (and we’re speaking about ourselves here) to move into and live in a Memory Palace modeled after the Addams Family mansion, we do also, as oxygen breathing, carbon-based lifeforms, desire a title on earthly subjects as well from time to time, such as animal communication or urban planning. We do welcome the material of an intellectual life into our shop. These are a pronounced addition to this week’s Members New Arrivals list.
Those with more classical tastes can breathe a sign of relief to see standards such as Great Expectations on the list, a lovely copy at that. The Chinese classic The Journey to the West makes an appearance. A positively Celtic work by Lady Gregory, called Cuchulain of Muirthemne (which we pronounce as Chh-mmm-lain-Mth-irr-enne-hnmmm-fmmm) haunts page one, and the sought-after Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant stands proudly, if enigmatically, in the philosophy section.
“All’s well that ends well,” they say. Or Shakespeare said. Or some guy Shakespeare knew said. This makes us wonder, what is the endgame of all these listings, these weekly emails, these appeals to trade and commerce shaped as (perhaps deeply and more accurately known as) a fraternity of Words and Beauty. Is it a constant call into being of language, and community, as was just experienced in the shop between two youngsters puzzling over a Freemason book? WHAT IS THIS THING? they asked. Is it a brief pause of true value in the hustle of invented markets and trash commerce, a calm, compassionate respite beneath the painful weight of Getting By?
Is it that kid who was in here today exclaiming I LOVE SHARKS and then looking at sharks in a book exclaiming again, to everyone, his love of sharks and their sharkiness? Is it a mycelium like growth of arts and antiquarian culture beneath the neo-liberal take-over of our cities, towns and houses? Is it the foolish hopes and dreams of two book nerds from Southwestern Ontario who should have moved to New York when they still had a chance? Is it the discreetly authored character of a niche population’s dreams, written in second hand titles on shelves to be discovered by themselves, cycling into eternity?
WE HAVE NO IDEA.
We just pay the hydro bill. We tend the garden. Not like some Lord of the Manor but like some edgy and listless caretaker who discovered this derelict graveyard some years ago and weirdly charges people to see it, warning all to stay after dark only if you dare. It’s a dream come true, really, and we barely make it out alive each day. Nevertheless, it calls us back, time and time again, to forage and discover, as we hope it calls to you as well.
Here are some of the bones and treasures we have found.
Much love,
Jason and Vanessa