The Book Shopper

Cape Cod Book Shopping

Book shopping and vacationing on Cape Cod don't necessarily mix, because there are quaint book shops everywhere demanding to be browsed. Too much book shopping followed by subsequent reading can cause one to miss hiking through  amazing scenery like the Provincetown dunes on the Cape Cod National Seashore (pictured above, where we are being led by my daughter, Cynthia.)  

With this in mind, Denise and I planned our book shopping during the rainy and cold part of the week as we visited bookshops in Provincetown, Wellfleet, Chatham, East Sandwich, and Brewster. Shown here, clockwise from the upper left are: Tim's Used Books in Provincetown, R.M. Titcomb Book Seller in East Sandwich, Herridge Books in Wellfleet,  and Provincetown Books in Provincetown. (Note the general overcast tone of the photos.)

   At Herridge's checkout, I mentioned how much I liked the W flag outside the door, and the clerk said, "You must be a Cubs fan", but she quickly set me straight that the flag meant "W for Wellfleet" instead of "W for a Cub win." As  a vexillophile, I wanted to take umbrage of the misappropriation of a flag's primary purpose as a symbol, but since Denise had found a copy of her long-sought Compass Rose (2010)  by John Casey, the sequel to Spartina (1989), I let it pass.

Book shopping also included the quaint Cap Cod Canal Visitor Center, where I purchased Dava Sobel's  Longitude (1995), which tells the 18th century story of how European scientists, mathematicians and astronomers, and finally a skilled and indefatigable carpenter solved the riddle of measuring longitude. Being able to navigate accurately was of paramount importance, and the historical and naval aspects of the book seem to fit my time near the ocean.  

Note (once again) the gray sky in the picture of the visitor center below. I am not complaining, though. Cape Cod provides a great mix of all the leisure activities I like, indoors or out: hiking, eating, napping and browsing. Sounds like an idea for a Cape Cod-themed flag.

 

 

Down & Outbound at Printed Matter Inc.

While in New York City, I was able to make a "sales" call on behalf of Down & Outbound at Printed Matter Inc. the world renowned book art store in the hip neighborhood of Chelsea. When I first published Down and Outbound I mailed a submission of the book for their store-gallery, but unfortunately it was rejected. Although no one likes rejection, I appreciated getting a resp0nse, which does not often happen.

I also admire Printed Matter for their book-as-art mentality. Although many of their offerings do have that made-in-the-garage feel, there is an edgy cleverness to many of the books in their store.  Two of my favorites have been  The High Line: A Field Guide and Handbook (2015?)and Brian Dillon's book of essays, Objects in This Mirror (2014), which, by the way, has been reviewed on Amazon only by me.

Sales Call

But this time I was not buying, I was selling.  I brought in a copy of Down & Outbound and interrupted the clerk who was eating his lunch.  I confessed that I had submitted the book before, but this time had traveled from Atlanta --  and like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz --  I had  "come  a long, long way" to resubmit in person. Instead of calling security,  he took the book and thumbed through it after considerately wiping the mayo and shredded kale from his hands.

"Here is the secret of Down & Outbound " I told him. "It fits so nicely in one's hand; Notice how the soft black comb binding doesn't pinch, it massages the sensual area between the thumb and the index finger, which gives the book a soothing pet-like quality." I could see him falling under its spell.  I encouraged him to keep the book and enjoy it:  "I am always looking for good homes for the book," I added.

He agreed to keep the book (victory!) and allowed me to add the Down and Outbound promotional postcards to their stack of giveaways. So  stop by Printed Matter, and  pick up one of the postcards to use as a handsome bookmark or send a note to a friend or better yet, present it to the front desk and ask where you could buy this book.

 

Let the Arrow Guide You