Jason and I have many quirky similarities.
We both love fine pens, and both have pen collections.
When we met years ago, we had the same favorite pizza – mushroom and pineapple.
We are both picky about toothpaste.
We both love old bookstores, and what an old book smells like.
In Las Vegas last week, we spent a very interesting and really great three hours at Bauman Rare Books. We were in Heaven.
Wow. Extremely old, super impressive, and very expensive.
We wandered around for a bit, and when he must have realized we were very interested folk and not “oops, we stumbled into some kind of book museum” folk, Eric approached us. We took the next 90 minutes of his time, and and some very interesting conversation! I am jealous of his job!
Jason had a question about Hamilton’s Federalist Papers, and Eric took us into the library and showed us the paper. It is amazing – an essay from 1788, the size of a newspaper. $32,000. An interesting conversation came with our viewing.
I don’t know how Eric picked up on this, but he somehow knew to bring me this:
In high school I was super interested in all things Ginsberg, Kerouac, Kesey. I asked if he’d mind me taking a few photos, as I couldn’t justify the $2500 price tag (could I?).
Jello Biafra! He is many, many things, but will always be, to me, the awesomeness of the Dead Kennedys.
A GREAT photo of Ken Kesey:
If a movie of Ken Kesey was made, Philip Seymour Hoffman would be the best choice to play him. Right?
My favorite actor… who really deserves his own post.
Then? I asked him about cookbooks.
ah, MFK Fisher! 
I am currently reading through all of the books the fabulous Ruth Reichl, and I would love this book. Again, a bit out of my price range as a well preserved First Edition.
Even though this cookbook was entirely in Italian…
I wanted it still.
I could totally make these recipes.
If you find yourself in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, or New York and you find yourself a book lover, get yourself to a Bauman Rare Book shop. It is time well spent.
What is your favorite book?
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite book is a tough decision. I have to say the most influential and best would be Everybody Poops. Because, you know, it’s true.
I also love Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Killer Angels, and Wuthering Heights,
Awesome! I would spend so much time in Bauman’s. I need to check it out next time I’m in Vegas. The books I want to see are anything by Oscar Wilde or Edgar Allan Poe.
yep – great first editions of both.
ha ! yep, it is true…
I love Huck Finn.
My favorite book is “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. I cry every time I read it!
I LOVE Shel Silverstein!!
I knew I liked you for a reason
I can spend hours in vintage book stores just looking and reading…
Favorite book? There are hundreds, but the one that comes to mind is A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L’Engle.
That last comment was me, btw… I was logged in as Amanda from Two Boos!!!
well, HELLO THERE !
yes.. we spent hours here… and we are lucky to have Powell’s… one of Jason’s friends works in Rare Books for Powell’s, which is great too!
OMG, love the smell of bookstores – both new and old. I worked for Waldenbooks for 5 years and still love that smell. I am a book junkie – must be hardback too please, thank you.
if it’s a book I know I want to keep (my favorite authors, cookbooks…) then YES to hardcover… for the “beach reading” and things I plow through in a day, soft is fine. No Kindle for me!
Mushroom and pineapple? Funky combo but now I want to try it. And the Dead Kennedys rock!!
no kidding, right?? makes it that much weirder that it was a favorite to both of us…
WOO Dead Kennedys!!
Where in Vegas was this? It looks amazing.
I have a pen collection too, though mine aren’t exactly “fine pens”, they are fun and silly. And a favorite book? Can’t even imagine picking just one.
This was in the Venetian / Palazzo Shops. We LOVED it…
I can’t pick one. Atlas Shrugged is one of my favorites. Way on the opposite extreme, I love children’s books. The Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown. Just thinking about that book calms me. I used to read it to my son over and over again at bedtime. Much better than her Goodnight Moon IMHO. I collect children’s Christmas books and have many favorites there. I am addicted to hardcover books. I can’t see myself ever buying a Kindle.
Your bookstore experience was wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
Shirley
oh, Shirley, I completely agree!! I cannot imagine not being able to hold a book, turn a page, smell that awesome book smell… Kindle Free Zone!
I looove rare book stores!
I spent probably 2 hours in one in Ireland and I was in heaven. There was no way I could afford any of them, but I can dream
oh, yeah… same here… the ones I REALLY wanted were REALLY expensive. Jason almost bought me a First Edition Omnivore’s Dilemma !!
How fun! I love shops like that…and I love books:)
Let’s see…I honestly tried, but cannot decide on a favorite book! I have so many and they’re all so different.
So cool that you guys have so many quirky things in common!
ha… sorry, Candice… tough question, I know! I have so many book loves I can’t answer either!!
I ama obsessed with that store. Andy and I browse through it everytime we are in Las Vegas. Everytime! I want to buy a copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird” but the price is way too rich for my blood.
I know. he gave us a catalog… I looked at it the whole plane ride home.
I love old bookstores and I love that you spent so much time in one! My fave book by far is Red Tent by Anita Diamant. What a wonderful book!
this book store is truly amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it… except for the rare book section of our beloved Powell’s !