A PILGRIMMAGE TO BOOK MECCA

Chamblin's Book Mine recently added an annex to help house their over a million books. Before the first time I visited Chamblin's several years ago, I wondered why it was called a "book mine." As soon as I set foot inside, I understood why. Long narrow corridors run between shelves packed with books.



You can literally get lost in the maze of shelves. And you can literally find almost anything there. For example, before Edward Whittemore was available in the Old Earth reprints, I used to go to Chamblin's to pick up copies of Whittemore's paperbacks, used, for redistribution to friends and possible reviewers. Every time I went, for many years, they would have at least two or three of them, sometimes more. Because they buy almost everything anybody brings in, and they buy multiple copies of the same book. I really think this bookstore is better than the Strand at this point, much as I liked the Strand. For used, as opposed to remaindered, books, Chamblin's is the place. Granted, I've never been to Powell's, but on the East Coast at least I can't think of another place like it.

So today Ann's taking me up to Jacksonville so that tomorrow I can strap on an IV and spend a good eight to ten hours in Chamblin's, looking through their entire stock. Of special interest--their history, travel book, trade paperback fiction, and mystery/suspense sections, all of which are comprehensive, deep, and wide.

As is traditional now, when I return I will list the books I've picked up there, along with brief descriptions.

Jeff

(Evil Monkey: "What's this I hear about Kameron Hurley guest blogging in August." Jeff: "It's true. Looks like she'll be guest blogging on this blog for a week or two. I'm psyched." Evil Monkey: "Awesome! Brutal Women kicks ass.")