Oh and really glad that you got Greatest Hits! It's got me to be revisiting Harlan's work, listening to the audio book, and my Wade professional opinion is there are ups and downs but not the ones that the internet says. . .
As promised, Part 2, "The New" has arrived! I learned something new watching this as well: there's a hardcover and then there's laminated boards. Thanks for another good take, Richard! Cheers.
Thank you, Richard! I wasn’t expecting a picture of my page. Lovely new haul and bmv seems like an interesting location (and a bonus that they sell online). Enjoy the new reads!
"I had so many books I wasn't sure I could fit them all in my luggage" Classic! Sounds like it was a great trip Richard. And I see the Lensmen poster has already made it up onto your wall!
I’ve been trying to be more intentional with my background so that poster was perfect. On the luggage bit, I did ship some books by Canada Post. Will be asking used bookstores if they had shipping options on future trips.
If you would like a recommendation the first, and most obvious is Powell's books in Portland Oregon. It's a whole city block. A number of the buildings have either had walls opened up between them or have little tunnels connecting them "habitrail" style so you don't have to go into the Portland weather with your shopping! They are huge. They are kind. And they deserve your business. As book stores all over the United States die because young people do not know how to shop, Powell's often buys the entire inventory. I've come across whole sections that are all stamped with the same used book stores logo on the front page or inside cover of a book; it's like discovering a whole town that was slotted to be destroyed by the Nazis was quietly ushered into a cave and and someone said : "just wait, you'll have a chance to get back in the light again. . . " Their website (sadly) gives no impression as to how remarkable they are. It is well-loved and revered by authors who do new book signings there as well, a great book community attaches itself, and as of the last time I went there it's about a block away from an excellent brew pub. . .
You’re the second viewer to recommend Powell’s. Great description! I have a brother in California so I may have to make a detour to Portland before heading south someday.
I'm glad you got so many cool, exotic scores and at good prices! I didn't know Land Under England had a new printing! Kind of folk horror / kinda weird tale /and Roman stuff. . . Thanks for sharing your trip and the cool books/ bookstores with us! Oh, and the Songs of the Kesh album is on UA-cam (of course).
With my annual trip to the US coming up, I ordered several SF Masterworks to refresh my supply 😅 Authors include Zelazny, Lafferty, Strugatsky, Moorcock, Tevis, Russ, Womack and Harrison.
For whatever reason I don’t see the SF Masterworks Lafferty around very often. I already have ‘The Best of Lafferty’ in a Tor Essential so I’m not looking to purchase it.
I've never made it to Toronto, but I'm eager to go check it out. As I think about it...I've never stepped foot in Canada...going to have to remedy that.
Ah, Toronto - my city, my home! BMV is fine, especially the flagship store (I'm due for a trip), but I remember when this city was loaded with Used Bookstores; Yonge St. between Bloor and Queen; along Queen St. W; Harbord St.; and various isolated stores that would be worth the trip, now and then...all gone now. My last BMV haul was of course SF Masterworks stuff - H. G. Wells, Stapledon, and some Gwyneth Jones. Over in their Mystery section, I grabbed up a whole bunch of Hammett and Chandler a few years ago, when I went on a hard-boiled and noir kick. I hope you enjoy Limbo, and Land Under England, when you get to them. I actually ended up prefering Kairos over White Queen, when it comes to Gwyneth Jones, even though White Queen was the one recommended in an SF reading guide. Just shows - sometimes give an author who disappointed, but did some things right, one more chance. Even at BMV, years ago, I used to find more gems, hard to find SF or Mystery titles, more rarities that I would actually want to buy, after much seeking. Those were the good old days. Now the trip is on to the internet, for shopping.
Sounds like a great haul, Richard. I'm looking forward to you views on the Roger Zelazny books. Lord of Light has always been a favorite of mine, given my boyhood in India and my interest in Buddhism. Granted, his portrayal is nothing like the real thing, but it is plausible and fun. I was fortunate to grow up while Zelazny was first making his mark with his short stories. I've always maintained that you can't really appreciate him without understanding them, so The Best Of Roger Zelazny is a great place to start. Ironically, ‘A Rose For Ecclesiastes’ and ‘The Doors Of His Face, The Lamps Of His Mouth’ were written during the last gasp of the Planetary Romance age. Between the time they were sent off and when they were first published, the Mars and Venus probes had sent back their surveys and totally undercut the basis of the stories. Didn't stop them from getting Hugo nominations, though.
I'll take your advice and start with 'The Best of Roger Zelazny'. Science certainly doesn't get in the way of my enjoying older works of SF. A good story always wins out.
I'll be interested in your review of Starship Troopers. I've been a fan of Heinlein since I first read him in middle school. Many of his stories I've read multiple times. I only read Starship Troopers once and I did enjoy it but for some reason never felt the need to read it again. I'm not sure why. Grammaticus has done some very enjoyable videos about both Heinlein and his books over on his channel.
Grammaticus is part of the reason why I want to do an "Upon Further Review" video of 'Starship Trooper'. I came into the novel expecting end to end fighting and there really are only a couple of scenes bookending what is the meat of the book. More in a future video.
Okay if we're making store recommendations I'll give you two different ends on the spectrum of excellence: When in New York City, obviously you must go to the Strand. Although it is not as impressive as a warehouse in Detroit, or Powell's, it is still a serious multi-story bookstore with a little something for everyone. The last time I was there was definitely a few years ago, but they still had copies of Ursula K Le Guin's "Always Coming Home" WITH the cassette tape with recordings of the songs and the poems of the Kesh!! This may sound odd, but there is an absolute delight of a used bookstore in coastal Connecticut! Whenever business took me to that part of the world I had to add an extra day to just go to the Book Barn in Niantic. It started off as a multi-storey barn, then the books spread to other buildings on the grounds (and the picnic area, and a place for kids to play, and a small petting zoo. . . ) but as the years went by it kept growing and it has another three buildings in downtown Niantic a full six or seven minute drive from the bucolic Barn setting! A simply lovely place to have lunch, beneath the trees surrounded by the books. . . Free coffee and donuts inside for shoppers!
Now I have a regret. When leaving Boston I considered visiting the Book Barn. It was a bit out of the way but sounded so interesting. Next time! Copying your note to my bookshop recommendation note.
@@vintagesf you still would have had the same shipping problem to contend with, I didn't want a whole day, go splash in the water, buy local food, perhaps visit Mystic Seaport, etc
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your book sources with us! It is both thoughtful and kind. I just looked at their website (at least as it appears in the USA w/o telling the site) And they had NONE of the interesting choices you showed us! Not your fault! Not your sinister master plan, I know, put so many of the books you showing were unusual and interesting, I go there and it's like 4 HG wells, Flowers for Algernon, Philip K Dick, Inverted World & 1984. Didn't they know you were going to be promoting them?😂
Would love for everyone interested to get their hands on the SF Masterworks. Tough for us in the North American market, especially with the obstacle of shipping.
@@vintagesf it's a love-hate thing with me. I think I've mentioned here some of my reasons for outright hating what Gollancz has done, and I don't want to make you feel bad about wanting to collect them! But the fact that they've designed a book line to be sold primarily at remaindered prices while keeping your ability to select specific issues to paying the full "retail price" is kind of underhanded. Doubly so since dead authors aren't seeing any of that money. But, . . I'm sorry, you were saying something nice and I think I started yelling in the street. . .
@@waltera13 The typesetting, spelling errors and design can be sloppy at times. On the consumer side I’m happy to see an economic physical option to purchase. I do wonder about the contracts with the estates of these writers.
@@vintagesf it's nice of you to offer me a conciliatory hand but I don't think I should be raining on your parade after all the swell books you just got! Some other time I should get into it, but for now enjoy!! and thank you for sharing the road trip. I have been wondering about that place in Detroit!
Tau Zero channel
www.youtube.com/@TauZeroSF
BMV website
bmvbookshop.com/
Rarewaves website
www.rarewaves.com/
Oh and really glad that you got Greatest Hits! It's got me to be revisiting Harlan's work, listening to the audio book, and my Wade professional opinion is there are ups and downs but not the ones that the internet says. . .
As promised, Part 2, "The New" has arrived! I learned something new watching this as well: there's a hardcover and then there's laminated boards. Thanks for another good take, Richard! Cheers.
Learned about laminated boards from Stephen E. Andrews the Outlaw Bookseller. Great resource and teacher for this channel.
If you ever make it to Portland Oregon Powell's bookstore is the biggest and best used bookstore I've even been in. It is legendary.
Adding to my notes on used bookstores. Thanks!
Thank you, Richard! I wasn’t expecting a picture of my page. Lovely new haul and bmv seems like an interesting location (and a bonus that they sell online). Enjoy the new reads!
You're welcome! Looking forward to the future of your channel!
"I had so many books I wasn't sure I could fit them all in my luggage" Classic! Sounds like it was a great trip Richard. And I see the Lensmen poster has already made it up onto your wall!
I’ve been trying to be more intentional with my background so that poster was perfect. On the luggage bit, I did ship some books by Canada Post. Will be asking used bookstores if they had shipping options on future trips.
If you would like a recommendation the first, and most obvious is Powell's books in Portland Oregon. It's a whole city block. A number of the buildings have either had walls opened up between them or have little tunnels connecting them "habitrail" style so you don't have to go into the Portland weather with your shopping! They are huge. They are kind. And they deserve your business. As book stores all over the United States die because young people do not know how to shop, Powell's often buys the entire inventory. I've come across whole sections that are all stamped with the same used book stores logo on the front page or inside cover of a book; it's like discovering a whole town that was slotted to be destroyed by the Nazis was quietly ushered into a cave and and someone said : "just wait, you'll have a chance to get back in the light again. . . "
Their website (sadly) gives no impression as to how remarkable they are.
It is well-loved and revered by authors who do new book signings there as well, a great book community attaches itself, and as of the last time I went there it's about a block away from an excellent brew pub. . .
You’re the second viewer to recommend Powell’s. Great description! I have a brother in California so I may have to make a detour to Portland before heading south someday.
_Land Under England_ is VERY good! 👍
Italics and capitals! May be my next SFMW read.
Good morning from Arizona.
I've visited Arizona the last two winters. Any suggestions for used bookstores?
I'm glad you got so many cool, exotic scores and at good prices!
I didn't know Land Under England had a new printing! Kind of folk horror / kinda weird tale /and Roman stuff. . .
Thanks for sharing your trip and the cool books/ bookstores with us!
Oh, and the Songs of the Kesh album is on UA-cam (of course).
I will definitely look up 'Songs of the Kesh' when I get to Le Guin's book. Thanks!
Good morning Dad2 🖖
Buna dimineata
@@vintagesf Romanian 🖖
Good stuff Richard 👍🏼 I have got some dirt cheap SF Masterworks £3.30 each brand new from Seikel Books online here in the UK.
I looked at Smeikal books but sadly they do not ship internationally.
With my annual trip to the US coming up, I ordered several SF Masterworks to refresh my supply 😅 Authors include Zelazny, Lafferty, Strugatsky, Moorcock, Tevis, Russ, Womack and Harrison.
For whatever reason I don’t see the SF Masterworks Lafferty around very often. I already have ‘The Best of Lafferty’ in a Tor Essential so I’m not looking to purchase it.
@@vintagesf right. I have a number of SFM titles as vintage paperbacks that I don’t intend to rebuy
I've never made it to Toronto, but I'm eager to go check it out. As I think about it...I've never stepped foot in Canada...going to have to remedy that.
My home and native land. The true north strong and free! If you ever make it to Winnipeg we can have a beer (or a coffee if you prefer).
Ah, Toronto - my city, my home! BMV is fine, especially the flagship store (I'm due for a trip), but I remember when this city was loaded with Used Bookstores; Yonge St. between Bloor and Queen; along Queen St. W; Harbord St.; and various isolated stores that would be worth the trip, now and then...all gone now. My last BMV haul was of course SF Masterworks stuff - H. G. Wells, Stapledon, and some Gwyneth Jones. Over in their Mystery section, I grabbed up a whole bunch of Hammett and Chandler a few years ago, when I went on a hard-boiled and noir kick.
I hope you enjoy Limbo, and Land Under England, when you get to them. I actually ended up prefering Kairos over White Queen, when it comes to Gwyneth Jones, even though White Queen was the one recommended in an SF reading guide. Just shows - sometimes give an author who disappointed, but did some things right, one more chance.
Even at BMV, years ago, I used to find more gems, hard to find SF or Mystery titles, more rarities that I would actually want to buy, after much seeking. Those were the good old days. Now the trip is on to the internet, for shopping.
I think this is the story of many cities in North America. Great used bookstores are getting harder to find.
You should check out Uncle Hugo’s used books in the Minneapolis / St. Paul It’s focused on SF.
Putting into my travel notes. Thank you’
Sounds like a great haul, Richard. I'm looking forward to you views on the Roger Zelazny books. Lord of Light has always been a favorite of mine, given my boyhood in India and my interest in Buddhism. Granted, his portrayal is nothing like the real thing, but it is plausible and fun. I was fortunate to grow up while Zelazny was first making his mark with his short stories. I've always maintained that you can't really appreciate him without understanding them, so The Best Of Roger Zelazny is a great place to start. Ironically, ‘A Rose For Ecclesiastes’ and ‘The Doors Of His Face, The Lamps Of His Mouth’ were written during the last gasp of the Planetary Romance age. Between the time they were sent off and when they were first published, the Mars and Venus probes had sent back their surveys and totally undercut the basis of the stories. Didn't stop them from getting Hugo nominations, though.
I'll take your advice and start with 'The Best of Roger Zelazny'. Science certainly doesn't get in the way of my enjoying older works of SF. A good story always wins out.
I'll be interested in your review of Starship Troopers. I've been a fan of Heinlein since I first read him in middle school. Many of his stories I've read multiple times. I only read Starship Troopers once and I did enjoy it but for some reason never felt the need to read it again. I'm not sure why.
Grammaticus has done some very enjoyable videos about both Heinlein and his books over on his channel.
Grammaticus is part of the reason why I want to do an "Upon Further Review" video of 'Starship Trooper'. I came into the novel expecting end to end fighting and there really are only a couple of scenes bookending what is the meat of the book. More in a future video.
@@vintagesf Maybe your video will explain to me why I never felt the urge to read it again!😉
Okay if we're making store recommendations I'll give you two different ends on the spectrum of excellence:
When in New York City, obviously you must go to the Strand. Although it is not as impressive as a warehouse in Detroit, or Powell's, it is still a serious multi-story bookstore with a little something for everyone. The last time I was there was definitely a few years ago, but they still had copies of Ursula K Le Guin's "Always Coming Home" WITH the cassette tape with recordings of the songs and the poems of the Kesh!!
This may sound odd, but there is an absolute delight of a used bookstore in coastal Connecticut!
Whenever business took me to that part of the world I had to add an extra day to just go to the Book Barn in Niantic. It started off as a multi-storey barn, then the books spread to other buildings on the grounds (and the picnic area, and a place for kids to play, and a small petting zoo. . . ) but as the years went by it kept growing and it has another three buildings in downtown Niantic a full six or seven minute drive from the bucolic Barn setting! A simply lovely place to have lunch, beneath the trees surrounded by the books. . .
Free coffee and donuts inside for shoppers!
Now I have a regret. When leaving Boston I considered visiting the Book Barn. It was a bit out of the way but sounded so interesting. Next time! Copying your note to my bookshop recommendation note.
@@vintagesf you still would have had the same shipping problem to contend with, I didn't want a whole day, go splash in the water, buy local food, perhaps visit Mystic Seaport, etc
Amazing!
Thank you so much for sharing your book sources with us!
It is both thoughtful and kind.
I just looked at their website (at least as it appears in the USA w/o telling the site)
And they had NONE of the interesting choices you showed us! Not your fault!
Not your sinister master plan, I know, put so many of the books you showing were unusual and interesting, I go there and it's like 4 HG wells, Flowers for Algernon, Philip K Dick, Inverted World & 1984. Didn't they know you were going to be promoting them?😂
Would love for everyone interested to get their hands on the SF Masterworks. Tough for us in the North American market, especially with the obstacle of shipping.
@@vintagesf it's a love-hate thing with me. I think I've mentioned here some of my reasons for outright hating what Gollancz has done, and I don't want to make you feel bad about wanting to collect them! But the fact that they've designed a book line to be sold primarily at remaindered prices while keeping your ability to select specific issues to paying the full "retail price" is kind of underhanded. Doubly so since dead authors aren't seeing any of that money.
But, . . I'm sorry, you were saying something nice and I think I started yelling in the street. . .
@@waltera13 The typesetting, spelling errors and design can be sloppy at times. On the consumer side I’m happy to see an economic physical option to purchase. I do wonder about the contracts with the estates of these writers.
@@vintagesf it's nice of you to offer me a conciliatory hand but I don't think I should be raining on your parade after all the swell books you just got! Some other time I should get into it, but for now enjoy!! and thank you for sharing the road trip.
I have been wondering about that place in Detroit!