Nice story. I haven't been to SF since 1990 (where I had my 21st birthday party) but I would pop in to the Green Apple.
I don't like most bookstores: they are full of 'trendy' books and fads, celebrity ghost-written fiction and dumbed-down pseudo-academic books with titles like, '47 composting tips from Hitler's gardeners.'
I stopped going to my local one when the owners said they'd never read Steinbeck but had two shelves dedicated to 'Romantasy.'
I'm happy to browse through second-hand stores to find hidden classics (although the authors don't get royalties that way).
You'd definitely love Green Apple Books! It is not "trendy." It has an amazing depth and scope of books. That's interesting, what you say about the bookstores in the UK. Here, more often than not, there is a "vibe" to the independent bookstore that is all its own. There are definitely some here that fall into the camp you describe, but most are delightful places to discover old and new. Funny you were here so long ago...if you ever come again, obviously let me know!
Nice story. I haven't been to SF since 1990 (where I had my 21st birthday party) but I would pop in to the Green Apple.
I don't like most bookstores: they are full of 'trendy' books and fads, celebrity ghost-written fiction and dumbed-down pseudo-academic books with titles like, '47 composting tips from Hitler's gardeners.'
I stopped going to my local one when the owners said they'd never read Steinbeck but had two shelves dedicated to 'Romantasy.'
I'm happy to browse through second-hand stores to find hidden classics (although the authors don't get royalties that way).
James,
You'd definitely love Green Apple Books! It is not "trendy." It has an amazing depth and scope of books. That's interesting, what you say about the bookstores in the UK. Here, more often than not, there is a "vibe" to the independent bookstore that is all its own. There are definitely some here that fall into the camp you describe, but most are delightful places to discover old and new. Funny you were here so long ago...if you ever come again, obviously let me know!