I enjoy reading, but it seems the only time I will read a lot is in the late fall and wintertime. After reading my last two books, I was in the mood for the next page turner. Since working at the shop and being back in Harrisburg during the weeks, I'd been hearing good things about a great bookshop called the Midtown Scholar. Years ago when I lived downtown, the place was an excellent used and antiques shop called Fissel's where I still have items I bought there. So, after work one afternoon I took a jaunt up to check it and was pleasantly surprised.
Talk about a great use of a repurpose of a building. The shop is owned by the outgoing mayor of Harrisburg who apparently is an avid reader. The Midtown Scholar is already a awarding winning shop and cafe, with well over 100,000 used, discount, rare and new books. The lady I talked to there was telling me they have the largest collection of used books between New York and Chicago, with over a million books online. I also thought it was cool they had an area called The Yellow Wall Gallery that features a different artist monthly. They also do local weekly live music which I intend to go see some. To my surprise the little hottie who comes into the shop weekly, is also in a band, and will be there one night performing, so I will of course go to show support since he kindly invited me. But books... I was in love with the place. It's the first bookshop I have been in since the pandemic, and it was wonderful. I have many LGBT titles as well to bring home
Needless to say, I was in the shop for some time...3 hours looking and browsing. This stack should keep to occupied till spring.
I really went in to see if they had a book Gerald Durrell wrote called, My Family and Other Animals that I was just talking with Helen about in emails, and one she recommended, as I loved the show The Durells in Corfu. They didn't have it, but they ordered it and it will be in next week with another of his titles, The Corfu Trilogy. I can't wait to dive into those.
I have no idea who is depicted in these stain glass windows in the shop, and the staff wasn't sure either, but the fellow could be Shakespeare?
So, as you can see, I will have plenty of reading to do. I see spending some time in this place, and right across the street is the Broad Street Farmers Market...a win-win. And I shop local and didn't have to give god damned Amazon a cent.
That is my kind of shop. If you can you should cancel My Family and Other Animals as it is part 1 of the Corfu trilogy. I do hope you enjoy it. As before, do not eat or drink while perusing!
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know. I'll keep it the one and give the other as a gift.
DeleteI would be in heaven in that shop. Would spend hours and be back all the time.
ReplyDeleteIt's exciting finding a bookshop since they are so endangered.
DeleteHave you been to a library? It's paradise. I have to stop from not loot Amazon from books and CDs. Now I'm about to buy the Italian / English bilingual edition of Joyce's Ulisse. It will be my next summer reading!
ReplyDeleteI used to go to libraries all the time. But lately not so much.
DeleteOMG so absolutely cool!
ReplyDeleteGoing to a bookstore is fantastic. Especially one like this one! I once read a whole book sitting down on the floor of a Barnes and Noble in Pittsburgh. Love the displays and the idea of a whole wall dedicated to a theme, not to mention the live music. So cool.
And I love your stack! You may have to tell us about that Detransition, Baby! Always good to support queer writers.
XOXO
Im not sure which one I'll read first. I didn't expect to find this much...and so much to see yet!!! I'm really looking forward to the Gerald Durrell book.
DeleteWow, that's a beautiful shop. Just gorgeous. I could spend all day in it!
ReplyDeleteMe too!📕📗📘📙
DeleteExcellent shop!!! I see many lost hours lost in there. Love bookshops like this and a shame there is not more. Not only supports local...but also a sense of community and social aspect...something one doesn't get on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteYour right. Places like this give us a place to get out and mingle and see people.
DeleteIs it just me who sees somewhat of a family resemblance between you and the person depicted in that first stain glass window? Reface perhaps :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't give me any ideas sweetcheeks!
DeleteThis place makes Barnes & Noble look like a hospital. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI can remember when Barnes and Noble was just two individual stores.
DeleteLooks amazing, they have a website https://www.midtownscholar.com/ I will take a look. I am on a reading binge at the moment, already 1/3 rd of the way through #9 for the year.
ReplyDeleteI saw that too! Lots and lots to peruse.
DeleteI love a nice, huge Independent Bookstore- a vanishing breed. It looks like it has a very comfortable antique feel...kind of like stepping back in time. Like clothes I like to smell and touch books. Online shopping feels so cold to me.
ReplyDeleteI loved the whole vibe..and didn't except the place to be just that big.
DeleteOMG! Ive been there when in from Hershey. It's always such a great experience. The books are amazing, and they never end! I bet you'll be doing some post from town now huh?
ReplyDeleteI sure hope too!
DeleteThose titles you will be reading appear interesting. I expect a review. I am trying to get back into reading. At my church garage sale, I bought a bunch of books. I still have to read them. The title I am currently reading, but it's taken me months (not because it isn't interesting, but because of laziness on my part) is called Educated by Tara Westover. It's an autobiography. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check that out and see what the skinny is.
DeleteOHHHHHH..... I could get lost in there. I think you gave me a boner with those photos!
ReplyDeleteMe too, and I don't have the right equipment!
DeleteThis corner appears nosy....to many things springing up!!!!
DeleteThat's a wonderful shop. I bet it smells amazing too. I love the smell of a book shop.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I don't read as much as I used to. I do have Audible, which I love as I can listen whilst ironing or other chores.
I listened to shuggie bain. It was excellent. The narrator had the perfect Scots accent so it kind of enhanced it for me.
Enjoy your reading!
Im glad to hear that Shuggie Bain was a good one! Maybe Ill start with that.
DeleteWhat a super bookstore! I read "My Family and Other Animals" several times when I was young -- one of my favourite books! So amusing! I liked the TV series too.
ReplyDeleteI love the show and the family and animals....so i look forward to this read.
DeleteOoooh! Wandering through libraries and bookstores has been a favorite pastime of mine since I was a young whippersnapperette! I especially loved the used bookstores. Just the smell of the places evoked daydreams and fantasies.
ReplyDeleteI agree Deedles. Nothing can replace the experience....and I feel even makes the reading of the book more enjoyable for some reason.
DeleteI've been there, though not when it was a book shop, back when it was a thrift shop. I shall have to drop in when the temps warm up since, as you know, parking is not the best.
ReplyDeleteI walk from the shop...but many tell me parking on green street, one street over, is best. I remember Fissels. I have quite a few things and furnishings from there.
DeleteEven if just browsing, a good bookshop is a world of wonder in which I can cheerfully get lost for hours. A secondhand bookshop - even better! Over here, some large charities like Oxfam and the British Red Cross have specialist bookshops of donated books, and they just bring out the child in me - rummaging through the shelves... Jx
ReplyDeleteSame here John. I'd say 80% of this shop is rare and used books. I some some gems in there.
DeleteDutch? Are you in the Netherlands Linda? If so Im sooooo jealous.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great to shop local when you can and not buy from Amazon. And a tangible book is so much better for reading than on a Kindle. We look at enough screens already. So glad you discovered this great bookstore.
ReplyDeleteI love browsing in indie and used book stores! My favourite was the Red River Book Store in the old warehouse district in Winnipeg. It was on the second floor of an extremely narrow building with exit/entrances at the front and back. I especially liked browsing there on Saturday afternoons in January when people would sell off unwanted books received at Christmas. Lots of high quality coffee table books on art, antiques and science to be had for cheap!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a proper bookshop, with ladders and everything. Are customers allowed up the ladders?
ReplyDeleteSx
Good for you! I haven't been in a bookstore in ages. I currently use the little libraries in my neighborhood - take a book, give a book. Or a I shop on eBay. Thanks for all the great photos. What a wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the little Free Libraries!!!! We have several and I worked on one with a neighbor with a bee theme. Some of the designs are so creative and I too have found some gems in them.
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