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Nancy Goldstone

Teoksen Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World tekijä

15 teosta 6,045 jäsentä 181 arvostelua 5 Favorited

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Nancy Goldstone's previous books include The Rival Queens: Catherine de' Medici, Her Daughter, Marguerite de Valois, and the Betrayal That Ignited a Kingdom and The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily. She lives in Sagaponack New York. näytä lisää Nancygoldstone.com näytä vähemmän

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Enjoyable, but I almost felt like the historian was hiding things. She would admit primary sources from Marguerite, but then not share them. Sort of , sure she sounds ridiculous in these letters, but trust me, she's not. Still, I know far more about 16th century France than I did before or would ever have thought likely
 
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cspiwak | 13 muuta kirja-arvostelua | Mar 6, 2024 |
I really enjoyed this fun, if a little dated look into the life of amateur book collectors, Larry and Nancy Goldstone. What started out as a hunt for a meaningful birthday present ended up taking the couple on an adventure to learn the ins and outs of book buying and collecting---the thrill of the chase and the self control it takes to walk away from what seems like the perfect book. I'm super inspired and just want to run right out to my favorite book store right now and peruse the rare book section that I always avoid for the sake of finances.

The book was written during the time when computers were just starting to be introduced to the general public for business and recreational use. There were several fun instances where I said to myself, "Oh yes, I remember that." One in particular was their thrill in finding that the library could print their cards right there in front of them (amazing technology, they said!)

Usually when I read something biographical/memoir-ish I stop about 10-15 pages in to look up what the author is doing now---especially with a book as "old" as this one. (I graduated high school in 1997) However, this couple had been having such a great time in this story that I was wary to look up anything on them for fear that perhaps their marriage didn't work out. I would be sad to think of them not continuing on these kinds of fun adventures together. About half way in, I finally couldn't stand it any longer and had to see what they were up to. Sure enough, their author pages seem to indicate they are happy and thriving---I'm so glad. In fact, I was so glad that I actually wrote the wife an email to tell her so. I'm sure I'm on somebody's weirdo list now but rarely do I engage so well with a memoir. ha!

Another interesting part of reading this book came with the "forgotten bookmarks" I found inside. In the front cover was a Barnes & Noble receipt from July 3, 1997. Someone in the Boston, Mass. store purchased this as a new release. Later in the book was a very early advertising bookmark for Amazon.com---back in the days when it was just an online bookstore. Some quotes from the back of the bookmark:

"Amazon.com: Earth's biggest bookstore."
"Offering 2.5 million titles (more than 14 times the number of books you'll find in the largest chain superstore), we're sure to have the book you want."
"Amazon.com has a wealth of information about the books and authors that interest you" (including) ... "Personalized E-mail notification about your favorite subjects and authors."


I don't remember the last time I actually bought a book on Amazon but I thought it was ironic that this novel new internet business was being advertised in this book about all the unique and often family owned book shops of the 90s---the same ones that Amazon long ago put out of business.

ETA: second irony is that my copy of this book is listed on several websites as being worth $50-$60. Ha!! I wonder if the receipt and Amazon bookmark add to that value at all???

Here is my post featuring photos of the "forgotten bookmarks": http://www.belleslibrary.com/2022/01/the-secret-lives-of-books-used-and-rare.htm...
… (lisätietoja)
 
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classyhomemaker | 33 muuta kirja-arvostelua | Dec 11, 2023 |
Like their other books, Used & Rare and Slightly Chipped, this book describes the search for books for their collection, often odd choices (Max Beerbohm?) at various library sales, book fares and by visiting a wide variety of bookstores.. Interesting to me are the often detailed descriptions of dealers' shops, stock and personalities. Can be a bit cloying sometimes when they overdue the aw shucks, we art just learning posture. Includes a long discussion of the New England forger, with coverage of some of the forgeries and, to me, the devisive effects on bookdealers on whether to pursue or even report the bogus books purchased and resold to customers. the embarrassment and the potential money loss in doing the right thing. Just a small contribution to the memoir bibliography, but a candid look inside the twists and turns of small business and businessmen in the world of books.… (lisätietoja)
½
 
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SamMelfi | 9 muuta kirja-arvostelua | Aug 2, 2023 |
In the early years of their marriage the writers Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone decided to become book collectors. I suspect the authors were being disingenuous in claiming to be completely ignorant about the hobby to the point of not even knowing what they wanted to collect. However, their feigned naïveté allows them to lead the reader through dusty old bookshops that have likely ceased to exist by now, learning what to look for. Along the way they introduce many delightfully quirky booksellers. Even to the non-collector their excursions into book land are great fun. I picked up a few tips and am glad to find out that I’m not the first would-be buyer to get snubbed in NYC’s Argosy Bookshop.… (lisätietoja)
 
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varielle | 33 muuta kirja-arvostelua | May 18, 2023 |

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Teokset
15
Jäseniä
6,045
Suosituimmuussija
#4,068
Arvio (tähdet)
3.8
Kirja-arvosteluja
181
ISBN:t
104
Kielet
5
Kuinka monen suosikki
5

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