Getting Lost in the World of Books

When my pal Marilyn picked me up at the Burbank airport recently, she told me we would be going to the Last Bookstore in downtown L.A.

I was thrilled. It was a journey I’d been longing to take.

I must admit, like Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird , I don’t remember learning to read. I’ve always been a book person, in love with words.

Reading the comics with Daddy

I loved reading the comics, and I’d sneak off to the variety store down the strip mall from my father’s hamburger joint at age 5 or so to read the comic books for free. Later, the pharmacist at the Rexall Pharmacy in Market Town used to warn me by saying “ A penny a minute rent!” before kicking me out of the store.

My sister and I were taken to our magnificent Carnegie library when we were young, and I was in awe as I walked up the steps and through the door of this Temple of Knowledge.

As I walked silently past the stern-faced ladies at the charging desk, I wandered through the nooks and crannies of the building, going up and down stairs, peeking at the homeless men in the reading room, checking out the action in the stacks before landing at my favorite books in the children’s section. I went for the shelf housing the Nancy Drew books. My sister went for the Oz books. I settled in to a corner to do some reading.

It was such a privilege to be in this beautiful building.

When I entered the Last Bookstore, I had a flashback of our Carnegie library. This beautiful building that originally housed a bank was constructed at around the same time. Now, as a bookstore, the wares were displayed by subject. There were comfortable chairs for reading. There was even a section with LPs, CDs and other media.

The fascinating element that made this bookstore different from other “normal” retail establishments was that the books were part of the decor. Not all books are now useable, so these recycled pieces of paper became sculptures to delight and stimulate the patrons.

Here’s a tunnel of Books: not destroyed but repurposed.
Going through the tunnel and out the other end! Brilliant!
A piece of art made from books makes the visitor gasp. How cool is this?!

As all book people do, it’s almost impossible to pass an enticing book without opening it!

It’s the naked truth: being a book person can be fun.

I’m still a book person and haven’t gotten used to the Kindle or other electronic devices. I enjoy the smell of books and I love to hold a book and cuddle it, as its words lull me off to sleep at night.

NEXT STOP: the California desert.

4 thoughts on “Getting Lost in the World of Books”

  2. Your daddy loved u…As a 5-year-old in Folsom, Ca (1500? population), my dad took me to the local library a house with ( a children’s room)…I then walked alone to this library, where I checked out my own books (honor system)….took my pile home, read, and returned…Kindergarten teacher taught reading…my dad owned the only restaurant in town…40s diner

  3. Hi Karen,
    I loved the picture of you sitting on your father’s lsp reading the Sunday comics. I remember how my father loved those comics too.

    Also the famous Carnegie Library on Sacramento St. I remember the children’s section, but I also remember a musty odor when you walked in the door.. Vallejo sure has made some mistakes in the name of progress.

    I also enjoyed the art forms made from old books at The Last Bookstore. What a wonderful discovery! I am not sure I would want to be in an earthquake among the displays.

    Keep them coming

    MaryAnn

  4. What a wonderful journey, Karen.

    I’m a book person also, even though I do use my Kindle–but that’s not as good as holding a wonderful book, wherever.

    Thanks for sharing these precious moments, Dear Friend.

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