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Post by dem on Aug 18, 2008 19:46:43 GMT
There was a time when seemingly every tenth shop from Aldgate to Bethnal Green was a junk shop and the West End was an absolute haven for remaindered book stores. Not any longer. Can't blame the charity shops in this case (there are very few of them around here) - all the old book haunts have been replaced by DVD and mobile phone outlets. Even the local library used to be great for horror - Bleiler's Guide To Supernatural Fiction, the two volume Dover edition of Varney, the Vampyre, etc. - but since it's revamp as an 'Idea Store' it has more in common with Blockbusters/ an aerobics club than a book lending service. It really must be dead shit for kids growing up these days.
Bush, you've got the right idea there! I'm gonna dredge up the guts to try that the next time I hit my local charity shop as I can't believe all they ever get by way of paperback donations is yuppie lit.
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Post by justin on Aug 19, 2008 19:27:06 GMT
I do know someone who's mum worked in a charity shop and used to give him a carrier bag full of ratty paperbacks every time I, I mean he, went home to visit his parents. Apparently he got most of his Westerns and Leo Kesslers that way. never much luck with horror/sleaze that way.
Everyone's a winner, the charity gets money they weren't expecting, a paperback fanatic goes home happy!
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Post by jkdunham on Aug 20, 2008 22:36:41 GMT
The local Oxfam here isn't so bad. A couple of shelves of 'Horror' and a similar amount of shelf space given over to 'Science Fiction' and 'Mystery'. There are usually at least one or two things of interest whenever you go in. I'd probably buy more books there but they do tend to be a bit overpriced I feel. I'm quite happy to pay a pound or so for an old paperback but a couple of quid or more is harder to justify to myself unless it's something I really want.
I picked up a Fontana Horror there today for 99p but didn't really feel like asking if they had any more books tucked away in the back after the look I received from the bloke who served me. He gave the impression that if it was up to him, they wouldn't stock "that sort of book" at all.
So I went to Eagle Books on the market and picked up 4 books for two quid. Bloke there was friendly as you like.
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Post by Johnlprobert on Aug 21, 2008 9:26:08 GMT
I'm afraid with those sorts I just have to ask if they've got (insert random and possibly made up title) just to see the expression on their face. And if they look disdainful it's important to make your voice louder with each title.
eg "Have you got 'Rampant Samurai Vampire Killers?' No? 'Blood Orgy of the Ultravixens? No point asking about 'Toad God of the Nymphomaniacs' then? I see you have DVDs over there. Do you have....
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Post by allysonbird on Aug 21, 2008 9:34:48 GMT
I live in a very small market town, John, and everyone knows each other. The postmistress knows the chemist, the chemist knows the bank manager etc. Now the card shop manager - banned me yesterday (or rather Bull Running for Girls) because I'm a horror writer. I was banned from Rock World in Manchester once so now I have another to add to my list ;D
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Post by allysonbird on Aug 21, 2008 9:36:37 GMT
Actually the above is not strictly true. When I say banned me - he wouldn't display my book next to the other Penistone books. Most were about trains I believe.
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Post by benedictjjones on Aug 21, 2008 10:22:23 GMT
i think i'll take my little girl for a walk down the river over the bank holiday mainly so i can peruse the book stalls under waterloo bridge =O)
hopefully i'll have something to report come tuesday!
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Post by dem on Aug 21, 2008 12:54:54 GMT
Is that a daily/ weekend event, Ben, or just Bank holidays? Two of the volunteer staff in my local charity shop are french girls and dead lovely - so much so that I find buying stuff from them disconcerting. Not for these ladies the pitying and/ or contemptuous looks we surely all know too well when I excitedly make for the counter clutching a copy of Rex Miller's mighty Slob or, if my luck's really in, a dog-eared Red Hot Bouncy Party Favourites of 1971 sleeve. They don't even bat an eye. "Would you like a bag for that, sir". Makes me wonder if i'm losing my touch.  Not a find as such, but i'm delighted with the latest addition to the demonik library of doom, namely a certain Mr. John L. Probert's Coffin Nails which arrived this morning! Only snag is, the bride kindly got it me for Christmas so i've a long wait 'til I can get stuck in!  It's the first Ash Tree i've ever had and truly a thing of beauty! |
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Aug 21, 2008 22:23:25 GMT
John, I'm definitely going with you shopping at the next opportunity.
And I sympathise Allyson. You're local!!! Watch out for faggots innocuously strewn around a large wooden pole....
The only thing comparable I have is the time I innocently bought a naked Barbie doll in a charity shop in Heaton Chapel. The two old ladies gave me the kind of look they probably reserve for anybody young out walking. I was momentarily taken aback and said 'its for my son' (he'd asked for it.) They stared at my five year old son and then back at me with horror stricken faces. If only I'd managed to rally and ask for Ken ... but without those restricting trousers...
but I was already reeling...
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Post by dem on Aug 22, 2008 8:32:18 GMT
Women, eh? I mean, God bless 'em and all that, but they're hard work! Sulking, tantrums, sleep deprivation, stomping of feet - we've had the lot indoors this past 36 hours and, quite frankly, girls, it's exhausting. Mercifully, around 3 a.m this morning, I sensed the bride was close to relenting and, sure enough, seven minute's into a monologue about my arm (complete with slideshow) she conceded, and - now I don't have to wait until Christmas to feast my sunken eyeballs on Coffin Nails after all!  |
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Post by benedictjjones on Aug 22, 2008 9:46:01 GMT
^every day dem. outside the NFT under waterloo bridge about 6 massive tables covered in used books. its where i found my first Pan =O)
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Aug 22, 2008 9:59:01 GMT
Yes Dem,
and then you tell them a cup of tea would be a fine way of celebrating and do they grasp the opportunity with a smile? I've even had to make it myself once.
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Post by dem on Aug 22, 2008 10:21:30 GMT
Tea, nothing! I went one better and wangled a six-pack! "Well, it is Christmas ..."  A curtsey would've been nice when the little madam parted with the cash but I suppose you can't have everything .... ^every day dem. outside the NFT under waterloo bridge about 6 massive tables covered in used books. its where i found my first Pan =O) I'll be sure to check that out soon then, Ben, although I won't be able to make bank holiday. If you like the idea, perhaps we could arrange a meet up there in the not too distant? |
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Post by benedictjjones on Aug 22, 2008 10:42:21 GMT
^coolio mate - there's a couple of not too bad hosteleries around there as well ;O)
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Post by benedictjjones on Aug 26, 2008 14:08:02 GMT
hello all!
i found:
"the djinn" - graham masterson 50p
"the hellbound heart" - clive barker £1.50
saw a load of the man from U.N.C.L.E novels but TBH theyre not my bag. also saw three bentley little novels but the price wasn't so tempting at £3 each.
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It's the first Ash Tree i've ever had and truly a thing of beauty! 
A curtsey would've been nice when the little madam parted with the cash but I suppose you can't have everything ....