Lost in a Literary World

Just outside the campus of the University of Virginia there is an area called The Corner. It is literally the corner of a main intersection in town. This area has many restaurants, bars, cafes, small stores—we can describe it as the university’s private downtown area. I am always hanging out around here. I come to The Corner to eat with friends, simply to walk, sit on the grass across the street, and most of the times to read or write (like right now) at the Starbucks on Elliewood St.

This weekend, as the cloudy skies reminded me of the winter, and the scarf kept me warm, I was walking around The Corner when I found a very small book store. I was unaware of its existence, for I had never been on this street before. I enjoy reading. Thus I was immediately attracted to the window shelves, which presented a variety of literary genres and authors.

As I came in, what appeared to be the owner, “welcomed” me. We engaged in a conversation about the store. The prices of the books surprised me. I usually don’t pay less than $15 for a book. However, the prices here were between $6 and $10!

“Why are these books so inexpensive,” I asked the owner.

“Some people move and donate them. Sometimes the publishers overprint books and sell them at a lower price,” he said.  

Right at that moment, this small book store in Charlottesville, Virginia became my favorite book store on earth. I have never been able to buy good books at a low price.

“Good books for these prices…you got yourself a client.”

I explored the store for about an hour. I got lost in the halls of a literary world. I ended up buying a book about Thomas Jefferson, the Lawyer. I also bought a novel about Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly solo.

“You’ll see me often around here.” I told the owner as I paid $12.00 for two great books.   

Now I am lost in a literary world. 

NOTE: Morgan brings a good point in her comment. Whatever happened to inexpensive books? It is definitely an issue of supply and demand. More people buy movies than read books. Thus DVD’s cost less than books.