Long post ahead!
Today, we’re visiting Writer’s Block – a wonderful independent bookstore in Las Vegas. Fortunately for me, it was a 7 or 8 block walk from my hotel, so I took full advantage and visited it on both Thursday and Friday.
When you first walk in the door, you are in the café.
I took advantage of one of those tables on Friday, when I felt ‘funny’ and realized that I was dehydrated. I plopped down at one of the tables and drank a whole lot of water.
The staff is wonderful. In particular, I must give a shout out to Isabelle, who told me all about the shop. We had several conversations during my two visits about books and authors and buying books when traveling. She is delightful. We are now email friends.
She also offered her thoughts on Las Vegas, having been born and bred in that city. The very things I don’t like, she does; the fact that it was constructed in the desert, that this town came of age via casinos and gambling and offering a resort-like environment. She said that so many places aren’t what they seem, but Las Vegas is what it is and she loves that they’re honest about it.
Inside the shop (an overall view)
They carry mugs, pens, and my beloved Blackwing pencils. I saw them when I first came in and immediately knew I would like the shop.
There were four shelves of these little guides called Very Short Introductions. I’d never heard of them before but I was blown away by the subject matter. Very Short Introductions to Kant, to Ideology, to Art History, to Atheism, to Darwin, to Nineteenth Century Britain, to The Cold War, and on and on. They’re published by Oxford University Press. I so wished Don was with me, as he would have loved these. He’s constantly reading up on things that are new to him, or subjects that he wants to understand.
They had marionettes! Can you possibly understand just how much I wanted to buy one? I dreamed of owning a marionette when I was a kid, but I never got one. Last summer I bought a puppet from the Jardin du Luxembourg’s marionette theater. If I could have carried one of these on the plane, I would have.
A display of rare Yellow-Backs, books that were published with the train traveler in mind. They were sold in stalls located in railway stations in Britain. These are part of the private collection of the owner of the building.
This bunny lives in the shop.
Most importantly, the selection of books on the shelves is impeccable. I am loathe to use the word ‘curate’ which has become the word of the day for anything and everything. It’s lost its true meaning. In this case, however, the books are indeed curated and the selection is astonishing.
For example, in Fiction: the editions chosen are beautiful. Unlike B & N, for example, the owner has sought out the best editions, many of which have beautiful artwork. Often, I found, they are Penguin Editions.
There were extensive sections on Nature, Memoir, History, Children, Books about Books, and more.
Case in point: I often save a picture of a book I want. I find many of these suggestions via my IG account on books. I’ve learned so much on that platform, by the way, about books published elsewhere. My horizons have been expanded. I’ve ordered several over the past year via Book Depository and John Sandoe Books. While I was visiting Writer’s Block, I went on Instagram and looked at those saved photos with the goal of seeing if any of them were in this shop. They were.
Here is my haul:
I learned about all three of these books through Instagram. I’d tried to find the Max Porter (a British author) locally to no avail. They had it. I’m sure I could have found the Ishiguro locally, but I hadn’t searched for it yet. Peter Orner’s book on books and reading was not to be found here.
They had it.
Sorry – this is a bit blurry! I bought The Phantom Tollbooth because the author of Bookworm (which I finished on the plane) raved about it. So much so, that I quickly decided I needed to read this children’s book. Writer’s Block had it on the shelf. Books for Living came out several years ago and I remember when it was published. Isabelle recommended it as a book she returns to again and again. And the story of Shakespeare and Company Paris is one that I saw on the shelf when I visited that bookshop last year. I wanted to buy it at the time, but I knew I didn’t have room for it in my luggage. I’ve never seen it anywhere else. I was astonished when I found it on Friday.
Oh, and there was more. I could have bought many, many more. But I had to stop.
I also bought a book at the airport on the way there, so that makes seven books that I hauled home.
On my second visit, I spoke to one of the owners. He and his husband moved to Las Vegas and started this bookstore. They used to be at another, much smaller location. The woman who bought this building is a book collector and bibliophile and a fan of the bookshop who was determined to move it to this new location. Thankfully, the owners signed on. By the way, the gentleman I spoke to said his husband chooses all the books. (Side note – this guy used to live in our neighborhood here in the Hudson Valley. Small world.)
Anyway, there you have it. If you ever travel to Vegas, make sure you allow time for this shop, a true oasis in the desert. You’ll be supporting a terrific Independent Bookshop.
Happy Tuesday.
What a lovely bookshop! I could spend hours there.. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful photos – I can’t decide whether I like the books, the Narnia lampposts or the bunny best. Maybe all three!
This shop looks fantastic, even its name is a clever play on words which can be interpreted several ways!
I’m familiar with the O.U.P. Very Short Introduction series as we have some as library stock. Did you know the British publisher Allen Lane set up Penguin Books as he couldn’t find anything of quality to read in paperback from our railway stations!
The black shelving reminds me of Waterstones chain of book stores. Books really stand out on a black background.
Even though I work in a library, I still love bookshops and often get ideas for stock particularly in the gardening/house decoration/crafts section😀
It’s a Bank Holiday today and for once we’ve had some decent weather!
Happy Monday
Yes, I did know that. I’ve read quite a bit about the history of Penguin Books.
Enjoy your Bank Holiday, Dee Dee!
It’s pretty wonderful, Barbara!
What a wonderful bookshop! Thanks for taking us along virtually – the only way I’ll ever see it. I could spend hours in a shop like that and be tempted to spend way too much money!
As I did! I couldn’t help it. It seems I was only stopped in my shopping spree by the fact that I had to fly home.
If I ever get back to Vegas (and I can’t say it’s on my dream itinerary but you never know) this is the one and only place I will greatly anticipate visiting. The books looks fabulous. (The Shakespeare and Company might have involved hand-to-hand combat if I’d been shopping at the same time! THAT is a gem!)
I am thrilled you found this little haven. Make the post long — as long as it’s this wonderful!
We would have had to have a referee, Jeanie! I haven’t opened it yet. I’m saving it, I guess, for a special – perhaps rainy – day! Thanks.
happy for you to have found that lovely-looking oasis and that it had six books you needed … and that you found a seventh one at the airport!
maybe don can get those “short intro” books online through “writer’s block” …?
agree about b&n editions and the cover art on books found elsewhere.
glad that had work and glad that you are home.
thanks for sharing about “writer’s block”, too.
happy monday!
kathy in iowa
glad that *you* had work …
xo
I think it would be better if he found another way of getting the books. There are so many different titles, he’d need to look at all of them on Oxford’s website, I think. Thanks, Kathy.
Writer’s Block sounds like a wonderful surprise that you just happened upon…love those. It looks like such an interesting book store…and not really like a store at all.
Now at least for a week or two, you’ll have plenty to read. Enjoy your day! ;)
I have so many books in stacks around here waiting to be read. Probably didn’t have to add to them, but I’m a bookaholic.
If the Writers Block existed when I used to visit Vegas! What a lovely bookshop! I’m excited about Oxford University Press. I’ve reserved a spot for a tour of the Oxford University Oress museum when I’m in Oxford in a few weeks!
Maybe you can buy some of those books, Wendy.
Okay, this shop alone could get me back to Las Vegas.
I could spend an entire DAY in there.
Always learning from you and your blog, Claudia. Never had knowledge of these Oxford Press books called Very Short Introductions. I just looked a bunch of ’em up and I could immediately pick out no less than FORTY of them that I’d like to have (I’m a person of excess).
Such treasure; when have I ever actually SEEN a marionette even for sale, anywhere?
Yellow-backs? I’ve never heard of them. Today’s post is a real education, Claudia. I didn’t even know about Blackwing pencils.
The shop is airy and light. I hope the bunny gets out of that pen sometimes, to be held and get exercise (probably of course when they have to clean his pen; wouldn’t do to have him underfoot with customers; he could get stepped on, or run out the door and be in danger); he sure looks like he has everything he needs in his pen while confined. I’ve seen cats in shops but never a bunny.
I’m enchanted; I want to see that shop. So few exist! Thank goodness for people who WANT to have such a business. And put such care into it.
Thanks for such a great post today; I really enjoyed it.
I have a post about Blackwing pencils on this blog somewhere. To me, the best pencils ever – and many famous authors use them.
Thanks, Vicki.
So happy that you found this beautiful oasis and thank you for taking us along. Your writing is so descriptive and your photos are perfect. I feel as if I entered the store with you! xo
You’re most welcome, Annette! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
What a great bookshop.
Marilyn
Thanks, Marilyn!
Oh wow! Great tour of a great book store. I am IMPRESSED with your pictures, I visit indie books stores at every opportunity when traveling but the frenzy of looking, deciding, and buying gets hold of me and when I get home I suddenly remember I forgot to take pictures! I will take the time the next trip to Alpine (front street books) or Mesilla Park (near Las Cruces, NM) ….so that I can remember….and share. Thank you!
I’m a blogger. I always take pictures!
Thankfully for you, it was an oasis and not a mirage!
I remember your Blackwing Pencil post. It was very informative. Yet another bit of worldly knowledge I have you to be appreciative for!
Thank you, Eve!
what a delightful post from beginning to end!
I felt like I was actually there!
alas… I read on my Kindle now because I just can’t see the tiny print.
yes. I keep putting off cataract surgery.
but OH! how I love a charming book shop like this one!
thank you for sharing it with us!
I hope yours and Don’s week goes well! XO
Thank you, Tammy!
Wow! That’s a destination bookstore! It’s beautiful with the orange tree and street lamp and shiny concrete floors and old beam ceilings. A feast for the eyes. And what a wonderful gift to stock books with gorgeous covers. Didn’t even know that I’d missed that over the years. You exercised great restraint but made some choice choices. Again, another of my stories: years back a visit to southern France with friends to the town of Figeac where the Rosetta Stone was decoded, a beautiful town. We found a lovely square and lo and behold a bookstore with an English section. But I wanted children’s books in French, thinking I would love to learn French. I came home with Babar and Jupie in paperback. Love the books, great memories, but alas! I still do not speak or read French. Wouldn’t it be fun to do a booklovers tour someday? Hit a few cities across the US or Europe, explore bookstores, have a reading or lecture or two here and there? In Rekyavik (a city I can never spell) for a few years now they’ve run a very successful Writer’s Retreat and this year they are offering a Reader’s Retreat. Doesn’t that sound delicious? If you feel like spending a while exploring, check out their webpage. It’s just Iceland Reader’s Retreat. Thank for taking us on your travels!
I will check out that website, Nora. The citizens of Iceland are great readers – I remember reading an article about that a few years back.
I’ve never seen any reason to go to Las Vegas, but this bookstore has me wanting to visit!
I know!