I got home around 11:00 last night. Don picked me up at the station and I have to say that the day took it out of me. I’m very tired lately, due I’m sure, to all that’s happened, and if you’re not used to going into the city on a daily basis, it can really take it out of you. It’s sort of like exercise; if you’re doing it every day, your ‘city muscles’ get trained and are in better shape. If you go in every once in a while, it’s much more tiring.
My city muscles are out of shape and on top of that, my ankle is not used to all that walking. I plotted my route to and from Port Authority and the subway station near The Mysterious Bookshop so that I only had to do a little walking, but the route to the theater consisted of long city blocks and by that point in the day, my ankle was hurting.
I took off my shoes on the homeward-bound bus ride and fell asleep.
Some pictures from the day (most of which were on Instagram, so you may be seeing double):
Oh, hello, Mysterious Bookshop! I’ve missed you!
Everywhere you look, books and more books. A staff that is so knowledgeable it makes my head spin. I overhear conversations between customers and the staff and learn of new authors that sound intriguing. I was there for quite a while and witnessed several of these conversations – where a customer would come in looking for something, whether is was a certain style of writing or something more specific like ‘a police procedural’ or wonder what book in a certain author’s many published books was the best to start with – and every time the staff knew exactly what to recommend and why.
My dream job? I think so. I asked one of the guys if it was indeed his dream job and he said yes. If I lived there, I’d be lobbying for an additional staff member – me.
Wouldn’t you like to sit in this chair and thumb through some books?
The Mysterious Bookshop was founded by Otto Penzler and he is very well-known and respected. He has a publishing imprint and also commissions what are called Bibliomysteries – short in length, written by well-known authors. The paperback versions cost a few dollars. I bought a couple of them yesterday because, let’s face it, mysteries centered around books are simply delicious.
Early morning photo, sorry for the lighting.
I also bought these:
Susan Hill, obviously, and one of those conversations I overheard sang the praises of Helene Tursten, a Swedish author who has written a series centered on Detective Inspector Huss. This is the first book in the series and it was recommended to a customer (another book blogger) who purchased it. I thought to myself, darn it! That copy is gone. I’ll have to write down the author’s name and look for it on Amazon. But somehow during the next 30 minutes or so, as if by magic, one of the staff members replaced it with another copy and I snagged it.
I knew, by the way, that they would have all of Susan Hill’s books on the shelf – and they did.
Everyone got a free gift – a Christmas mystery commissioned by the bookshop.
After my visit, I had to kill a couple of hours and when you have an ankle to baby, that isn’t easy. Normally, I would walk several blocks because I love walking, but I knew that would be foolish. I did manage to walk a few blocks and take a picture of Times Square for you.
Insanely crowded, huge walls of video everywhere, way, way too touristy for my taste. (I miss the Times Square of the 70’s and 80’s. Times Square has been what I call Disneyfied. It’s like a theme park with lots of ads. ) There was a large police presence, which has been increased due to the threat of terrorism. They were everywhere. You see the same thing in the train and bus stations – lots of police and National Guard. I’m grateful for their presence.
The show, which is still in a sort of workshop stage, was good but needs some work and hopefully I’ll find some time to help out. I’m headed off to Hartford in January, so I’m not sure just how much free time I’ll have.
Happy Tuesday.
That bookshop looks like a place I could get lost in and spend an entire day. Although I have books on my Kindle for when I travel, I would still rather hold a real book in my hands. I’ve never been to time square so I very much appreciate your photo. I’ve been to the equivalent in Tokyo several times and it’s very overwhelming to me. I hope you have a lovely day Claudia and manage to sit and read a book with your foot up! :-) Blessings, Betsy
I sure plan on doing that, Betsy, though I have to run a couple of errands first! But then – a book and hot chocolate!
Awesome book store…I think a friendly dog or cat would complete the picture.
As someone who is allergic to cats, I’m happy there isn’t one!
So glad you came home with enough Susan Hill to keep you occupied for a while.
My Times Square is from the fifties, when my father would drove through whenever we were in the city so we could look at all the lights, and from the still in-Disneyfied sixties when I lived in Manhattan.
Yes, I liked it much better then. A mixture of excitement, grittiness, and theater. Much more interesting!
Thanks for ‘bringing us along’ Claudia!
Amazing store and so interesting to see and hear about what it is actually like going in to New York! Wishing a ‘flowing’ recovery for you in every way.<3
Thank you Grace!
Sounds like all in all it was a grand day! Thank you for sharing with us. I did see your pics on IG yesterday aft.
Hope you have time this aft to put your foot up w/ one of those books and a hot chocolate! We have (unfortunately) a trip to Costco & Whole Foods this aft. I liken it to what you think of Times Square with all of the craziness I so don’t enjoy. We have to go into the “city” to run an errand for hubs sister who is nearly 82 and needs some help, and the stores are close by. Some things we need are those “fresh” kinds of things I hate to purchase too early.
Hope the ankle refreshes quickly for you today as you take some time to relax.
Any place like Costco or Whole Foods or our neighborhood supermarket are going to be crazy for the next few days. I’m trying to avoid them. In fact, I did – Don went grocery shopping!
This looks like a bookshop I would love to visit, quite possibly with a sleeping mat. I quite enjoyed the first two Susan Hill books but somehow never got around to reading the next few. Enjoy! I hope your ankle won’t be sore for much longer. x
It’s much better Christina, I just have to careful to baby it a while longer.
OMG, I wish there were a bookstore like The Mysterious Bookshop in my area. I love that it’s named a bookSHOP not a bookstore. Rest the ankle a bit now while you’re enjoying the new books!
I love that it’s a shop, as well. It just sounds better, doesn’t it?
You had quite a long but entertaining time in the City. Thank you for the
pictures.
The Mysterious Bookstore would be a wonderful place to visit, right up my alley.
My reading is at least 90% English mysteries, police procedurals. Elizabeth
George, a Texan, writes great mystery fiction about Inspector Lynley. Thank goodness,
so many good authors write in this genre.
I’ve read most of Elizabeth George’s books, Lea. If you didn’t know she was from the States, you’d be absolutely sure she was a Brit. She’s a wonderful writer. You’d love this shop!
The Mysterious Bookshop looks like an awesome place to browse and shop! Thanks for the tour. Well, I hope you can rest up with some hot chocolate and one of your new books. We just got back from running some errands, and the traffic was horrific. Think I’ll stay put til after Christmas! ;)
The traffic is truly crazy out there, even in our little town. Yuck!
Wow! Thank you for the tour! When I get back to New York, I will be stopping there for sure.
Merry Christmas!
You’re welcome, Jill. You’ll love it there. Merry Christmas to you!
We no longer have a bookshop in our town. Our only library has been modernised and has an industrial look, I miss the old library there was so much more atmosphere!
I love older libraries, Janine. I know exactly what you mean!
Oh, to be able to browse in that bookshop! I don’t think I would ever want to leave. Thanks for sharing with us. Reading great books and drinking hot chocolate — the perfect way to spend these short, dark days of winter. Have fun!
I wanted to camp out there on the sofa, Dottie, and check out all the books!
Claudia, I wish I could have been with you there in NYC. I wish I could have seen time s Square in the earlier years too. I thought when I saw it , it was overly informative. LOL. The book store was dreamy. My daughter would love nothing better than to own one or work in one. I hope you got to rest your ankle today. I just got better Sunday evening from standing over and hour at the funeral home., on Friday. ..so I know ankle pain. I miss walking and running…no long distance stuff just everyday jaunts. So I can sympathize with you. Glad you got some books. Blessings for a good evening. xoxo,Susie
I miss walking, too. I can do it, but no long distances just yet. Thank you, Susie – have a wonderful evening.
Love the book shop – I could spend hours there!
Times Square looks very un-Christmassy though – where are the lights etc?
Glad you knew enough to not overdo your walking dear – hope by now you are rested and pain-free.
Our only independent book shop is closing- – – – – – BUT thankfully moving in the the NewYear much closer to my home – I can even walk there – yippee!
Hugs – Mary
The problem with Times Square is that there are too many competing lights – neon and video everywhere! How would we even see the Christmas lights?
Good news about your local bookstore!
Oh my gosh Claudia…looks like you got everything you wanted and more at the bookshop…What a nice gift they gave you…..I believe that would be a dream job for me too..I hope you got some rest today..
I did, Nancy. Today, it’s off to Target.
Thanks. I enjoyed your adventure. Every time I walk into a book store I feel so much more relaxed
Me too, Kay!
I’m so glad you had a good day and got lots of great books! I know how tired I am going through all this and depression takes it toll on us also. Sunday I found a little vintage shop that was open and found my first Roseville pottery. Not in the best shape, but I love it. I’ll share if I ever get home or some time to take a photo. I expect to be here in Texas at least until Christmas and maybe longer. Rest that foot!
hugs,
Linda
Whoo hoo! You found some Roseville! Hurrah! You need a little treat right now, Linda. What you’re going through is so stressful and heartbreaking. Sending love to you, my friend.
Merry Christmas to you and Don and Scout
Merry Christmas to you, Missy!