| If you're feeling a little bit like an anachronism, if you | | | | books' former owner...illustrates the human touch that |
| find the phrase "teacher's pet" appealing, and most of | | | | lends used books their particular charm." |
| all, if you find the presence of books to be soothing | | | | - Big Sleep. For those of you who love to sleuth their |
| to the point of being anesthetizing, then this article is | | | | way through a good espionage, detection, or |
| for you. For those of us who think of navy blue | | | | mystery novel, there's Big Sleep Books on Euclid Ave. |
| hosiery when you hear the phrase "St. Louis Blues" | | | | Featuring new, used, first editions and signed copies, |
| here are a few of the choicer establishments where | | | | the Big Sleep has unlocked the mystery of how to |
| you can get your fix: | | | | run a successful independent bookstore squeezed |
| - Left Bank Bookstore. A giant among the St. Louis | | | | into the tiniest imaginable space. From Christie to |
| literary scene, Left Bank Bookstore lives up to its | | | | LeCarre to Sherlock Holmes, you'll surely find |
| reputation by inviting the great American writers | | | | something to keep you up all night at the Big Sleep. |
| (think Jamaica Kinkaid, Jane Smiley, and David | | | | - St. Louis Book Fair. If you firmly believe that one |
| Sedaris) to speak at its store. With its main store | | | | man's trashy novel is another man's Treasure Island, |
| located in the Central West End (the other one's | | | | then the St. Louis Book Fair is for you. This 60 year |
| downtown) Left Bank Books takes pride in being | | | | old event will be held at the West County Center in |
| locally owned and operated, and has spearheaded | | | | 2010, beginning April 29th and running through May |
| several literary initiatives in its neighborhood. In the | | | | 2nd. The opening gala holds an auction of rare books. |
| spirit of famous Parisian bookstores, Left Bank Books | | | | Gently used records, tapes, CDs, DVDs, videos, |
| also has a resident cat named Spike. | | | | comics, graphic novels, and of course, books, will all |
| - Subterranean. Located on the Loop on Delmar, | | | | be on sale throughout the event. Proceeds go |
| Subterranean has recently lost half its size but none | | | | toward local non-profit education and literacy |
| of its influence. Here's a sweet endorsement from | | | | programs, so you will be doing good while you shop. |
| yelp.com, "For something like twenty dollars we Gulag | | | | If you're a member of the St. Louis Bluestockings, fly |
| enthusiasts were able to find Solzhenitsyn's | | | | that flag proudly and visit a local, independent |
| unabridged, two-volume, five-thousand-page literary | | | | bookstore. You'll be in good company, in the |
| investigation...The loving title-page inscription to the | | | | company of books. |