two umbrellas

If you’ve never read Infinite Jest but always wanted to, now’s your chance – it’s an Infinite Summer (and you’ll have a support group!). I wish this was going on when I read it. Once and done for me (for now) I’ve still got Cervantes and Proust to tackle. (via)

Speaking of DFW, hipsterbookclub has an essay by the woman who designed some of his books. From my experience in publishing, it can be an intimate relationship. A touching essay.

The Seven Types of Customer: After working full-time at a Borders in Philly, this made me laugh, and laugh, and laugh…

Fortunately, Robin’s Bookstore’s doors will not be closed forever. They will reopen in the space above their old shop, creating a place much like a salon with books plus events, selling only used books and sharing the space with Moonstone Arts Center. I can’t wait to check out the new shop, which re-opens today.

Another independent institution, Robin’s Bookstore, will be closing its doors in January 2009. It is a sad day for literary Philadelphia.

Over at the millions, Garth takes a Walking Tour of New York Independent Booksellers. Living in the very tour-oriented city of Philadelphia (lets just say that I am shamed to share the street with one of these), I can get behind a worthwhile tour. Sounds like a fun project for Philadelphia…

Somehow (I am ashamed to say) I have not known about the Joseph Fox Bookshop in Philadelphia until last week. At any rate, I am very glad I found it. It’s a small store but they have am extensive and eclectic selection (including a wide array of NYRB titles) of fiction and nonfiction books and are willing to do special orders for rare and/or out of print books – a treasure chest only a few blocks from my apartment!