I picked this up an amazing little booksellers in Minneapolis, MN while on tour. I have always enjoyed the 'Books about Books' genre and this volume made it clear that it is my favorite.Used and Rare chronicles the decent of two minor authors into the obsessive world of bibliophilia and back again. Well written, witty and informative I not only learned about book collecting's finer points that could take years to learn by making expensive mistakes, I got to know why I am the way I am when I check the heft of a volume, why I read books with all five senses and why I can't pass a bookstore with out going in...Enjoy this! ( )

I loved this book.

Even though I love reading - and I love books - the look and feel of nice copy has always pleased me - I never really thought much about book collectors or those people who buy the rare and first editions of books. The Goldstones offer such a fun and interesting look into the world of book colectors. This is a cozy book full of warm stories and interesting facts. The people they meet are described - quirks and all - but there is such a charming quality to all their experiences that makes for a wonderful read.

I'll be hanging on to my copy of this book :) ( )

I loved this book! But probably it helps that I love books and like me the authors love to search out a "find".
The authors never identify which one is speaking, which I found a little confusing. When I started the book I pictured an elderly couple and that the book was written in the seventies. When they talked about getting a baby sitter I knew my assumption was wrong. I checked the back of the book (PB version). They are a young couple and it was written in '98! I'm glad to see the joys of book hunting aren't just appealing to oldies like me.
There are some good suggestions for people that might want to find resource material for collecting or identifying first editions.
The couple live in the Berkshires and the scenery was described with charm and fondness, including the book shops.
I think the best part was the interesting book sellers this couple comes across. From used out-of-print book sellers to a dealer so high end it seems you can't get to see the books available for sale.
They introduced a baby sitter that sounded like an interesting character, but then dropped her with one sentence. I would have liked a little more detail. Also the end of the book was rather abrupt. But in all, I'd recommend this as an engaging and entertaining book ( )

The story of how a husband and wife were drawn into the world of serious book collecting. First they began to explore the world of good used books; then took a look at rare books and bought a few; then discovered auctions and fairs. In the end, they decided to mostly acquire what would be considered really good reading copies with only the occasional excursion into fine firsts. I thought this would be a chapter now and then book but it very quickly turned into a read 'til I finish book with its amusing book adventures and interesting tidbits about authors and particular editions of their works.

My reading list has been far to heavy and serious of late, thanks to the fine SUNY system, so stumbling upon this small text in my even smaller local library was a real treat. 'Used and Rare' is a very specific sort of memoir focusing on the authors' accidental entrance int the world of book collecting and the significance it soon holds for them.

The Goldstones beautifully characterize both the many shops they find themselves frequenting and the often colorful proprietors whom they come to befriend over the few years this story spans. The reader is carried along with them as they uncover the fine intricacies and peculiarities of book collecting, from First Editions to 'foxing', 'rubbing', and 'boarding', whatever that means. With every book they find, they reveal the particular place that text holds in their relationship and bring the reader closer to the narrators so that they almost become friends. One is thoughtfully engrossed in what is tucked in the next shelf and whether or not they will ever find that perfect copy of 'Gatsby'.

Beyond just the merits of the memoir and its construction, I must say that I personally found this book in many ways enlightening. As a lover of books, as well as tales, this glimpse into how they are judged, valued, and brought together was quite fascinating. The Goldstones, in their own way, also recommended a slew of new authors I must dig up, though instead of Amazon or Waldens, perhaps I will poke around in that dark little shop the town over. You never know what treasures you might find! Peace. ( )