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I just received my first-semester class evaluations from my students. After reviewing them I came to the conclusion that my class would be much more enjoyable for my students if we did not spend so much time reading or writing. They would prefer to interact in more group activities or spend their time working on artistic projects. Unfortunately, I do not teach physical education or art. Although I can appreciate that group activities and artistic projects have a place in my c

The world of the used bookseller has gone through radical and sometimes painful changes over the last few years. Many people have commented on the changes brought about by the Internet and online book purchasing. No one can doubt the profound effect the evolution of online book databases such as Interloc/Alibris and the Advance Book Exchange have had on booksellers. And let’s not forget that pesky little dot.com startup company — I think it’s called Amazon.com? That these cha

Books As Literature “It is a salutary discipline to consider the vast number of books that are written, the fair hopes with which their authors see them published, and the fate which awaits them. What chance is there that any book will make its way among that multitude? And the successful books are but the successes of a season. Heaven knows what pains the author has been at, what bitter experiences he has endured and what heartache suffered, to give some chance reader a few

If I had five seconds to ask two questions about life, they would be “From whence?” and “Where to?” Same with paper ephemera. Where on earth do you get it, and what in heaven’s name do you do with it once you’ve got it? Paper is great for collectors because they know what they want and how much they will pay for it, and most antique dealers and booksellers can handle the occasional good piece that comes their way, but full-time pursuit and dealing is pretty specialized. It re

My husband Bob and I have just returned from the Miami Book Fair International. This is an achievement returning, that is. Because we drove. A CAR, not a TANK! A tank would have felt a little bit safer as the trucks hauling goods to the port were rerouted en masse thru town due to an accident on a causeway. This inconvenience caused massive traffic jams which irritated the truckers and the auto traffic. Generally Miami traffic is bad, I hear, but this was ridiculous. Miami ha

On November 23 and 24, 2002, the Oregon Antiquarian Book Fair was held at the Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. This was the first year that this book show was produced by Palmer/Wirfs & Associates in conjunction with their Collectible & Antique Show, and it was dedicated to the memory of Oregon bookseller Leonard LanFranco, the tireless organizer of the book show in years past (and former IOBA board member) in “honor of his great knowledge of books, his passion for t

By: Dee Stewart, Editor – P. Scott Brown, Publisher While the buying and selling of books is undergoing tremendous change, it is ironic that the book itself has remained relatively impervious to innovation. The physical format of the book was established a millennium or more ago when scrolls were first folded and bound into boards for easier reading. The invention of moveable type in the 1550s was the last major advance. Techniques for reproducing photographs revolutionized n

Pasadena, CA won’t be wrapped in yellow police tape on Thursday, Feb.27 but it will be a major crime scene from then until Sunday, Mar. 2. The only clues you need to solve the case are three words: Left Coast Crime, the killer convention for West Coast mystery authors, publishers, booksellers, collectors and dedicated fans. Left Coast Crime Convention 2003 will draw mystery fans from around the globe to celebrate “Lights! Camera! Murder!” at Hilton Pasadena Hotel. Robert Crai