12 Oct 2006
Read Between the Lines

Independent bookstores are almost a thing of the past here: as far as I know there aren't any independent, general distribution booksellers left in Indianapolis.

But I'm lucky, being nearly halfway between Indy and Lafayette. For in West Lafayette there still exists a real independent bookseller, Von's Book Shop, and I frequent it regularly. Von's sells more than books - it's a craft store, bead emporium and music retailer, all rolled into one. I've purchased raw amber and pewter Thor's Hammers there - they even have a selection of geodes and assorted rocks!

And the bookstore itself: well, it's huge, taking up nearly half a city block. I've never searched for a book on Amazon (except technical books) that Von's didn't have. On the shelf. No shipping. In fact, I made a trip to Von's once fully prepared to backorder the book I wanted, as it was a fairly rare treatise on Old Norse, only to find it instantly available - they even had two copies!

Definitely worth a visit if you're ever in the area.

Video games and MySpace distractions aside, losing yourself in a good book remains one of life's great pleasures. But if you treasure life on a human scale, how you choose to buy your book is almost as important as the book you buy. Commentary by Tony Long.

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