An ‘Indiespensable’ addition to your book collection
I’m a book collector. As best I can recall, I began collecting books in college.
Walking to class each day, I would pass a little book stand – five or six tables of books in cardboard flats – manned by Bradley Bumgarner-Kirby. Bradley set up every day, weather permitting, outside of Popejoy Hall on the University of New Mexico campus. And Bradley had the best books.
He had hard-to-find first printings. He occasionally had a signed copy. And written very lightly in pencil on the first page inside the cover was the price, typically accompanied by N/D – which stood for “No Discount.” But, for young college students and burgeoning book collectors, Bradley nearly always gave a discount.
I had a work-study job at Zimmerman Library, and much of the money I earned was passed along to Bradley as I developed a small library of my own.
Damien Willis, Las Cruces Sun-News [Photo: Chris Lang]
In the years since, one of my great joys has been browsing the stacks of used bookstores, looking for hidden gems. And I’ve spent hours in some truly great ones.
I’ve strolled the stacks of the legendary Moe’s Books in Berkeley. I’ve traveled with empty suitcases to Portland, Oregon – and filled those suitcases with amazing books from Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore. I’ve spent hours in Albuquerque’s Page 1 Books – and, before it was closed, Page One, Too.
And, of course, I consider myself lucky to live in Las Cruces with Coas Books, one of the greatest bookstores in New Mexico.
Over the years, I’ve amassed a fairly respectable collection — thousands of books, hundreds of which are signed editions. My collection has outgrown my study and spilled into other rooms in my house. I have no complaints about that.
On the other hand, moving is never fun. But I suppose that’s a small price to pay for something that brings one joy, right?
One of the great additions to my ever-growing collection is a subscription service from Powell’s that I’d like to share. It’s called Indiespensable, and I’m a big fan. Every 6 to 8 weeks, subscribers receive a carefully-curated package. Each box contains an exclusive signed edition of a (typically critically-acclaimed) book in a custom slipcase. Each book comes with a collectible booklet — which often includes an interview with the author. Often, another book is included in the package, sometimes an advance copy of an upcoming release.
Also – and cannot to be overstated – each shipment contains “other surprises.” Sometimes this is Powell’s swag, like a coffee mug or water bottle. But very often it is some sort of edible, regional goodies from the Pacific Northwest. (The most recent package included a couple of artisan chocolate bars, which were delicious.)
The subscription is $44.95 per shipment. I’ve been a subscriber for about four years now, and suspended my subscription once, when money was a little tight. I re-subscribed as soon as I was able to.
Find out more about Indiespensable, and view some of the past installments, at www.powells.com/indiespensable.
Damien Willis is a columnist for Pulse, writing primarily about entertainment and pop culture. He may be reached at dwillis@lcsun-news.com or @DamienWillis on Twitter.
— Originally Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News, 03/05/20
