Comments on: Elegy for Old Books (And the people and places that sell them)

By: Jake Forbes » Blog Archive » Elegy for Old Books (and the people and places that sell them)

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:11:41 +0000

[...] posted on gobblin.net) Pass it [...]

By: Gobblin.net » Blog Archive » Wednesday Linkblogging

Gobblin.net » Blog Archive » Wednesday Linkblogging — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:37:36 +0000

[...] of an Indy Bookseller — I’ve always had a soft spot for independent bookstores, having spent the better part of my teens and early 20s in one. In case you’re still wondering why it’s so hard to sell books the old fashioned way, [...]

By: DEAN

DEAN — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:54:59 +0000

Across miles and experiences Jake weaves with words. I know the Leon’s crowd by tales and a few telephone calls. Except for Jake and Susie that is, who are real in my life and friends well met.
The end of an era evokes nostalgia and emotion but what a magic place it has been. For me Leon’s will remain a kingdom of oddly matched souls, brilliant minds and caring hearts that time cannot remove- it will live as it always has in my finely fueled imagination, crafted by sharings JUST like this posting. Thank the gods for places like Leon’s.
And for vocies like Jake’s who remind us of our blessings.
smiles from west virginia

By: Nancy Cauch

Nancy Cauch — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:22:33 +0000

Thank you for this, Jake. Wish I could have made it into Leon’s one more time. Memories of Susie grinning behind the counter will always be with me.
Nancy (another of Susie’s sisters)

By: brent

brent — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:53:18 +0000

This was nice Jake, thank you. You have perfectly articulated what it was to work there, although maybe not work there so much as to be there in that place, in that time. The books were more or less an excuse we used to show up. What you do not say, but what what made us a family in my mind, was that we were all such a bunch of misfits, me, you, Susie, Joe, my dear Rose, Jean, all of us. For my part I loved you all. For me those are still some of the best years of my life. All of you are a part of my living history, told again and again in stories of our adventures, bowling nights, Kitten Boy, Big Earl, the reason the word “evil” is carved in the sidewalk outside of the store. What we we were there is so much deeper than the dust of all those old books. We’ve all seemed to move onto lives that are far beyond anything we could have imagined back then. It is good Jake. I am so very proud of you.

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:18:42 +0000

That was such a wonderful story, Jake. I feel close to Leon’s, too; I went there several years as a kid, and now I have worked there for four wonderful years, and it’s sad that this is happening. Though i think that from your story, no one could love Leon’s the way you do, and thats wonderful.

By: Mollie

Mollie — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:40:19 +0000

That is a very touching story, I’m sorry =( There was a library near our old house that we’d walk to and get books from when I was a kid, I loved it a lot. Sadly, they also closed up. It was a great place, I miss it.

By: lori metzler

lori metzler — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:29:30 +0000

AW Jake, dang it, that made me weep. Thank you.
lori (susie’s sister & tim’s mom)

By: Crystal

Crystal — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:39:54 +0000

Yeah, when I was living with my mom and my grandpa, her dad, when things got rough with my father, I would walk down the street to the local library and emerge myself in the tales of others, relieveing my own pain. I know what it is like to lose a friend and a place like home, I am touched by what you shared with us.

By: Don

Don — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:32:06 +0000

Beautiful piece, your elegy for Leon’s. Thanks Jake. I don’t think I’ll ever delete Leon’s telephone number from my cell phone’s memory. We’ll never forget the night you loped across Higuera to activate your Lego creation in Tom’s Toys for your “grandmother.” Susie’s dad here.