Old Number Six Book Depot

I buy 99.9% of all my books through Amazon. 

This is a major mistake.

There is a bookstore here in town called The Old Number Six Book Depot. Used books.

This building used to be church for me. I visited regularly. The owner knew me, the people who worked there knew me. It is a spectacularly magical place for a book lover.

Creaky wooden floors. I think there was only one wood burning stove, although I can't be sure. It was chilly in the winter time.

Shelf after shelf overflowing with books. Books piled on the floor, on chairs - the place had so much personality.

When I arrived and when I left I would always have satisfying conversations with whoever was working that day. It was a joy.

It brought me such peace to spend long stretches of time browsing. I never left without a book. 

Heaven.

I got lazy. I got frugal. Most of the books I buy on Amazon are used and on the cheap. Delivered to my door.

Here's what sparked this introspection. I am reading "You Can't Go Home Again" by Thomas Wolfe. The book came from the Nevada County Library. It has a sticker on it. I like the history of these used books. I like knowing where they came from. I like the inscriptions I sometimes find inside.

The Blues book I just read is autographed by Walter Trout to "Frank."

It is all cool, but it is not worth the absence of The Old Number Six Book Depot from my life.

I am all about peace and happiness now, especially now that they have suddenly become real to me. I am also about tradition. Old school.

One more thing I have to re-establish in my life in 2022 is the Book Depot ritual. I need it.

I will never buy all my books from the Book Depot; I am too voracious a reader, and often nurture very specific tastes.

But semi-regular trips there will spread peace-balm on my soul, a soul that has begun to regenerate, a soul that welcomes inspiration and health.

I am making a trip to the center of me, digging down to my essence. The Old Number Six Book Depot is there; its vibe is in my soul, my heart and my mind. I just have to revive it.

I will be visiting soon.

Like coming home.