Michael C Bumsted
@mcbumsted.bsky.social
Lapsed Academic, Libris Award Winning Bookseller.
Hey #historians,
Lots of news coverage saying "King of England to pray with Pope for first time since Reformation", & the like. My co-workers & I cannot think of a time it every happened. Can anyone enlighten me?
Lots of news coverage saying "King of England to pray with Pope for first time since Reformation", & the like. My co-workers & I cannot think of a time it every happened. Can anyone enlighten me?
October 20, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Hey #historians,
Lots of news coverage saying "King of England to pray with Pope for first time since Reformation", & the like. My co-workers & I cannot think of a time it every happened. Can anyone enlighten me?
Lots of news coverage saying "King of England to pray with Pope for first time since Reformation", & the like. My co-workers & I cannot think of a time it every happened. Can anyone enlighten me?
My wife, who knows a little bit about #ultimatefrisbee has just suggested that a grand masters or great grandmaster team should be called "The Gen X-Men".
June 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
My wife, who knows a little bit about #ultimatefrisbee has just suggested that a grand masters or great grandmaster team should be called "The Gen X-Men".
We had a book ordered by a customer in the southern US in late Dec. Book was supposed to arrive on Jan 4. It is now scheduled for delivery on Jan 21.
Both we & the customer were frustrated by the delays, which we could do very little about. Latest update showed it moved from one post office.../1
Both we & the customer were frustrated by the delays, which we could do very little about. Latest update showed it moved from one post office.../1
January 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
We had a book ordered by a customer in the southern US in late Dec. Book was supposed to arrive on Jan 4. It is now scheduled for delivery on Jan 21.
Both we & the customer were frustrated by the delays, which we could do very little about. Latest update showed it moved from one post office.../1
Both we & the customer were frustrated by the delays, which we could do very little about. Latest update showed it moved from one post office.../1
Got a call at the shop today:
"Hi my name is (X), & I used to be a customer..."
(Always an endearing way to start)
"...has anyone reported anything odd about the new (famous Canadian authored mystery)?"
Me: "What do you mean by odd ma'am?"
Caller: "Could you look at page 179..."
Cont.
"Hi my name is (X), & I used to be a customer..."
(Always an endearing way to start)
"...has anyone reported anything odd about the new (famous Canadian authored mystery)?"
Me: "What do you mean by odd ma'am?"
Caller: "Could you look at page 179..."
Cont.
November 20, 2024 at 8:53 PM
Got a call at the shop today:
"Hi my name is (X), & I used to be a customer..."
(Always an endearing way to start)
"...has anyone reported anything odd about the new (famous Canadian authored mystery)?"
Me: "What do you mean by odd ma'am?"
Caller: "Could you look at page 179..."
Cont.
"Hi my name is (X), & I used to be a customer..."
(Always an endearing way to start)
"...has anyone reported anything odd about the new (famous Canadian authored mystery)?"
Me: "What do you mean by odd ma'am?"
Caller: "Could you look at page 179..."
Cont.
Man got upset with me today when I told him I could not sell him all three Hobbit novels. He was pissed that I refused sell him "Desolation of Smaug" & "Battle of Five Armies".
A friend suggested I just cut the book up. Book II - 20 pages, Book III - 43 pages. Think the customer would mind?
A friend suggested I just cut the book up. Book II - 20 pages, Book III - 43 pages. Think the customer would mind?
January 6, 2024 at 10:05 PM
Man got upset with me today when I told him I could not sell him all three Hobbit novels. He was pissed that I refused sell him "Desolation of Smaug" & "Battle of Five Armies".
A friend suggested I just cut the book up. Book II - 20 pages, Book III - 43 pages. Think the customer would mind?
A friend suggested I just cut the book up. Book II - 20 pages, Book III - 43 pages. Think the customer would mind?
There are days when I forget how unserious a country Britain is. Then there are days when a book order comes in & it is for an address like: "The Old Rectory, The Hatch, Wanksworth", & I am reminded.
But also remember it is probably a Grade II listed building with medieval cedar out front & a moat.
But also remember it is probably a Grade II listed building with medieval cedar out front & a moat.
January 3, 2024 at 4:57 PM
There are days when I forget how unserious a country Britain is. Then there are days when a book order comes in & it is for an address like: "The Old Rectory, The Hatch, Wanksworth", & I am reminded.
But also remember it is probably a Grade II listed building with medieval cedar out front & a moat.
But also remember it is probably a Grade II listed building with medieval cedar out front & a moat.
Always happy to hear a customer enjoys a recommendation, particularly when it is made for a gift or to read to a kid.
How does one properly react when that a political customer name checks your shop in the 'paper during the election cycle? Even as progressive as I am, the other side shops here too
How does one properly react when that a political customer name checks your shop in the 'paper during the election cycle? Even as progressive as I am, the other side shops here too
September 28, 2023 at 2:26 PM
Always happy to hear a customer enjoys a recommendation, particularly when it is made for a gift or to read to a kid.
How does one properly react when that a political customer name checks your shop in the 'paper during the election cycle? Even as progressive as I am, the other side shops here too
How does one properly react when that a political customer name checks your shop in the 'paper during the election cycle? Even as progressive as I am, the other side shops here too
Holy shit #Canada, wasn't even gone a week, & I come back to this...?
If you think anti-LGBTQ+ protests are bad, but you vote for the parties the protestors support, you are empowering the hate-filled to behave this way. #nospaceforhate
If you think anti-LGBTQ+ protests are bad, but you vote for the parties the protestors support, you are empowering the hate-filled to behave this way. #nospaceforhate
September 21, 2023 at 2:52 PM
Holy shit #Canada, wasn't even gone a week, & I come back to this...?
If you think anti-LGBTQ+ protests are bad, but you vote for the parties the protestors support, you are empowering the hate-filled to behave this way. #nospaceforhate
If you think anti-LGBTQ+ protests are bad, but you vote for the parties the protestors support, you are empowering the hate-filled to behave this way. #nospaceforhate
I'll tell you what. There's adrenaline, then there is "Air Canada emails you in the middle of the night having rebooked you on a plane lands in Toronto 35 min after their once weekly flight to Edinburgh takes off" adrenaline.
sorted now, but positively resolved travel panic is a hell of a drug.
sorted now, but positively resolved travel panic is a hell of a drug.
September 14, 2023 at 3:58 PM
I'll tell you what. There's adrenaline, then there is "Air Canada emails you in the middle of the night having rebooked you on a plane lands in Toronto 35 min after their once weekly flight to Edinburgh takes off" adrenaline.
sorted now, but positively resolved travel panic is a hell of a drug.
sorted now, but positively resolved travel panic is a hell of a drug.