The Haunted Bookshop
@bookshopghost.bsky.social
Iowa City's home for 47,000 used/rare books, puzzles, games, and two famous cats. 😷 Masks required - 12-6 Central, Mon-Sat - https://www.thehauntedbookshop.com
I'm sorry it closed, but I'm glad you made that difference in your community - probably more than you heard about at the time 💜
November 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
I'm sorry it closed, but I'm glad you made that difference in your community - probably more than you heard about at the time 💜
363. I'm new to the Premee Mohamed fan club, but joining enthusiastically.
Underpinning adventure in a masterfully constructed SFF world are questions about the ethics of pursuing success when you are young, passionate... and an invisibly disabled child of a diaspora.
bookshop.org/a/868/978177...
Underpinning adventure in a masterfully constructed SFF world are questions about the ethics of pursuing success when you are young, passionate... and an invisibly disabled child of a diaspora.
bookshop.org/a/868/978177...
The Annual Migration of Clouds
Check out The Annual Migration of Clouds - <b>AURORA AWARD WINNER</b><BR> <BR><b>“This packs a punch.” — <i>Publishers Weekly</i></b><BR> <BR><b>“One of the most unique and eng...
bookshop.org
November 28, 2025 at 7:38 AM
363. I'm new to the Premee Mohamed fan club, but joining enthusiastically.
Underpinning adventure in a masterfully constructed SFF world are questions about the ethics of pursuing success when you are young, passionate... and an invisibly disabled child of a diaspora.
bookshop.org/a/868/978177...
Underpinning adventure in a masterfully constructed SFF world are questions about the ethics of pursuing success when you are young, passionate... and an invisibly disabled child of a diaspora.
bookshop.org/a/868/978177...
362. This book only has one title and author, but it contains more stories than I have read yet, despite the fact that I've read the book twice.
Sure, yes, whales, blubber, gore. But the VOICE. The interiority. The scrimshaw cipher that is Ahab. This book haunts me.
bookshop.org/a/868/978014...
Sure, yes, whales, blubber, gore. But the VOICE. The interiority. The scrimshaw cipher that is Ahab. This book haunts me.
bookshop.org/a/868/978014...
Moby-Dick: or, The Whale
or, The Whale
bookshop.org
November 28, 2025 at 7:27 AM
362. This book only has one title and author, but it contains more stories than I have read yet, despite the fact that I've read the book twice.
Sure, yes, whales, blubber, gore. But the VOICE. The interiority. The scrimshaw cipher that is Ahab. This book haunts me.
bookshop.org/a/868/978014...
Sure, yes, whales, blubber, gore. But the VOICE. The interiority. The scrimshaw cipher that is Ahab. This book haunts me.
bookshop.org/a/868/978014...
May I ask where it was? One of these days I will get organized and write a book about the store bookmarks I've been collecting all these years!
November 28, 2025 at 7:14 AM
May I ask where it was? One of these days I will get organized and write a book about the store bookmarks I've been collecting all these years!
Also: when it's time, call me, or message or whatever.
Whatever kind of shop you imagine, I will be happy to help you make a practical checklist. I've bought six bookshops, so I've made most of the mistakes, so let me steer you around them!
There are others who would be delighted to help you, too.
Whatever kind of shop you imagine, I will be happy to help you make a practical checklist. I've bought six bookshops, so I've made most of the mistakes, so let me steer you around them!
There are others who would be delighted to help you, too.
November 28, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Also: when it's time, call me, or message or whatever.
Whatever kind of shop you imagine, I will be happy to help you make a practical checklist. I've bought six bookshops, so I've made most of the mistakes, so let me steer you around them!
There are others who would be delighted to help you, too.
Whatever kind of shop you imagine, I will be happy to help you make a practical checklist. I've bought six bookshops, so I've made most of the mistakes, so let me steer you around them!
There are others who would be delighted to help you, too.
Hold the thought. Hold it close, and be thinking about how you want your shop to be, because once your door is open, it'll be hard to change gears.
Go ahead. Plan.
Because this regime will not last.
And when it is gone, so many people will want, will need, what you will be able to offer.
Go ahead. Plan.
Because this regime will not last.
And when it is gone, so many people will want, will need, what you will be able to offer.
November 28, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Hold the thought. Hold it close, and be thinking about how you want your shop to be, because once your door is open, it'll be hard to change gears.
Go ahead. Plan.
Because this regime will not last.
And when it is gone, so many people will want, will need, what you will be able to offer.
Go ahead. Plan.
Because this regime will not last.
And when it is gone, so many people will want, will need, what you will be able to offer.
I'm sure you've heard the joke:
Do you know how to make a small fortune in bookselling?
Start with a big one 😅
We believe in books and readers, though, so as long as I can hold on, we'll be here!
Do you know how to make a small fortune in bookselling?
Start with a big one 😅
We believe in books and readers, though, so as long as I can hold on, we'll be here!
November 28, 2025 at 5:02 AM
I'm sure you've heard the joke:
Do you know how to make a small fortune in bookselling?
Start with a big one 😅
We believe in books and readers, though, so as long as I can hold on, we'll be here!
Do you know how to make a small fortune in bookselling?
Start with a big one 😅
We believe in books and readers, though, so as long as I can hold on, we'll be here!
@deepvellum.bsky.social definitely uses quality paper stock, and they have picked some absolute knockout titles!
I'll look up Neon Hemlock, I'm not remembering that one (ate too much lol) Thanks for the recs!
I'll look up Neon Hemlock, I'm not remembering that one (ate too much lol) Thanks for the recs!
November 28, 2025 at 4:59 AM
@deepvellum.bsky.social definitely uses quality paper stock, and they have picked some absolute knockout titles!
I'll look up Neon Hemlock, I'm not remembering that one (ate too much lol) Thanks for the recs!
I'll look up Neon Hemlock, I'm not remembering that one (ate too much lol) Thanks for the recs!
True! And some are only available in one format, or they're print on demand (which not everyone likes, for quality or delay reasons)
November 28, 2025 at 4:55 AM
True! And some are only available in one format, or they're print on demand (which not everyone likes, for quality or delay reasons)
I may get emails from Folio announcing new releases 👀
Library of America has come up recently, in part because of the Philip K Dick volumes.
But I miss Arkham House, Gnome Press, that kind. You understand.
Library of America has come up recently, in part because of the Philip K Dick volumes.
But I miss Arkham House, Gnome Press, that kind. You understand.
November 28, 2025 at 4:23 AM
I may get emails from Folio announcing new releases 👀
Library of America has come up recently, in part because of the Philip K Dick volumes.
But I miss Arkham House, Gnome Press, that kind. You understand.
Library of America has come up recently, in part because of the Philip K Dick volumes.
But I miss Arkham House, Gnome Press, that kind. You understand.
Yes, 12mos are usually around 8-9" tall. I'm a nerd and actually pronounce it "duodecimo" 🤓
I haven't kept up with who's doing fine press SFF now (disadvantage of having a used book shop is that it's easy to fall behind on publishing news!). Do you have any favorite publishers to recommend?
I haven't kept up with who's doing fine press SFF now (disadvantage of having a used book shop is that it's easy to fall behind on publishing news!). Do you have any favorite publishers to recommend?
November 28, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Yes, 12mos are usually around 8-9" tall. I'm a nerd and actually pronounce it "duodecimo" 🤓
I haven't kept up with who's doing fine press SFF now (disadvantage of having a used book shop is that it's easy to fall behind on publishing news!). Do you have any favorite publishers to recommend?
I haven't kept up with who's doing fine press SFF now (disadvantage of having a used book shop is that it's easy to fall behind on publishing news!). Do you have any favorite publishers to recommend?
I have encountered a few of these, but today I am grateful for a lovely email from M________ K____ thanking us for our careful packaging. I love surprising people with quality and care 🥹
November 28, 2025 at 3:37 AM
I have encountered a few of these, but today I am grateful for a lovely email from M________ K____ thanking us for our careful packaging. I love surprising people with quality and care 🥹
We have friends everywhere! There's Sower and Raven to the west and southwest, Columbia and Yellow Dog to the south, and the Twin Cities has the Uncles, Moon Palace, The Book House in Dinkytown....
November 28, 2025 at 3:34 AM
We have friends everywhere! There's Sower and Raven to the west and southwest, Columbia and Yellow Dog to the south, and the Twin Cities has the Uncles, Moon Palace, The Book House in Dinkytown....
The temperature has certainly dropped like a storm is coming. Be safe, friend!
November 28, 2025 at 3:29 AM
The temperature has certainly dropped like a storm is coming. Be safe, friend!
There are point of sale systems that track customers, but many used book shops don't use that kind of tech.
My TOS, for example, is basically "use cash and nobody even needs to know you were here".
My TOS, for example, is basically "use cash and nobody even needs to know you were here".
November 28, 2025 at 3:27 AM
There are point of sale systems that track customers, but many used book shops don't use that kind of tech.
My TOS, for example, is basically "use cash and nobody even needs to know you were here".
My TOS, for example, is basically "use cash and nobody even needs to know you were here".
That. Room. Is. Beautiful. I like your style 📚❤️
November 28, 2025 at 3:20 AM
That. Room. Is. Beautiful. I like your style 📚❤️
The serendipity is my favorite part ❤️
November 28, 2025 at 12:59 AM
The serendipity is my favorite part ❤️
I notoriously spent hundreds of euro mailing myself books after splurging at several Irish bookshops 😅
November 28, 2025 at 12:36 AM
I notoriously spent hundreds of euro mailing myself books after splurging at several Irish bookshops 😅
I'm sorry that necessity dictated your circumstances, but very glad that you keep and use books ❤️📚
November 28, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I'm sorry that necessity dictated your circumstances, but very glad that you keep and use books ❤️📚
All four have excellent uses! I deal in codices, but I too use a lot of different technologies. Respect!
November 28, 2025 at 12:32 AM
All four have excellent uses! I deal in codices, but I too use a lot of different technologies. Respect!
I don't understand what you're asking?
November 28, 2025 at 12:27 AM
I don't understand what you're asking?
So true!
Also, "They teach you to sit with feelings that aren't yours" is a brilliant line.
Also, "They teach you to sit with feelings that aren't yours" is a brilliant line.
November 28, 2025 at 12:25 AM
So true!
Also, "They teach you to sit with feelings that aren't yours" is a brilliant line.
Also, "They teach you to sit with feelings that aren't yours" is a brilliant line.
Medijectors are under development, too! It's awesome when technology is inspired by fiction. Though I am told by some doctors and researchers that it's frustrating to apply for grants and have people not understand the cost and practical obstacles we don't yet have Star Trek level technology for 😆
November 28, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Medijectors are under development, too! It's awesome when technology is inspired by fiction. Though I am told by some doctors and researchers that it's frustrating to apply for grants and have people not understand the cost and practical obstacles we don't yet have Star Trek level technology for 😆
There should be room in any given market for both - but the illusion that non-profits are inherently good, while the for-profit sector is "tainted" by money, is as pervasive as the monopsonies that benefit from this illusion.
Oxfam does great good. There's *also* value in professional bookselling.
Oxfam does great good. There's *also* value in professional bookselling.
November 28, 2025 at 12:17 AM
There should be room in any given market for both - but the illusion that non-profits are inherently good, while the for-profit sector is "tainted" by money, is as pervasive as the monopsonies that benefit from this illusion.
Oxfam does great good. There's *also* value in professional bookselling.
Oxfam does great good. There's *also* value in professional bookselling.