Looking for old or used books the old
fashioned way can wear out a lot of shoe leather, but is way more
interesting than computer searches. Hoping to discover a series of Ansel
Adams photography books while in Paris, brought me to several bookshops
I regularly go to. It was a long shot, but all about the journey. First
I needed a little lunch for the way. Walking
through Paris' Latin Quarter, there
are many choices. 
A crêpe made to order and filled with warm, melted Gruyere cheese is a favorite. It is
street food at it's finest. 
Now, I could get down to business in this
lively quartier. 
The area of students and universities,
gets its name from the Latin language speaking students from the Middle
Ages. There is still a learning atmosphere with bookstores that cater to
the international student. I first stopped at the bookshop, Gilbert
Jeune, with no luck at finding my books. Walking along the
Seine and past les bookinistes stalls, I looked quickly
at what was displayed beyond the postcards. There was a lot of
photography, but no Ansel Adams books to be seen. Whoa.....so much for
French fashion here! 
And why are the photographer and
journalists signs posted with the toillette
sign??? 
Onward I went to reach Shakespeare
and Company, 
the English speaking bookshop with roots
back to the original owner, Sylvia
Beach. The store was often visited by Ernest Hemingway, Ezra
Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, George Antheil, Man Ray,
James
Joyce, and the Beat Poets of
the 50's. I have been coming
here for years and have often gone to the Sunday poetry readings and
tea in the upstairs room. The bookshop welcomes young writers and
students, and offers a place to study 
and even sleep if needed. (I think I am
too much of a germ freak to do that!)
You're just expected to give back by
working a little in the store. I don't think anyone has ever been on the
organizing shift, though! 
There is a place to stop, sit 
and read in every dusty nook, 
cranny 
and eave of this bohemian store. 
I was tempted to drag that comfy green
chair over to the open window and sit a spell. Even though there were no
Ansel Adams books (I think!) among stacks and stacks of books here, the
ongoing dedication to the learned soul permeates from every creak in
the ancient floor. Ah...if walls (and books) could talk!
Looking for old or used books the old
fashioned way can wear out a lot of shoe leather, but is way more
interesting than computer searches. Hoping to discover a series of Ansel
Adams photography books while in Paris, brought me to several bookshops
I regularly go to. It was a long shot, but all about the journey. First
I needed a little lunch for the way. Walking
through Paris' Latin Quarter, there
are many choices. 
A crêpe made to order and filled with warm, melted Gruyere cheese is a favorite. It is
street food at it's finest. 
Now, I could get down to business in this
lively quartier. 
The area of students and universities,
gets its name from the Latin language speaking students from the Middle
Ages. There is still a learning atmosphere with bookstores that cater to
the international student. I first stopped at the bookshop, Gilbert
Jeune, with no luck at finding my books. Walking along the
Seine and past les bookinistes stalls, I looked quickly
at what was displayed beyond the postcards. There was a lot of
photography, but no Ansel Adams books to be seen. Whoa.....so much for
French fashion here! 
And why are the photographer and
journalists signs posted with the toillette
sign??? 
Onward I went to reach Shakespeare
and Company, 
the English speaking bookshop with roots
back to the original owner, Sylvia
Beach. The store was often visited by Ernest Hemingway, Ezra
Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, George Antheil, Man Ray,
James
Joyce, and the Beat Poets of
the 50's. I have been coming
here for years and have often gone to the Sunday poetry readings and
tea in the upstairs room. The bookshop welcomes young writers and
students, and offers a place to study 
and even sleep if needed. (I think I am
too much of a germ freak to do that!)
You're just expected to give back by
working a little in the store. I don't think anyone has ever been on the
organizing shift, though! 
There is a place to stop, sit 
and read in every dusty nook, 
cranny 
and eave of this bohemian store. 
I was tempted to drag that comfy green
chair over to the open window and sit a spell. Even though there were no
Ansel Adams books (I think!) among stacks and stacks of books here, the
ongoing dedication to the learned soul permeates from every creak in
the ancient floor. Ah...if walls (and books) could talk! 