Oct. 30th, 2003 03:38 pm
Bay of Big Readers
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Surprisingly, we didn't do much book shopping in San Francisco. There was our trip to Chinatown, in which we wandered into North Beach trying to find a bookstore that was recommended to us. The owner had an irritating habit of whistling an off-key tune that was inspired in some unrecoverable way by whatever music he happened to be playing. When he failed to show us what we were looking for and walked off,
monshu said to me, "I think we've brought consternation."
He did recommend another bookstore, but it turned out to be even smaller than his. We wondered if this wasn't another instance of the famous Chinese habit of tossing you a lead, no matter how pointless.
monshu says the reasoning is that, if they send you somewhere, then they've helped you. Looking on the more cynical side, I think they often are just glad to be rid of us after we've embarrassed them over their lack of stock.
The woman at New China Books was very gracious and we did end up buying some items; even if they weren't really what we were seeking, they should prove handy. But we didn't really strike paydirt until we had given up. On the way back to the Gate, I spotted a sign advertising scrolls and framing and suggested this might be the opportunity
monshu was looking for to get the calligraphy he'd brought along mounted traditionally. It was, but it still wasn't cheap, and, of course, they only took cash. So while he was out hitting the ATM and the couple who ran the cramped basement shop were going back about their business, I cracked open one of the books we'd picked up. The proprietress noted with interest that it contained antique characters and I explain that I was trying to learn seal script. She communicated this to her husband, who showed me a book he used, which gave the forms of the characters in six antique forms, including small seal script.
My jaw dropped. "This is exactly what we've been looking for!" I said. "Where did you get it?" China! But, as luck would have it, he was visiting China in a few weeks and could purchase another. Would I like to buy the one he had? I jumped at the chance. He offered me five but his wife said that was too little and demanded ten. He laughed and split the difference. I paid him $8 for an pocket-sized, ink-smeared book and felt like I'd scored a tremendous coup. "If I give you this, and you happy, then I am happy!" Mr Wong told me.
Later, we popped into a Chinese department store, but the books there were much too cheesy. I picked up a Dover reprint on Korean games at the Asian Art Museum gift shop, but didn't have nearly as much time to check out Kiyokuniya as I wanted. We had high hopes for Stacey's and it was a terrible disappointment. Their computer section might be awesome, but
monshu described their art section as "pathetic" and I felt their language reference was no better than what one could find in a decent Borders or Barnes and Noble. On the other hand, they had more Feng Shui books than any other place I've ever been--including Chinatown!
My moment of greatest amusement came in the basement, where they have their shelves of discounted merchandise. The first one I came to was labeled "BARGAIN RELIGION". I thought that was fantastic. Can't afford the high prices for Scientology now that your stock options are worth less than Sanrio stamps? Find a new spirituality for $9.99 or less! The store was decked out--in a tasteful, restrained way--for Day of the Dead. I looked from the mediocre ofrendas to the whey faces of the staff and back again, turned to
monshu and said, "Never before has this holiday looked so appropriated."
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He did recommend another bookstore, but it turned out to be even smaller than his. We wondered if this wasn't another instance of the famous Chinese habit of tossing you a lead, no matter how pointless.
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
The woman at New China Books was very gracious and we did end up buying some items; even if they weren't really what we were seeking, they should prove handy. But we didn't really strike paydirt until we had given up. On the way back to the Gate, I spotted a sign advertising scrolls and framing and suggested this might be the opportunity
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
My jaw dropped. "This is exactly what we've been looking for!" I said. "Where did you get it?" China! But, as luck would have it, he was visiting China in a few weeks and could purchase another. Would I like to buy the one he had? I jumped at the chance. He offered me five but his wife said that was too little and demanded ten. He laughed and split the difference. I paid him $8 for an pocket-sized, ink-smeared book and felt like I'd scored a tremendous coup. "If I give you this, and you happy, then I am happy!" Mr Wong told me.
Later, we popped into a Chinese department store, but the books there were much too cheesy. I picked up a Dover reprint on Korean games at the Asian Art Museum gift shop, but didn't have nearly as much time to check out Kiyokuniya as I wanted. We had high hopes for Stacey's and it was a terrible disappointment. Their computer section might be awesome, but
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
My moment of greatest amusement came in the basement, where they have their shelves of discounted merchandise. The first one I came to was labeled "BARGAIN RELIGION". I thought that was fantastic. Can't afford the high prices for Scientology now that your stock options are worth less than Sanrio stamps? Find a new spirituality for $9.99 or less! The store was decked out--in a tasteful, restrained way--for Day of the Dead. I looked from the mediocre ofrendas to the whey faces of the staff and back again, turned to
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
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