Rating: 
Summary: USED & RARE is a booklover's dream.
Review: I am currently reading this book for the third time; not because I didn't understand it the first two times, but because I simply LOVED it the first two times. It is a fascinating book, and I can not recommend it enough. This is a booklover's dream. It captures the pure joy that one experiences in finding that perfect book, and then building a great personal library filled with exceptional editions of exceptional books. I have always loved reading, and even more so, I have always loved books, but USED & RARE has increased my passion for books tenfold. I'm only allowed to rate this book as high as a 10 out of 10, but it deserved at least an 11.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must-Own for All Book Lovers!
Review: I came across this little "gem" at my favourite bookstore (under the shelf labelled "Literary Criticism"), picked it up, started reading the first page... and was immediately hooked! This book is very like a treasure map... if you love shopping for books (especially classic literature), you'll know what I mean. I sat down and read the first 30 pages straight, then came back to the store the following 3 days (during office lunch break) to continue reading (didn't buy the book then because I've already exceeded my book-expense budget for the month). I've since bought the book and have loaned it to some friends.This "travel book" is about the "adventures" of a husband-and-wife team (the Goldstones) who are SUCH book lovers that they scour bookstores far and near (especially used and rare book stores) to find the books they want... mostly hardcover editions of famous literature, which then "decorate" the bookshelves in their home. In the process, they meet really interesting people (especially eccentric bookstore owners with a wealth of knowledge to share) and gain insight into the fascinating history and story behind a particular book/author/publication/edition... things that may sound boring on the surface, but this book will prove to you otherwise because each chapter/"story" is so brilliantly written, filled with humour, wit, truth and great anecdotes that keep your interest throughout. Many of the "stories" will make you chuckle out loud. It's a happy book. It's interesting to read how the hunt for a hardcover edition of "War & Peace" as a birthday present has evolved into a long-term passion in book collecting for the Goldstones. Read about your favourite classics here, from Tolstoy, Dickens, Homer and Doystoyevsky to Austen, Melville, Hemingway, Steinbeck and many more. But beware - this book may spark an interest in serious book collecting (which is not a cheap hobby!). I also recommend another wonderful literary companion, "For the Love of Books" (edited by Ronald B. Shwartz) which compiles the personal response of over 100 famous writers today on the question: "What books have left the greatest impression on you and why?".
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Own for All Book Lovers!
Review: I came across this little "gem" at my favourite bookstore (under the shelf labelled "Literary Criticism"), picked it up, started reading the first page... and was immediately hooked! This book is very like a treasure map... if you love shopping for books (especially classic literature), you'll know what I mean. I sat down and read the first 30 pages straight, then came back to the store the following 3 days (during office lunch break) to continue reading (didn't buy the book then because I've already exceeded my book-expense budget for the month). I've since bought the book and have loaned it to some friends. This "travel book" is about the "adventures" of a husband-and-wife team (the Goldstones) who are SUCH book lovers that they scour bookstores far and near (especially used and rare book stores) to find the books they want... mostly hardcover editions of famous literature, which then "decorate" the bookshelves in their home. In the process, they meet really interesting people (especially eccentric bookstore owners with a wealth of knowledge to share) and gain insight into the fascinating history and story behind a particular book/author/publication/edition... things that may sound boring on the surface, but this book will prove to you otherwise because each chapter/"story" is so brilliantly written, filled with humour, wit, truth and great anecdotes that keep your interest throughout. Many of the "stories" will make you chuckle out loud. It's a happy book. It's interesting to read how the hunt for a hardcover edition of "War & Peace" as a birthday present has evolved into a long-term passion in book collecting for the Goldstones. Read about your favourite classics here, from Tolstoy, Dickens, Homer and Doystoyevsky to Austen, Melville, Hemingway, Steinbeck and many more. But beware - this book may spark an interest in serious book collecting (which is not a cheap hobby!). I also recommend another wonderful literary companion, "For the Love of Books" (edited by Ronald B. Shwartz) which compiles the personal response of over 100 famous writers today on the question: "What books have left the greatest impression on you and why?".
Rating:
Summary: Get this if you love books!
Review: I just finished reading this book for the second time. The Goldstone's show you how to understand the "book trade" and to understand book values. This one is a must for someone who wants to build a personal library.
Rating:
Summary: Oh what fun!!
Review: I opened this book and that was the end of me untill I turned the last page. If you love books and your not wealthy but you have pie in the sky dreams about having your own library someday...READ THIS. You can live the folly and reality through this book. You will go on adventures through the halls of bookstores that you have to buz the door to get in and the books sell with the decimal point a bit far to the right for normal people. You will stumble with the authors through the little bookstores with wobbly wood floors and books stacked everywhere. You will dig through the piles of books to uncover some wonderful finds. If you have a bookshelf in your home and for some reason you get joy out just seeing your books, knowing they are there, just touching them and seeing your own identity in what your choose to buy - Get this book. You'll learn how complicated and intriguing book collecting can be. You'll get in on those autions that have buried treasures of books. And maybe, if your lucky, you'll take away a lesson of your own. I learned that like the authors I would like to own hard cover books of the classics and the books I love but in the end I will collect the books I love for what they contain. I can't afford to own all first editions but I can afford to own and experience the stories, the visions and the intriques the writers of books provide. I love my books just as much even if they are not all HC first editions and worth thousands of dollars.
Rating:
Summary: Oh what fun!!
Review: I opened this book and that was the end of me untill I turned the last page. If you love books and your not wealthy but you have pie in the sky dreams about having your own library someday...READ THIS. You can live the folly and reality through this book. You will go on adventures through the halls of bookstores that you have to buz the door to get in and the books sell with the decimal point a bit far to the right for normal people. You will stumble with the authors through the little bookstores with wobbly wood floors and books stacked everywhere. You will dig through the piles of books to uncover some wonderful finds. If you have a bookshelf in your home and for some reason you get joy out just seeing your books, knowing they are there, just touching them and seeing your own identity in what your choose to buy - Get this book. You'll learn how complicated and intriguing book collecting can be. You'll get in on those autions that have buried treasures of books. And maybe, if your lucky, you'll take away a lesson of your own. I learned that like the authors I would like to own hard cover books of the classics and the books I love but in the end I will collect the books I love for what they contain. I can't afford to own all first editions but I can afford to own and experience the stories, the visions and the intriques the writers of books provide. I love my books just as much even if they are not all HC first editions and worth thousands of dollars.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful accident
Review: I ordered this book quite by accident and am delighted. If all accidents could be so delightful. A well-written, easy read that speaks volumes about books and the people who love them. If you have ever thought about purchasing that "special book", this is a must read. Thanks to this pleasant tome, I'm prepared to start my own personal collection. I only hope my adventures are as rewarding as those described by Nancy and Lawrence Goldstone.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful accident
Review: I ordered this book quite by accident and am delighted. If all accidents could be so delightful. A well-written, easy read that speaks volumes about books and the people who love them. If you have ever thought about purchasing that "special book", this is a must read. Thanks to this pleasant tome, I'm prepared to start my own personal collection. I only hope my adventures are as rewarding as those described by Nancy and Lawrence Goldstone.
Rating:
Summary: Great read!
Review: I remember when I first saw this book in my local bookstore. It grabbed me. I love books and especially used ones. This book was a fascinating read as I understand what the authors were feeling as they searched for the perfect book and were slowly (well maybe not so slowly) sucked into the used book world. I could really see the characters they described, and I can attest to the reality of these people. I'm one of them. As a used book dealer, I see these type of folks all the time. I was cracking up through the pages as I saw the Goldstones' obsession grow. I just discovered they have a sequel to "Used and Rare" called "Slightly Chipped". I can't wait to get it!
Rating: 
Summary: Collecting Books and Being Cute at the Same Time
Review: I think this book is interesting and informative for the novice book collector, but I was turned off by the unflattering remarks they made about the people and places they visited along the way. Maybe they're not uncomfortable making fun of the "locals and tourists" because they are neither one..a good neighbor maybe? I think they were trying much too hard to be funny. As I said, an intresting read for a novice if you don't mind too much "cuteness" in one book. I wouldn't want them visiting a shop that I owned...just in case I'd be wearing a flannel shirt ..or a ballcap. People who truly love books and bookstores would probably never notice nor comment on such mundane things as the owners appearance and accent.
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