Superman had his rocket from Krypton
Batman saw his parents murdered.
Spider-man was bitten by a radioactive spider.
In this month’s column at the Undie Press, I tell the story of how I became The Unbearable Banishment and then segue to my recent trip to the annual Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America rare bookfair, where I swooned and salivated over some of the most beautiful and unobtainable books on the planet.
Exile on Pain Street 
I get the feeling, though I have been known to be wrong on occasions, that you kinda like books. Am I right?Hey, I spent 2 weeks in NJ, (Succasunna) in the 80’s. And you wonder why I haven’t been back. :¬)
map: Two weeks in Succasunna?! Did you commit a crime? Or win the booby prize in a contest? Yes, books, like food, should be devoured.
Terrible place, but I met some lovely people. My host, sadly, passed away last month. Her nephew Jim is my oldest friend. :¬)
I still haven’t won the damn lotto so I can’t buy you that Shakespeare tome you’ve been drooling over. But if I ever do, I will!!! That ought to send you round the moon or something. 🙂
I used to have some of those MAD’s once upon a time; as we all did, I’m sure. Don’t think they’d be worth quite so much now though. Too many pages missing.
map: sorry for your loss. You can rest assured they’re in a better place.Ponita: I will give it a place of honor in my bookshelf and include a brass plate with your name on it under “donated by…”hem: We all *had* them but none of us have them anymore. It’s a nostalgia trip. That’s why they’re so valuable.
You know we have a few things in common, that article was great and while i don’t prescribe to any religion i often refer to myself as an existential buddhist, books are my weakness as well, i wish i would have been a bit smarter and grabbed up some rare ones when i had the dosh but oh well, though i do have a soft spot for vinyl as well, records that is not anything kinky in case Nursie is lurking around.
I would like to get my hands on the JD Salinger book, there was once another signed copy on e-bay for about the same price. My $4 bid came up a wee bit short…Nice article mate.cheers, Sausage…
Kono: Thanks, tons, for the tip o’ the hat. I owe you $1. My brother used to have a lot of vinyl. Early Damned and Sex Pistols stuff. I started collecting Bukowski rarities before his prices went through the roof. I had no foresight. It was PURE LUCK.SF: I would advise against buying anything signed on eBay. It is a hotbed of forgeries. And thanks for the compliment.
GREAT post (or rather article at the Undie)
So you just have to work on the book craving and you’ll be pretty near perfect. Nah! Stay as sweet as you are.BTW I’ve just ordered ‘The Man in the Wooden Hat’Did you read it?
Ellie: Thank you. Every month I think I won’t have anything in the tank for next month.Pat: I did *not* read the HAT book but will look into it on your recommendation.