My One-Day Bookstore-Tour Through Massachusetts' Quaint North Shore



Toad Hall Bookstore - Rockport MA

About three years ago, sometime after John Updike died, I made one of my regular passes through the North Shore and visited several of my favorite bookstores. When I stopped at Manchester-by-the-Book, in Manchester-by-the-Sea, the owner had stacked every possible book written by John Updike into a tower of books standing in the middle of the store. He had placed a For Sale sign of $1000 for the entire 48 book collection. I have to admit I had not seen this merchandizing tactic previously – or since – but, it still looms fresh in my mind. Just for a point of clarification, I did not make the purchase.

But, while I was there I examined the precariously stacked tribute to Updike and counted off how many of his books I had in my personal library. Not enough. Visually, the number of books in that pile was amazing. So, since that day as I went about to various bookstores, I have sought out the best bargains on the books needed for my own tower of tribute to Updike. Still working on that.

Abbie Hoffman Book
On a more recent visit to Manchester-by-the-Book, I found an Abbie Hoffman book, written by his brother Jack Hoffman, Run, Run, Run, which included references to an Interview that Teresa Hannifin had with Abbie as a newspaper reporter. I had read the book a long time ago, but had misplaced it, so I bought this to restore my collection of books by people I actually know, or books with people mentioned in it that I actually know. (Not as impressive as the Updike tower, but it’s something.)

Anyway, upon leaving Manchester-by-the-Sea, I moved on to Rockport, which was about 20 minutes for the 10-mile trip. Here I stopped in at the Toad Hall Bookstore. I love the circular staircase up to the bargain area. There were books here for $3 that I had recently seen in other stores at non-discounted prices. I found Tim Russert's’ Wisdom of our Fathers in pristine condition for $3. Even if you buy it on Amazon for one cent, the delivery charge is $3.95; and you won’t know its condition until it arrives. Forget that.

Amazon's No Bargain

Another book found was The Culture of War by Martin L. Van Creveld for $3. Amazon has it for $4.95 plus shipping. And another: Waking Giant: America in the Age of Jackson by David S. Reynolds. Amazon has it for $4.30 plus shipping. By the way, the Amazon books are paperback and the books at Toad Hall were hardcover and pristine. I hope I am making my point. Just because it’s at Amazon does not make it a bargain.

I moved on from Rockport to Gloucester on a slight back-track direction. It was only about five miles and 12 minutes to get to the center of town. Parking is generally easier than you think, if you are willing to glide around for a while to snag a meter. The Book Store of Gloucester is one street up from the waterfront. You can’t go wrong at the 40 percent off table. My Ears are Bent by Joseph Mitchell caught my eye. Out of print since this collection of his writing was published in 1938; this was a real find – and a real bargain.

The Clam's the Thing

The final leg of this trip took me up through Essex, Ipswich, and Rowley toward Newburyport. Along the way I stopped at one of the clam boxes in Ipswich. (It’s pretty much a local ordinance that you have to stop and eat at a clam box). I also went by Cape Ann Golf Course, a place I frequent when my wife is on a two-tank scuba dive off Front Beach in Rockport. Now you know why I get to make this Bookstore-Tour so often.

Anyway, my final bookstore for the day was Jabberwocky in Newburyport. This is the place where I strain my neck reading the books on the extra-tall shelves. But, the bargain bins and the Green Room make up for that slight discomfort. The store is well stocked and the sections are labeled well enough that you can find what you need without having to ask, which is good because the place is always busy and the staff may be tied up. On a recent visit, I found One Man’s America by George Will, MacArthur’s Victory by Harry Gailey and a collection of John Cheever stories; all at great bargain prices.