January 5th, 2010 / 7:34 pm
Snippets
Snippets
Matthew Simmons—
It took Sean McCarthy from Popmatters seven years to sell his copy of REM’s Monster to a used record store because a ton of people bought it and then half that ton tried to sell the damn thing back. I asked one of our used book buyers what the Seattle used book equivalent was. Care to try to guess what title every person with a box of books tries to sell to us? An envelope full of galleys to anyone who can nail it before I update this post with the answer at 7pm Eastern Pacific Standard Time. ANSWER (guessed by Lance and Jack at pretty much the same time): SEABISCUIT.
I’d say the Corrections, but that’s such a Status-y book (and how thick!) that it seems like people would leave it on their bookshelves.
So I’ll say the Five People You Meet in Heaven.
I’d say the Corrections, but that’s such a Status-y book (and how thick!) that it seems like people would leave it on their bookshelves.
So I’ll say the Five People You Meet in Heaven.
da vinci code
da vinci code
A million little pieces?
A million little pieces?
Ah, yeah. This must be it.
Matthew Simmons did not clarify if he meant people who read HTML giant or normal type Americans.
Ah, yeah. This must be it.
Matthew Simmons did not clarify if he meant people who read HTML giant or normal type Americans.
Actually, I mean folks who have tried to sell books to a used book store in Seattle. So, normal type Northwestern Americans.
Actually, I mean folks who have tried to sell books to a used book store in Seattle. So, normal type Northwestern Americans.
So does that mean it isn’t AMLP? That book’s gotta be up there!
Jurassic Park? the firm? the pelican brief? this is hard.
So does that mean it isn’t AMLP? That book’s gotta be up there!
Jurassic Park? the firm? the pelican brief? this is hard.
To Kill a Mockingbird? Something that everyone reads in school?
To Kill a Mockingbird? Something that everyone reads in school?
catcher in the rye
catcher in the rye
Roget’s Thesaurus
Roget’s Thesaurus
Naked Lunch
Naked Lunch
slaughterhouse five
slaughterhouse five
A hint, maybe?
ulysses
A hint, maybe?
ulysses
King James Bible
King James Bible
harry Potter
1984
harry Potter
1984
the audacity of hope
the audacity of hope
Who Moved My Cheese?
I’ll drop a hint at 5pm EST.
It has to be the Frey book. Maybe it’s My Friend Leonard.
Oh, wait…
I Am Charlotte Simmons?
Who Moved My Cheese?
I’ll drop a hint at 5pm EST.
It has to be the Frey book. Maybe it’s My Friend Leonard.
Oh, wait…
I Am Charlotte Simmons?
gravity’s rainbow
gravity’s rainbow
the devil in the white city
atlas shrugged
south beach diet
the devil in the white city
atlas shrugged
south beach diet
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
the south beach diet
the south beach diet
I wouldn’t be shocked if it were Infinite Jest, which seems to defeat a lot of people.
I wouldn’t be shocked if it were Infinite Jest, which seems to defeat a lot of people.
a confederacy of dunces
a confederacy of dunces
zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance
It is already 7PM EST?
zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance
It is already 7PM EST?
the world according to garp
a defeat people keep on their shelves though
lotr
the world according to garp
a defeat people keep on their shelves though
lotr
Guinness Book of World Records
the hobbit
the salmarillion
Guinness Book of World Records
the hobbit
the salmarillion
goodnight moon
The Christian Guide to Abstinence
goodnight moon
The Christian Guide to Abstinence
where the wild things are
On The Road.
where the wild things are
On The Road.
fight club
blink
HAH! Whoops. I meant PST. Pacific Standard Time.
I’m an idiot.
fight club
blink
HAH! Whoops. I meant PST. Pacific Standard Time.
I’m an idiot.
everything is illuminated
everything is illuminated
romeo and juliet
A MILLION LITTLE PIECES. I’ll eat my shoe if it’s not.
romeo and juliet
A MILLION LITTLE PIECES. I’ll eat my shoe if it’s not.
Tuesdays with Morrie
Tuesdays with Morrie
my life (bill clinton), living history (hilary clinton)
middlesex
twilight (did someone already say this?)
life of pi
my life (bill clinton), living history (hilary clinton)
middlesex
twilight (did someone already say this?)
life of pi
i’m not completely sure what we’re looking for. Is it most sold back of all time, or only during the last year, or five years? it seems like something that might change from year to year unless there is a constant that is older that continues to be sold back, in which case its got to be a bit older and is why i said catcher in the rye first. maybe dickens like tale of two cities or something kind of shakespeare
The Joy of Cooking
really hoping it’s atlas shrugged
i’m not completely sure what we’re looking for. Is it most sold back of all time, or only during the last year, or five years? it seems like something that might change from year to year unless there is a constant that is older that continues to be sold back, in which case its got to be a bit older and is why i said catcher in the rye first. maybe dickens like tale of two cities or something kind of shakespeare
The Joy of Cooking
really hoping it’s atlas shrugged
how to win friends and influence people
i’m just naming things i most often see in the salvation army
how to win friends and influence people
i’m just naming things i most often see in the salvation army
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
joy of sex
kama sutra
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
joy of sex
kama sutra
The Kite Runner
The Kite Runner
Not being sure what you’re looking for, you’ve still managed to guess in the right direction.
This is anything but scientific. We have been buying used books for the last three or so years. In that time, one book more than any other has seemed to be included in a huge number of piles brought in to us for sale.
The hint should help you with some of your other questions, Darby. Twenty minutes from now.
Not being sure what you’re looking for, you’ve still managed to guess in the right direction.
This is anything but scientific. We have been buying used books for the last three or so years. In that time, one book more than any other has seemed to be included in a huge number of piles brought in to us for sale.
The hint should help you with some of your other questions, Darby. Twenty minutes from now.
Dow 30,000: Why It’s Different This Time by Robert Zuccaro
don quixote
count of monte cristo
Guiness Book of World Records
Dow 30,000: Why It’s Different This Time by Robert Zuccaro
don quixote
count of monte cristo
Guiness Book of World Records
dracula
dracula
I second the Kite Runner. My original thought though.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Mao’s Little Red Book
pride and prejudice
great gatsby
I second the Kite Runner. My original thought though.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Mao’s Little Red Book
pride and prejudice
great gatsby
The Time Traveler’s Wife
The Time Traveler’s Wife
grapes of wrath
The Great Gatsby
maybe Beloved
grapes of wrath
The Great Gatsby
maybe Beloved
Haha, I think Lincoln and I are doing some of the same out-of-context research.
The Secret Life of Bees
Haha, I think Lincoln and I are doing some of the same out-of-context research.
The Secret Life of Bees
Bright Shiny Morning
Bright Shiny Morning
odyssey or iliad
REM’s Monster: The Novelization
moby dick
huckleberry finn
odyssey or iliad
REM’s Monster: The Novelization
moby dick
huckleberry finn
Tropic of Cancer: The Censored Version
beowulf
Oh man it’s probably Middlesex. That book sucked so hard.
Tropic of Cancer: The Censored Version
beowulf
Oh man it’s probably Middlesex. That book sucked so hard.
mother goose
mother goose
the night before christmas
the night before christmas
christmas carol
treasure island
christmas carol
treasure island
robinson crusoe
robinson crusoe
hamlet
divine comedy
hamlet
divine comedy
alice’s adventures in wonderland
I see this one in EVERY used book store.
aesops fables
The Pilot’s Wife
Moo
Dr. Phil’s Weight Loss Solution
The Road Less Traveled
alice’s adventures in wonderland
I see this one in EVERY used book store.
aesops fables
The Pilot’s Wife
Moo
Dr. Phil’s Weight Loss Solution
The Road Less Traveled
gulliver’s travels
arabian nights
gulliver’s travels
arabian nights
scarlet letter
Atonement
(Sorry if I’m stepping on anyone’s guesses, it’s hard to keep up at this point)
Atonement
(Sorry if I’m stepping on anyone’s guesses, it’s hard to keep up at this point)
Night by Elie Wiesel. It is required reading at many colleges around here… I can’t see anyone keeping it.
Night by Elie Wiesel. It is required reading at many colleges around here… I can’t see anyone keeping it.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
grimm’s fairy tales
grimm’s fairy tales
scarlet letter
Atonement
(Sorry if I’m stepping on anyone’s guesses, it’s hard to keep up at this point)
Night by Elie Wiesel. It is required reading at many colleges around here… I can’t see anyone keeping it.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
grimm’s fairy tales
Midnight’s Children
Midnight’s Children
leaves of grass
leaves of grass
great expectations
great expectations
Leaves of Gas
Leaves of Gas
Midnight’s Children
leaves of grass
great expectations
Leaves of Gas
uncle tom’s cabin
uncle tom’s cabin
uncle tom’s cabin
war and peace
war and peace
Best guess yet!
Best guess yet!
Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry Finn
war and peace
Best guess yet!
Huckleberry Finn
secret garden
secret garden
secret garden
origin of the species
origin of the species
The Omnivore’s Dilemma
The Omnivore’s Dilemma
communist manifesto
communist manifesto
origin of the species
The Omnivore’s Dilemma
communist manifesto
tom sawyer
tom sawyer
tom sawyer
is this still going? celestine prophecy?
is this still going? celestine prophecy?
walden
walden
clarke’s 2001 or skinner’s walden two
clarke’s 2001 or skinner’s walden two
is this still going? celestine prophecy?
walden
clarke’s 2001 or skinner’s walden two
oliver twist
oliver twist
Here are some hints. The book was published in the early part of the Aughts. It’s nonfiction. It was huge when it came out, inspired a bunch of imitators, and yet, when they told me the name of the book, I had completely forgotten that it existed.
I bought a copy for my dad.
Here are some hints. The book was published in the early part of the Aughts. It’s nonfiction. It was huge when it came out, inspired a bunch of imitators, and yet, when they told me the name of the book, I had completely forgotten that it existed.
I bought a copy for my dad.
wind in the willows
wind in the willows
Running with Scissors
Lovely Bones
The bible!
Running with Scissors
Lovely Bones
The bible!
The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer
The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer
oliver twist
Here are some hints. The book was published in the early part of the Aughts. It’s nonfiction. It was huge when it came out, inspired a bunch of imitators, and yet, when they told me the name of the book, I had completely forgotten that it existed.
I bought a copy for my dad.
wind in the willows
Running with Scissors
Lovely Bones
The bible!
The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer
a brief history of nearly everythingg
a brief history of nearly everythingg
a brief history of nearly everythingg
Freakonomics
Freakonomics
i know i couldn’t sell my white teeth, though i’m glad cos i would have felt guilty. the book i see multiple copies of in every used bookstore, ever, is the ian hamilton robert lowell bio, but that is not the answer yr looking for.
i totally remember the monster phenomenon from my used cd days, btw. every cheapo in the twin cities had like 20 copies.
i know i couldn’t sell my white teeth, though i’m glad cos i would have felt guilty. the book i see multiple copies of in every used bookstore, ever, is the ian hamilton robert lowell bio, but that is not the answer yr looking for.
i totally remember the monster phenomenon from my used cd days, btw. every cheapo in the twin cities had like 20 copies.
This recent round of aughts, I mean. The Twenty Aughts.
This recent round of aughts, I mean. The Twenty Aughts.
TIPPING POINT!
TIPPING POINT!
sex drugs and cocoa puffs!
sex drugs and cocoa puffs!
Freakonomics
i know i couldn’t sell my white teeth, though i’m glad cos i would have felt guilty. the book i see multiple copies of in every used bookstore, ever, is the ian hamilton robert lowell bio, but that is not the answer yr looking for.
i totally remember the monster phenomenon from my used cd days, btw. every cheapo in the twin cities had like 20 copies.
This recent round of aughts, I mean. The Twenty Aughts.
TIPPING POINT!
sex drugs and cocoa puffs!
bridges of madison county. slow waltz in cedar bend. a dance to the music of time.
bridges of madison county. slow waltz in cedar bend. a dance to the music of time.
I hope they serve beer in hell
I hope they serve beer in hell
bridges of madison county. slow waltz in cedar bend. a dance to the music of time.
I hope they serve beer in hell
Stupid White Men
Stupid White Men
purpose driven life
purpose driven life
divine secrets of the ya ya sisterhood. sisterhood of the travelling pants.
divine secrets of the ya ya sisterhood. sisterhood of the travelling pants.
Stupid White Men
purpose driven life
divine secrets of the ya ya sisterhood. sisterhood of the travelling pants.
blink
blink
snow falling on cedars.
snow falling on cedars.
In Defense of Food
In Defense of Food
blink
snow falling on cedars.
In Defense of Food
Hot, Flat, and Crowded
Hot, Flat, and Crowded
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Hot, Flat, and Crowded
Reading Lolita in Tehran
actually I meant The World is Flat
actually I meant The World is Flat
waiting to exhale. breath, eyes, memory. worstward ho.
waiting to exhale. breath, eyes, memory. worstward ho.
Mountains Beyond Mountains
Mountains Beyond Mountains
actually I meant The World is Flat
waiting to exhale. breath, eyes, memory. worstward ho.
Mountains Beyond Mountains
This is great. I have to teach a class tonight and you are going to make me late!
This is great. I have to teach a class tonight and you are going to make me late!
she’s come undone. i know this much is true. house rules.
she’s come undone. i know this much is true. house rules.
This is great. I have to teach a class tonight and you are going to make me late!
she’s come undone. i know this much is true. house rules.
one nation
one nation
ellen foster. foucault’s pendulum or name of the rose.
ellen foster. foucault’s pendulum or name of the rose.
one nation
ellen foster. foucault’s pendulum or name of the rose.
we’ve done like 150 books. this is sad. I give up :(
we’ve done like 150 books. this is sad. I give up :(
flags of our fathers
flags of our fathers
we’ve done like 150 books. this is sad. I give up :(
flags of our fathers
eats, shoots and leaves
eats, shoots and leaves
eats, shoots and leaves
ditto
ditto
It’s Not About the Bike
It’s Not About the Bike
ditto
It’s Not About the Bike
perfect storm?
perfect storm?
The Audacity of Hope and/or Dreams From My Father?
Eat, Pray, Love?
The Secret?
Blink?
The Audacity of Hope and/or Dreams From My Father?
Eat, Pray, Love?
The Secret?
Blink?
the savage nation
the savage nation
perfect storm?
The Audacity of Hope and/or Dreams From My Father?
Eat, Pray, Love?
The Secret?
Blink?
the savage nation
Fast Food Nation
Fast Food Nation
Fast Food Nation
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Chicken Soup for the Soul
I think Lincoln may be right with The Tipping Point. When I worked at a bookstore we had so many copies it was ridiculous.
I think Lincoln may be right with The Tipping Point. When I worked at a bookstore we had so many copies it was ridiculous.
Let’s have the fucking answer already.
Let’s have the fucking answer already.
I think Lincoln may be right with The Tipping Point. When I worked at a bookstore we had so many copies it was ridiculous.
Let’s have the fucking answer already.
Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit
SEA-Muthafuckin’-Biscuit!
SEA-Muthafuckin’-Biscuit!
SEA-Muthafuckin’-Biscuit!
the secret
the secret
or, a new earth
or, a new earth
the secret
or, a new earth
Seamuffin!
Seamuffin!
seriously? my perception of humanity is now reorganized.
seriously? my perception of humanity is now reorganized.
Seamuffin!
seriously? my perception of humanity is now reorganized.
so close….nice one, Lance
so close….nice one, Lance
so close….nice one, Lance
Oh my god. I forgot all about that book. I’m sure the book was good, but that was so fucking stupid when all of the sudden everyone cared about horses for like five minutes.
Oh my god. I forgot all about that book. I’m sure the book was good, but that was so fucking stupid when all of the sudden everyone cared about horses for like five minutes.
Oh my god. I forgot all about that book. I’m sure the book was good, but that was so fucking stupid when all of the sudden everyone cared about horses for like five minutes.
Yes, indeed. The answer is Seabiscuit. We sold a huge number of that book. Other racehorse biographies followed. Someone made a movie. There was an illustrated edition. Readers bought it. Readers read it. Readers recommended it to their friends. Readers gave it as a Christmas gift.
And then readers realized they never wanted to read it again, put it in a box with The Tipping Point, The Perfect Storm, Flags of Our Fathers, The Kite Runner, and a bunch of other books, and tried to sell it back to us. We have five used copies on hand right now.
Lance and Jack, I’m calling it a draw. Drop me a line at
giant
blind
items
at
g
mail
dot
com
(Does that work to keep me from getting spam? I have no idea.)
and I will send you some books.
Yes, indeed. The answer is Seabiscuit. We sold a huge number of that book. Other racehorse biographies followed. Someone made a movie. There was an illustrated edition. Readers bought it. Readers read it. Readers recommended it to their friends. Readers gave it as a Christmas gift.
And then readers realized they never wanted to read it again, put it in a box with The Tipping Point, The Perfect Storm, Flags of Our Fathers, The Kite Runner, and a bunch of other books, and tried to sell it back to us. We have five used copies on hand right now.
Lance and Jack, I’m calling it a draw. Drop me a line at
giant
blind
items
at
g
mail
dot
com
(Does that work to keep me from getting spam? I have no idea.)
and I will send you some books.
Yes, indeed. The answer is Seabiscuit. We sold a huge number of that book. Other racehorse biographies followed. Someone made a movie. There was an illustrated edition. Readers bought it. Readers read it. Readers recommended it to their friends. Readers gave it as a Christmas gift.
And then readers realized they never wanted to read it again, put it in a box with The Tipping Point, The Perfect Storm, Flags of Our Fathers, The Kite Runner, and a bunch of other books, and tried to sell it back to us. We have five used copies on hand right now.
Lance and Jack, I’m calling it a draw. Drop me a line at
giant
blind
items
at
g
mail
dot
com
(Does that work to keep me from getting spam? I have no idea.)
and I will send you some books.
See comment below. You two basically commented at the same time.
Which is freaky.
See comment below. You two basically commented at the same time.
Which is freaky.
See comment below. You two basically commented at the same time.
Which is freaky.
Folks, those guesses were terrible (no Thornbirds or Iacocca??), even after the clues they were still bad.
I’d like to thank Tanya for pointing this post out to me and Ada Books for being the best used bookstore in Providence.
Folks, those guesses were terrible (no Thornbirds or Iacocca??), even after the clues they were still bad.
I’d like to thank Tanya for pointing this post out to me and Ada Books for being the best used bookstore in Providence.
Folks, those guesses were terrible (no Thornbirds or Iacocca??), even after the clues they were still bad.
I’d like to thank Tanya for pointing this post out to me and Ada Books for being the best used bookstore in Providence.
This is mystifying.
Seabiscuit?
I am mystified.
This is mystifying.
Seabiscuit?
I am mystified.
This is mystifying.
Seabiscuit?
I am mystified.
Hey. I liked Monster.
Hey. I liked Monster.
Hey. I liked Monster.
I’m happy this was called a draw, though I have to say kudos to Lance for getting it on his first (I think?) try, while it clearly took me a while longer.
And yes, it is entirely freaky that we guessed at the same time.
I’m happy this was called a draw, though I have to say kudos to Lance for getting it on his first (I think?) try, while it clearly took me a while longer.
And yes, it is entirely freaky that we guessed at the same time.
I’m happy this was called a draw, though I have to say kudos to Lance for getting it on his first (I think?) try, while it clearly took me a while longer.
And yes, it is entirely freaky that we guessed at the same time.
170 comments. That is a lot of comments. Nothing R.E.M. did after ‘Green’ was any good.
You people probably bought ‘Monster’ o god what is wrong with you people.
170 comments. That is a lot of comments. Nothing R.E.M. did after ‘Green’ was any good.
You people probably bought ‘Monster’ o god what is wrong with you people.
170 comments. That is a lot of comments. Nothing R.E.M. did after ‘Green’ was any good.
You people probably bought ‘Monster’ o god what is wrong with you people.