Little Pleasures

Like many of you, I'm a reader.  My day isn't complete without cracking open a book or nestling down with my kindle.  I've been reading to my baby since before he could sit up on his own and, fortunately, he has developed a love of books as well.  When he was learning to walk I'd take him around the corner to Big Ed's (now Erma's) or Sugar Babies (16th street and 30th ave) and get him a board book once a week.  Now that he can walk a little further we take our walks down MLK st and explore Wilson's (one of my favorite book stores in St Pete). 

I love the way Wilson's books uses their space.  Each genre has its own room and the books have that aged scent to them.  When I get an hour or two to myself I like to bike down there, grab a good ghost story, and settle into a big chair next to the comic books and art tomes. 

Another thing I love about the old book stores of St Pete is the history of the buildings themselves.  It adds to the whole experience when you're reading an old book in a building like Haslam's on Central Ave, which is reported to be haunted by author Jack Kerouac. 

Don't neglect these old book stores when cleaning out your attic either.  Many of them offer cash or store credit for gently used book trade-ins.  I use this to my advantage whenever my son finds a book he just can't put down.