Northampton spotlight: Raven Books
Elizabeth Yang-Hellewell
Issue date: 4/24/03 Section: Features
If ever you find yourself in a query over where your best copy of Domby and Sons has disappeared to, or you are seeking a reliable copy of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason at a reasonable price, then walk on down to Raven Books, Northampton's finest used book store, and browse through the make-shift shelves that bend under the weight of duplicate copies of The Catcher and the Rye and numerous translations of Plato's Republic; you're sure to find material for your scholarly or literary reading pleasure.
Located on Old South Street, just off Main Street, this funky little bookshop was opened in 1993 by three local booksellers and has been a Northampton hot spot ever since. With over 25,000 books in stock and specializing in literary and academic titles, Raven has large sections of philosophy, poetry, literature, history, science and politics, and smaller, more focused sections of children's books, cookbooks and gardening books, though Justin Kim, a Raven employee of four years, says that the poetry section is unequivocally the most popular.
With an incredible selection and a hip, underground atmosphere, it's easy to see why Raven was voted "Best Used Bookstore" by the Valley Advocate for the past seven years. When asked about Raven's clientele, Kim characterized the store's customers as a bit "eccentric," and as a devoted customer, I cannot disagree. The customers are an integral part of the Raven Books experience, attracting a crowd that is indeed "eccentric," but also representative of the diversity of people in the Northampton area. At Raven there is something for everyone: for the art aficionado there is a significant and well-organized art book selection, for the philosopher there is an extensive philosophy and cultural theory section, and for the reader of both popular and classic fiction, there is a wide array of novels, short-story collections and essays to satisfy even the most selective reader.
The knowledgeable Raven staff will gladly take inquiries about the availability of titles in the store, the reliability of certain translations and any other related question you might have. Kim relayed a few of the most memorable inquiries, including a sincerely puzzled individual who asked for the name of the author of "Dante's Inferno," and another patron who wanted to know if the edition of Thoreau's Walden that he had in his hand was a "good translation."
Whatever your scholarly or literary need may be, if you're looking for a particular edition or translation of an old favorite, a textbook for a class, a collection of poetry for inspiration, or a quiet place to read and browse for something new, give Raven Books a try. Open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday 12-7 p.m.
Located on Old South Street, just off Main Street, this funky little bookshop was opened in 1993 by three local booksellers and has been a Northampton hot spot ever since. With over 25,000 books in stock and specializing in literary and academic titles, Raven has large sections of philosophy, poetry, literature, history, science and politics, and smaller, more focused sections of children's books, cookbooks and gardening books, though Justin Kim, a Raven employee of four years, says that the poetry section is unequivocally the most popular.
With an incredible selection and a hip, underground atmosphere, it's easy to see why Raven was voted "Best Used Bookstore" by the Valley Advocate for the past seven years. When asked about Raven's clientele, Kim characterized the store's customers as a bit "eccentric," and as a devoted customer, I cannot disagree. The customers are an integral part of the Raven Books experience, attracting a crowd that is indeed "eccentric," but also representative of the diversity of people in the Northampton area. At Raven there is something for everyone: for the art aficionado there is a significant and well-organized art book selection, for the philosopher there is an extensive philosophy and cultural theory section, and for the reader of both popular and classic fiction, there is a wide array of novels, short-story collections and essays to satisfy even the most selective reader.
The knowledgeable Raven staff will gladly take inquiries about the availability of titles in the store, the reliability of certain translations and any other related question you might have. Kim relayed a few of the most memorable inquiries, including a sincerely puzzled individual who asked for the name of the author of "Dante's Inferno," and another patron who wanted to know if the edition of Thoreau's Walden that he had in his hand was a "good translation."
Whatever your scholarly or literary need may be, if you're looking for a particular edition or translation of an old favorite, a textbook for a class, a collection of poetry for inspiration, or a quiet place to read and browse for something new, give Raven Books a try. Open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday 12-7 p.m.