Ivy Ridge Books

Jan Morris October 2, 1926-November 20, 2020 If you have never read the marvelously erudite travel writer, (although it is a shame to reduce her writing to this category) I can't recommend her more highly. Here is a quote from her Times obit: Morris enjoyed, for example, detesting all aspects and symptoms of authority, anywhere in the world: the conceit of school prefects, the sarcasm of teachers, the arrogance of customs officials, the rudeness of post-office assistants,... the self-satisfaction of Social Security clerks, the sanctimony of magistrates, the busybodiness of inspectors, the smugness of prison wardens, the insolence of censors, the bossiness of security men, the self-importance of cabinet ministers, the hypocrisy of policemen, the general impertinence of all kinds of second-rate, overblown, swollen-headed and humorless petty functionaries. It is a positive pleasure to dislike them so, and to feel that at least life has spared me the degradation of being set in authority over anyone else. https://www.nytimes.com///books/jan-morris-appraisal.html See more

Come shop our International Online Booksellers Association (IOBA) Virtual Book Fair this weekend. Featuring 80+ exhibitors showcasing unique items from under $50.00 to over $20,000. Have fun shopping https://www.iobabookfair.com/vbf-exhibitors/ivy-ridge-books

Interested in an early holiday gift? I have some wonderful signed limited editions I am offering that I just bought from a local collection of a retired book dealer. They're in fine condition and really quite special. The "Erte at Ninety" is a special edition actually signed by Erte.

Attention sci-fi lovers: I just purchased a nice collection that took my awful sci-fi section and upgraded it significantly. See below for some images. These books are not online yet.

While eating lunch today I read this wonderful article in the Times that took me on a literary tour of Harlem, I can't recommend this piece enough. I wish I still lived in NYC just to take the tour.... https://www.nytimes.com///design/harlem-virtual-tour.html

I just posted a nice group of Harry Potter books and the whole time I couldn't stop thinking of this wonderful man I used to work with, Mark Robinson, who ran out to buy Harry Potter books the day they were published. Mark raved about Harry Potter and I could never understand the fervor, my literary taste is very different. While he is sadly gone from this realm, the world needs more souls who love books as much as Mark did. He was a singular, beautiful person and now I need to blow my nose.

As the pandemic news gets scarier and scarier I have contemplated closing and making the store by appointment only. For the moment I will be open Wed-Sat 11-6 but call ahead (215-621-7345) if you are travelling as my hours are iffy. Philadelphia has delayed going to the "green phase" and it's nerve-wracking for the small business owner right now. Everyone please stay safe and wear a mask, it's not political, it's common sense.

Wonderfully poetic interview with Dylan in the Times this weekend - here's a bit "Why didn’t more people pay attention to Little Richard’s gospel music? Probably because gospel music is the music of good news and in these days there just isn’t any. Good news in today’s world is like a fugitive, treated like a hoodlum and put on the run. Castigated. All we see is good-for-nothing news. And we have to thank the media industry for that. It stirs people up. Gossip and dirty laund...ry. Dark news that depresses and horrifies you. On the other hand, gospel news is exemplary. It can give you courage. You can pace your life accordingly, or try to, anyway. And you can do it with honor and principles. There are theories of truth in gospel but to most people it’s unimportant. Their lives are lived out too fast. Too many bad influences. Sex and politics and murder is the way to go if you want to get people’s attention. It excites us, that’s our problem. https://www.nytimes.com//bob-dylan-rough-and-rowdy-ways.ht See more

We are open again! Our hours are 11-6 Wed-Sat and I am so happy to see real live people in the shop. It's not that I don't love Pat, our dogs and cat, I just miss my customers. Please wear a mask, only five customers at a time and keep six feet from other customers.

I just read this heart-rending statistic that will be in a Federal Reserve survey to be released Thursday "almost 40 percent of people who were working in February and were members of households making less than $40,000 a year had lost their jobs in March." If you have any free time, please think about volunteering in this time of need: http://www.hungercoalition.org//roxborough-presbyterian-ch

The books on the porch will be free all the time - it's been godsend for so many people. Thank you Mom for the idea (of course she doesn't have a computer.) The porch is packed with so many great books - lots of YA, kids books, thrillers. I've been sitting at my computer putting books online a lot. https://www.ebay.com/str/ivyridgebooks

Some of us are home, some at work serving others selflessly. Reading can be an escape, words provide a place of peace and hope. I have been replenishing the books on my porch, it’s full again, and they are all free. Please stay safe my facebook friends and always keep love in your hearts. Scott Cranin

All of the books on our front porch (11 packed cupboards & bookcases) are free for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. If you can possibly get to Roxborough and want a free book, I've got lots of good reading on my front porch. If a lot get taken, I'll put more out - I just want these books to get a good home. I can't imagine a better thing to do when if you are ill or confined to the sofa than read. Please stay safe.

I just created this cover photo - had to do something interesting in the midst of this maelstrom of pain and solitude.