Archive-name: books/stores/ship-by-mail Last change: Fri Apr 29 11:23:37 EDT 1994 Additions: Note 5 (Edward R. Hamilton) Changes: Other Change of Hobbit This is a listing of stores which ship worldwide. It cannot possibly be all-inclusive, so I will probably limit it to the major stores in each area of specialization and in each country. To keep the length down, I have omitted lengthy descriptions of the physical store. If you want to know what these are like to visit, check the various bookstore-by-city FAQs that are also posted and available from rtfm.mit.edu. Copies of this article may be obtained by anonymous ftp to rtfm.mit.edu under /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/ship-by-mail.Z. Or, send email to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with "send usenet/news.answers/books/stores/ship-by-mail" in the body of the message. The companion listings for bookstores may be found in: /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/asian.Z /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/european.Z /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/bay-area.Z /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/eastern.Z /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/northern.Z /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/nyc.Z /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/western.Z or requested via email with "send X" in the body of the mail, with X being one of the following: usenet/news.answers/books/stores/asian usenet/news.answers/books/stores/european usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/bay-area usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/eastern usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/northern usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/nyc usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/western Contents of this list: General__________________________ Computer_______________________ WordsWorth Books, Cambridge MA Book Scientific, New York NY The Tattered Cover, Denver CO Reiter's Scientific and Techn. Powell's City of Books, Portland OR Bookstore, Washington DC Cody's, Berkeley CA Computer Literacy Bookshops, Moe's, Berkeley CA San Jose CA Duthie's, Vancouver BC (Canada) Quantum Books, Cambridge MA Heffers Booksellers, Cambridge (UK) Softpro, Burlington MA Barnicoats, Falmouth Cornwall (UK) OTS Books Direct, (Holland) BOOKS.COM, Cleveland OH? Science Fiction______________________ Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual__________ Dangerous Visions, Sherman Oaks CA A Different Light Bookstore, Other Change of Hobbit, Berkeley CA New York NY Future Fantasy, Palo Alto CA A Different Light Bookstore, DreamHaven Books, Minneapolis MN West Hollywood CA Science Fiction Shop, New York, NY Giovanni's Room, Philadelphia PA At the Sign of The Dragon, London (UK) Lambda Rising, Washington DC [Mystery] Murder One, London (UK) Children's_______________________ Theater_____________________ Children's Book & Music Center, French's Theatre Bookshop, Santa Monica CA London (UK) Academic_____________________________ Religion___________________________ Seminary Coop. Bookst., Chicago IL Pinsker's Bookstore, New York NY Hatchards, Kingston, Surrey (UK) Jerusalem Books Ltd, (Israel) Hackman's Bible Book Store, Inc. Whitehall PA [Note 1: I collected these comments from a variety of people. I personally have no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if you buy a book you don't enjoy. :-)] [Note 2: This listing is divided by category.] [Note 3: I have attempted to indicate what time zone the store is in by listing an offset from GMT/UTC. This may be off by an hour if I read the map wrong, or in the summer when Daylight Savings Time/Summer Time may or may not be in effect.] [Note 4: From Ian Feldman (ianf@random.se): "I'll have to reevaluate the sanity of ordering non-hardbacks from the USA. I had 6 books sent from WordsWorth recently, 3 bestseller and 3 trade paperbacks (of which 2 were "special order" and took 4--6 weeks to appear in the bookstore), of a nominal value of US$55, but the total cost to me, after postage and Swedish custom duties have been paid, was close to US$110. For the bestseller items cost per-book was more than what I'd be paying here over the counter." [Note 5: There is a well-known mail-order company, Edward R. Hamilton, Falls Village CT 06031-5000 (no street or post office box), which deals in remaindered books. You cannot request specific books, but they send out a catalog every month or so and their prices are very good. I don't know if they ship overseas, but if you are ouside the US and write and ask for a catalog and they don't send you one, they probably don't.] ============================================================================ General (see also Academic): WordsWorth Books (30 Brattle Street, Cambridge MA 02138-3761, 800-899-2202 or +1-617-354-4223, FAX +1-617-354-4674, info@wordsworth.com). The flag-ship of Harvard Square book shops with 100,000+ titles. Has been offering their book store service through e-mail for quite a while. "Their staff have managed to locate and send many books for me (in Sweden) via UPS Express at costs equal or less than buying at a real store (hardcovers especially). What's more, the book search costs only one dollar. Their collection is really huge, too." Mon-Sat 8:30AM-11:30PM, Sun 10AM-10:30PM). GMT-5h The Tattered Cover (2955 East First Avenue, Denver CO 80206, [mail address is Tattered Cover Bookstore, 1536 Wynkoop, Denver CO 80202], 800-833-9327 or +1 303-322-7727, TT/V (303) 320-0536, FAX +1 303-399-2279, books@tatteredcover.com [for individual ordering], corporate@tatteredcover.com [for corporate ordering]). Huge--4 floors. Over 400,000 books in stock. Considered to be the best independent bookstore in the U.S. Also ships worldwide. Free gift-wrapping. Hours: 9:30AM - 9PM M-Sat; 10-6 Sun. GMT-7h Powell's City of Books (main store) (1005 W Burnside, Portland OR, +1 503-228-4651, FAX +1 503-228-4631). Truly a national treasure, one of the wonders of Portland. Powell's has new and used books by the millions. Its depth and coverage exceeds most large-city libraries. Ships worldwide. To receive an automated reply on how to browse the technical books database via email, send any message to ping@technical.powells.portland.or.us. GMT-8h Cody's (2454 Telegraph, Berkeley CA +1 510-845-7852). "One of the two stores in the Bay area I hold up as the definition of the term 'bookstore.' (The other is Kepler's in Menlo Park.)" A very large selection of just about everything (foreign-language books on Dwight just west of Telegraph). "Cody's is the only book store in the Bay Area with a significant selection of books on various subjects that interest me (including Judaica, system dynamics and whitewater maps). It is true that it isn't as good as it was when Fred Cody was alive ... but it's still a damn good store." There is even a book about Cody's: CODY'S BOOKS: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A BERKELEY BOOKSTORE, 1956-1977, by Pat and Fred Cody (it was described in an article in the August 3, 1992 issue of "Publishers Weekly"). Will ship worldwide. Sun-Thu 9:15AM-9:45PM, Fri-Sat 9:15AM-10:45PM. GMT-8h Moe's (2476 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley CA, +1 510-849-2087, MOESBOOKS@delphi.com). Mostly used and antiquarian books. Around for over 25 years, they are one of the largest bookstores of their kind. Has a variety of services. Will do book searches through their email address. Will ship worldwide. GMT +8h. Duthie's (downtown: 919 Robson, Vancouver BC, Duthie_Books@Mindlink.BC.CA). Good all-purpose bookstore; new books. Mentioned by posters as one of Canada's best bookstores. They also will do searches for out-of-print books and ship worldwide. GMT-8h Heffers Booksellers (20 Trinity Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom CB2 3NG, +44 223 358351; FAX +44 223 410464). Cambridge's answer to Blackwells. They also own Deighton, Bell and Co. and the Children's Bookshop. Heffers issues catalogues in a variety of fields, and they are really outstanding about mail order. They accept Visa and Mastercard; they will also open accounts for customers and accept payment in dollars. GMT Barnicoats (P.O. Box 11, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom TR10 9EN, +44 326 372628, +44 326 377781 (24 hour), FAX +44 326 376423, +44 326 377240). They seem to do most of their business with other bookstores, supplying books from all major English publishers. They accept credit cards (VISA, Access, Mastercard, Eurocard) and will ship worldwide. GMT BOOKS.COM (telnet to books.com, then browse). Thus far the only telnettable mailorder outfit, with not-too-bad searchable database. ============================================================================ Academic: Seminary Cooperative Bookstore (Chicago Theological Seminary (58th Street and University Avenue, Chicago IL, 800-777-1456 or +1 312-752-1959). "Has a good theological section but its only connection with the Seminary is that it rents space from them. It is, in my opinion, the best academic bookstore in the social sciences and humanities in the world, for English-language books at any rate. Anyone can shop there, but members receive a 10% discount on most books and may special-order books from anywhere in the world. Membership costs $30 (for three shares of stock)." (Ask them for further details.) They will ship worldwide. "Books arrive well-packaged and I've never gotten a damaged one." GMT-6h Hatchards (2 Brook Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom KT1 2HA, about 12 miles South West of central London, +44 81 546 7592; hatchards@kingston.ac.uk or dillons@kingston.ac.uk). An academic bookshop serving Kingston University and other institutions in the Surrey and South West London area. Part of the Dillons, Pentos group (hence the dual email address). Will ship books worldwide and accepts credit cards (Visa, Master Card and Amex). GMT ============================================================================ Theater: French's Theatre Bookshop (52 Fitzroy Street, London, United Kingdom W1P 6JR, +44 71 387 9373). They have a very large selection of plays, recordings and related material. If you are looking for an obscure play, they have it or can get it. "I believe that they will do mail order as well. Credit cards accepted." GMT ============================================================================ Science Fiction and Mystery: Dangerous Visions (13563 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks CA, +1 818-986-6963). Science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Interesting selection of used hardcovers in good condition. Gives 10% cash discount with purchase of "Club DV." Publishes newsletter (available for $2.50/year). Does mail order. GMT-8h [Note: I have not heard the status of this store after the 1/17/94 quake, and Sherman Oaks was very hard-hit. If they are still operating, I encourage you to support them with your business.] Other Change of Hobbit (2020 Shattuck Avenue at University Avenue, Berkeley CA, +1 510-848-0413; danee@backdoor.com). "An excellent selection of new SF, paperback and hardcover. Plus, there's a decent selection of used SF, some used pulps, with an occasional outstanding collectible under the glass case in the back." You can send them your want list and they will get back to you as things come in. They ship worldwide. GMT-8h Future Fantasy (3705 El Camino, Palo Alto CA, +1 415-855-9771; futfan@netcom.com). An excellent selection of new SF, fantasy, and mystery. "Far and away my favorite bookstore for SF." If you have access to a WWW client, it is accessible at http://www.commerce.digital.com./palo-alto/FutureFantasy/. "They have a great interface, including their complete catalog, newsletter, some cover shots, and forms to actually order stuff." Will ship worldwide. GMT-8h DreamHaven Books (1309 4th SE, Minneapolis MN, +1 612-379-8924). Truly fantastic new and used SF, fantasy, horror selection. Accepts telephone credit card orders. Will ship worldwide. GMT-6h? Science Fiction Shop (168 Thompson btwn Houston and Bleeker, New York NY, +1 212-473-3010, FAX +1 212-475-9727). The best selection of new SF books in town, and they have a used/half-price shelf. Ships worldwide. GMT-5h Murder One (Charing Cross Road, just below Shaftesbury Avenue, London, United Kingdom). Mystery and romance at street level, SF in the basement. No SF merchandise--just books. They also seem to have one or maybe two copies of many titles rather than dozens of a few. A lot of them are imports so prices are higher than average--but well worth it if you are after that one elusive volume. Probably the best source for new US SF hardbacks in London. Staff is very helpful too. They have a bookcase of second-hand books that are of *very* high quality. Takes credit cards, will do mailorder (I think). GMT At The Sign Of The Dragon (131, Sheen Lane, London, United Kingdom SW14, +44 81 876 3855; Mortlake BR station and walk south). Run by Richard and Marion van der Voort, is a small shop with a good selection of titles. They rival (often beat) Forbidden Planet in early stocking of titles, and are happy to reserve and special order books. "A lot more friendly than FP!" Will ship worldwide. GMT ============================================================================ Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual: A Different Light Bookstore (548 Hudson, New York NY, +1 212-989-4850). Gay/lesbian/bisexual bookstore with 13,000 titles. Does mail-order. GMT-5h A Different Light Bookstore (8853 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood CA, +1 310-854-6601). Gay/lesbian/bisexual. A branch of the NYC shop. GMT-8h [Note: I have not heard the status of this store after the 1/17/94 quake. If they are still operating, I urge you to support them with your business.] Giovanni's Room (345 S 12th, Philadelphia PA 19107, +1 215-923-2960). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual bookstore. Started in 1973, it's one of the oldest in the country. 3500 square feet, stocking 20,000 titles. Has an exchange program with a lending library in Moscow (see 3/1/93 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY for details). GMT-5h Lambda Rising (1625 Connecticut Ave NW, 800-621-6969 or +1 202-462-6969, lambdrising@his.com). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual bookstore founded in 1974. Stocks virtually every G/L/B book in print, plus a large out-of-print and used selection; book searches welcome. Good-sized SF and mystery sections. Also magazines, newspapers, videos, music, greeting cards, jewelry, gifts--all with a G/L/B theme. Free catalog issued quarterly. Does mail-order. Open 10AM-12M seven days a week. GMT-5h ============================================================================ Children's: Children's Book & Music Center (2500 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, +1 310-829-0215). Complete selection of childrens books, audios, videos, ships worldwide. GMT-8h [Note: I have not heard the status of this store after the 1/17/94 quake. If they are still operating, I urge you to support them with your business.] ============================================================================ Computer: Book Scientific (18 E 16th St, New York NY, +1 212-206-1310, FAX +1 212-675-4230). Scientific and technical books; (good) selection consists of physics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and computer texts (not books like "DOS for Dummies," but texts). Not a large place, but small occasional gems for those who look for them. 10% discount to faculty or university researchers, 5% discount to students. They'll order books, and ship them worldwide. GMT-5h Reiter's Scientific and Technical Bookstore (2021 K St NW, Washington DC, +1 202-223-3327, FAX +1 202-296-9103). They have a very broad stock of technical books and are also willing to ship worldwide. Open Mon-Sat 9AM-7:30PM, Sat 9:30AM-6PM, Sun 12N-5PM. GMT-5h Computer Literacy Bookshops, Inc. (PO Box 641897, San Jose CA 95164; +1 408-435-5017, FAX +1 408-435-1823; e-mail orders@clbooks.com, service@clbooks.com, info@clbooks.com.) GMT-8h Quantum Books (4 Cambridge Center, Cambridge MA 02142, +1 617-494-5042, FAX +1 617-577-7282, quanbook@world.std.com). Large selection of physics, math, etc. Rather computer-heavy. GMT-5h Softpro (112 Mall Road, Burlington MA 01803-5300, +1 617-273-2917, FAX +1 617-273-2499, softpro@world.std.com). GMT-5h ============================================================================ Religion: Judaism: Pinsker's Bookstore (2028 Murray Avenue, Pittsburg PA, 1-800-JUDAISM [1-800-583-2476], or +1 412-421-3033, email judaism@telerama.lm.com). Will ship worldwide from its very extensive stock of Judaic books. Has a gopher service at judaism.com. Almost definitely closed Saturday and open Sunday. GMT-5h Jerusalem Books, Ltd. (P.O.B. 18189, Jerusalem 91181, Israel, 972-2-850858). Hebrew and English titles published in Israel. "This is the only Israeli mail order book store I have dealt with, although no doubt there are others. The prices are not cheap, but the selection is pretty good." GMT+2h Christianity: Hackman's Bible Book Store, Inc. (1341 Mickley Road, Whitehall PA 18052, 800-345-1341 or +1 215-264-8600, FAX +1 215-264-1411). "I could spend hours and hours looking through all of their books and things. They are now computerized so that they can look things up faster and or also they can order it by using their computer database. This store is a 20,000 square foot facility! Quite large for a Christian Bookstore." They carry a wide assortment of related items (music, choir gowns, communion supplies, etc.) as well. They ship worldwide. ============================================================================ Evelyn C. Leeper | +1 908 957 2070 | ecl@mtgpfs1.att.com / Evelyn.Leeper@att.com -- Evelyn C. Leeper | +1 908 957 2070 | Evelyn.Leeper@att.com "The Internet is already an information superhighway, except that ... it is like driving a car through a blizzard without windshield wipers or lights, and all of the road signs are written upside down and backwards."--Mike Royko (not Dave Barry!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------