A blog about books. Rare books. Cool books. Books.

Summer’s the season of beaches, swimming, and leisurely drives. Whether you’re headed out on an adventure of your own, or traveling through the pages of a book from the comfort of your armchair, you’ll love these classic books that capture the spirit of the Road Trip.

With the London International Antiquarian Book Fair this weekend, book lovers will descend on the illustrious city in record numbers! If you'll be among the visitors, you'll want to check out these literary hotspots!

...Shelf space, that is!

We never have enough space; in fact we always seem to have “negative space.” But with a couple of thousand books about to be added, something’s gotta give.  Books, that is. Duplicates of books, triplicates, some of them we even have in dozens.

By Vic Zoschak, Tavistock Books

Charles Dickens began writing Great Expectations in 1860. According to his friend and biographer John Forster, Dickens indicated in a letter around October 12, 1860, that he intended the new novel to be "humorous and droll."*

Clearly the book took a different turn--including a final one after Dickens had already submitted the final chapters to the printer in June 1861. At the advice of a trusted friend, Dickens changed the ending to Great Expectations, a decision that has intrigued critics and collectors ever since.

On June 3, 1936, Larry McMurtry was born in Archer City, Texas. Famous for his novels about the American West, McMurtry has had a rich career as a writer--and as a bookseller. Though he's since retired from both careers, McMurtry has made an indelible mark on the book collecting world.

This week Rudyard Kipling--or rather his letter--made the news. It seems that Kipling may have borrowed rather generously from other sources when he wrote parts of his classic The Jungle Book. He makes the confession in a letter to an unknown correspondent, who had apparently inquired about "The Law of the Jungle."

Today marks the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's arrival at the summit of Mount Everest. Both Hillary and Norgay were true adventurers, and their accomplishments have inspired generations.  

Today we celebrate the birthday of James Bond creator Ian Fleming. Born on May 28, 1908, Fleming would go on to create the most enduring literary figure since Sherlock Holmes. Rare book collectors are fascinated with the legacy of Ian Fleming and James Bond. Here's a look at little known facts about Fleming and his world-famous protagonist.

We're excited to announce an awesome opportunity for college students: Books Tell You Why is currently accepting applications for two internship positions. Interns will get hands-on experience with multiple aspects of online marketing, from copywriting to tracking ROI.

Next month in the US, we'll celebrate dads and all they do for us. Though Fathers Day isn't until June 16, many of us are already looking for the perfect Father's Day gift. If your dad is a lover of rare books, these items may be just the ticket.