Take, for instance, this copy of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting. Yes, the source of the story that became an incredibly revered independent film hit in 1996 and boosted the careers of Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, and Ewan McGregor as well as launching director Danny Boyle into the big time.

Anyway, I got this book about two years ago at a semi-annual used book sale at our public library. I put it on our bookshelf and summarily forgot I had it until today when Nate and I were cleaning and packing things and I found it shoved in the back of the shelf.

I checked out the back and it had its original price tag still affixed from July 23, 1996… 29 years ago.

Inside, I found the actual sales receipt dated July 29, 1996, meaning they only had it on the shelves for six days before it sold. Not bad. 

“A cozy space for serious browsing”? Heck yeah!

But I also found a bookmark from the original bookstore called Canterbury Booksellers in Madison, Wisconsin.

Apparently it’s also an inn that offers some cool services to its patrons (like being right above a bookstore and coffee shop isn’t cool enough??)

You happen to notice how this bookmark is missing some pretty commonplace contact methods like social media links and a website? Yeah, definitely predates social media and any sort of viable e-commerce based website that an independent merchant could actually afford.

Yeah, I know I said I love used books, but I also love independent bookstores and I seriously wanna visit “Madison’s only CASTLE”! Alas, I cannot. Canterbury Booksellers closed up shop on March 1, 2004, and became Avol’s Books, which has itself since become online only at some point between then and now.

Oh well. I plan to finally enjoy some Trainspotting in May courtesy of my library and the memory of Canterbury.

And, yes, the sticker, receipt, and bookmark will remain on this cover and within these pages for as long as I own it.