Old Town, Old Books

Passion is in the spines of local collector's shop

By Zach Dionne

Posted on Monday, March 26th, 2007, 12:00 am

Say you’re having a particularly boring Saturday, or perhaps enjoying a few afternoon drinks at the Number Ten, and you decide to explore the shops lining Main Street in Old Town. Regardless of the circumstances, you can count yourself lucky if you wander into Dave’s Books – Old Town’s best-kept secret and a model of what every used bookstore should aspire to be.

A large part of what makes Dave’s Books so special is John Simpson.

“I bought books from Dave [Larlee, former owner] for several years, and I went in there one day and said, ‘you know Dave, one of these days my dream is to own a used book store.’ He said, ‘you know, that’s great, how would you like to own this one?’”

Five years later, Simpson takes his job with sincere passion and responsibility. “Anyone can have a bunch of books and just sell them. If someone is looking for a book, they tell me two or three things that they’ve read and I know what to recommend. It’s what I do,” Simpson said. “It’s my job to know, for example, which romance authors to recommend.”

“I’ve always loved the charm of used bookshops,” said Sheril Kirshenbaum, a University of Maine graduate and loyal customer since 2003 – one of the 40 to 50 regulars at Dave’s. “But John’s extensive knowledge of all genres and [his] excellent ability to recommend the perfect book on any occasion makes Dave’s Books stand out.”

Simpson prides himself on his ability to exceed expectations. Customers are welcome to peruse the stacks in solitude or consult Simpson, which will result in a helpful response unique to independently owned businesses.

Simpson reads an average of one book per day to obtain this knowledge and mastery of recommendations. “It’s my job,” he said.

Simpson has harbored an infatuation with literature for as long as he can remember. “I’ve loved books since I was very, very young. Since before I could read them, I was fascinated,” he said. “Buying [Dave's Books] has simply saved me about two grand a year for my book habit.”

Simpson’s store boasts an impressive stock. “Right now we’re somewhere around 36,200 [books], give or take a few,” he said.

“The selection is excellent. There are some things that [are] a little hard to get, but that’s true for everyone. If I can’t get them used, I’ll carry the series new,” Simpson said, citing Simon R. Greene’s “Something from the Nightside” series as an example. “You’ll also get things here that you’ll never see at Borders,” he said.

Simpson’s appreciation for his current position is understandable considering his background. “I’ve done every job known to man,” including pizza delivery, computer programming, and hooking up sewer mains. Simpson went to school in Texas and attended UMaine as well.

“I realized that I didn’t want to be an engineer, and I also didn’t want to be a computer programmer for long. There are so many things that I’d be qualified to do that I don’t want to do -like working for someone else. Realistically speaking, I don’t need a degree for what I’m doing,” Simpson said. Although he is only a semester away from obtaining a degree, he is content with what he is doing. “Impoverished, but happy,” he remarked.

“He’s genuine, and it’s obvious he loves what he does,” Sheril Kirshenbaum said of Simpson. “He’s a brilliant fellow who has the ability to be successful in any field. He chooses to share his love of books with the people of Old Town and Orono.”

Further proof of Simpson’s devotion hangs on a sign in the front entrance. The store hours are listed as “10-6 (more or less), Monday – Saturday.” According to Simpson, “What that means is from whenever it is that I bother getting out of bed in the morning until I can’t keep my eyes open at night.”

“John’s an excellent businessman with a great big heart,” Kirshenbaum said. “He loves and knows books. Sometimes he’d even allow me to make a purchase when I was short on money because he trusted I would be back. Once, John even hand-delivered a bagful of books as a gift to my friend.” Kirshenbaum adds that she made the request from Washington, D.C., and Simpson made the delivery before receiving payment. “I do this because I love it,” Simpson said.

Most of the books for sale come from trades. “Every now and again I’ll actually buy someone’s library,” Simpson said.

In order to avoid turning his own home into an archive on the scale of Dave’s Books, Simpson chooses his own purchases carefully, saying he’ll add something to his collection “If it’s good enough that I actually have to buy it new for myself. When I see something that’s truly great, truly wonderful, I have to have it.” Simpson’s personal library rings in at “somewhere around 8,000 volumes, and growing regularly.”

When asked about his own favorite novels and genres, Simpson finds no loss for words. “Science fiction and fantasy is some of the most imaginative stuff out there,” he said. He declares “The Quiet Game” by Greg Iles as “one of the best thrillers ever written” and Ernest Hemingway’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” as “one of the best works of modern fiction.” Simpson is a fan of Stephen King, particularly his “Dark Tower” series, opining that the series’ opener, “The Gunslinger,” is King’s crowning achievement in storytelling.

“Orson Scott Card’s ‘Ender’s Game’ is one of the best books ever written,” Simpson said. “It’s science fiction anyone can read. It’s mind-blowing; it’s the sort of thing that you read and you wake up the next day and see the world through new eyes.”

When talking to Simpson – an inevitable occurrence while exploring Dave’s Books – there is a feeling that similar experiences are frequent for Simpson. He frequently uses words like “indescribable,” as he often finds himself nearly at a loss for words when describing his affection for fiction. “There are few things that are just so awesome – so wonderful and great – that they deserve far more fire than I can put into description,” Simpson said.

It seems that John Simpson has found the ideal life for himself. “I’m retired,” he said with a satisfied smile. “I retired when I bought the place five years ago. How many people can say that?”

With all the franchised establishments cropping up across America, such as Barnes and Noble, Borders and Amazon.com, take the time to consider why an anomaly like Dave’s Books exists in spite of the seemingly handier, more widespread competition. It is a store fueled by passion for the written word, run with John Simpson’s desire to pass on his love of reading to any and all who walk though his doors.

“He has lots of great ideas and an enjoyable perspective on living life to the fullest,” Kirshenbaum said. “He appreciates the little things and is as fine a friend as a bookseller. I think many folks stop in as much for the delightful conversation as the potential of a new literary adventure.”

Dave’s Books is on 270 Main Street in Old Town. For further directions or questions, call 827-4510. Simpson will undoubteldy be glad to help.