booked up

Apparently 2 years ago, some 200,000 books were auctioned off. There are still a lot of books, in no discernible filing order, but not quite as awe inspiring as my last 2 visits. If you like quietly browsing among books of many subjects in peace and quiet this is the place for you.

My husband has been wanting to go to Archer City to visit Larry McMurtry's rare and fine book store, Booked Up for a long time. I was in awe of all the old and used books in this store and it was almost endless. Some were bargains and some very pricey (Larry McMurtry's signed books were pricey).There was a book store that he owned also across the street with books that he had left from a book auction two years ago. They were ALL $5.00 there. We bought a book for our granddaughter there.It was fun to go and see this bookstore. They said that Larry McMurtry comes in and works there at times, so if you go, you might see him.

My son and I spent hours perusing the huge selection of books. We did find 4 books we actually had been looking for for some time.

This was my third trip to Archer City and Booked Up and as usual, I was amazed at the wonderful selection of rare and collectable books. Although buildings 3 and 4 are now closed after the recent book auction. building #1 is still full of thousands of books on 10 foot tall book shelves stretching the length of the building. The collection covers subjects ranging from Texas and the Southwest to American and world history, travel, nature, fiction, hobbies, literature and psychology. Mr. McMurtry's books are also now available and signed editions can be purchased. A large number of books not sold at the auction are available for $5 each from building 2. We spent hours here and found some real treasures. Prices vary widely as some books are collectable and some are very rare. A great stop in the Wichita Falls area.

Archer City is a gem of a town, and Booked Up is...unlike any bookshop I've ever seen...and I've spent more time haunting bookshops than would be prudent to admit. Four or five separate buildings, each with its own categories of books. You have to look at the map in Building one (also the only building with the cash register/employee) to get your bearings of what is included in each building, and it's helpful to look at the 'map' posted in front of each of the buildings. After that, you're on your own, kid! Talk about American independence. Don't expect to find comfy seating, a cafe, plush restrooms, massive quantities of useless magazines, doo-dads, and chachkis. Or even people! Since it was 106 degrees outside this visit, I didn't expect to run into throngs, but I also went one time in March, and there were few people then, as well. All they have here are books, and definitely the most wide-ranging and best selection I've ever seen. It's a wonder. I spent the most time in the literature and poetry section--my only regret was that I was visiting and so had limited space in my suitcase. If I lived there, I would have had to rent a U-Haul. In any event, I left with a first edition of Donald Justice's Selected Poems. The price was good; the fact I could find it there was like finding a treasure. But the funniest/most endearing thing about the whole venture was when I selected the book and was ready to purchase--it took me awhile (my sister told me!) to realize that I'd have to leave Building 2, walk up the sidewalk, cross the street so that I could pay for it in Building 1. Wow. Consider that level of trust. This place is a treasure--and it also (important) probably houses the most extensive selection of antiquarian books on Texas. It's an important place, and it's important to support it. I've heard it was falling on uncertain times, like every other used and independent bookstore in the country, so I hope it can hold on through the rough waters and stay afloat.

Where else in the world can you see over 400,000 used books and maybe run into a famous author? No place I know of and also see where they filmed The Last Picture Show. Eat at AC Wildcat Cafe. Great burgers.