The Haunted Bookshop
@bookshopghost.bsky.social
Iowa City's home for 47,000 used/rare books, puzzles, games, and two famous cats. 😷 Masks required - 12-6 Central, Mon-Sat - https://www.thehauntedbookshop.com
Pinned
Welcome! Make yourself at home!
A few things to know:
1. In this house, love wins.
2. There are no signs on our one-stall bathroom.
3. There are two trusting, loving cats here. Be worthy of their trust.
4. We wear masks here.
5. We will continue to treat our guests with kindness and respect 📚🫂❤️
A few things to know:
1. In this house, love wins.
2. There are no signs on our one-stall bathroom.
3. There are two trusting, loving cats here. Be worthy of their trust.
4. We wear masks here.
5. We will continue to treat our guests with kindness and respect 📚🫂❤️
Can't officially discuss the collection I'm looking at right now, but it's got a stack of Archipelago Press novels.
I'm both eager to share and fighting my natural impulse to hoard.
If you diagrammed the brain of a bookseller, the frontal lobe would be social, the midbrain not lizard, but dragon
I'm both eager to share and fighting my natural impulse to hoard.
If you diagrammed the brain of a bookseller, the frontal lobe would be social, the midbrain not lizard, but dragon
December 9, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Can't officially discuss the collection I'm looking at right now, but it's got a stack of Archipelago Press novels.
I'm both eager to share and fighting my natural impulse to hoard.
If you diagrammed the brain of a bookseller, the frontal lobe would be social, the midbrain not lizard, but dragon
I'm both eager to share and fighting my natural impulse to hoard.
If you diagrammed the brain of a bookseller, the frontal lobe would be social, the midbrain not lizard, but dragon
THIS.
Books: the last true luxury, the space into which the mind can unfold, unhindered by the shrill and constant scream of money.
Books: the last true luxury, the space into which the mind can unfold, unhindered by the shrill and constant scream of money.
December 8, 2025 at 7:26 PM
THIS.
Books: the last true luxury, the space into which the mind can unfold, unhindered by the shrill and constant scream of money.
Books: the last true luxury, the space into which the mind can unfold, unhindered by the shrill and constant scream of money.
Oh... this is dangerous 🙀🎧
@libro.fm is offering a SALE on credit bundles, which means you can buy yourself... oops I mean a friend... basically a bunch of deeply discounted gift certificates for AUDIOBOOKS.
And now those credit bundles are 10% off?!?!
libro.fm/gift?booksto...
@libro.fm is offering a SALE on credit bundles, which means you can buy yourself... oops I mean a friend... basically a bunch of deeply discounted gift certificates for AUDIOBOOKS.
And now those credit bundles are 10% off?!?!
libro.fm/gift?booksto...
Digital audiobook gift cards
Gift our version of audiobooks gift cards with audiobook credit bundles.
libro.us8.list-manage.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Oh... this is dangerous 🙀🎧
@libro.fm is offering a SALE on credit bundles, which means you can buy yourself... oops I mean a friend... basically a bunch of deeply discounted gift certificates for AUDIOBOOKS.
And now those credit bundles are 10% off?!?!
libro.fm/gift?booksto...
@libro.fm is offering a SALE on credit bundles, which means you can buy yourself... oops I mean a friend... basically a bunch of deeply discounted gift certificates for AUDIOBOOKS.
And now those credit bundles are 10% off?!?!
libro.fm/gift?booksto...
Reposted by The Haunted Bookshop
We need a groundswell of customers insisting on books being read by real people.
And we need a union for the performance artists currently doing quality audiobooks, with a very recognizable logo that can be placed significantly on the 'cover' of qualifying audiobooks.
And we need a union for the performance artists currently doing quality audiobooks, with a very recognizable logo that can be placed significantly on the 'cover' of qualifying audiobooks.
December 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM
We need a groundswell of customers insisting on books being read by real people.
And we need a union for the performance artists currently doing quality audiobooks, with a very recognizable logo that can be placed significantly on the 'cover' of qualifying audiobooks.
And we need a union for the performance artists currently doing quality audiobooks, with a very recognizable logo that can be placed significantly on the 'cover' of qualifying audiobooks.
Reposted by The Haunted Bookshop
‘F shaped reading’ kicks in on ebooks, and engagement with the text is harder than print. And to quote Michael Rosen. “No one ever cried over an ebook.”
December 8, 2025 at 8:53 AM
‘F shaped reading’ kicks in on ebooks, and engagement with the text is harder than print. And to quote Michael Rosen. “No one ever cried over an ebook.”
We have a separate section in the Green room for books, mostly American, that blend memoir with natural history. The section is called "Biologues".
I'm just starting Jay Parini's "Promised Land". He obviously knows about biologues, if not by that name.
(My favorite: "The Meadow" by James Galvin)
I'm just starting Jay Parini's "Promised Land". He obviously knows about biologues, if not by that name.
(My favorite: "The Meadow" by James Galvin)
December 8, 2025 at 3:04 AM
We have a separate section in the Green room for books, mostly American, that blend memoir with natural history. The section is called "Biologues".
I'm just starting Jay Parini's "Promised Land". He obviously knows about biologues, if not by that name.
(My favorite: "The Meadow" by James Galvin)
I'm just starting Jay Parini's "Promised Land". He obviously knows about biologues, if not by that name.
(My favorite: "The Meadow" by James Galvin)
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
December 8, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
IOWA CITY:
REWARD OFFERED for information leading to the identification and profuse thanking of whoever plowed our parking lot.
Until then we'll refer to this beneficent person as The Snow Angel.
REWARD OFFERED for information leading to the identification and profuse thanking of whoever plowed our parking lot.
Until then we'll refer to this beneficent person as The Snow Angel.
December 7, 2025 at 10:15 PM
IOWA CITY:
REWARD OFFERED for information leading to the identification and profuse thanking of whoever plowed our parking lot.
Until then we'll refer to this beneficent person as The Snow Angel.
REWARD OFFERED for information leading to the identification and profuse thanking of whoever plowed our parking lot.
Until then we'll refer to this beneficent person as The Snow Angel.
I cannot take any industry seriously if part of its case for its use is claiming that "little by little, people... are using these tools, but it's still not fully acceptable for them to say so."
Ditto anything claiming that its use will allow "a reduction in [book] prices of around 25%"
Ditto anything claiming that its use will allow "a reduction in [book] prices of around 25%"
December 7, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I cannot take any industry seriously if part of its case for its use is claiming that "little by little, people... are using these tools, but it's still not fully acceptable for them to say so."
Ditto anything claiming that its use will allow "a reduction in [book] prices of around 25%"
Ditto anything claiming that its use will allow "a reduction in [book] prices of around 25%"
Reposted by The Haunted Bookshop
RFK Jr.'s claim that COVID vaccines are deadly? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. In this new extraordinarily large study, vaccinated individuals had a 74% lower risk of death from severe COVID-19 and a 25% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those unvaccinated. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination and 4-Year All-Cause Mortality Among Adults in France
This cohort study uses the data from all adults aged 18 to 59 years living in France on November 1, 2021, to evaluate whether there is an association of receipt of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with long-t...
jamanetwork.com
December 7, 2025 at 8:08 PM
RFK Jr.'s claim that COVID vaccines are deadly? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. In this new extraordinarily large study, vaccinated individuals had a 74% lower risk of death from severe COVID-19 and a 25% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those unvaccinated. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by The Haunted Bookshop
Looking for books to get for #climate curious friends & family this Christmas🎄?
Here are 6 of my favourites reads this year.
First up, Yale University historian Sunil Amrith's relentlessly edifying 'The Burning Earth'. A staggeringly comprehensive account of how we got to where we are! 🧵
Here are 6 of my favourites reads this year.
First up, Yale University historian Sunil Amrith's relentlessly edifying 'The Burning Earth'. A staggeringly comprehensive account of how we got to where we are! 🧵
December 3, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Looking for books to get for #climate curious friends & family this Christmas🎄?
Here are 6 of my favourites reads this year.
First up, Yale University historian Sunil Amrith's relentlessly edifying 'The Burning Earth'. A staggeringly comprehensive account of how we got to where we are! 🧵
Here are 6 of my favourites reads this year.
First up, Yale University historian Sunil Amrith's relentlessly edifying 'The Burning Earth'. A staggeringly comprehensive account of how we got to where we are! 🧵
Reposted by The Haunted Bookshop
Bookish Holiday Fun and Games For... YOU!
Now in its sixth year, for this #NewberryLibrary Advent Calendar, we'll play around with the collection! Cards, Board Games, Puzzles, Gambling...
What's up first?
CHESS!
December 1 (1/24)
Here's last year's extra-shiny offering:
bsky.app/profile/drka...
Now in its sixth year, for this #NewberryLibrary Advent Calendar, we'll play around with the collection! Cards, Board Games, Puzzles, Gambling...
What's up first?
CHESS!
December 1 (1/24)
Here's last year's extra-shiny offering:
bsky.app/profile/drka...
December 1, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Bookish Holiday Fun and Games For... YOU!
Now in its sixth year, for this #NewberryLibrary Advent Calendar, we'll play around with the collection! Cards, Board Games, Puzzles, Gambling...
What's up first?
CHESS!
December 1 (1/24)
Here's last year's extra-shiny offering:
bsky.app/profile/drka...
Now in its sixth year, for this #NewberryLibrary Advent Calendar, we'll play around with the collection! Cards, Board Games, Puzzles, Gambling...
What's up first?
CHESS!
December 1 (1/24)
Here's last year's extra-shiny offering:
bsky.app/profile/drka...
If you're in the USA and near my age, you remember being told that the proof that socialism couldn't work was the length of the bread lines in Russia.
(Yes, I know that's a problematic and erroneous statement, but the point remains:)
America has become the place a generation was taught to fear.
(Yes, I know that's a problematic and erroneous statement, but the point remains:)
America has become the place a generation was taught to fear.
"I have never seen the line this long at this food bank, This is 4x the size of every previous year...the line wraps around the building a second time..Everyone is freezing and an older lady in line had to be taken inside because she looked like she was about to pass out from being too cold..."
December 7, 2025 at 5:54 PM
If you're in the USA and near my age, you remember being told that the proof that socialism couldn't work was the length of the bread lines in Russia.
(Yes, I know that's a problematic and erroneous statement, but the point remains:)
America has become the place a generation was taught to fear.
(Yes, I know that's a problematic and erroneous statement, but the point remains:)
America has become the place a generation was taught to fear.
Just FYI, I have never been offered a bribe to put a book on display in my shop.
I think this person is confusing us with a certain website 😂
Of course bookshops look for extra lines of income, but if you think we'd let anyone take our curatorship away, you haven't met a real bookseller yet.
I think this person is confusing us with a certain website 😂
Of course bookshops look for extra lines of income, but if you think we'd let anyone take our curatorship away, you haven't met a real bookseller yet.
December 7, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Just FYI, I have never been offered a bribe to put a book on display in my shop.
I think this person is confusing us with a certain website 😂
Of course bookshops look for extra lines of income, but if you think we'd let anyone take our curatorship away, you haven't met a real bookseller yet.
I think this person is confusing us with a certain website 😂
Of course bookshops look for extra lines of income, but if you think we'd let anyone take our curatorship away, you haven't met a real bookseller yet.
Reposted by The Haunted Bookshop
Since I'm hearing from others that mail is already slower than normal for the season -
If your gift recipient likes audiobooks, you can give them a book (or a credit bundle) *and even schedule a notification email for the date of your choice*.
Bonus: libro.fm supports local bookshops! All the win!
If your gift recipient likes audiobooks, you can give them a book (or a credit bundle) *and even schedule a notification email for the date of your choice*.
Bonus: libro.fm supports local bookshops! All the win!
Buy audiobooks & support local bookstores
Libro.fm makes it possible for you to buy audiobooks directly through local bookstores.
libro.fm
December 6, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Since I'm hearing from others that mail is already slower than normal for the season -
If your gift recipient likes audiobooks, you can give them a book (or a credit bundle) *and even schedule a notification email for the date of your choice*.
Bonus: libro.fm supports local bookshops! All the win!
If your gift recipient likes audiobooks, you can give them a book (or a credit bundle) *and even schedule a notification email for the date of your choice*.
Bonus: libro.fm supports local bookshops! All the win!
📚🎁 Reminders for everyone looking for specific books to purchase online as gifts:
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
Bookshop.org: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
A better way to buy books online. Every purchase financially supports local independent bookstores.
Bookshop.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM
📚🎁 Reminders for everyone looking for specific books to purchase online as gifts:
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
IOWA CITY - The what now? Win a THOUSAND DOLLAR shopping spree?
All you have to do to enter: Buy something in a Downtown or Northside Iowa City store on Saturday, December 6. (Buy things from more stores, get more chances to win.)
Guess who has over 3,000 gift items at pre-tariff prices?
WE DO!
All you have to do to enter: Buy something in a Downtown or Northside Iowa City store on Saturday, December 6. (Buy things from more stores, get more chances to win.)
Guess who has over 3,000 gift items at pre-tariff prices?
WE DO!
December 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
IOWA CITY - The what now? Win a THOUSAND DOLLAR shopping spree?
All you have to do to enter: Buy something in a Downtown or Northside Iowa City store on Saturday, December 6. (Buy things from more stores, get more chances to win.)
Guess who has over 3,000 gift items at pre-tariff prices?
WE DO!
All you have to do to enter: Buy something in a Downtown or Northside Iowa City store on Saturday, December 6. (Buy things from more stores, get more chances to win.)
Guess who has over 3,000 gift items at pre-tariff prices?
WE DO!
True story: After 21 years behind this counter, I've seen many books through multiple owners.
More than a few times, I've quietly shared a little something about a deceased prior owner, like
"Oh, I knew the person who had this book last. He did a hilarious impersonation of David Attenborough."
More than a few times, I've quietly shared a little something about a deceased prior owner, like
"Oh, I knew the person who had this book last. He did a hilarious impersonation of David Attenborough."
One of the coolest things is buying a used OOP academic monograph and you know the previous owner.
Communities need used-book shops.
As the trends in our world are increasingly standardized and entrenched by "predictive" technologies that stifle innovation and reduce human actions into economic categories...
We need a full range of possibilities for readers and communities to explore and share.
As the trends in our world are increasingly standardized and entrenched by "predictive" technologies that stifle innovation and reduce human actions into economic categories...
We need a full range of possibilities for readers and communities to explore and share.
December 5, 2025 at 2:16 AM
True story: After 21 years behind this counter, I've seen many books through multiple owners.
More than a few times, I've quietly shared a little something about a deceased prior owner, like
"Oh, I knew the person who had this book last. He did a hilarious impersonation of David Attenborough."
More than a few times, I've quietly shared a little something about a deceased prior owner, like
"Oh, I knew the person who had this book last. He did a hilarious impersonation of David Attenborough."
"Today’s ADP report showing a loss of 120,000 small business jobs in November highlights the lasting damage of Trump... policies.... Trade wars, healthcare cuts, and tax breaks for big corporations have left Main Street businesses struggling to hire and grow."
www.nbcnews.com/business/eco...
www.nbcnews.com/business/eco...
Small businesses cut 120,000 jobs in November, ADP says
Economists had been expecting to see a slight overall gain in jobs. The data reflects a difficult business environment for smaller employers.
www.nbcnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"Today’s ADP report showing a loss of 120,000 small business jobs in November highlights the lasting damage of Trump... policies.... Trade wars, healthcare cuts, and tax breaks for big corporations have left Main Street businesses struggling to hire and grow."
www.nbcnews.com/business/eco...
www.nbcnews.com/business/eco...
We love getting phone calls (or emails or messages) from people searching for gifts ❄️🎁
N is literally Santa Claus' grandchild, so there's little we like better than sending N scurrying off to grab gift options, text pictures for you to choose from, pack boxes to ship....
(picture of N with Santa)
N is literally Santa Claus' grandchild, so there's little we like better than sending N scurrying off to grab gift options, text pictures for you to choose from, pack boxes to ship....
(picture of N with Santa)
December 4, 2025 at 6:42 PM
We love getting phone calls (or emails or messages) from people searching for gifts ❄️🎁
N is literally Santa Claus' grandchild, so there's little we like better than sending N scurrying off to grab gift options, text pictures for you to choose from, pack boxes to ship....
(picture of N with Santa)
N is literally Santa Claus' grandchild, so there's little we like better than sending N scurrying off to grab gift options, text pictures for you to choose from, pack boxes to ship....
(picture of N with Santa)
My favorite thing about this time of year is the challenge of keeping a serious face while J and I pack orders from our website.
"Are there any more Voids?"
"I'll check. I need to weigh Michelangelo anyway."
"Where's the lint roller? Someone dropped the Alpaca puppet in the dinosaur basket."
"Are there any more Voids?"
"I'll check. I need to weigh Michelangelo anyway."
"Where's the lint roller? Someone dropped the Alpaca puppet in the dinosaur basket."
December 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
My favorite thing about this time of year is the challenge of keeping a serious face while J and I pack orders from our website.
"Are there any more Voids?"
"I'll check. I need to weigh Michelangelo anyway."
"Where's the lint roller? Someone dropped the Alpaca puppet in the dinosaur basket."
"Are there any more Voids?"
"I'll check. I need to weigh Michelangelo anyway."
"Where's the lint roller? Someone dropped the Alpaca puppet in the dinosaur basket."
Reposted by The Haunted Bookshop
A book from the 19th century that depicts the Rhine Valley by creating an impression of three-dimensionality and spatial distance.
@MasayukiTsuda2 #globalmuseum #books #travel #19thcentury
@MasayukiTsuda2 #globalmuseum #books #travel #19thcentury
December 2, 2025 at 7:02 PM
A book from the 19th century that depicts the Rhine Valley by creating an impression of three-dimensionality and spatial distance.
@MasayukiTsuda2 #globalmuseum #books #travel #19thcentury
@MasayukiTsuda2 #globalmuseum #books #travel #19thcentury
Dear All the Retail Websites That Aren't Ours:
How do I know if I want to trade access my inbox for 10% off... if you haven't even let me see your products yet?
How do I know if I want to trade access my inbox for 10% off... if you haven't even let me see your products yet?
December 3, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Dear All the Retail Websites That Aren't Ours:
How do I know if I want to trade access my inbox for 10% off... if you haven't even let me see your products yet?
How do I know if I want to trade access my inbox for 10% off... if you haven't even let me see your products yet?
❤️❤️❤️ libraries ❤️❤️❤️
Once again, ILL remains the purest representation of scholarly community. I use it so much I often write little notes back and forth with the librarians when I’ve borrowed a lot from their library. It’s the closest you can get to those old penpal schemes and I love it.
Requested a book through ILL over break. It arrived today. Libraries man.
December 3, 2025 at 1:10 AM
❤️❤️❤️ libraries ❤️❤️❤️