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The Great Literary Trip: Day 9

 I'm back! Welcome to the day 9 recap. 



Day 9

CITIES

This morning, we left New York City, and to be honest, I'm relieved. Rat race = real. (The city during the summer also smells like rats, so that analogy is applicable on multiple levels.) We drove to New Haven, then to Newport, then to Providence. Today was one of the best days of the trip.


LIBRARIES

Libraries at Yale University
We saw two libraries at Yale today: Sterling Memorial Library and Beinecke Rare Book Library. 

Sterling is the main library of the university and was opened in 1931. Architect, James Gamble Rogers designed the space as a centerpiece of Yale's Gothic architecture. Actually, Rogers approached the university with a design for a cathedral; however, the administration told him that what Yale actually needed was a library. Rogers simply changed the title of his plans from "church" to "library." The library holds over 4 million volumes. The university's manuscripts and archives are housed in the building. 

Beinecke is the rare book library and literary archive for Yale University. The building is characterized by its architectural details. The Beinecke website explains it best: "The building’s design includes a six-story glass-enclosed tower of book stacks, holding approximately 180,000 volumes, and large “windows” made of translucent Vermont marble panels, an inch and a quarter thick, in a Vierendeel truss of steel-clad in granite. The marble panels protect the collections from damaging direct sunlight while absorbing and diffusing the exterior light in warm hues on the interior." What's especially cool about the design of the building is that the books are held in a multi-level, glass chamber that keeps them at the optimum temperature. Also, Beinecke prioritizes books and manuscripts in every facet. In case of a fire, the glass chamber will be evacuated of oxygen immediately, so that the books won't burn. 

Also, the exhibit on display at Beinecke was all about women in American theatre. I really enjoyed the exhibit as an amateur actress. 

*Gutenberg Hunt Update*: We saw our third Gutenberg Bible today at Beinecke, and we were in the immediate vicinity of our fourth. I think "immediate vicinity" counts as well for such a valuable manuscript. 



BOOKSTORES

Grey Matter Books
This bookstore is situated in a charming sector of New Haven on the border of Yale's campus (basically in it). To be completely honest, it wasn't worth visiting. While there are these charming window seats where patrons can read the used books they purchased, the store has a very strange vibe. This weird chanting music or podcast was playing very loudly. Now, as a podcast and constant media consumer myself, I don't mind a little background noise. No, my friends, this was no background noise. 



Atticus Bookstore and Cafe
Also in New Haven, this bookstore was certainly the better of the two. It was a good enough bookstore for sure: new fiction, classics, children's books. It was just unremarkable. 

RJ Julia Booksellers
Unlike the first two, this bookstore was absolutely lovely. I wish this store was in my hometown. Nestled in Madison, Connecticut (which was adorable and quaint), RJ Julia Booksellers is just as lovely as its setting. Solid, rich, wooden bookcases line the walls and form alcoves like the most lovely sea caverns filled with literary treasures. And, drumroll please, I bought a book. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I, a girl addicted to buying books, attempted to do the impossible. I decided to restrain myself from buying books and memorabilia at every single store. I have only been purchasing books, tote bags, or whatever my little heart desires at my favorite bookstores. I walked out of the charming, green doors onto the perfectly warm brick walkway as a very happy girl. 




Savoy Bookstore
I have never been to Rhode Island, and Savoy Bookstore certainly gave me a good first impression. The decor was the star of the show in this town bookstore. The tiles and lights were very charming. I enjoyed my short time there. 


Check back in tomorrow for another update!

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