My husband and I both love to read. There is something exciting to me about touching the back spines of a thousand adventures yet read--pieces of knowledge yet unturned--as I run my fingers down a row of books in a library or bookstore. It was snowing one afternoon when we stumbled across Brattle Book Shop. It is near the Park Street "T" stop on a side street. At first, we just stepped in to get warm. The bottom floor is full of used books that you might find at any bookswap or fleamarket. As we browsed the titles, however, my husband pulled out a copy of The Scarlet Letter that had been inscribed by a woman to a friend as a Christmas gift in 1897. We started to pay more attention.

On the third floor we found the true gems. These books are the out-of-print books and the first editions.

I was absolutely thrilled to find two first edition books by historical novelist Kenneth Roberts. As mentioned in another entry, some of his books are back in print. However, these books with their dust covers in excellent condition were still good finds. My favorite, Lydia Bailey took over six years to write. The story takes place during the term of John Adams when the Alien and Sedition Act was causing problems for a young country founded on individual liberty. Samuel Adams is a minor player in the life of the main character, Albion Hamlin, who ends up in the middle of Napolean Bonaparte's conquest of Haiti. It is one of my absolute most beloved books from growing up. It is so full of courage and cunning that when I read it as a girl I did not notice the author teaching me all about the issues surrounding Barbary pirates and the missteps of a young nation.

ANYONE with a real interest in historical fiction would appreciate Roberts' efforts to be historically factual as he brings time long dead back to vivid life.

All true book lovers would enjoy time spent at the Brattle Book Shop, even if they don't find one of their favorites.

Visit www.brattlebookshop.com for operating hours or call 617-542-0210.

The store has an appraisal service, buys books as well as sells them, and will find titles for you if you are a collector looking for a certain edition.