Ada Books was named after Vladimir Nabokov’s fattest and most ambitious novel, Ada or Ardor: A Family Chronicle. This might have been too grandiose an allusion. At just under four hundred square feet, Ada Books is at best a slim volume. Even so, this little shop accommodates thousands of big ideas. Most days, these ideas, these lives, stand rigid on their shelves, imitating tombstones - though they are not at peace, I assure you. Like anyone else, a good book wants to be admired by a stranger now and then. Won’t you be that stranger?
However, let’s not be strangers to one another. Hi. I’m Brent and I run this joint. Let me tell you what I like and what I don’t like. That way you’ll know what I’m about and you can judge me as you please. I like literary fiction more than any other type of wordwork. I stock some new titles from small publishers as well as some “overlooked” classics from the big ones. I’m always eyes-up for unusual worthies and I’m open to suggestions. Of course, I keep a lot of the stuff you’ve heard of, too. I’m no snob. Graphic novels are my next best love. For now, they occupy just a narrow niche at one end of the shop.
Later, I expect them to conquer more territory. When they do, I’ll let you know. Then there are poetry, essay, literary bio, art, philosophy, foreign language, film, music, popular culture, politics and history. All of these have a place at Ada Books.
What I don’t have patience for or interest in are the self-helps, the how-tos, the half-baked, the holy-rollers and all of the so-called ancient-wisdoms. Most of my books are used but they generally come from good homes. Rare it is that I’ll allow a sickly spine to slouch on my shelves. Still, I can be a big softie sometimes. It’s hard to turn away when a good but wizened title makes its beady-eyed appeal. Other than you, stranger (and my wife and friends and family), books are all I have. They’re all I know. But I, and therefore Ada Books, don’t expect literature to change the world. Better to say that literature is good way to pass the time while the world changes on its own. I understand that there are more important things to do. I’m just happier doing this.
330 Dean Street Providence RI, 02903
401.432.6222