I was thrilled just to hear that another used book store had opened in central Denver. Capitol Hill Books is great, but what am I supposed to do when I've already scoured their whole inventory and taken what I want? Old answer: Wait a few months before coming back. New answer: Walk a few blocks to Kilgore Used Books and Comics.

They're smaller than Capitol Hill, and they manage their inventory in a way that turns this fact to their advantage: This is a truly selective selection, with a very clear and consistent focus on the more "literary" end of the spectrum. Nothing against John Grisham and Stephen King, of course, but I'm not personally looking for them -- and if I were, I could find them at any flea market. The books are in good shape, and every one I wanted had a price low enough that I couldn't talk myself out of buying it. Further visits will be necessary to learn what sort of turnover they'll have in the inventory, but believe me, there will be further visits. (And that turnover will be vastly improved if you go there right now and buy books from them -- especially if you bring a few to trade in for credit.)