Milwaukee Book News....

Milwaukee has lost a fine book shop with the closing of "The Constant Reader"
on Irving Place. For over twenty years, David, the genial proprietor, bought
his books carefully and sold them fairly. Other stores in town with ten times
the amount of stock, seem to offer nothing. "The Constant Reader" had 15,000
books that seemed to unfailingly and magically, offer everything.

It was also a gathering place for the various eccentrics that give Milwaukee's
eastside its special character. Ray, the octogenarian former boxing trainer
who would every day lament to all who would listen how his sport had fallen on
evil days; Joe, a writer of occasionally clever limericks, who would use the
store as an impromptu stage to recite his latest work; they, and many others,
were always welcomed at "The Constant Reader." David would listen without
complaint and occasionally offer his own perspectives. One of his observations
that has stayed with me: a good book is worth four dollars and a really good
book is worth six dollars. David sold lots of good books.

It is rumored that the space occupied by "The Constant Reader" will soon be
taken by a tattoo and piercing emporium.

Jonathan