Familiar Face: William, the Book Guy
Janine LoGelfo
Issue date: 5/14/08 Section: Features
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What differentiates William from the various other booksellers surrounding Lexington Ave. is that he sells books that people actually want to read. As opposed to Dora coloring books and 73 copies of My Woman, His Wife, William carries everything from Pablo Neruda to Hunter S. Thompson; blending vintage classics, like a set of Alice in Wonderland from the '70s, and new favorites such as various David Sedaris works.
William is an independent bookseller who became involved in the business through a friend who also sells books. This is his side job in order to escape the routine of his day job, which involves real estate. Although the books he sells don't come from his personal collection, he is well-read and knows a bit about each. Oftentimes, he'll make helpful suggestions to his clientele, offering advice on other authors that complement the purchaser's taste. Besides selling around Hunter, William occasionally brings his wares to Williamsburg. When asked about his reception around Hunter, William replied, "For the most part, everybody's nice," going on to say that he makes good sales here.
The quiet, unassuming book guru is actually a former Hunter student. During his time here, William studied Creative Writing. He writes mostly memoirs, "Nothing that's been published." He takes advantage of the Hunter environment, skipping the cheese steaks in favor of the falafels across the street. "I'm a vegetarian," he explained.
With such a sampling of authors and genres, it's hard to peg which kinds of books William prefers. His favorite book is The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, a history of Middle-Earth. His favorite authors include Tolkien as well as Ray Bradbury and Johan von Grimmelshausen, a 17th century German author who's most famous for his novel Simplicissimus.
It is important to note that upon being asked for an interview, William was surprised and a bit wary, not fully understanding his impact on the Hunter community. I purchased my favorite book of all time, One Hundred Years of Solitude, at his table on a whim, and I know countless other students who have been equally serendipitous with William's books. This article is to thank him for his flawless taste in books and his generosity in sharing them with the Hunter community and, might I add, at extremely low prices. So, if you are outside smoking, or simply enjoying a lovely day, stroll over to the book table. Your favorite book may be waiting for you.
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