Where did A Common Reader go?

I was just updating some URLs and I went to the site for A Common Reader.  As you'll notice if you click on the link, the page "cannot be displayed."  I tried the Wayback Machine and the page archives stop last March.  How did I not notice?  Has life been that hectic?

In desperation, I combed the catalog basket for a recent copy of the catalog -- there aren't any.   I found a July 2004 copy, and called the phone number -- no dice.  I did a web search on the address and saw another phone number.  I called it, but it's disconnected.

I loved getting A Common Reader catalogs (I just found one from 1998), and because one notices Events rather than Nonevents, the catalog not showing up didn't make an impression until just now.  I am so sad.  I thought they'd be in business forever.

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Update, 20 minutes later:  My goodness, the company went bankrupt.

• Common Reader goes bankrupt

Now I feel guilty as well as sad, and I want to yell, "Come back!  I'll never go to Borders again!"

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More at Hruminations

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And other people also collected their catalogs, and mention my 'other catalogs,' Bas Bleu and Chinaberry.

That Rabbit Girl

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About the only thing I feel 'good' about, is that I never ordered from Amazon instead of A Common Reader.  I did go to the library, but I only ordered Amazon books that A Common Reader didn't sell.

Still, I'm bereft and have already noticed the stages of grief:  shock, sadness, and anger so far.  I've found all my back catalogues (and am mourning the stack I recycled a while ago) and have them next to me.

Comments

[eve]

I'm so sad to find out they went bankrupt. We moved and I just thought the catalog hadn't followed us. I used the catolog to find good books from the library but I also made sure I ordered a bunch from them--especially at christmas. It was my present-- a big box of books from a Common reader. The holidays will not be the same for me.

[Irv Thomas]

Well, here I am, sad too late! After the fact of your own discovery of loss, by about two years. Cleaning out some of my own shelved material, I came across the half-dozen odd copies of A Common Reader that I somehow acquired (never having subscribed), and occasionally browsed - always captivated in the rare moments of dipping into them - and just became curious enough to see if I could obtain a current copy . . . but lo and behold, I made the sad discovery, just as you did, that they are no more!

Well, I shall regard them as occasional browsing material nevertheless. They are still wonderful prompters for books to seek, and fulfill the need for idle dreams, as the moment permits. I had intended, perhaps, to throw them out, but . . . no more!

[Anne Middlemas]

I loved the catalog too. I depended on them at Christmas to find great books my family loved. The editor is now reviewing at Barnes and Noble.

[Janice Bernath]

I'm so sad too; I love A Common Reader! I hadn't thought about the catalog in quite some time - same as others, I didn't notice when it didn't come, only when it did. There are still a few odd copies at my house and I'll hold on to those. Their selection of books was amazing and I bought quite a few from them. So sad they went bankrupt.

[Valerie]

I agree wholeheartedly about the breadth of the selection. The old catalogs are a wonderful reference.

[Christopher Gottschalk, MD]

Would any of you be willing to share copies of your old Common Reader issues? I have been more than a little distracted last few years, and only just realized now how long it's been since I'd seen my favorite catalogue. If you would, I am keen to assemble a collection. [email protected]

[Valerie]

I'd have to find my copies -- not sure where they got stashed (or even if Someone Else 'tidied'). I wonder if catalogs are copyrighted like other printed material? It would be wonderful if someone could blog the catalog entries.