Rumor has it that Cody's Bookstore on Telegraph will soon be closing. Normally, I'm kinda free-market about stores closing down — "hey, if nobody wants what they're selling, big deal" — but Cody's really is a particular loss for the south side of campus.

I've purchased many a book there, including C. P. Snow's The Two Cultures. Cody's tends to carry many books you can't find in mass-market bookstores (which brings me to a rant about mass-market bookstores only carrying books printed in the last two years — what's up with that? It's impossible to find well-known "real" books at chain bookstores, high school required reading notwithstanding).

Plus, Cody's had actual cool people come visit the store. I'll never forget seeing President Bill Clinton during his book signing visit to Cody's two years ago on June 29. In fact, my buddy in lab asked Clinton that day if he wanted to join him for a beer after the signing. He says Clinton looked up at him and appeared geniunely remorseful when he told him that he'd love to, except that he had a scheduled event after the book signing. He still belives Clinton really wanted to join him, which is a testament either to Bill's cunning ability to play to people's personalities, or his disarming lack of hubris.

All of these thoughts and memories associated with a bookstore I've known less than three years. I'll miss Cody's.