What’s under the tree this year? Collectible editions of classic holiday literature! From A Christmas Carol to The Grinch that Stole Christmas, we’ll take a look back at the first editions of these beloved tales that have become ubiquitous in popular culture, and have even helped to shape the way that we think about Christmas itself. Plus, a letter from Charles Dickens, written from Boston’s Parker House Hotel on Christmas Eve, in this fun and festive #brattlecast

Ken looks back at some of the most memorable finds from his lifetime in the rare book trade, and the stories behind them. The items that stand out the most aren’t necessarily the ones with the most monetary value, but they are the ones with something interesting to say. For example, we’ll learn Thomas Jefferson’s stance on domestic terrorism, and that a local baseball hall of famer, as a teen, helped J.D. Salinger to build his house.

It’s Ken’s favorite holiday: Thanksgiving! In this episode we’ll talk turkey, specifically the evolution of American turkey cookery from the 1700s through the 1980s as viewed through the lens of a progression of recipes from antique and vintage cookbooks. Plus, for dessert, we’ve got vibrant, turn of the century Thanksgiving ephemera, including greeting cards and football programs. And, as always, we are thankful to you, our listeners.

In this episode Ken talks about a colleague and friend of the shop who has literally written the book on decorating with books. Thatcher Wine, of Juniper Books, designs curated personal libraries, some in custom dust jackets that can transform a wall of bookshelves into a stunning and dynamic mural. Thatcher has recently published a gorgeous book on his work, For the Love of Books, co-authored with Elizabeth Lane. Visit juniperbooks.com to learn more. Plus, we’ll talk about the history of decorating with books, from Downton Abbey to Caffe Nero.

The Boston Antiquarian Book Fair is just around the corner (November 15 - 17)! If you’re new to this wonderful event and have questions about what to expect, or if you just want to get into the antiquarian book fair spirit, why not prepare by listening to this classic episode from the Brattlecast vaults? We’ll be at the fair with plenty of amazing books and complimentary m&ms, and we look forward to seeing you there!

It’s one of the nicest parts of parenthood: reading to your kids! From' ‘Goodnight Moon’ 100 times to ‘The Man in the Iron Mask’, reading is a great way to spend time with your children, and to cultivate their lifelong love of literature. In this episode we talk bedtime stories, fairy tales, and Ken’s own adorable holiday reading tradition.

So you're passing away. Time to start asking yourself the really important questions such as, 'What is going to happen to my library?' In this episode Ken shares tips and tricks for ensuring that your books don't become a burden to your loved ones after your demise. Plus, how do you care for your books well enough so they outlive you in the first place? There's not much that we can do to prevent our bodies from crumbling into dust but, given the right conditions, your books can still be in great shape hundreds of years from now. As John Updike said (in a book), 'All around us we are outlasted.'

On this episode Ken talks about haggling: are his shops prices flexible? Yes! Should you ask for a lower price on the book you're thinking of buying? Sometimes! What's the secret to talking your way into a great bargain? Be subtle, be nice, and, ideally, be a child whose early love of reading will later catapult you to the heights of success in a literary field. Plus, why Ken might pay you more for your books if you live on the first floor.

From baseball tragedy to book shop treasure, we’re taking a look at the journey of Casey at the Bat. The poem, first printed in the San Francisco Examiner in 1888, was popularized in vaudeville, and, in 1901, published in the very valuable first edition here in the studio with us today. It has since been reprinted hundreds of times, and remains enduringly popular with collectors of both literature and baseball memorabilia. Ken talks about this and a variety of other home-run hits of baseball literature.

So you want to start a book shop. Good! Ken’s not afraid of the competition; he’ll even encourage you. He wishes every building on his street would house a different independent book shop. He’s a proponent of idiosyncratic small businesses as an antidote to the bland, big-box sameness that plagues most American cities. So what advice would Kenneth Gloss, with his years of experience, impart to the neophyte bookseller? It’s simple: just be in great physical shape, and know everything.