You Need These Books More Than I Do

Curiosity never killed Minnesota bookseller Melvin McCosh and his 42-room house of books, once located on the shores of Lake Minnetonka.

Melvin McCosh from his October 1990 bookseller newsletter: "The fall election nears. In Europe with a multi-party system, one can find a party that represents one’s views and a coalition is formed to create a government. In single-party countries the theory is that a consensus is hammered out within the party. In our two-party system the tradition was that there were more differences within parties than between them. This is now less true and few people bother to vote because no one represents them. But they would like a chance to vote against someone without voting for his opponent. America is ready for the Negative Vote. Instead of adding a vote to the opponent’s total, deduct one from the candidate one is voting against."

Who do you know—perhaps on the periphery of your life—that might be your “Melvin McCosh”? When have you experienced a person or place that immediately connected with your values and passions? How have you incorporated them/it into your relationships and work?

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