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Detroit Specials Used Books

@detroitspecials.bsky.social

730 followers 42 following 450 posts

We're Detroit's best used bookstore (that you've never heard of) Gently used & new books in all genres, for all ages. Curated, inclusive, & leftist. Masks are required to shop in-store; we're happy to provide them if needed. https://detroitusedbooks.com

detroitusedbooks.com

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 15m

Reviewing the PEN list of banned /challenged books in schools & libraries across the USA, it really struck me HOW MANY challenges were brought against books that just say, "Hey: racism & homophobia are Bad, Actually."

...but they ARE, though

detroitusedbooks.com/product-cate...

Banned & Challenged Books Archives - Detroit Specials Used Books

A handful of busybodies want to destroy you and your children's access to hundreds of great books. Read dangerously: pick up a banned or challenged book.

detroitusedbooks.com

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 19m

Bump! It's still Banned Books Week. I've gone through our entire catalog and a lot of our shelves, and expanded the offerings in our Banned/Challenged Books category from ~30 to 120+-- you can see what we have in stock at the link downthread:

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 6d

Not much, just making sure our online catalog is ready for Banned Books Week

Photograph of a laptop. The screen shows the back end of a Woocommerce catalog, with several listings in the Banned & Challenged Books category visible.

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 21m

The lights are ON and the music is UP and we are HERE* today until 9 PM. Hope to see you!

*8275 John R in Detroit, we're just around the corner from the Detroit People's Food Co-op 🍽️

Photograph of the interior of a bookstore, showing several full bookshelves.

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 1d

Happy Friday, all!

The lights are ON, the music is UP, and we are HERE until 9 PM tonight. Stop in and get your read on!

two men are squatting down in a living room while one of them is holding a book .

Alt: Two men in suits and Vaudeville-esque straw hats are dancing in a mid-century living room. One is reading while dancing...without context, it's hard to tell whether the dance is interrupting his reading or if it's the other way around. Either way, that dude is multitasking #goals

media.tenor.com

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 2d

Most of the short isn't tweaked, but that segment for sure is. The feet look like a non-artist 'shopped them from memory.

Looks like the channel isn't too careful about sourcing clips. I watched 8 shorts & 6 had at least one easily identifiable AI-enhanced clip. & lots of their thumbnails are AI

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 2d

yyyyyyyyep

Photo of a woman petting what appears to be a small lion or maybe an oversized Maine Coon, with the caption 'they've got that long shaggy fur'. The photo has been uploaded to Hive Moderation, which rates it at 47.9% likely to contain AI/deepfake content

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 2d

I think it's a combo of camera trickery + Photoshop + maybe a little AI. In the pic where she's petting him her hand looks HUGE compared to her body but almost normal size compared to the size of an XL Maine Coon head.

also, her fingers look like melted candles

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 2d

The lights are UP, the music is ON, and we are HERE until 6 PM tonight. Hope to see you!

Google Maps showing several points of interest in Detroit's North End. The map icon is placed over Detroit Specials Used Books at 8275 John R.

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 3d

They did. I noticed it yesterday. You can still search for accounts by name, but not for words -- like 'waffles' -- or phrases -- like 'all we're asking for is halfway decent content moderation, you cowards'

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 3d

Good morning, all!

Xfinity is going to be replacing a lot of their equipment in our area today, and they've informed us that the internet will be intermittent or just plain down pretty much all day. I'll respond to emails ASAP, but I may be a little slow to reply until they're done.

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 5d

Art is also sustenance

Reposted by Detroit Specials Used Books

demon core vidal (halloween style. bc demons are SPOOKY) @regretagarbo.rip · 5d

this is one of the hardest crashouts in history

Vergil @ ✊🏽🏳️‍⚧️ @vergiliaux.art · 5d

BSky hid @asukafield.xyz's transphobia mod list. 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

Blue Sky's interface for hidden moderation lists, saying the following: "This list, created by @asukafield.xyz , contains possible violations of Bluesky's community guidelines in its name or description." Offered choices are to unsubscribe or go back.

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 6d

I've been going through PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans to make sure any banned/challenged book we have online is featured.

You can see what we have here: detroitusedbooks.com/product-cate...

Banned & Challenged Books Archives - Detroit Specials Used Books

A handful of busybodies want to destroy you and your children's access to hundreds of great books. Read dangerously: pick up a banned or challenged book.

detroitusedbooks.com

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 6d

Not much, just making sure our online catalog is ready for Banned Books Week

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 6d

~ oh hai ~

Fun fact: Congress has not authorized the use of military force

Photo of a hand holding up a copy of STATES AND URBAN-BASED REVOLUTIONS: IRAN AND NICARAGUA by Farideh Farhi. Full bookshelves are visible in the background

Reposted by Detroit Specials Used Books

Joseph Rezek @rezekjoe.bsky.social · 6d

Just posting this. Everyone knows why.

Text of the fourth amendment “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 7d

I'd watch it.

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 7d

So, no. We won't be participating in Inkventory. At least, not as it is now. If I get word that they've WRITTEN A DAMN TOS and put BASIC protections into place for their participants, I'll reconsider.

Until then, GTFOH. And stay safe 👍🏼

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 7d

#Inkventory isn't a bad idea. I wish I'd thought of it.

But the execution is horrible. As this service exists now, there is far too much potential for authors to be harmed. Bookstores, too -- but the authors are in a much more vulnerable position here.

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 7d

How long until scammers start offering their "editing services" to this VERY OPEN, EASILY SEARCHABLE database of vulnerable indie authors?

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 7d

How long until this easily searchable database of people who are signaling their support for queer, disabled, and BIPOC people becomes nothing but a To Be Doxxed list?

How long until a spambot factory starts bombarding, like just absolutely BLASTING every author or store on that list?

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 7d

The creators of Inkventory clearly want it to blow up. But they aren't vetting submissions and they haven't even set up a CAPTCHA or require passwords to access the database.

It's small now. What happens if it takes off?

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 7d

No. We won't be joining Inkventory. Neither should you.

It's a completely open database where marginalized authors are self-identifying and giving their contact information.

We are living in a fascist state. Hate crimes are celebrated by our President.

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Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 7d

Featured new arrivals!

Most of the books we receive are very very good, like really good, I mean they're GOOD-good okay

but some stand out

GLOVES is $9 and ENTANGLED LIFE is $6.50. +$5 for shipping. Or you can visit us here until 9 PM tonight/from 2-9 PM tomorrow (Sat.)

Face-out photo of GLOVES: AN INTIMATE HISTORY by Anne Green

Face-out photo of ENTANGLED LIFE: HOW FUNGI MAKE OUR WORLDS, CHANGE OUR MINDS & SHAPE OUR FUTURES by Merlin Sheldrake

Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 7d

NEW ARRIVALS! Trade paperback edition:

Trades are the larger paperbacks. We already had a HUGE selection, and it just keeps getting better. Prices on the pictured books = $1.00 - $5.50.

Check these out and then stop by 8275 John R in Detroit tonight or tomorrow to grab your next favorite read 📖

Photograph of a stack of books, spine-out. Books pictured: SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE by Tia Williams / SOPHIA OF SILICON VALLEY by Anna Yen / LOVELIGHT FARMS by B.K. Borison / THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coehlo / QUEER and JUNKY by William S. Burroughs / PRETTY by Jillian Lauren / EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU by Celeste Ng / THE BUS DRIVER WHO WANTED TO BE GOD by Etgar Keret / THE BEAN TREES by Barbara Kingsolver / THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER by Kim Edwards / FIGHT CLUB by Chuck Palahniuk / THE BELL JAR by Sylvia Plath