Aardvark Rare Books

(once Ezra The Bookfinder)

Ezra has been a booklover as far back as he can remember. As a child growing up in Pittsburgh, his rhythm was keyed to the bi-weekly appearance of the Carnegie Library Bookmobile at the corner of Darlington and Murray from which he'd return with an armful of books to take home and devour. After many years as a student, working as a mailman, truck driver, university professor, professional editor, commercial fisherman in Alaska, and farmhand, he has found his niche as bookseller and appraiser.

He lives just outside the city limits of Eugene, Oregon with his partner, a recovered Renaissance scholar and university dean, current interfaith medical chaplain, Soto Zen teacher, and Tarot Teacher and author. along with their two rescue-pups, Opal and Sylvie.

Past customers have included Martin Scorcese, Lauren Hutton, Art Spiegelman, Val Kilmer, and many other non-movie-star readers as well.

Well before Covid arrived amongst us, Ezra loaded up a retired library bookmobile, and spent seven years running BOOKS TO THE PEOPLE  serving as executive director of a nonprofit organization dedicated to placing free books into the hands and homes of readers in the city and outlying areas. alike. Gertie the Bookbus rolled up to public venues, set up shop, and proceeded to give away books for free. At age 48, Gertie The Bookbus retired from active duty and moved to the Kesey Farm, along side of one iteration of the famed Merry Pranksters bus "Further", where they co-languish in an Oregon field, sharing dreams replete with rubber, metal, words on paper, and Windowpane. Rumor has it that Gertie The Bookbus took once again took to the road after her tires got too itchy to stay put.

Ezra has owned and operated Aardvark Rare Books since 1995. (Ezra The Bookfinder was the booksearch branch of the business which retired him from active searching duty in May of 2022 after 27 years sleuthing).

Several years ago he enticed a neighbor and friend into visiting the bookshop, and Josh Hirschstein, founding, running for 32 years,  and retiring from his own business (Lane Tutoring Service), has now been an invaluable member of the Aardvark Rare Books team for nearly two years.