Beyond the Bookshelves

Behind the Podcast: What I Learned Doing My First Real Interview
Behind the Podcast: What I Learned Doing My First Real Interview
I did a podcast. Rinnie Orr from WEBB Squared sat me down at the end of August and asked me to talk about books, family, The Ink Crypt, and why... Read more...
Cover of Dream Park by Larry Niven and Steven Barnes
Dream Park, Forty-Five Years Later
Some books get outdated. Dream Park just got interesting in a different way. Larry Niven and Steven Barnes published Dream Park in 1981, when Dungeons & Dragons was still young... Read more...
Romantasy — where love meets magic
Best Romantasy Books to Read in 2026 (If You Loved Fourth Wing)
Dragons, magic, and swoon-worthy slow burns — here's what to read next if Fourth Wing left you wanting more. Read more...
Packing a trade-in box of used books at The Ink Crypt
How Does Book Trade-In Credit Work? (The Ink Crypt FAQ)
Trading in books, games, or movies for store credit? Here's exactly how it works, what you'll need, and what to expect. Read more...
Returning to Genesis
Returning to Genesis
Revisiting Jack McKinney's Genesis, the novel that opened the door to Robotech and a lifelong love of reading. Read more...
Why African American Bookstores Matter More Than Ever
Why African American Bookstores Matter More Than Ever
African American bookstores have always been more than places to buy books — they're educational centers, cultural landmarks, and community gathering spaces. Founder Victor Harris reflects on the family and... Read more...
Why I Still Do Every Pickup Myself
Why I Still Do Every Pickup Myself
Why The Ink Crypt still does every trade-in pickup in person, and why that's a feature rather than a gap in the business. Read more...
Gothic Classics We Can't Stop Recommending
Six books currently haunting our shelves, and the staff reasons each one made the cut. Read more...
Where It All Began
Where It All Began
The story behind The Ink Crypt begins long before the bookstore itself. In this inaugural post, founder Victor Harris reflects on the family members who inspired his love of reading,... Read more...