There was a bookstore uptown on gay street Which I visited and inhaled that wonderful odor Of new books Even today I read hardcover as a preference and paperback only As a last resort The implicit details in this excerpt show that the speaker is puzzled by the unusual scent of new books. still believes that the uptown bookstore is the best. is sad that the uptown bookstore no longer exists. still has a deep love of books and reading as an adult.