Chris Riedesel is owner of the Mumpsimus Book Store in Westfield.

By DAVID RICE

editorial@post-journal.com

WESTFIELD — With a book you can travel without moving your feet

When Mumpsimus Book Store owner, Chris Riedesel opened his Used Book Store in Westfield, he was fulfilling a lifelong dream.

After spending 23 years working cross country in California at the Los Angeles Theater in cultural affairs without a promotion he decided a major change in his life was due.

So it was back to his roots, Westfield where he was born and raised. His mother could trace her ancestry back to the 1820s and his father the 1920s.

After working for a time at the Chautauqua Institution, it was time to pursue his true passion: books.

So in December, he started Mumpsimus Books at 53 E. Main St.

Where does the name Mumpsimus come from? Try the 1500s! The definition is, “Someone who has a bad habit and refuses to change;” “a bad habit”.

Now with 16,000 books cataloged online and 7,000 titles in the store, there is something for everyone.