A Library Book Sale
The other day at work I was helping sort books for a book sale and was told to set aside all the ones we didn’t want for our sale and they would be sent to the main library since they have an ongoing sale room in their basement. This was not information I was previously aware of and the end result was obvious. I promptly visited the sale room on my next day off. For research purposes. How can I competently give information about the library system if I don’t have personal knowledge? Of the book sales, of course.
As soon as I walked in I saw a cart full of old books. I heard the volunteers talking about how they just wanted to get rid of those books and that was clear because they had priced them at ten cents each. Yes, you read that correctly. Ten cents. I bought the ones in the photo above. I know absolutely nothing about them but aren’t the covers gorgeous? And for ten cents I have nothing to lose. I also got these.
How could I possibly resist a book entitled New England Indian Summer? I may be living in Ohio but I am a New Englander through and through much to my husband’s slight disappointment. He is a Midwestern man through and through. A few of the books in the next photo were also only ten cents. The rest may have cost as much as a quarter. I can’t really remember.
No book shopping expedition is complete without a little bit of Jane Austen so I was pleased to find Discussions of Jane Austen. Again, I know nothing about it but it is about Jane Austen and that is enough for me.
The last two books were impulse purchases on my way out the door. I always enjoy books of letters and this looks to be an interesting one to dip in and out of. I also like books about writing and Maps & Legends is described as a series of linked essays about the joys of reading and writing.
The volunteer staff did tell me that they don’t usually have such a good selection of older books but the sale room was definitely worth checking out and I will probably go back periodically. After all, I only spent $2.30 which is, quite frankly, ridiculous. They might as well be giving the books away.
10 Comments
Wendy @ Falconer's Library
In high school, I did my senior English paper on the Forsythe Saga. Why? I think my English teacher suggested it, and I was eager to impress. The Chabon sounds really interesting, and I love the covers on the first three you feature. What a treasure hunt!
jllee656
It was a very thrilling day! I haven’t read the Forsythe Saga. Well, I think I read the first volume a while ago but somehow I never got around to reading any more. I don’t have an excuse now, do I?
Claire (The Captive Reader)
Ten cents per book?!? That’s the deal of the century never mind the year. Looks like an intriguing haul and who can argue at that price?
jllee656
I know! I just picked up anything that looked interesting. What did I have to lose!?
Peggy
I was excited to see That Quail Robert. I fondly remember the book from my childhood.
jllee656
I have never even heard of it before.
Katrina
What a haul! I love those covers too.
jllee656
Aren’t they beautiful? I hope the books are half as good!
Brona (This Reading Life)
A Rumer Godden and an Edna Ferber – excellent finds. A Galsworthy is always a treasure 🙂
jllee656
I was so pleased to find all of those. I have been slowly rereading Edna Ferber’s books and this is one I hadn’t gotten to yet.