Friday, September 12, 2014

for the love of books

 I love me a good library book sale. I traveled 23 miles to get to this one today.
I read somewhere that it was either THE largest library book sale in the country, or
at least one of them. There were over 110,000 books organized into 115 categories.
It was awesome, but a little overwhelming. And the one thing I didn't care for with
this sale was that the books were individually priced. Every other library book sale
I've been to - and I've been to a lot of them - the books had set prices, such as $1
for softcover and $2 for hardcover. Most of the softcover books here were $2 or $3
each which isn't terrible, but a little higher priced than other library book sales.


Sorry for the bad photo quality (I was using my phone), but as you can see, it
was row after row of books. The sale was held in the gym of a big recreation center.
Notice everyone is wearing coats? Yep, it is cold here. It's only been in the 40's the
past couple of days. With clouds and bursts of rain on top of it. Very yucky. Way too
early for this nonsense. Good thing it's not supposed to last long. 
 

Someone sure came to the book sale in style. Too bad it wasn't me!
 

So, here's the stack I came home with. The Dennis LeHane book, Sin in the Second
City, and the Frank Sinatra CD are for Brian. I've already read The Snow Child - this
copy was picked up for a friend. I saw on Goodreads that it was on her Want to Read
list. Speaking of Goodreads, are you on this site? It's a great way to keep track of
the books you've read, what you want to read, and see what your friends are reading.
 

 What are you reading right now? I just finished Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton,
which was excellent. She reminds me a little of Anne Lamott (one of my favorite authors),
but with a little more Christianity thrown in. I just picked up a non-fiction book called,
Inventing the Rest of Our Lives by Suzanne Braun Levine and so far, it's just "OK". I
got the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens in the mail yesterday, so I'm looking
forward to delving into that. Looks like it's full of autumn goodness. 

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend! We're heading up to Madison, Wisconsin
tomorrow for a day trip. Will be back on Monday to share it with you.


18 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a great day . . .there is nothing like having a stack of books, just before cold weather hits. A good book, a cozy chair and a warm quilt . . . perfect snow-day activity:)

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    1. Gaah, Connie...don't mention that nasty s-word just yet!

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  2. This looks overwhelming but I know I could get lost in the whole place for hours. Do you go into a zombie-like state when you peruse bookstores? I loved doing that back in the day when there WERE bookstores! Never been to a library sale. You really have a nice amount of books to keep you busy this winter!

    Have a great time in Madison!

    Jane xx

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    1. Yes, I do go into that zombie-like state while perusing books - whether in a bookstore or a library book sale!

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  3. I went to a library sale yesterday too, but it was much smaller and just children's books. It is odd when the titles are priced individually, but not as odd as the time I saw one where they were by the inch. You stacked your books on their sides, like your picture, and they had a ruller/price guide that was set next to the pile to figure out the total amount owed. Quirky, but quick. Enjoy your reading!

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    1. Now that is one type of pricing I have never heard of - by the inch!

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  4. I'm always working on the first day of our local book sale, so I usually don't go the second day since it's pretty well picked over. Right now I don't have a book to pick up and read at night, so I've got to remedy that on Monday. A trip to the library is definitely in order! Enjoy your trip tomorrow, Melanie, and enjoy your latest book finds!

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    1. I can't imagine not having a book to pick up and read...I have my own little library!

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  5. You found some good titles there Melanie. Then one which caught my eye is Wintering - a Novel of Sylvia Plath. I must look for it because I've always been fascinated by Sylvia's life and tragic death….and of course her amazing poetry.

    Mary -

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    1. I am anxious to read this one too, Mary - for all the reasons you mentioned.

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  6. I love books. Have way too many but nothing is like a real book in your hand.

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    1. I have too many, also. But that's OK - I certainly enjoy them all. Have no desire to have an e-reader.

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  7. Wow! That sale looks amazing! I would love to go to one like that. I haven't read many of the books you bought, but I enjoy Dennis Lehane's books and I loved the Snow Child. I think the Lehane is the sequel to "Gone Baby, Gone"? I can't remember, I read it awhile ago. Anyway, great selection. I am sure you'll both enjoy your new reading material. Hope you're having a good weekend. :)

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    1. My husband is the Dennis Lehane fan. The Snow Child was a fantastic read!

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  8. That looks like an amazing book sale. I love books! I'd love to be able to have one room that's just a library -wall to wall books!

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    1. That's just about what my downstairs family room looks like, Elaine! I have quite a few bookcases.

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  9. I love book sales. I too read and enjoyed the Snow Child; everything else is new to me. (And that makes me just a teenie bit jealous of your mysterious reading material.)

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    1. Another Snow Child fan! I just gave my friend the book, so I hope she enjoys it.

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