Ode to the Library Used Book Sale

If you’re like me, you love a good bargain. I love nothing more than finding a high-quality item at 40% off or more. I’m not such a fan of the cheaper stores because in most cases, you get what you pay for, as the old saying goes, but I love getting brand-name items at low, low prices (I figured I already sounded like a commercial, so I just went with it.)

One of my favorite places to shop for bargains is my local library. That’s right. Of course you know the library is an excellent community resource and a great place to check out the latest releases, hook up your wi-fi, or read periodicals without committing to a purchase, but most libraries also have ongoing book sales with titles at unbelievable prices.

I checked out 2 sales over the weekend, and I walked away with 6 new-to-me titles and spent less than $10. I got 5 hardcover books in excellent shape, and a paperback I’d had my eye on but was less than thrilled with the price on the bookshelf. But finding it for $1.00? I couldn’t resist! These sales are also a treasure trove of hard-to-find and unique books that can help you in your writing—one library had a nice selection of writing guides—or just look interesting. (Case in point—a few years ago I found a copy of Hope Edelman’s book Motherless Daughters, which I’d been shopping for online but debating about purchasing. But again, I couldn’t pass up the library’s $1.00 price sticker!) So check out your local library—chances are you can score some great bargains there, too. Also, with so many libraries feeling the pinch from budget cuts, most of them will happily accept any books you’re looking to part with. If they don’t put them right on their shelves, they’ll put them out for sale and make some money. These sales are a great way to help a worthy cause, check out those titles you’ve been hoping to read, and find some bargains along the way!

What about you? Have you discovered the joy that is a library used book sale? Tell us about it!

Summer Reads (So Far)

Hard to believe the summer is half over already! WOW! Seems like it was only a few days ago that I was plotting out the next few months, trying to line up some assignments and do some serious chilling out. Well, I did manage to land a few assignments, and I've done a pretty good job of chilling out, although I'm already starting to prep for my classes this fall. Busy, busy, busy!

I've been true to my word and have been doing a lot of reading. My list since classes ended in May include:

The Postmistress, Sarah Blake

Admit One: My Life in Film, Emmett James

*Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, Jordan Sonnenblick

On Mystic Lake, Kristin Hannah

Spent: Memoirs of a Shopping Addict, Avis Cardella

*To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

*The Help, Kathryn Stockett

My Fair Lazy, Jen Lancaster

The Fixer Upper, Mary Kay Andrews

*The Lost Girls, Jennifer Baggett, Holly Corbett, Amanda Pressner

*The Opposite of Love, Julie Buxbaum

*highly recommended

I'm currently revisiting The Great Gatsby for my one class this fall, and The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais, which I didn't expect to like (very different from what I usually read) but am getting into.

I've been pleasantly surprised to have read quite a few great books so far. Last summer, I hate to say it, but nothing really rocked my world. So glad that that isn't the case this year! I have oodles of noodles more to go, so I'll keep you posted once summer winds down.


What books have you read so far this summer? Which ones have been hits? Misses?