Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Really Big Book Sale

If there is one thing that I am helpless to resist in this world, even moreso than chocolate or coffee, it is books. Everything from the smell, the feel, the look of the written work on the page intoxicates and captivates me. To me, there is no greater indoor heaven on this Earth than a cozy book nook, an old book store or a large old library. You will never find me hunched in front of my computer or lounging about with an e-reader until someone comes to pry the last of the printed words from my cold, dead hands. I'm just that sort of crazy passionate. Also, I get migraines from reading type on any sort of screen but let's ignore that for now. ;)

Given my devotion to these marvelous collections of paper, it's no small wonder that I willingly crawled out of bed early on my first Saturday off in a month to go to our county's annual book sale, appropriately named, 'The really good, really big, really cheap book sale.' It's also no small wonder that I requested the day off, but that's neither here nor there.


With pocket camera and coffee in hand, I arrived at the book sale and made a dash for the Sci-fi/fantasy section, which had already been picked over fairly well despite the book sale only being open for an hour. However, I managed to snag a mint condition trade paperback copy of The Hobbit as well as some DragonLance titles before making my way into the jungle of bodies rummaging through the fiction trade paperbacks and hardcovers.


Apparently last year's big seller, was this year's re-seller.

Immediately upon hitting the area my mind went blank and I was powerless to come up with anything in particular that I wanted to look for. I had no choice but to join the crowd of book zombies as they muddled about, scanning every box for a title that caught their eye. Having managed to find a few things that I wanted I next made my way into the dangerous fray of the classics and collectibles section.



While in hindsight, I should have purchased the manual of plant diseases that I photographed above, I emerged from the table in tact grasping a 1960's hardcover copy of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to my chest. Since Joe was outside at the time due to the bank calling and letting him know some jackass stole his debit card number and was attempting to use it in California, I surprised him with an antique book of woodworking and wood finishing.

I perused the rest of the sections quickly before heading to the check out, stopping to chuckle because I had the entire collection of these growing up:



The total damage to my wallet was less than $1 per book and super pleased with myself, I collected Joe and made my way back to my car with my purchases. Since the husband was kind enough to feign interest in my extreme literary addiction (he enjoys reading, but is nowhere near my level of book crazy) I went to the local gun and knife show with him, where he acquired an antique russian rifle and a broken bone in his foot, though not at the same time and not related to each other. Now he's stuck on the couch with constant ice packs and anti-inflammatory medication while I enjoy the spoils of my book addiction. In between changing ice packs and yelling at him to quit trying to walk all over the place. ;)



We're so going to need bigger bookshelves.

21 comments:

  1. Oooh I'm so jealous ;D That is quite the book sale, lucky you! Hope the foot heals quickly.

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  2. I'm totally jealous too! I'm such a book whore and can't resist buying more books. I'm in need of a couple more book shelves, but that will have to wait till after I move. ::shudders at the thought of packing hundreds of books::

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  3. Love, love, love used book sales. Glad you got some great ones. Poor Joe, stolen debit card and a broken foot! Sending hugs to him! Enjoy your books; oh the wood working book was a good idea, since Joe is obviously going to be building book shelves soon!

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  4. Oh WoW!!! Lucky you!!! What a fantastical way to spend a Saturday. One can never have enough books...... ;0)
    And sorry to hear about Hubby's foot. If he'd stay off it for awhile it'd get better!

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  5. The sad thing is, he hurt it going IN to the gun show, but in typical dudely fashion decided that I should go get the ace bandage out of the car and he'd be ok to limp around for a few hours. Needless to say I did a little bit of the 'I told you so!' song at the doctor's office today and he's had his butt planted firmly on the couch unless he's got his cane and a good reason to get up today. ;)

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  6. Hi Danni,

    Girl, you are a woman after my own heart, Give me books, books and more books. My dream room is a library with wall to ceiling bookshelves full of all kinds of books. The closest I have to that now is half of my family room walls line with those collapsible wooden bookcases. They are of course all full.
    Sorry to hear about your hubby's foot.
    I got up this morning walked through the living room and stumped my small toe on the foot of the chair. I say stumped but I heard snap, crackle and pop. I broke it! I've got it wrapped and taking aleve washed down with gin and 7up. Well at least I have an excuse to sit and read.

    Paulette

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  7. Four of the big colleges of the University of Toronto have huge fundraising book sales every fall. Once again we'll be there for each one, in spite of the easily observable fact that we have neither money or room for more books! And I completely sympathize with the brain-freeze you experienced about what books you were looking for. Happens to me every time. I've got a list, but I know I'll forget to look at it when I'm there.

    I for one would like to see a picture of Joe's antique Russian rifle. It's not just a guy thing - I can't think of anything more eye-rollingly boring than a gun and knife show - but I'm always interested in Russian antiques. I know it's probably only a Soviet SKS, but it'd still be fun to see. And it might make him feel better to show off a tiny bit.

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  8. *dreamy sigh* I loves books... and sales. We used to go to these box sales where you got a box, about the size of a wine box, and could fill it with as many books you wanted for $30. Makes me miss the city a little bit just thinking of that.

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  9. I'm totally with you. I'd rather have an actual book in my hand that I can turn the pages in than some digital thing. Of course hubby is the absolute opposite and loves anything digital. Hope Joe's foot heals quick and properly. Enjoy all your goodies!

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  10. ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh how cool is that? I too am jealous....I love me some paper page books. I have to not go to those sales because.....well we've run out of room to display them and I think it is a crime to store them away. just saying. Oma Linda

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  11. I love books too and have to struggle to keep the number of books down to a dull roar. I have several of those cheepie book shelves that eventually bow out of shape and threaten to cave in. Hubby came up with a suggestion to fix it so it doesn't fall apart. We got really long bolts and lock nuts. Drilled a couple holes in the sides of the unit and put the bolt through and tightened the whole thing up. Works great. I should do a post on my blog about it with photos.....

    I like the digital books too but there is nothing like being surrounded with real flesh and blood paper books. :)

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  12. Mmmmm... books... I love my Kindle, but that doesn't stop me from loving the sight and smell and feel of real books!

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  13. wow thats some book sale yummmmmmmmmm books :)

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  14. those pics may have turned me on a little. JEALOUS ! The half-priced books warehouse sale is going to start in two weeks and I'm going to go nuts lol, i can feel it

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  15. You had a very full day, didn't you. I hope you get a chance to sit and enjoy your new treasures.

    I keep saying that I can't read all the books I have in 2 lifetimes but a good sale is IMPOSSIBLE to pass up.

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  16. We are sooooooo kindred spirits in our love for books! I hit a similar sale a few months back in my town and was equally mesmerized! Ahhhhhh...I love a book! Sadly, our book sale was the result of several local and school libraries closing. It breaks my heart to think there might be a time when there is no library. *wipes tear*

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  17. Ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh! I share your addiction to books and the overall love of just being around them! You really scored on this shopping trip, Danni. Bravo!

    I am so sorry to hear of your husband's foot. Ouch! I hope you have a lovely week, Sweetie!

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  18. This is the second post I've read tonight trumpeting the beauty and value of the printed word. Having worked with books for the past twelve years (at Waldenbooks/Borders - now going out of business forever), it is firmly entrenched in my soul. I will always be a book lover (you will never find me with an e-reader). Thank you for sharing this. :)

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  19. I love books, and book sales!!! I can never have enough books!!!
    Wonderful blog~~~
    Jan

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  20. The Gates looks interesting, and what is the one in the picture below it, black?
    Susan

    ps...did you get my package, i never got an email from you?

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