Hi Friends,
Happy Wednesday. I have a special treat for you. My friend and fellow author, Jill Kemerer, is guest-posting today. I’m always excited to read her fun-filled posts.
~Dani
One of my favorite things to do as a kid was buying used books. In the summer, we’d go to flea markets and garage sales, and I’d always spend any money I had on books. I tended to gravitate to the boxes marked ten cents or a quarter. The best sign was always the Fill a Bag for “X”. An entire bag of books for a dollar or two? Yes!
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to flea market or garage sale, so when one of our local libraries—Way Public Library—in Perrysburg, Ohio, sent out a newsletter mentioning their ongoing used book sale located in the basement, I took note. And when I saw they offered two sizes of bags for two low prices?
I was in!
Last Friday I finished work early and headed out. When I arrived at the library, I went straight to the basement and debated what size bag to grab. The small for five bucks? Or the large for $12.50? The small didn’t seem all that little, so I went with that one. I could always upgrade, right?
The instant I entered the room with its shelves and tables full of used books, I was lost in the best possible way. Typically, I buy books at our local Barnes & Noble, a grocery store, or I order them online.
I was the only shopper downstairs, so I slowly studied the spines in all the nonfiction sections, skimmed the hardcover books jammed together on one of the tables, and perused the paperbacks.
There was a really good selection of inspirational novels. It was fun seeing so many books I’d read over the years.
I’m not an impulse shopper, so I began to stack all the strong maybes. When I reached the cookbook section, I kept my hands tucked in my pockets. I don’t have room for many cookbooks, so I try not to buy them! And as tempted as I was to buy a few new-to-me workout DVDs, I knew I had plenty.
After checking the fiction paperbacks twice, I reviewed my stack to narrow down my selection. When I placed them all in the small bag, I was shocked to see I still had room!
It took about three minutes to remedy that. Soon I was on my way back upstairs to pay. Five dollars later, I carried my books outside and made my way to my car, feeling light and happy and like a twelve-year-old at the flea market once more.
On Saturday, I made my first reading selection, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. Since the weather was amazing, I sat outside and began to read. And I did something I used to do all the time as a kid but rarely have time for now.
I finished the book in one sitting.
It was exactly what I needed. An hour at a used book sale. A five-dollar bag of old books. And a Saturday reading a novel straight through. I’ll be smiling for a week!
Do you ever go to used book sales? Or do you prefer to buy them new?
Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heartwarming, emotional, small-town romance novels often featuring cowboys. She hopes to encourage readers through her books the way so many books have encouraged her. Jill’s essentials include coffee, caramels, a stack of books, her mini-doxie, and long walks outdoors. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. For more information, visit her website, jillkemerer.com.
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Love it! I can totally relate :-)!
That makes me happy! It’s fun meeting fellow book lovers!
I have not a thing against used books and buy them all the time. I love library sales, too. I will buy a used book in a flat minute. It’s a great way to build your library with books you’ve been wanting.
I agree, Susan! I’ve found SO many new-to-me authors this way, and I tend to buy their new books from that point on!
I used to go to yard sales and library sales regularly and would come home with bags of books, just like you. Now, I prefer to bag up books to donate because I have too many to ever possibly read. I do love books and can certainly relate to your post!
Oh, Vickie, I hear you. Until about ten years ago, my husband and I moved every few years. Packing and unpacking all those books got old. So I kept the ones I typically reread and donated the rest to a library used book sale. I don’t regret it. Even now, I rarely keep the books I buy. I pass them off to friends or slip them into the Little Libraries we have around here!
Our local library has a bookstore and one of the worst things about this past year is that it was closed. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that they’re open again and I can go buy myself a cool used book (sometimes brand new ones that really aren’t cheap!) for a buck or two.
Sari, our libraries were shut down for months, and it got to a point where I cried one day. I love going to the library, and not being able to browse the aisles and check out books depressed me. Thankfully, we were able to start ordering books for curbside pickup not long after my meltdown!
I’m so glad yours is open again and that you can buy some books, too!
I loved your post – there are few things I enjoy more than shopping for books at thrift stores, library sales, etc. It’s the thrill of the hunt, never knowing what you might find! Our public library system has an amazing used bookstore in the basement of a branch, organized by genre, author, and format. It’s run by an incredibly dedicated team of volunteers – it’s my goal to become one of those volunteers when I eventually retire. It’s been closed for over a year due to COVID-19 but I’m hopeful it will reopen when it’s safe for all.
Valerie, that would be amazing if you ended up volunteering there! It sounds organized! I’m with you–the thrill of the hunt is what gets me. Plus, my dad always brought home random old books when I was young, and some of them were my faves. I hope your library’s book store opens soon!
I loved this post, Jill! I could identify with the pleasure of filling a whole bag with books to take hope and enjoy. 🙂
Hi Becky! I’m not surprised you would love a bag full of books! I’d love to have a peek into the ones you’d buy!
When I lived in Arizona I’d go every year to the VNSA book sale, held at a huge building on the state fairgrounds. I could fill a large suitcase for about $20, mixed hardback and paperbacks. Awesome way to try new-to-me authors!
Linda! A large suitcase! Now we’re talking!!
Yes, I agree. It’s a great way to find new authors!
When I was a kid, my parents went to yard sales and flea markets, and so I went. I have vintage Nancy Drew books–they were vintage then–and other books like Little Women and other classics I collected. Still have them.
I can picture those Nancy Drew books. And the Hardy Boys! I had several of each. I love that you kept them all! How cool!
What a great day for you!
I love shopping at thrift stores for books. I have never had ‘fill a bag for $5’in my world so I will have to check that out.
Yes, thrift stores are another great place to find cheap books! I hope you find a fill-a-bag deal. It’s so much fun!
Even though I have volunteered at a library used book store for a number of years, it was closed for over a year with the COVID pandemic being the cause. I have bought many a book at the library used book store and Half Price Books. I also buy paperback or Kindle books online–new ones and used paperbacks on Amazon. While my husband complains that I have far too many books, I share them with several reading friends and then donate them or take them to Half Price Books. Books are such a blessing!
Books are a blessing! I love that you read so much and share your books with others!
Don’t get me near any sort of used book sale. Just don’t. Otherwise, I’m done for.
BTW, love seeing that copy of John Jakes’ The Americans! I read that series in high school as extra credit for American history class, and I learned more reading those than recitations of names and dates from the teacher.