Despite Jason's protestations to the contrary, we really do need another bookshelf in this house. I am not one of those practical souls who contents myself with the perusal pleasures that the library affords: there are certain books that are worth owning your own copy of. As such, each book on our tightly crammed bookshelf is one we love and not one I am likely to relanquish.
This is problematic as I have become quite adept at finding books on a budget (a necessity during our years as students). It's almost a sport really, how good of a deal can you find on a book you badly want? Here's my standard venues:
The Chains-naturally they are used, if only because I love ordering their books for cheaper online and receiving packages in the mail. It is the most expensive option though so I don't use them often, usually used just for acquiring anything hot off the press.
The Independents- while seldom cheap,everyone needs a favourite one of these. Not only is it important to encourage variety when it comes to shopping, but I've found my favourite independent will find what I want, even if it is not in their catalogue. They're more prone to specialize too.
The Second Hands- Here is book hunting at it finest, because you never know what treasures you might find every time you go! Possibility and delight may await you on each shelf. These are the ones where you don't go in with expectations of what you want, but can simply enjoy the fun of browsing.
The Libabry Sales- Go with a fellow bibliophile to aid and abet you (like I did last weekend-thanks Eva!) and make an outing out of these! It's unbelievable what you can uncover admist all the books the library is hoping to clear off their own shelfves in the hopes that you'll take some to your own. It's hard to beat books for a dollar that are still in good condition, just be prepared to hunt more here than in anywhere else. Still, you can usually find a few treasures hiding among the tripe.
See what I mean? Having just accquired no less than fifteen new titles from my foray to the later venue this past weekend, I am quite out of space on my shelf, yet badly need a home for the latest accquisitions! Although a new shelf would be rather empty at first, knowing me, it would not stay empty for long.
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3 comments:
One of thew things I miss most about living in Salt Lake is shopping at DI. I always found great clothes, uncut fabric, and books. Oh those were the days. Board books were just 50 cents too!
How fun! I stumbled upon a library book sale just the other day though I didn't have time to sift through the goods. Probably just as well--we're out of shelf space too :)
Grandpa is the book browzer and some of them are most interesting. Now, I need another bookcase - but where to put i?. One lady told me (who now also lives in a condo) her husband cannot bring a book unless he disposes of one!! Who is the boss in that family?
Grqn
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