Our local public library has a quarterly book sale, and this time around I not only remembered to put it on my calendar – we even remembered to go!
I love library book sales, don't you? There was an epic (semiannual?) one at the library where I lived in Virginia – they had twenty-five-cent paperbacks and signed first editions, and everything in between. It would go on for a whole weekend – Friday evening was for “friends of the library” only, Saturday was for everyone, and Sunday everything was discounted. For three book-loving gals in a little two-bedroom apartment, it was a dangerous place.
This one was more unassuming – it started with just a few dozen boxes of paperback fiction on folding tables outside a little outbuilding. But there was more! The books went through the building and then outside again. A lot more to look at than we initially realized, which was exciting.
Anyway, we stayed long enough for me to get a sunburn on the back of my neck from leaning over the tables of books, and for us to walk away with this haul (rarely do I spend money so calmly as when buying used books!):
More than 60 books, mostly children's hardbacks, all for a grand total of $21.50.
(I tried to tell the woman that I wasn't ready to check out yet – that I wanted to go through my piles again and make sure I really wanted everything, since some were more expensive (ie, a dollar instead of fifty cents) than others. She whispered, “We're going to give them all to you for twenty-five cents.” I'm not sure if she liked us, or if the stacks of books I kept leaving on the cart next to the check-out table were just big enough for her to want to streamline the process.)
My goal for the day was to build our collection of children's books – it's amazing how quickly (in the last few months) I went from:
“Oh, I don't need to worry about kids' books yet – there's plenty of time!”
to:
“Oh my goodness, Pippo is almost four months old and we have hardly anything for him to READ!”
Or something like that.
I think that being at my parents' house and seeing their (amazing) collection of books reminded me of how important that family library was to my childhood. I want the same thing for my children! I know we have time, but the sense of urgency comes in part from the knowledge that so many of the books dear to my heart are old and no longer in print, or the newer versions are not as pretty as the old ones. And granted, this is coming from someone who, as a child, would regularly refuse to read a book because I didn't like the illustration on the cover, but I truly believe that good books should look like they're worth reading.
Anyway, can I show you some of what we found?
Our town library where I grew up had a little branch in the converted carriage house of the beautiful 19th century town mansion. It was within walking distance of our house, and we would walk or ride our bikes there all the time. Especially on hot summer days, when we would stay for hours, reading and enjoying the only air conditioning within hailing distance.
The librarians knew our names, and all the picture books were bound like these. I had a hard time resisting them. Even the ones I'd never heard of. As I told the Lt, “I trust the binding!”
I don't think I'd thought of the Anatole books since I was a kid, but as soon as I saw this one I got excited. Did you ever read about Anatole? He's a mouse who's a professional cheese taster in France, and he's delightful.
There were several of these Veronica books. I think I read them at one point, but don't remember them well, to be honest. But I find the illustrations very appealing.
Similarly, I will buy anything that illustrated by Tasha Tudor (even something entitled “Wings from the Wind” which, frankly, sounds a little cheesy). Her drawings are so simple and yet detailed in a way that invites inspection and delight.
Another book that I don't remember having read myself, bought on the strength of its illustrations and the fact that it involves a lion and a hot air balloon. I can't argue with that.
The Lt was very excited about these, which are favorites of his. I hadn't read any Joan Aiken until after we got married (I considered the cover illustrations of the ones we had creepy in an uninteresting way), when he reminded me that once, maybe 8 years ago, he read a children's book that I loved, and I had promised to read one of his. So I read The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, and loved it.
Hardcover copy of one of the Chronicles of Narnia? I'm on it.
How about Laura Ingalls Wilder? Ditto.
I don't remember specifics of any of Rumer Godden's books about dolls (that doesn't sound very interesting on the face of it), but I remember reading a bunch, and loving them. I found two, both with cute vintage-y covers.
I couldn't remember what else Carol Ryrie Brink had written, but I knew it was good, so I popped this one on the pile. (Turns out I'd been thinking of Caddie Woodlawn – I knew I liked her!)
Of course there were lots more books, but these were some of the cutest, I think.
(Since I know you're worried about whether our current bookshelf space will be adequate to handle the new additions, let me set your mind at ease:
No, it is not.
We can get the “grown-up” books in on the shelves we have now, but we're going to need more room for our kids' books. But that's ok. We knew that would happen. It's all part of life for book-loving folks.)
Do you have any library-book-sale tips for me? Do you judge books by their covers, the way I do, or do you have a different and/or more scientific way of honing in on the good ones?
Sara says
I would have done what you did—-trusted my memory, the covers, and the author's names! What a great haul!
Cheryl says
I adore library book sales! We homeschool – and that's how I find most of our books! I keep a running list on librarything (the best website ever for bibliophiles) of books I'd like to acquire – and if I am patient and willing to pore through the stacks, I have found most of our collection at either library book sales or Goodwill! Good job! You found some gems!
Jennie C. says
My way is pretty much the same as your way: a love of good books and a whole lot of intuition. Or is it luck? 🙂
I can happily report that none of my children has ever been disappointed with any book I've recommended to them, and that is a gift I'm quite proud of!
Susan says
So many lovely finds! Silver Lake is the only LIW we don't have in hardback. We're on our second time reading those to our kids right now. I must have read them once a year as a kid. Maybe as an adult, too. I also just read one of Godden's doll books (The Doll's House) to my daughter. It was odd. But we both enjoyed it for different reasons. We live in possibly the only city in America without a bookstore and our library stinks. I might have to start traveling to these kinds of sales a couple times each year 🙂
LJ says
Rosie, that's so great! I'm practically dying of book envy right now. I'm hopefully tutoring a sixth-grader this summer, and I'm having a very hard time finding books that will interest her and help her develop a good character at the same time… any thoughts? 🙂
On a random note, it was your book-filled Little Gidding that helped me start on my own book-collecting journey! Particularly your really old set of volumes- was it Shakespeare? They were so beautiful! I have always loved reading, but it wasn't until I saw your shelves that I realized I was “old enough” to start my own! I had this goofy idea that “school books” didn't count as “real books,” and so I'd been giving away my copies of dozens of wonderful things… I'm so glad I saw your collection when I did! I've been much more enthusiastic about book-buying ever since!
_Rosie says
I'm so glad! I might have some ideas for your tutee – you should email me! 🙂
margo says
I like Rumer Godden's novels A LOT. I just gave one as a present to a friend over the weekend – blogged about it today too 🙂
We live a block from the library with no plans to move, ever, so I'm selective about what I buy for the sake of space, although we are avid readers. I go to the library frequently and we are never short on books!
Sue says
Oh my! I am drooling over here in small town Japan. We're far away from our own home “library” and the city library has an English section that is comprised of mostly Danielle Steel and books on haiku, with a few classics mixed in.
Funny you should mention The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, because that's one of the few books we managed to bring with us, and I just finished reading it to the kids!
Sonja says
Oh, the happy lion! Such memories… My grandma used to read the happy lion books to me when I was little. They were my dad's when he was growing up. And now, my mom reads them to my son. So sweet!
priest's wife says
wow! what a great haul…..!
Magda says
Dangerous is the key word! I have to put the library sales on the calendar so I can avoid them! (I promised my husband I'd cull our bookshelves before getting any more books. Cull = get rid of three books per hundred or so, usually duplicates.)
I remember being a bit thrilled to have a son first. As one of three sisters, that meant that I had to get more *boy* books: Jules Verne, the “Little Britches” series, and anything my husband had enjoyed.
I have to stop drooling over your pictures. One idea for going through books at library book sales is to write down favorite authors. My sister collects romance novels and used to keep a list on her PDA with the titles she already had. We grew up in Texas, and it's hard, now living in Florida, not to have Half-Price Books around … although much easier on the pocketbook.
Mamalion says
OOOOHHHH! Anatole! Best! Books! Ever! And they've slowly started republishing them! And the Joan Aiken books have been republished in HB also. We love library sales.
The Happy Mother says
Thank you so much for posting all of this! I am always looking for more titles for my girls (ages 6 and 10). I would love any more suggestions on good books or authors for them!
Breanna says
Joan Aiken–Wolves of Wiloughby Chase (spelling?) was a movie at one point. I like the book, but the MOVIE creeped me and my siblings OUT when we were little. The lady who played the wicked impostor governess was so sinister.
_Rosie says
I didn't know there was a movie!
Jennifer says
beautiful! our library sale is coming up and I've missed it every year since we've moved here. I pray that this weekend is our lucky charm and I will actually get to part with some of my money!!
Maggie says
I am so jealous of the Duvoisin finds. He is one of my very favorite authors and illustrators, and there are only a handful of his book still in print. (Keep you eye out in future for EASTER TREAT, which he wrote and illustrated, in which Santa Claus ventures into the city to enjoy spring and celebrate Easter. It is adorable.)
Dawn says
I love library book sales! In fact, when we were in what appears to be your town on the Pacific coast North of San Diego (I won't post the name in case it's a 'secret!') last summer (and how's that for a run on sentence) I visited this particular library sale one morning. It was just a mini-sale and I resisted buying since we were flying and I didn't want to haul books, but it was a delight to visit a library sale far from home! Enjoy your new books!
Nancy says
I loved The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, and The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I also buy any Newberry books that I find at thrift stores, etc. You rarely go wrong with those.
Josee says
Oh I love books! What great finds 🙂
Blair says
I'm a fairly new reader, and had to comment on this one! You got some great books! I've furnished our home library mostly from garage sales, thrift stores, and our used bookstore at the library. Yes, I found out a couple years ago that our libraries here actually have a store where people bring in their old books to donate and sell for profits for the library. I find treasures there!
But being an early childhood teacher and my kids ages 8 and under, I've got almost all picture books! I don't have much experience or knowledge about the chapter book realm, aside from a few classics. This post will help me get started and learn a few names…thanks!
Mrs. Fordyce says
I pretty much snatch up anything hardbound and written before 1965! I figure that, for a quarter a book, if we all hate it, I can donate it to Goodwill! My girls loved the Orpheline books by Natalie Savage Carlson, which I found for a quarter apiece at our library's bookstore! Looks like you found a lot of treasures and had a great time!
Haus Frau says
Oh wow–you found a Tasha Tudor book in a library sale?! I should have loved to have been there. I have a buy/sell/trade bookstore hereabouts that I go to whenever I can and nearly always walk out with something for the kids, something from my childhood like Paddington Bear, or more of the Laura Ingalls books. We did begin outfitting the kids' part of our family library when our baby was in the NICU, and I went nuts four years later when we found out we were expecting our first daughter (after three boys) and raided the LM Montgomery shelves. There are many who say the Book is on its way out, but that isn't going to happen in my house! 😉
nt12many says
I don't know, Leila, this is getting a bit creepy…I think I wrote that post! You have described (in detail) exactly what i experience at a good library sale. Yes, I do pick books by their covers (especially if they show a certain vintage as yours do. You and I grew up in what I consider the waning era of good children's books).
I remember my last really good library sale where I was accompanied by my children and I gave them each about 1.50, exhorted them to get books with a copyright date of 1960 and before and told them TO NOT GET TOO MANY BOOKS!!
Two hours later I had spent 37.00 on books that were all about 25 cents each and I had to make three trips to the car (with my children snickering into their sleeves at me the entire way). What can I say? I consider myself to be a book rescuer; bravely saving amazing out-of-print books from obscurity by attempting to own every single one of them.
And, by the way, we used to live in Moscow Idaho where Carol Ryrie Brink grew up! The old Carnegie addition to the library has a framed portrait of her in about the fourth grade. Her family was touched by a lot of tragedy (and her adult books are dark) but you must read (or find) Two are Better than One (based on her own life), The Pink Motel, Baby Island (two resourceful girls are accidently set adrift with a boat load of babies (!) and Magical Melons (one of the few really good sequels-this one is to Caddie Woodlawn).
Enjoy your books!
Jill Farris ” target=”_blank”>http://www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com
nt12many says
Oops! Embarrassed to discover that you (Rosie) wrote that post! It's good to know you appreciate good books as well! I have a daughter Rosie as well (age 19) and she and I enjoy good book sales together.
Enjoy those books with that little guy!
Jill Farris ” target=”_blank”>http://www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com
_Rosie says
No problem – I consider myself a book-rescuer, too! 🙂
Vicki says
My daughter keeps a list of every book she owns. it is on the computer, but she prints a copy to take to the book sales with her so she doesn't buy duplicates. i keep lists of a few favorite authors and which of their books I have, on 3 x 5 cards (I don't buy as many books as my daughter does, lol)
Robin says
Oh, Rosie, I do a lot of what you do to find books, but I'd like to add that I read booklists, a lot, to sort of memorize good authors. Some of my faves are: the list in the back of A Landscape of Dragons, any booklists for any grade in the Mother of Divine Grace (homeschool) syllabi (which you can find online at emmanuelbooks.com) and other places like that. And I agree with you: creepy illustrations usually add up to creepy writing.
My best score at a library sale (well, there were two): a complete HB set of Butler's Lives of the Saints, and a HUGE dictionary. Even though you can get just about any info online, “lateral learning” happens when they are sent to look up a word/saint and they start reading all of the other stuff on the periphery.
Anne says
Oh I'm jealous! I remember the Betsy books…After those I read the Eddie books…not sure if that is the same author, but they wre similar and good. 🙂
So nice to get all those hardbacks! for 25 cents! Does that mean the library is not going to have these books anymore? That is a sad though.
Tamim says
The Eddie books are by the same author, Carolyn Haywood, and all her books are EXCELLENT for young readers that are ready for longer books. My 5 year old and 7 year old both love them, and I've been trying to collect them for our library! 🙂
_Rosie says
It is sad. At the sale in Virginia they were largely donated books, but these seemed all to have the library stamp in them. It's sad they won't be in the library to be enjoyed anymore, but at least they will live on and hopefully be enjoyed for many years to come in our home! What I wonder is how hey have the sale so often if the books are all coming frok the library – will they just run out of good old books?
MamaHen says
Ohhhh, I am so envious! Now I want to hit the thrift store to look for children's books!
Leslie says
Bravo!!! As a seasoned used book shopper and avid devourer of childrens lit, I commend your score! Fantastic prices too! This was a blast from the past for me. I remember shopping at a library sale 16 yrs ago with my youngest in the backpack, coming home with assumed treasures that we are STILL savoring! Whenever we are reading something that is from that sale, I am filled with nostalgia. I am a huge CRBrink fan (Winter Cottage is our all time favorite read) and I have never heard of your new book.
Great, fun post!
Heidi says
Library sales are so much fun! I have fond memories of Family Sabbatical – hilarious characters. Of course, that was a library sale copy too 🙂
Paula says
Since we had kids, I've been buying up library editions and juvenile fiction as much as possible. There is something about library binding that reminds me of my homeschooling days, when I would jump on my bike and ride to the library, sink into a chair and read until my mom called the librarian to send me home! I still enjoy children's books (and illustrations!) so this post made me so happy. : )We have the Lion/Hot air balloon book, too!
_Rosie says
YES! My mom would have to call the librarians to get us home, too! I'd forgotten about that.
TessaDiane says
Ha! I must have book sale envy. Ours was last weekend and I missed it! I went to bed after reading this and dreamed about the book sale. In my dream I hadn't missed it and I found tons of awesome books. I'll have to put the next sale on my calendar. As a side note. I think I live just a hop and a skip north of you.
_Rosie says
Oh sad! Well, if you do live nearby, our next one is in July, I hear. We should go together- except you have to promise to let me get the good ones!
Joy in the South says
Oh! I didn't know there was a sequal to The Happy Lion! I'm going to look for that one!
I am collecting books for all my children to take with them when they leave, especially a set of Little House books for each one and Jane Austens for each, too.
I just can't pass up a book sale!!
Jennifer Gregory Miller says
Great finds! I think my favorite thing to do used book saling!
Mrs. Pickles says
I love Joan Aiken! Well, on the strength of one solitary book of hers that I also picked up at a library sale — “All and More” — it's a collection of short stories that I find so whimsical and delightful. I love her sense of humor. Now you've inspired me to try one of her book-books!
Amiya Tor says
LOVELY.
Honestly, my immediate reaction to this was “gosh, I hope there will be someone wanting to sell beautiful old out of print books by the time I have a family”.
I have no doubts that Pippo will inherit that fine draconian book-hoarding instinct.
Christina A says
Ah, this post is near and dear to my heart! The romance of just happening to find completely wonderful books in a jumble of castoffs seems too good to be true. Thrift stores, yard sales, and library sales are my favorite places to find books; there are so many that I love that buying retail is just not feasible, plus then the decision-making would be that much harder! I give each of my children a small stack of used books with both their Christmas stocking and their Easter basket each year. When I do find that a particular title keeps hounding my mind, I get on dealoz.com which compares prices across many online retailers to find the best used price (sometimes eBay auctions have better, but it includes eBay’s “buy-it-now” items). Also, there is a great blog called LivingBooksLibrary written by a lady that runs a carefully curated library out of her home with thousands of volumes, many of which are out of print. She also reprints many of the beloved titles. By the way, I found a Veronica book by Duvoisin before Christmas, and just found an Anatole one to stick in someone’s Easter basket; so fun!