Some of you may have read the title of this post and thought, “of course, who doesn’t?!?” I’m with you in that camp.
And, what is it that you like? The thrill of the hunt when you find a book you’ve been searching for? The bargain aspect of it? The element of surprise – what will we find on the tables today?!
But, I know that not everyone shares my love of used book sales. Some people don’t like the idea of a pre-read book; maybe it’s a hygiene thing (it’s true, I’ve met people who don’t use the library because, well, you never know where that book has been!).
If you’re on the “love book sales” side of the equation … have I got a link for you!
Book Sale Finder lists used book sales in all fifty United States and five Canadian provinces. Scroll past the ads at the top, click on your state, and you’ll see a list of upcoming sales. The list includes special events, ongoing sales, and used bookstores; you can sort by town or date (get out that calendar!).
I was reminded of this site by ConMartin a Twitter friend I’ve yet to meet in real life, who shares a love of books and Harvard sports. She blogs at the cleverly named Staircase Wit; check out this post about classic Noel Streatfeild books for a sampling.
I swear, it has never even CROSSED MY MIND that I shouldn’t touch a used book or library book. Should it have? I’d be in big trouble if I worried about such things. I love book sales! There is no better feeling to walk away with a bag of books for a buck or two! I’m off to check out this site. Thanks!
I do love a good used book sale! Sometimes, however – the smell of old books and too many people can get to me… And – my other complaint about browsing through too many books? My neck hurts from looking at the spines at a funny angle… silly? I know, I know.
Once I thought about the fact that the author and publisher don’t get any money from used book sales, I don’t like them as much as I used to. I do, however, justify it if the money is going to a good cause.
Sandy – I hope I didn’t make you squeamish! A friend of mine will only buy NEW and only Hardcovers … she likes the look of the “trophy bookcase”
Care – maybe a local massage place would donate those “dollar a minute” massage chairs and give the $ to the library
Kathy – that’s a good point. I tend to stock up on children’s chapter books (that’s how we got most of the BSC books) at library sales. The Friends of the Library do a lot with the money they raise – museum passes, sponsoring author events, etc.
Yes, I love going to my local library and buying up the table
I love used book sales because many of the books I loved as a kid and always got from the library are out of print, and I live in fear of the library’s weeding them. So every time I go to a book sale and find one of those books, I feel like I’ve plucked it from the jaws of oblivion; and as well, of course, cheap books are just a nice treat.
That website is great but there are never any good book sales near me! I just end up making yearning noises and wishing my car were less old and thus capable of making longer trips to other cities.
The AAUW (American Association of University Women) has a *huge* book sale every spring. I used to go all the time, but now I refuse. I’d come home with way too many books, usually more than I had donated for the sale! On the last day, you can fill up a grocery bag/tote bag and buy all those book for $1. Not a good place for me to be.
ALSO — you can sign up for a weekly email about booksales near where you live or work! I have that set up.
Thank you so much for posting the link–I love finding book sales!!
Just that photo of books laid out across the table made me jump over. I love book sales- you always find unexpected treasures. That site is a great resource!
I have a friend who is a published author and has tried to convince me of the evil of used books. She has not yet succeeded. Especially if the sale money goes to a good cause. Would you rather they were thrown out…eeek!
I am with Sandy that the hygiene issue never occurred to me with library books or used books, maybe because I loved the library since I was a wee one and never thought of such things. I actually think some germ exposure is good for you, builds your resistance!
They can be dangerous places, these sales, for someone with a huge TBR pile(s), but I love to find a bargain!
I don’t buy a lot of used books but I do love finding an occasional title pop up that I have been wanting to read and getting it for a bargain!
I am obsessed with used book sales. There are never any in my area so I routinely drive an hour away to get to them. For people like me, Book Sale Finder has been a huge help.
I’m with you on loving book sales. There are so many books – things you’ve never heard of. Thanks for the link to the book sale finder! What fun!
What a cool site. I don’t usually go to book sales, but that’s mostly because we don’t have many in my area.
I buy tons of books at used book sales! Many of my TBR’s came from those, in fact. Here in our little town, the Friends of the Library has a sale twice a month. All proceeds go to help the library with programs, etc., that aren’t funded through the main branch. They have also done things like purchased new window coverings. The books sell for $1 a bag for paperbacks and 25 cents for hardbacks. Cheap enough that when you’re done reading them, you can donate them back for resale! That’s what my husband does. Me … well, I’m a book packrat, so I just add them to my “already read” boxes. My goal is to someday have the time to go through all those boxes and thin them out. (sigh)
Well, of course I do! I come from a long line of book freaks. When I go with my family to visit relatives or go on a trip in general we literally plan our route based on stopping by certain libraries who notoriously have excellent library sales. I’m not even kidding. We stopped by a library in Irondale, Alabama on the way to my grandma’s this past Thanksgiving and I picked up about 7 books. That’s just how we do!
I’d rather buy from a used book sale than new personally. I like not knowing what I’ll find, getting a book I’ve been looking for at a bargain price, I like it all! I think the cleanliness aspect of it is a bit persnickety but that’s just me. How many people do you think have handled a book on the shelf in a new book store? Many!
Nice post
I love the surprise of it. I never know if I’m going to find a cheap copy of a book I’ve always wanted, or a new book that I wouldn’t have thought to grab if I didn’t notice it on the table. It’s exciting!
I am definitely in the yes group. I try to behave and avoid the bag sales (all you get in one bag) but the local library friends have a huge blow out every year I don’t like to miss.
Oh I love used book sales! I do usually frequent the used book stores in my area, but I love it when I come across a special sale that’s filled with unusual reads. My local library has a table in the front of the building where they have an assortment of books for sale (usually stuff that has been rotated off the shelves) but I really go nuts for those special sales. I am going to check out your link and see if there is anything going on in my area. Thanks so much for posting this!
I LOVE book sales, and have been on the Book Sale finder email list for a few years now; it is great.
I love using book sale finder which I found out about frm another blogger!
I Like used book sales, but I do prefer new books!
I absolutely LOVE used books. Not only for the price, but also the feel of an old, well-read book. I can´t see how one can be a teacher and not touch used books, either
Fine idea with the states …. but hey, you forgot mine!
Very cool. I love all of the things you mentioned, but it is the thrill of the hunt that is the most exciting for me. Thanks for the link. There’s one close by tomorrow
I LOVE used book sales! I think I like the hunt- I go with a list of authors and/or titles that I’d like to find, and always feel so accomplished when I find one. I also like to go browse, and see what other people snatch up off the tables/shelves. It’s an excellent way to get book recommendations!
I love used book sales! Finding books I may never have discovered that I may love and finding them cheap too is the best! According to that site none are near me right now
I am breaking out into a sweat just looking at that picture! I love book sales, especially used ones. I feel like everyone should have a second chance
Firmly in the camp of love libraries, love used book sales — especially if they’re sponsored BY Libraries or Friends of the Library. in our RV travels we’ve found great Library Sales — the best ever was in Tucson. Thank you for the Link. I will save it
I LOVE used book sales and I’m a user of Book Sale Finder. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to many lately. My hubby would probably through a fit if I did! I usually come home with bags upon bags of books! It didn’t matter that I’d only spent $20!
I like finding books I’ve always wanted at cheap prices but what I like best is being introduced to books I didn’t even know existed, sometimes old books that are a rare treat. Sometimes it’s on a subject I wouldn’t even have thought of looking for book for.
That Web site is a great source of information and it finally lists my Germantown Library sales…which are always popular. I can’t wait to see what crowds it draws now!
[...] If you’re instead looking to buy more books, check out the Book Sale Finder site, which lets you click on a state and find all of the upcoming book sales there as well as big sales in nearby states. I probably shouldn’t have clicked on this link; anyone want to come to a book sale with me? (via She Is Too Fond Of Books) [...]