So… I never thought I would make a post like this because frankly, I don’t spend a lot of time buying books. It’s pretty rare actually. I am always at the library borrowing books. Physical, electronic, and audio. Seriously, I love my local library. It has some amazing resources to feed my reading addiction.
Anyway spending $20 on a book I can get for free at the library isn’t a Sophie’s Choice type of situation. Those $20 can go to my groceries. Besides, I have absolutely zero room. The books I already own are stored in boxes.
Then I discovered my library’s used bookstore. Every once in a while, I would stroll in and buy one book. Maybe two. But lately, my friend has gotten into reading and wants to build up her little library at home. Hallelujah! Which means, I had to show her the ropes when it came to bargain shopping for books. So the past two weeks have been a book buying whirlwind!
From Bottom to Top:
The Complete Collected Poems by Maya Angelou
I paid $3 for this at a Goodwill Bookstore. $3!! And I actually bought this a few days ago on what would have been Maya Angelou’s 90th birthday, April 4th. Kismet?
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The classic vampire tale. One of my favorite books. It’s nice to finally have a physical copy of it.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Vida Winter is a reclusive author who has made up life histories for herself. As she begins to ail, she decides to finally tell the true story of her life. I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews on this one. But the premise is interesting. And it’s supposed to be a love letter to reading so I’m willing to give it a try.
Lucky by Alice Sebold
In this memoir Alice Sebold recounts her brutal rape and all of its horrid aftermath. This book was recently added to my TBR when Online Offal posted about it not too long ago. In these times, it seems like a pertinent read.
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
A novel about two best friends who meet in the summer of 1977. A look at a friendship through the years. My friend chose this book for me. It seems right up my alley and it was only $1 at a Salvation Army thrift store. So sure, why not give it a read.
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
In 1843, Grace Marks is found guilty of murder. But she has no recollection of the events. A mental health expert is tasked with helping her unlock those hidden memories.
The Netflix show convinced me to get this book. I thought the show was great so I can only imagine how amazing the book must be!
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
A look at a group of female African-American women that helped the space program get launched. Haven’t read the book or seen the movie. *ducks for cover* I know, it’s about time I get to it.
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
About a married couple who go to a dinner next door. Some kind of crime occurs which leads to secrets being told and the “unraveling of a family”. This has been on my TBR for a while now.
The Wrong Mother by Sophie Hannah
A woman has a brief affair with a man. Then he and his family end up dead. And this woman’s own family may be in danger.
My friend actually bought this book haha. But the premise caught my attention. So I kept it. In all fairness, I should mention that we traded books. I let her keep my $2 copy of The Nightingale. Aka one of my favorite books!! (St. Peter I hope you remember my unselfish deed).
The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
Three Australian girls become pen pals with guys from another school. The story is told through letters, email, etc.
A $1 impulse buy *shrugs shoulders*
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
A story about the formerly Aristocratic family, the Compson’s. Told using various narrative styles. I’ve been wanting to read this for a while now. I think I’ll be getting to it soon. Hopefully.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I recently finished this book (Review can be found here). And I was lucky enough to find a copy of it yesterday!! YAY!!
Nancy Drew (#53): The Sky Phantom by Carolyn Keene
Does this need an explanation? It’s Nancy Drew!!
Girl Scouts (#2): The Girl Scouts at Singing Sands by Mildred A. Wirt
Written by the woman who ghost-wrote the original Nancy Drew stories! And as a former Girl Scout, I had to buy it. It has only 3 ratings on Goodreads, no reviews.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
A self-help book dealing with the law of attraction. My two-year old picked this out for me haha. She has great taste when it comes to picking out her own books. So I trust her judgment. Although all the bad reviews on Goodreads is making me hesitate.
Lady Susan/ The Watsons/ Sanditon by Jane Austen
I remember reading Lady Susan before and not liking it a lot. But I did need this book for my Jane Austen collection. A $1 buy from my library’s used bookstore.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Um, it’s Anne!! Love her, love the series (well the one’s I’ve read). So this book buy was a no-brainer.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
A brilliant private investigator in a sci-fi setting. Another show-inspired buy. The show is weird and I love it.
Now, where to put all of these books???
Happy blogging everyone! 🙂
Awesome picks! A lot of these titles I have read or are on my TBR! I’m like you and use my library as much as possible and only buy books during a library sale… most of the time anyway. Lol
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Haha thanks! I am seriously behind on popular book reads smh. And seriously, libraries are amazing!!
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Whoa! What a terrific haul! Nicely done.
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Thank you!! 🙂
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Good luck with Faulkner! This advice may be taboo, but that book is so confusing that I benefited from reading Spark Notes for the chapters before reading them.
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Ooh thanks for the tip! Yikes, I flipped through the pages and totally get what you’re talking about lol. Stream of consciousness is definitely not my strong suit!
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I have the same issue! There is no where to store my books so I always end up borrowing from the library or from friends. You got some awesome finds though!!
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Thanks! I have some serious organizing to do lol
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Awesome haul! I’m also addicted to the library and so relate about having no room (most of my books are stored in boxes too) (Also I love Lily’s advice- if I ever read a stream of consciousness book again, that’s what I’m doing! 😉 )
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I think I’m bumping it down my TBR for now lol. I have to find the spark notes!
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hehe fair enough!
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