I have a problem. (Hi Lexie!)
Books.
July 4th means books for my family. The local library where I grew up has always had a July 4th book sale. All year, residents donate books. Volunteers sort them into categories (non-fiction, hobbies, kids, etc.) and on July 4th, they put them all out on tables and the Friends of the Library hosts the book sale-fundraiser. Volunteers put the books on tables, replenish from boxes of more books under tables, and work at check-out tables.
When I lived at home, I'd get up before daylight with my mom and dad (and maybe brothers) and do the heavy lifting to set up. Now I just shop.
This year, the sale was on the 3rd because the 4th is a Sunday.
$1 paperbacks, $2 hardcovers in bag #1 (front) - $22.
Fill a bag for $5 at the end of the sale (back) - bag #2.
A stack of books that reaches almost to my shoulders - $27.
I will likely read most, if not all, of these by the sale next year. And then donate them back. And buy another stack like this in 2011.
I didn't check the "hobbies" section for quilt books - my mom always heads straight to that area and shares. She doesn't read as much as I do, so the good stuff I get goes to her first, before re-donation. Unless it's really good, then I keep it to loan to good friends.
Sometimes you get stuff you don't like, sometimes you find fantastic new authors. But at that price, it's worth the gamble from just reading the back covers!
My favorite author found "accidentally"?
Barbara Kingsolver
The Poisonwood Bible is my favorite of hers.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is another favorite. I think it was made into a movie (I read it long before then) and a friend refused to read it based on the role of geishas. It's not a smut book. It's a good story about a geisha's life - other than the smut.
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns is another favorite. She started a second book, but didn't live to finish it. I found the half-finished, published sequel and wish I hadn't.
I could go on and on and on, but these are three that, if you're looking for a good book, they're out there. I saw all three at the sale again this year, multiple times, so I'm not the only one reading them.
Now I think it's time for a nap. Up at 5:30 this morning to go fishing again. Friday was a fantastic day and if we ate what we caught, we could have had a party. Today, I don't think there was a keeper among the three... But we were out early enough that the hogdoggers (those with super-power boats, jetskis and the like) weren't yet and it was quiet and peaceful. I saw two cranes sitting/standing in the shallows eating and wished I had brought my camera.
Happy quilting!
Katie
PS Remind me to tell you how the cherry pie I'm baking (using this recipe) comes out!
12 comments:
Now that is a hall.....I loved going to the library books sales when I homeschooled...would get some really interesting books.
That's a nice stack of books you have there, especially at the price you paid :) I also enjoyed "The Poisonwood Bible" and "Cold Sassy Tree". You'll have to let me know if there are any treasures in your latest haul. Right now I'm reading a lot of books by Terry Pratchett - nominally fantasy, but not really, and they make me laugh out loud. Also a bit of Lynn Kurland when I want a little romance without "bodice ripping". Happy reading!
Oooh! If you catch a bunch of bluegill, would you invite me to the fish fry? Haven't had any since I was a kid and I'd drive a LONG way to quench this appetite! I will make note of the books, although I don't know if I could get the Kindle out of DH's hands long enough to read...
And cherries! Yum! Last week we went to Cracker Barrel for one of my all-time favorites: cherry pancakes. I always ask for extra cherries & whipped cream--my thinking is you should have a cherry for every bite of pancake. How embarrassing when the waitress brought our food! It looked like a plate of whipped cream with pancakes peeking out the sides. Other customers eyed me like a piglet! Oink! Oink! Enjoy the pie... Mary
Wow, Katie, looks like you've got lots of good stuff there. Michael Crichton and Robin Cook are favorites of mine, too. If you read any sci-fi, I've got two boxes of books to donate to the library sitting here next to me. (Not to mention two bags of clothes.) Can you tell I've been cleaning closets out?
Try not to get any cherry filling on the pages of those books- it's so much harder to turn the pages when they are stuck together! :) Theri
Really, Katie, you need to check out paperbackswap.com. That stack of books could net you another stack for only the cost of postage! Joanna, am I given to understand that you are reading Discworld? I so love Terry Pratchet! READ ON!
Liri
Oh Katie... we are kindred spirits. The only thing that rivals the fabric stash is the books. I don't remember a time when I didn't have my "nose in a book". I read to my girls when they were tiny babies and they read all the time too. We all have mountains of books. My youngest, Samantha and I go to our library sales too. We come home and just make a big mess looking at our treasures.
I noticed some Robin Cook in your stack, like him a lot. I also noticed (I think) The Other Bolyn (sp) Girl. My friend read that and loved it. My daughter bought it for me, so I have it on my shelf too. I will have to try the books you posted about. Enjoy reading!
Happy 4th
Oh my gosh, you don't do anything halfway, do you! I, too, have stacks of books. I like to arrange (and rearrange) them when I am taking a sewing break. The cherry pie sounds delicious.
Sandy
Uh-------I have a bad habit! I buy 'em, begin reading, and then stop! I'd much rather quilt! (I think my problem is old age! When I sit down a few minutes, I get drowsey, and the reading is over!) ---"Love"
That is a fantastic bag of booky bargains. Can't wait to read about the cherry pie. Enjoy your fishing trip! Ann :-)
Fish Fry, Yum. What did you catch? It's never better then fresh from the lake or river. I also am a reader. I'm at my library at least once a week getting new books. I'm a mystery gal. I love James Patterson, one of my favorites is the "Death Series" by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts). Since I haven't done much sewing I've been reading more. You can send me some cherry pie anytime. Enjoy. Connie
I'm at the library at least once a week. I love to read, too. You have a great stack of books there. Connie
After reading through your blog, I started browsing your reading stack. Looks like we have similar tastes in books, which I sadly get through much faster than quilts. I love Memoirs and The Poisonwood Bible, but will have to check out Cold Saddy Tree. I've read several in your new stack and know you have some good ones there too. Our house is so overflowing with books we broke down last week and finally got library cards so we don't have to store anymore books (they are competing for space with my quiting stash). Happy reading!
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