Library Book Sale Cheap Day Makes Dreams Come True

This year there were 350,000 books at the Wake County Public Library book sale, which is actually down from last year since they had trouble getting rid of them all in just 4 days. Steven and I always go on the last day, Sunday, where you can fill up a bag or a box for just $3. These are all books that have either been pulled from the collection or donated in the past year, so it’s rare to find things in stellar condition, especially on the last day. So I generally end up filling my bag with funny things that will make great “gifts” for friends. A lot of them get donated right back to the library within a month, but I still feel like I got my few cents worth. This year was no exception.

Obligatory romance novel grab

Obligatory romance novel grab

You know James and I love to make fun of bad romance novels, and one time I even made Brian join in, so you can bet you’ll be hearing about these again.

To Catch an Heiress by Julie Quinn: Caroline Trent is determined to avoid marriage to her fortune-hunting guardian’s nitwit son, even if it means running off into the night–and into the arms of the devastatingly handsome Blake Ravenscroft, the equally determined agent of the crown who mistakes her for a notorious traitor!

Warlord by Elizabeth Elliot: Lady Tess longed to return in peace to her beloved Remmington Castle–but she never thought that the price of reclaiming her land would be marriage to the most notorious warlord in all of England. Fierce and fearless, Kenric of Montague had never admitted defeat, and now he demanded Tess’ loyalty–and her surrender. But how could she give herself to a man who pledged to keep her safe yet stirred her most dangerous passions?

The Counterfeit Heart by Anthea Malcolm: Nicola Crawford was hardly surprised when her cousin’s betrothed disappeared on some mysterious quest with hardly a fare-thee-well. Anyone engaged to Charles Windham was bound to run off sooner or later. Charles might be deucedly handsome, but he hadn’t a romantic bone in his body. Of course, Nicola had once fancied herself in love with him, but she soon recovered from that fit of madness. And she would rather faint dead away than admit she had even considered entrusting her heart to so conventional, so horridly practical a man!

The Courtesan’s Secret by Claudia Dain: On the night of her debut two years ago, Lady Louisa Kirkland fell for the devilishly handsome Marquis of Dutton. It’s high time, she’s decided, that he realized he loves her in return. Also, there is the little matter of Louisa’s family pearls that are in his possession. For both problems, Louisa will need help–bue she need not look far. For was it not Sophia, Countess of Dalby, who master-minded her own daughter’s whirlwind courtship and marriage–above her station and within days? As an ex-courtesan, Sophia is delighted to help any woman acquire jewelry and so she agrees. Although she knows Dutton couldn’t care less about Louisa, Sophia also knows of another gentleman, Lord Henry Blakesley, who couldn’t love Louisa more.

Real Vamps Don’t Drink O-Neg by Tawny Taylor: Although Sophie Hahn works as a paranormal researcher, she doesn’t believe in ghosts, werewolves, or anything. But when it appears that her best friend Dao is slowly being killed by a female vampire, her beliefs are put to the test. Dao’s new wife is the prime suspect, though she doesn’t look capable of hurting a fly. That’s when Sophie meets sexy college professor and vampire Ric Vogel, who needs her help in tracking down two ancient relics that have the power to end his people’s suffering forever.

And, the best romance novel of all…

YES, that tagline does say "Set phasers to do me"

YES, that tagline does say “Set phasers to do me”

I usually spend a lot of time in the Foreign Language/Travel section wading through Chinese picture books to find travel guides to places I may or may not ever visit. I still like reading about hotels and restaurants there.

Disney World, Nepal, Portland

Disney World, Nepal, Portland

The reference section took a big hit this year as it takes up valuable shelf space and isn’t used nearly as much as in the pre-Internet days. So I knew the reference tables would be worth a look. I wasn’t disappointed.

HOW could we have gotten rid of such a useful reference tool?

HOW could we have gotten rid of such a useful reference tool?

Then I hit up Self Help, because the definition of that is incredibly broad and amazing:

There are illustrations which are just Olde Timey Misogyny Cartoons

There are illustrations which are just Olde Timey Misogyny Cartoons

Don’t worry, dudes, you can be unfairly stereotyped too:

Copyright 1987

Copyright 1987

I usually look through the knitting and crochet books for legitimate purposes, but that is NOT the reason I picked up this thing:

WHY was it still left on Cheap Day?

WHY was it still left on Cheap Day?

What is “pop culture crochet”? Obviously:

A crochet bikini!

A crochet bikini!

A crochet... whatever the hell this thing is

A crochet… whatever the hell this thing is

BUT my single greatest find of the year was this gem:

The "Unauthorized" Great Snape Debate

The “Unauthorized” Great Snape Debate

A BORDERS EXCLUSIVE. Published between books 6 and 7 of the Harry Potter series, this book is such a strange artifact from a different time.

Oh, and did I mention half the essays are written upside down to be read from THE OTHER SIDE?

BECAUSE HERE IS THE BACK upside down

BECAUSE HERE IS THE BACK upside down

I cannot wait to revisit my shameful past as a HP fanfic writer through this time capsule of an “unauthorized” Borders exclusive.

2 responses to “Library Book Sale Cheap Day Makes Dreams Come True”

Site and contents are © 2009-2024 Patricia Ladd, all rights reserved. | Admin Login | Design by Steven Wiggins.