Book Buying Adventures on the East Coast

Ask and you shall receive!

In my last post I mentioned that we popped into The Downtown Book Exchange, a secondhand bookstore in New Glasgow. What I failed to mention was what books I walked away with. I should have known that inquiring minds would want to know what I bought. So wonder no more, my friends!

First, there's something you should know: whenever I go into a used bookstore with my father-in-law, John, we have this thing where we scour the shelves for old copies of Treasure Island, and the older the better. It doesn't matter how many copies each of us already own, it's always exciting to find a new addition to add to our collection. Jim and his father share an undying love for all things pirates, and this passion has rubbed off on me. We're always on the lookout for interesting pirate stories.

I was the first to spot an old copy of  Treasure Island, copyright 1947, on the shelf, but John reminded me that I got the last copy we found together so it was his turn to keep it. Then we saw a copy of Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling and John assured me it's a "fantastic read". The original price penciled on the first page said $25 and when I clarified the (outrageous) price with the bookstore owner, he said he'd give it to me for six bucks. Sold! I love the blue pattern on the cover. That's all I walked out with. John bought Treasure Island as well as a small pile of other pirate-related books.

But then YESTERDAY we went to the Y's Menette's annual book sale. It's a huge book fair in which people donate their used books and the money raised from selling said books goes towards Pictou's YMCA Strong Kids program. Some money is also donated to the local music festival, the Pictou County Christmas Fund and the Prison Mission Ministry. I couldn't find any information on last years sale, but in 2010 they raised more than $10,000 dollars. A few years ago I was lucky enough to attend this sale and I was so excited that I would get to go again this year. Of course, I have to be selective in what I choose as we are flying and Westjet has this silly thing called maximum baggage weight. Good thing hubby packs light!

Overall I was pretty successful. My main mission was to find a copy (preferably hardcover) of John Steinbeck's, The Grapes of Wrath for the readalong I'm doing next month over on Laura's blog, Devouring Texts.  I had a good feeling about the outcome of this book sale when The Grapes of Wrath was the first book I spotted.

Here is the mishmash of books I took home with me:

I've only ever read Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians, which I love, and when I saw this box set in mint condition, containing four of her novels from the Hecule Poirot series and the Miss Marple series, I just had to have it. Seriously, these books have never been read - they are in pristine condition, and only cost me two dollars!  And I scored a hardcover of The Deathly Hallows for 3 bucks!

I also have a love for children's books and especially love to find old copies of my favorite books from childhood. It's rare to come across an over-sized copy of a Berenstain Bears' book so I did not hesitate to grab this one. And as for Harry - well who doesn't love Harry, the little dog? And this copy looks like it's one of the originals from 1960. John and I had a good laugh that I was buying Harry for Jim, as a picture book might be just the thing to ignite the reading spark in him!

So there you have it - I cannot resist buying books, even when I'm on the other side of the country! Now we are off to Halifax for the day and night, and then Jim's Aunt and Uncle's cottage in Greenfield for the rest of the weekend!

Happy reading, friends!

Tell me: What are your recent bookish finds?