There's a big used book sale I try to visit every year. I've been going since I was a kid, when my mother used to take me. It's held by the local "federation of university women" (whatever that means), and I think the proceeds go to create scholarships. They hold it in a church, uptown, loading the gym with piles and piles and tables and tables of books, books and more books. There's also a room designated for kids' books.
For me, it's the ultimate in treasure-hunting.
I'm not looking for books to curl up with -- though I've found a few of those in the past. I'm looking for ... oh man, I don't even know what to call them.
I guess I collect books. For their covers, mostly. I'm partial to books from the 1950s through the 1970s, but I'll pick up others too, if they catch my eye.
Without really intending to, I seem to have a great collection of teen lit. It started when I came across a pile of Donna Parker and Trixie Beldon books in my grandparents' basement, and continued when my mother found me some used Rosamond deJardin books. And my school library had a great collection of Beverly Cleary books (Fifteen ... Jean and Johnny ...)
I found this book at last year's sale, and I'm so in love with it. Absolutely in love. And I haven't even read it yet! I just love that picture. It's so ... well, 1964. And I love her dress. And I love that it's a story about "being different".
From the back cover:
Being 'different' can hurt! Alan Carlisle is the first boy Jenny has ever dated. 'You're different from American girls,' he tells her. 'So gentle and calm.' But Jenny Kimura Smith -- half Japanese, half American -- soon discovers that not everyone feels that way. Alan's mother has forbidden him to see her again!
I'll feature some of my other favourites from time to time.