Treats in Store

[callmemadam]

Here's just some of the books I've been lent, given or have bought in the past few days. It looks like Christmas! The Kate Atkinsons are new but were bought in the SCOPE charity shop this afternoon where it was 'all books 50p'. Oxfam: look and learn.

Comments

[rosathome.livejournal.com]

That looks like a great stash. The Nigel Slater is one I've been meaning to pick up, and also the Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer book. I've heard good things about The Morville Hours, too. I have family who come from Morville so I think I need to read it.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Aren't they lovely? I've nearly finished one and am looking forward to the rest. The Morville Hours ticks so many boxes it can't fail to please.

[vintagereads.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

I'm intrigued to know what the Persephone title is in that stack? Can't zoom in on it! Can you tell us? Regards Nicola

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

It's A Very Great Profession by Nicola Beauman.

Clicking on the pictures usually enlarges them?

[lethe1]

Those books look delectable!

I wish we had charity shops like that. Amsterdam does have a lot of antiquarian bookshops, but they charge considerably higher prices.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Yummy books!

It's nice to buy modern books so cheaply but what we don't get any more is the older books I'm always looking for. Many charity shops just throw them away these days because they only want shiny new-looking stock. It's a big whinge for those of us who collect old children's books.

[lethe1]

Many charity shops just throw them away

Oww! You mean literally throw them away, not even trying to resell them to book dealers? Makes one think twice about giving things to them, doesn't it.

As I said, we have no shortage of antiquarian bookshops here, and some of them are even specialised in children's books. Do I have to keep an eye out for specific titles? You never know, you might strike lucky.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Oww! yes! They throw them in skips! Books! They could at least put them in a 10p box. The trouble is that some of these charities are big business and they have corporate strategies which determine what the shop managers are allowed to do. Oxfam, for instance, my bugbear, has a RULE that all paperbacks cost £1.99, no matter what their condition is. The best shops are the ones run by small charities, like ours for our local hospital.

I couldn't begin to list the scarce children's books I would like to own!