A Book is a Present You Can Open Again & Again



I love books almost as much as I love sea shells. I have always been a reader.  As a young girl I learned early on that I could travel anywhere or I could be anybody as long as I had my nose in a book. So now on the sunny-side of middle age I find myself quite the frustrated librarian.

 I have a huge entertainment/storage center that is the home to hubby's big honkin' tv and my books. I also have a bookshelf in my bedroom for all my special & collectible books. Most of what I collect is non-fiction.  My favorite being anything on shells, shell craft, or sea life particularly Florida. I especially love digging around in thrift stores and garage sales for a good buy. Who doesn't like paying .50 cents for a $19.95 book in the name of resourcing?
The price says $1.50 but the copyright is 1970 when prices were a little cheaper. That same book would be at least $5.00 today brand new.
$3.99 for a R. Tucker Abbott book that was originally $14.95

Anyone who has been garage salen or perusing thrift stores for any amount of time has seen books just crammed in boxes with no method to the madness.  You have to usually squat down to a box of books on the floor  or kneel down to the bottom of a dusty shelf and start methodically digging for whatever you have your eye out for.

Goodwill has finally solved that problem. Goodwill has  dedicated some of their thrift stores exclusively to books. They are neat, clean, & categorized.  The prices are great too. I have one smack dab across the street from my work and it is a regular lunch hour stop for me. I head right for where they keep the books on shells.   Here's a link to find out if there is a Goodwill Bookstore near you.
Goodwill Bookstores categorize all their books to make your book hunting more successful
My best shell books are by the late Conchologist & founding director of the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum R. Tucker Abbott.  His books have great pictures and although he was called "Mr. Shell" by his peers he wrote his books for the shell enthusiast not fellow scientists. So it is safe to say that I have a pretty healthy collection of shell books. I. just. can't. help. myself! 
"Florida's Fabulous Beaches" is my favorite shelling book

I love the vintage looking covers
The 1st Sanibel book I ever aquired is to the left - Capt. Mike Fuery's & it's even signed
I got this treasure for .50 cents at a garage sale
If you get tired of shell books, There are some great online sites to help you identifiy your shells. The best is probably The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum site. It is easy to use and has great pictures. There are also lots of online sites to buy used shell books like Alibris, Amazon, & good ole eBay.  




Comments

  1. Linda @ A La CarteJanuary 8, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    I love books and I am always looking. I will have to see if there is a GW bookstore near me. Now to find some shelling books for my next trip to Sanibel.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoyfulJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Oh I love books too! Thank heavens there isn't a Goodwill across the street from me though there are some used bookstores on my street and a few thrift stores in the neighbourhood.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JanJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    I love reading too, and I think anyone who reads will never be bored as there is never enought time to read all that we want to. I have far too many books and most I will never open again, but I can't bear to part with them just yet. I find if I want a recipe I look online and the same with gardening and other reference needs, so I should give them away.

    These days I am reading fiction from the library, thank goodness, so they come and go again...LOL

    I still buy Christian books that I want though.

    Hugs, Jan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Leo January 9, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    I love books. I mostly collect nonfiction too. Biographies for the most part - but I do have a few vintage shelling books. I met Captain Mike this summer - he took my husband and I to Cayo Costa. We had a great time with him!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ShellbelleJanuary 11, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Kayla and I are planning a trip to the Goodwill Superstore in St. Pete. It's the largest one at 29,000 square feet! I just may have to back a lunch.

    Nice collection of books, I notice it keeps growing and growing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Pearl MapleJanuary 12, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    great post about the beauty of books, they are wonderful treasures full of all kinds on information and inspiration

    ReplyDelete
  7. ~Lavender Dreamer~January 16, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    I love books, too...and shells! I'm stopping by to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope your day is filled with all of your favorite things! Hugs! ♥

    ReplyDelete

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