How to Be Successful at a Used Book Sale
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I recently went to a library’s used book sale and it was a phenomenal one! I was not prepared for how amazing it would be! So here is to my future self: how to be prepared when going to a library sale!

Mistakes
First mistake:
I only brought 4 bags of medium size with me. They were not big enough and they became way too heavy and I was afraid they were going to break. So next time either sturdier totes will come along or even better, something on wheel! Thankfully my daughter and grandson were with me, so we had a stroller. So Grandson got to walk and the books got to ride, lol!
Second mistake:
We did not have a plan. We did not divide and conquer, we each went in our separate direction, then finally found each other. We should have had a little bit better of a plan. We should have thought of what we were looking for and then check out these areas first, together.
Third mistake:
I did not check if the payment methods that were accepted nor the prices of the books, lol! It all turned out fine, but next time, think before I act and check a few things out before getting too excited!

What I would do differently
It was very tight in each room with very little space to pass other people with bulky bags, so next time I would maybe tag team looking through books and keeping an eye on the stroller or a little wagon and going back and forth. Having a bag for the books and no purse, just a wallet, would have been easier to go around each room.
I would have thought more of what I was looking for and which sections to find it at. I focused on picture books (shocking) but I feel that I missed out on chapter books and oversized books, which was fine since I could hardly haul my loot back to the car anyways.

One thing I did right:
Showing up on the first day, early in the morning. That’s when the best picking is available 🙂 Worth the effort.
The loot
Oh my stars! This was phenomenal! In the children’s section softcover books were $0.50 and hardcovers were $1.00. You can’t beat that! I have not read all the books yet, obviously but because of my familiarity with the authors and the availability of the books here is what I am gauging.

Best finds
- Letting Swift River Go, Jane Yolen, illustrated by Barbara Cooney signed by BOTH of them!!! So exciting!
- Half of a set of the Old West Time-Life Series from 1975. The kids are already loving these. They are beautiful with paintings, photographs and maps. Not read yet.

Favorite finds
Other than Letting Swift River go, of course.
- The Goat in the Rug, Charles L. Blood, illustrated by Nancy Winslow Parker
- Charlie Needs a Cloak, Tomie dePaola
- The Gnats of Knotty Pine, Bill Peet
- Bonnie Bess, the Weathervane Horse, Alvin Tresselt
- The Egg Tree, Catherine Milhous
- The Friend, Sarah Stewart
- Some Birthday! Patricia Polacco
- Steamboat, The Story of Captain Blanche Leathers, by Judith Heide Gilliland, illustrated by Holly Meade
- A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park, Ashley Benham Yazdani
So far only one book was a flop.

How do I know what to look for?
I have been looking at book lists for years from people I trust. Through these book lists I have developed an affinity with authors and illustrators and learned to recognize them at a glance.
The main things I look at are:
- Author
- Illustrator
If I don’t know either, I look at:
- Tittle
- Illustrations
- First sentence
- Last sentence
And I totally judge a book by its cover. If I don’t like the cover, the illustrations or the title, in a huge sale like the one I went to, I will not give the book a second chance.
I put everything I “think” I might like in the bag, without any discrimination. Then before checking out I go back through everything more slowly and return (to their proper place) the books that did not make the second look.

Avoiding doubles
Using the Librarything App has really helped me avoid buying doubles. When I do a second look before checking out I also double check on the app if I have any doubt that I already own a book or not. It’s so quick and easy to check on the App, just enter the title and voila!
Getting to “know” picture books
The best thing to getting to know picture books is to look at a lot of book lists, both online and in books about books. For example, I know that if Sarah Mackenzie, from The Read Aloud Revival, has a book on one of her book lists, I will most likely like it.
I have a very photographic memory and I easily recognize a cover, while I would not recognize an author or a title. That is so helpful in a big book sale situation! I can go through books pretty quickly.
You have to educate yourself and know what you and your family likes. Learn to recognize authors, illustrators, your “style” and especially what makes a living books.

Living Books
A living book is the organic, farm fresh, non GMO of literature. It is the cream of the crop, the book that will satisfy you through and through and nourish you and your children in unexpected ways.
It is a book that contains Truth, Goodness and Beauty.
“Living Book” is a term coined by Charlotte Mason, an early 20th Century English educator. What Charlotte Mason meant by “living books” is a book that will truly nourish you and help you create a deeper relationship with the subject at hand.A living book is usually written by a single author who has a passion and deep interest in his subject. And because of this deep interest in the subject, the author, through the use of beautifully crafted literary language, makes his subject come alive for his reader. This vivid encounter triggers a new relationship that will educate the reader in a new subject or deepen an already existing relationship. The facts are presented in story form, the author displays intimacy with his subject, enthusiasm and fondness for it. Living books excite the imagination, trigger curiosity and enrich our lives.

Living Picture Books
The definition is the same, except I would add that we need to look for the same requirements for the illustrations. One illustrator who has a deep interest in her subject, a profound knowledge of her craft and a passion for the topic. Vivid and beautiful illustrations excite wonder and imagination and complete the text. It enhances the experience bringing the intimacy and the relationship to a whole other level.
Conclusion
Be prepared, know what you are looking for, and keep discovering new authors and illustrators!
Used book sales are such a wonderful (and cheap) way to add to our home libraries, and they are so fun! So grab a friend, and go have fun!
Love,
Mattie
PS: you will usually find the date of a used book sale at your local library either on the library’s calendar or on the calendar of the Friends of the Library. Also check for bookstores that are closing.