Book Sale: Bring Your Rolling Cart!

So many beautiful table settings were posted for yesterday’s Tablescape Thursday. If you haven’t had a chance to visit them all, just scroll on down and enjoy! You’ll find so much inspiration for fall and fun Halloween tablescapes!

This morning I got up bright and early and did something I’ve never done before. No, not exercise…that would be way too practical. 😉 Well, I did get a little exercise, now that I think about it.

Ever since I added much needed bookcases to my home office, I’ve been on a quest for books. I’ve been focusing primarily on Home, Garden, Craft, Art, Decorating/Design books since that’s what I’ve decided to keep on the bookcases in my home office.

So early this morning I headed out to a huge book sale. Have you ever been to one of these?  This one was held in a large building out at the County Fairgrounds.

As I walked around, I periodically got a slight whiff of cows and chickens…definitely a barnyard smell.   I think I know what that building is used for during fair time each year. lol

I wish I could have taken pictures to show you the crowds and the “gear” folks brought with them. You could tell the seasoned book-sale-goers because they came with crates strapped to rolling luggage carts.  They came with wagons.  They even brought suitcases…the kinds that have wheels.  Yep, these guys were ready to do some serious book buying.  I wonder if they are the folks we buy our used books from on eBay and Amazon?  Ummm.  I came with just a book buying spirit and two strong arms.  Rookie!

The prices were amazing, as you can see from the price list below.

The Home/Garden and Art sections were extremely popular.  You won’t believe how passionate folks can be at book sales!  One guy stationed himself in front of the art books section with a huge box and would NOT let anyone else get near them. 🙁   So needless to say, I didn’t come home with any art books.

I bought all hardback books, except for one paperback.  So all the books you see below costs $1.50 each, except for the last book in this post, which was a $1 since it was a paperback.

I was pretty sure I already had the Blue and White Rooms book (and I did) but for a $1.50 I bought it again to put in the guest room which is decorated mostly in Blue and White.  The Small Period Gardens book might come in handy if one day I move into a charming, yellow cottage that needs an English cottage garden.  Gotta plan ahead.  😉

Decorating Books

Can’t wait to dig into these books.  The Art of Accessorizing had some gorgeous pics.  I bought Atlanta at Home so I could get a glimpse into those Atlanta homes I drive by periodically.  Yep, I’m nosey…at least house nosey.

Decorating Books

I love to collect “reference” books on china…big surprise, right?     The other two books were filled with gorgeous, drool worthy interiors.   You can’t buy a good magazine for $1.50!

Decorating Books

I was thrilled to find a Barbara Milo Ohrbach book.  I have several of her books and they are always wonderful.  I even found a Charlotte Moss book I didn’t have!  I flipped through the Martha Stewart, Good Things and it had a lot of neat looking craft projects.  I almost left it behind, but in the end I couldn’t put it back.

Decorating Books

This was the only paperback book I bought.  It covers the beautiful work of the architect, John Soane.  The drawings inside were amazing!

Decorating Books

I spent a total of $20 for all of these books, including one I bought for a friend.  I think it’s safe to say, I’m now officially hooked on book sales.

If you enjoy decorating and design books, check out the following post where I take you into my little decorating-book library:  Favorite Decorating and Design Books.

Been to any good book sales lately?  What is your strategy when you go?  Do you take rolling carts and such?  I think I may next time around.

Related links in this post:
My small (but growing) office library
Favorite Decorating and Design Books
Blue and White Guest Room

*If a post is sponsored or a product was provided at no charge, it will be stated in post. Some links may be affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. *



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Comments

  1. Sewconsult says

    Looks like you not only acquired some great books, but had a fun time for a good cause.
    Beckie

  2. FABBY'S LIVING says

    Oh I wish I was there to buy books gallore and for such great cause too! You're lucky you did good shopping. Have a terrific weekend.
    FABBY

  3. I have a lot of books, but NO shelving in my house. I really need to do what you did with your office and make a wall for the things I have and enjoy.

    Glad you were able to get some great buys!

    Mary
    From Virginia

  4. ♥ Sonny ♥ says

    I am calling to ask when they are having a book sale here..

    looks like you got some great treasures~!

  5. For being a "rookie"…you made quite a haul!!!!! I'll have to check out our local sale

  6. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    lol I only look at a tiny section. It was an amazing amount of books…actually filled two buildings.

  7. I used to go to this sale years ago, but it was at the main library, not the fairgrounds. I don't think I ever made it to the home and garden section – too bad. You did very, very well, Susan!

  8. That was a fun sale. Great books that you got.
    Please enter me in the gift certificate giveaway. What a wonderful thing to win.

  9. Mary @ Redo 101 says

    I was one of those women with a rolling crate at book sales about ten years ago. I am a homeschooler.

    Then, I became a different one of those women with a rolling crate at book sales. I was an ebay seller 🙂 Not bad money in it. I got too busy with my family and had to give it up, sigh.

    But hey, I'm loving the books you got, they look awesome and will make a great addition to your office bookcases.

    My advice for today: Get yourself a rolling crates and take it next time 🙂

    Mary @ Redo 101

  10. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    Mary…good advice! It's hard to look through books while you're holding books. Doesn't work too well. 🙂

  11. I love book sales — we used to go to the Brandise Book Sale in KC every year — the old books were always fun and on the last day sacks were like $1. Just last weekend in Minneapolis their Arboretum had such a sale and as luck would have it it was the last day — $2 now for a sack but I came home with treasures!

  12. I love books! But years ago I made a rule for myself. I may not buy (or rent or borrow) more books than I can carry. If I don't stick to this rule, the interior of my house will be lined from floor to ceiling with books….lots and lots and lots of books!! No carts for me….both my house and my husband breathe easier knowing I can't carry all that many books at one time!! (But those prices would make it really hard to resist!)

  13. gee Sue you got terrific books…..I knew I should have gotten there at dawn…LOL.
    I thought I found good stuff but you hit the jackpot…And don't you love the people who won't budge from their "spot"…..and there is usually one or two smelly guys that do that….Yuk!
    all in all it's the best book sale on the East Coast….I say that because one of the colleges up north advertise that they are the biggest but it can't compare to this one….I'm glad you got to go now mark your calendar for 6 months from now….Oh, and Sunday is fill a box day….

  14. Laura Wilkerson says

    I have NEVER seen anything like that around here! I would soooo be i heaven and I pretty sure it's a sin to put a "Martha" book at such a great price back down.

  15. bedroom chandeliers says

    i want a book sale near me!

  16. I think there is nothing like having a collection of books at home. Better than reading off a computer or such, I think. Nice to curl up with a book and tea.

  17. Melissa at HOUSEography says

    I love book sales. Our local big one is this weekend run by the library association. I buy all my beach reads there and have found some great cookbooks as well. I always re-donate them when I'm done so they get twice the benefit. Our prices were not as good as those though!!!

  18. Michele/Ohio says

    We have a few really big book sales at some local churches – great finds and buys there too- loved you are now hooked!

    I am all about used, save a tree!

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