Photo courtesy of The Regal Writer
Like most book nerds, I can’t resist a book sale. So when the Newberry Library in Chicago held their annual book sale this past weekend, I couldn’t resist checking it out.
I’ve been to a few other books sales in the past – libraries weeding out inventory, used bookstores closing, etc. Each one has presented its own challenges and opportunities. While they can be fun, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and lose sight of why you’re there.
I recall one book sale I attended a few years ago. A shop that was closing announced it was giving away its inventory. People were invited to bring bags and boxes to grab all the items they wanted for free. Customers were lined up outside the door and down the street! I walked out of there with about a dozen paperback mysteries, most of which I never read and wound up donating elsewhere.
With so many books to choose from, the book sale experience can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why I suggest having a plan so you don’t get distracted and overbuy, (or in the case above, grab more than you will ever read.). Yes, there is such a thing as buyer’s remorse in book shopping.
Here are a few other tips so you can escape from the book sale with your sanity—and budget—intact.
Tip 1: Be prepared. Make a list of book titles and/or authors you’d like to add to your existing collection. Stick to that list, if at all possible. Naturally, you’ll find gems you hadn’t expected to find, but that’s okay. Allow a little room in your plan for those unexpected. But don’t go overboard. If you stick to your plan, you’re less likely to get distracted, less likely to overbuy.
Tip 2: Set a specific goal. Part of your plan should be to set a goal for your book sale excursion. Do you want to add more classics to your collection? Do you want to find a new genre, such as science fiction if you’re not used to reading those types of books.
Tip 3: Set a budget. It’s easy to go overboard when you’re browsing hundreds of deeply discounted books. This is especially important if you’re on a limited budget. So setting your limit to 10 or 20 dollars will get you the books you want without breaking the bank. Alternately, set a cap on the number of books to buy. Even if that quantity is one. (But if you’re like me, you can never stop at one). By setting a budget or cap on purchases, you’re practicing the necessary discipline while still enjoying the thrill of the chase.
Tip 4: Walk around the shop or library first. It might help to get the lay of the land before actually shopping. That way you can see what types of books are available, how much they cost, how many they have in stock. Of course, if there’s only one of the item you desperately want, I’d grab it before someone else does.
Tip 5: Bring your own bag (or box). This is especially important if you plan to purchase a lot. Remember to keep the bag or box small because, as I’ve learned from experience, the bigger the bag, the more likely you’ll want to fill it!
Most important, be sure to thank the hosts. Books sales require a lot of work as well as the time and commitment of many staff and volunteers. Let them know how much you appreciate their effort. And if it’s a closing book shop, thank them for their years serving the community.
With a bit of planning and discipline, books sales can still be a fun way to add to your book collection.
The Regal Writer 