The Next Book Pick
Hello, gang. Here’s my poll for the next book club read. I reserve the right to make an executive decision.
Links to the books on Amazon:
All fiction books. The first two authors we’re probably all familiar with, but I never heard of the last guy. Apparently it was one of the big books of 2008 (even Pres. Obama mentioned he was reading it).
DPL Sale: The Aftermath
OK. So that was a poor idea — arriving at the Denver Public Library sale on the first day at the first hour. You would have thought they were giving away free iPods. The crowd lined up around the central library building for the outdoor event. I just bided my time until everyone was inside, entered the darkened tent (appropriate for the circus-like atmosphere) and was immediately appalled by the mass of people inside. People with boxes, with what amounted to shopping carts, with SUV-sized strollers.
The worst, however, were the professionals, those stocking their used book stores. These people carried Palm Pilots with an additional device that they used to scan the barcodes on books. They had downloaded the entire Amazon database, so immediately knew which books were valuable and which were not. Most were at least courteous if annoying by their need to handle every book on the table, though a few were manic, rushing through the crowd — packed tighter than a mosh pit — pulling boxes from under the tables and generally making everyone in their path miserable.
I only lasted an hour before giving up, leaving with only six books. The most interesting score was a 1900 edition of Chinese and Arabian literature. Also picked up a Guide to Middle Earth (never know when that will come in handy), a paperback history of the Denver Post and the city, a poetry book, a botany dictionary, and a 2005 Best of Science and Nature Writing. Total cost: $10 — and my faith in humanity.
Denver Library Book Sale
Book lovers around Denver should be excited about this weekend. The Denver Public Library will hold its annual used book sale this weekend, beginning Friday at 10 a.m. The event is held outside the main library just south of downtown. I could easily spend all day here.
Here’s the info from the Denver Public Library events page:
34th Annual Used Book Sale
After the sunny success of our 2008 event, the 2009 Used Book Sale will again be held outside on the lawn at 14th Avenue and Broadway. And, we’re adding an extra day this year, so you’ll have all the time you need to find those special treasures.
Friday, June 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
