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ravens_quillThe McKinley Book Sale starts this weekend. It is a week-long book sale run by the Friends of the Library organization, wherein a high school cafeteria is filled with books (plus, DVDs, cds and art) of various genres.
It's heaven wrapped up in an introvert's hell. It's basically a tradition with my family (well, my dad, older sister and I, plus whoever feels like it, the latter of which changes from year to year) to go the first day, right when they open. You can early choice of the books laid out because it's the first day, but also, people line up that first day, and it very quickly fills up, so you are scooching and squishing past people with boxes full of books.
Even with fans running, it is a tight fit after a little while, and your humble introvert here has to start deciding what's more important scouring each shelf for books in her desired genres, or getting away from the people. I try to hit my top 2 or 3 areas first, so if they get crowded I've already searched enough I feel okay moving elsewhere, and the other sections aren't so desirable that I feel I might lose out if I skipped them once I've reached maximum peopley-ness.
I like the rare book section, though those tend to be a little pricier and frankly, Hawai'i is not kind to old books. Then I hit the sci fi and fantasy books (usually I try to have a list of 'books I hope I can find' or a 'books I already have so make sure I don't buy doubles,' sometimes I bring both lists--then proceed to not look at them because juggling a box of books, other people, books everywhere plus lists is occasionally asking for trouble). Sometimes I look through the psychology books, often I roam the art books (so few art nouveau books, but I love it so, the only bit of asymmetry I really like), and the art pieces themselves are usually nearby, so I duck into that corner, which tends to be a little emptier of people. Gives me some breathing room, plus interesting art to look at which I cannot afford.
Last year, I opted to bring just my large fairy tale tote bag. Easier to squeeze past people, self-limiting because it can fill up faster than a box, and a good test for how sturdily made it was. A pleasant surprise I haven't snapped any of the stitches ~knocks on wood~ but it's nice to see something I made hold up to heavy use. I'll probably bring it again this year.
Honestly, I have no space for more books. But it's tradition, and I have a few books from trilogies or series missing the rest of the titles, and you never know what you'll find there. Sometimes I find something I wasn't looking for at all, and it strikes me as a perfect gift for someone.
So my goal for tomorrow is to finalize a list of books to be on the lookout for, plan a bit of a budget, and see if I can't organize things to make a bit of space for the ones that'll be coming in. Plus find a mantra I'll actually listen to so I don't overbuy everything because it's got a pretty cover.
Book dragon? Me? Noooo. >.> Okay, maybe a little.
It's heaven wrapped up in an introvert's hell. It's basically a tradition with my family (well, my dad, older sister and I, plus whoever feels like it, the latter of which changes from year to year) to go the first day, right when they open. You can early choice of the books laid out because it's the first day, but also, people line up that first day, and it very quickly fills up, so you are scooching and squishing past people with boxes full of books.
Even with fans running, it is a tight fit after a little while, and your humble introvert here has to start deciding what's more important scouring each shelf for books in her desired genres, or getting away from the people. I try to hit my top 2 or 3 areas first, so if they get crowded I've already searched enough I feel okay moving elsewhere, and the other sections aren't so desirable that I feel I might lose out if I skipped them once I've reached maximum peopley-ness.
I like the rare book section, though those tend to be a little pricier and frankly, Hawai'i is not kind to old books. Then I hit the sci fi and fantasy books (usually I try to have a list of 'books I hope I can find' or a 'books I already have so make sure I don't buy doubles,' sometimes I bring both lists--then proceed to not look at them because juggling a box of books, other people, books everywhere plus lists is occasionally asking for trouble). Sometimes I look through the psychology books, often I roam the art books (so few art nouveau books, but I love it so, the only bit of asymmetry I really like), and the art pieces themselves are usually nearby, so I duck into that corner, which tends to be a little emptier of people. Gives me some breathing room, plus interesting art to look at which I cannot afford.
Last year, I opted to bring just my large fairy tale tote bag. Easier to squeeze past people, self-limiting because it can fill up faster than a box, and a good test for how sturdily made it was. A pleasant surprise I haven't snapped any of the stitches ~knocks on wood~ but it's nice to see something I made hold up to heavy use. I'll probably bring it again this year.
Honestly, I have no space for more books. But it's tradition, and I have a few books from trilogies or series missing the rest of the titles, and you never know what you'll find there. Sometimes I find something I wasn't looking for at all, and it strikes me as a perfect gift for someone.
So my goal for tomorrow is to finalize a list of books to be on the lookout for, plan a bit of a budget, and see if I can't organize things to make a bit of space for the ones that'll be coming in. Plus find a mantra I'll actually listen to so I don't overbuy everything because it's got a pretty cover.
Book dragon? Me? Noooo. >.> Okay, maybe a little.