Four years ago Frances of Nonsuch Book and I went to The Book Thing in Baltimore. It’s a place where all the used books are free. Yep. Free. We even recorded part of an episode of The Readers about our trip. You can see the results of that trip and a major library clean-up here.
A few years ago there was a fire there and we worried it would be no more. It came up in a discussion recently so I looked it up and lo and behold it is still operating. So since we hadn’t been there for a while we thought we would see what had accumulated in the meantime. It’s wonderful if you are a reader looking for older, not necessarily popular books. Which, as you know, sums me up perfectly.
You would be right if you thought I already owned all of those Pyms and Sartons. But some of these will be reading copies and others will be for people who say, I’ve never read The Magnificent Spinster…Although I already own this book in another edition, I couldn’t pass this by because it matches one of my four copies of 84, Charing Cross Road.Not long after I found the Hanff, I stumbled across this little guy by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, the ‘Q’ from the title of the Hanff’s book. I’ve never actually seen a book by him so I had to get it.I already had a much less interesting copy of this one.I know nothing about Edith P. Begner, but with a subtitle like that how could I pass it up.After a quick skim, the writing in this gay novel is about as good as the cover art.
I love that place. I used to go once a year and bring waaay too many books home. Have you been since they moved into the new location? I’m hoping to check it out soon again (it’s very close to the first site on Vineyard Ln)
I just bought the Helene Hanff book. I have been looking for all of her books. I had some Penguins of Quiller Couch before I sold the library. I have heard he’s good but never read it. I’m always amused by how goofy the covers are of any romance novel. This one doesn’t disappoint. Enjoyed your book stalking.🤠🐧
Oh, I have four books by Q but not that one! I must re-read them though I know at least one is falling apart. I bought mine in Hall’s Bookshop in Tunbridge Wells!
I haven’t heard of that Q title! Is it fiction or non-fiction? I have and have read his On the Art of Reading and his On the Art of Writing (every bit as academic as you would expect from the titles).
hogglestock 
Great haul! I’ve read The New Confessions by William Boyd. It reminded me some of Any Human Heart, though I still like that one best.
That’s sweet that you are getting the extra Pyms and Sartons for other readers!
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I love that place. I used to go once a year and bring waaay too many books home. Have you been since they moved into the new location? I’m hoping to check it out soon again (it’s very close to the first site on Vineyard Ln)
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I just bought the Helene Hanff book. I have been looking for all of her books. I had some Penguins of Quiller Couch before I sold the library. I have heard he’s good but never read it. I’m always amused by how goofy the covers are of any romance novel. This one doesn’t disappoint. Enjoyed your book stalking.🤠🐧
LikeLike
Oh, I have four books by Q but not that one! I must re-read them though I know at least one is falling apart. I bought mine in Hall’s Bookshop in Tunbridge Wells!
LikeLike
I haven’t heard of that Q title! Is it fiction or non-fiction? I have and have read his On the Art of Reading and his On the Art of Writing (every bit as academic as you would expect from the titles).
LikeLike