Skip to main content

Thrift store junkie

My To Be Read pile is as mountainous as it is mostly because of thrift stores.

I haven’t had as much time to do this lately, but I love going into thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army and perusing their book section, looking for Regency romances.

I especially look for the mass market paperback novels of the category Regency romances that used to be printed years ago by Harlequin, Zebra, Fawcett, and Signet. They typically have pretty recognizable spines.

I can spend a good hour looking for Regencies at a thrift store if they have a good book section. After a while, I had to take with me a list of the books I already have (titles and authors) so that I don’t get duplicates.

I have not had as much luck at garage sales. Whenever I did the round of sales in my area, there weren’t many boxes of Regency romances--there were usually other genres instead. :(

I also did buy some boxes of books on eBay where the sellers would auction off a huge box of Regencies, but after a while I didn’t like that too much because there were usually books in the box that I already had.

My TBR pile of print books (let’s not even go into my TBR list of ebooks!) is almost entirely Regency romances I bought from thrift stores. I’m slowly going through them and donating back any book that I don’t want to keep, but I’m thoroughly enjoying having such a huge pool of titles to choose from whenever I’m hankering after a Regency!

I know some of you do the same thing, right??? Confess! And, er, give me any tips you might have. :)

Thrift store junkies unite!
Labels:

Comments

  1. Martha A.Tue May 08, 10:20:00 AM 2012

    I collect older books too! I have liked Grace Livingston Hill and would love to find some of the good older regency books too! I can have piles of books TBR and still go into a bookstore, second hand store and usually come out with a book or four...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Erica VetschTue May 08, 10:24:00 AM 2012

    I love used bookstores, Goodwill and Salvation army for used books. If I like an author, I tend to want to read their back-list, and thrift stores are a great place to find out of print books. :) My bedside TBR pile is threatening to topple over and kill me in my sleep. But what a way to go. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Camy TangTue May 08, 06:43:00 PM 2012

      I've found tons of great backlist at used bookstores! Now I tend to buy them on ebook since they're easier to find. :)

      Delete
  3. LadetteTue May 08, 10:33:00 AM 2012

    Ha, my TBR pile is huge and my TBR Ebooks... well, lets just say I have over one thousand ebooks and I've read about 5. :) Oh well. They are there when I need them.

    You now have my curiosity up about the Regency books. I have no idea what the look like or anything about them. Google, here I come. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Camy TangTue May 08, 06:45:00 PM 2012

      Regency romances used to be category romance mass market paperback books (about 60-70K words) published by Harlequin, Zebra, Signet, Fawcett. The lines went dead several years ago but I loved them because they tended to be relatively clean and the stories were cute and short. Now, the historical Regency romances are a lot longer (100-120 K words) and usually have a lot of sex in them.

      Delete
  4. FedoraTue May 08, 10:36:00 AM 2012

    Totally, Camy! I actually volunteer at a local FoL and can keep an eye out for you to, if you have a list of authors/titles you're looking for :) I also had to cut way back on hitting thrift stores, garage sales, and the like because well... DH would prefer for us to not be literally buried in books ;) Free free to e-mail me directly with your list, OK? :)

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Camy TangTue May 08, 06:46:00 PM 2012

      I LOVE YOU!!!! YOU ROCK!!!! I would love any by Patricia Veryan. Thank you!!!!!!

      Delete
    2. FedoraTue May 15, 10:25:00 AM 2012

      Will add that name to my "look for" list :)

      Delete
    3. Camy TangTue May 15, 03:39:00 PM 2012

      Thank you SO much!!!!

      Delete
  5. AnonymousTue May 08, 10:50:00 AM 2012

    I go through phases of historical and then contemporary. I like going to the library when I have time to browse and filling a bag with books (that I'll binge read in a week).

    Why Regency? I'm curious, since you write contemporaries??

    Natalia Gortova
    www.nataliagortova.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Camy TangTue May 08, 06:46:00 PM 2012

      I'm not sure why. My first romance book was a Regency romance--Regency Miss by Alix Melbourne. Loved that book! Maybe that's why I have such a fondness for Regency even though I don't write it.

      Delete
  6. AngelaTue May 08, 10:56:00 AM 2012

    I too peruse the thrift shops books, library sales, and here in San Antonio there is a yearly 70,000 book used book sale where hardbacks are $1 and paperbacks are 50 cents... Most recently I've joined paperback swap.com where I can get more recent stuff and it helps to thin out my already read stash.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Camy TangTue May 08, 06:47:00 PM 2012

      Oh my gosh I would go nuts at that booksale!!!!! I should look into Paperbackswap.com, but then again, my TBR pile is so large I ought to read those rather than getting more books from Paperbackswap!

      Delete
  7. Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot)Tue May 08, 01:14:00 PM 2012

    Oh yes Goodwill, Salvation Army and the St. Vincent DePaul thrift shops in this area are AWESOME for getting books. St. Vincent's is nice because the books are usually only 25 cents! We also have a chain of closeout stores called Ollie's which is awesome for getting new books and publishers remainders. I've seen the Sushi series there for around $3 a book. If you're ever on the East Coast you should definitely look for an Ollie's LOL!

    XOXO~ Renee C.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Camy TangTue May 08, 06:49:00 PM 2012

      WOW 25 cents!!!!! I'm glad to see my Sushi series there, because I never mind when my books are sold cheaply since that means someone who hasn't read me can pick up a book for a low price and low risk. :)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Laura’s Apricot Shell Shawl knitting pattern

I usually have a knitting project in mind when I write it into one of my books, but Laura’s apricot-colored shawl just kind of appeared upon the page as I was writing the first scene of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 4: Betrayer , and it surprised even me. I immediately went to my yarn stash to find a yarn for it, and I searched through my antique knitting books to find some stitch patterns. I made her an elegant wool shawl she could wear at home. The shawl ended up tagging along with Laura into the next book, Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 5: Prisoner , where it imparts some comfort to her in her trying circumstances. The two stitch patterns are both from the same book, The Lady’s Assistant, volume 2 by Mrs. Jane Gaugain, published in 1842 . A couple excessively clever and creative knitters might have knit these patterns in the Regency era, but they would have only passed them around by word of mouth or scribbled “recipes” to friends or family, and it wouldn’t have been widely use
2 comments
Read more

Phoebe’s Muffatees knitting pattern

In Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 4: Betrayer , Phoebe wears a pair of lace muffatees, or gauntlets/arm-warmers that hide a rather deadly surprise. :) I actually got the idea of having her wear muffatees because I saw a lace manchette pattern in Miss Watts’ Ladies’ Knitting and Netting Book , published in 1840, page 20. However, after doing some research, I found that they were called muffatees in the Regency era, and the term manchette did not arise until a few years later. They were essentially arm-warmers worn under those long sleeves on day dresses, which were usually made of muslin too thin to be very warm. I decided to knit Phoebe’s muffatees using a Leaf Pattern originally suggested for a purse in Mrs. Gaugain’s book, The Lady’s Assistant, volume 1, 5th edition published in 1842, pages 234-237. I think there was an error and row 36 in the original pattern was duplicated erroneously, so I have adjusted the pattern. The original manchette pattern called for “fine” needles a
Post a Comment
Read more

Matthew 22:37-39

Dear Lord, You have done so much for me. I am so grateful to you for sending your son to die for my sins so that I can be renewed, so that I can come before you and feel the comfort of your presence. I know that I am not alone, because you are with me. I want to love you completely and without inhibition. Teach me to be like you and love others as you love them. Your love is truly unending and glorious. Amen 親愛なる神様、 あなたは私のために多くのことをしてくださいました。私が新しく生まれ変われるように、あなたの前に出て、あなたの存在の快適さを感じられるように、私の罪のためにあなたの息子を死なせてくださったことに、私はとても感謝しています。私は、あなたが私と共にいてくださるので、私は一人ではないことを知っています。私はあなたを完全に、阻害されることなく愛したいのです。あなたのようになり、あなたが人を愛するように、私も人を愛するように教えてください。あなたの愛は本当に尽きることがなく、栄光に満ちています。 アーメン
Post a Comment
Read more

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures
10 comments
Read more

AI-narrated audiobooks

Google allowed me to create audiobooks with an AI narrator for free of my titles available on the Google Play store, so I decided to give it a try. Right now, Necessary Proof , Unshakeable Pursuit , Weddings and Wasabi , The Spinster’s Christmas , and my devotional Who I Want to Be are all available as AI-narrated audiobooks. From now until March 11, 2023, Necessary Proof digitally-narrated audiobook is free! Pick up you free copy and let me know how the audiobook sounds. If you hear anything weird, feel free to email me and let me know the exact time where you heard it, and I’ll try to have Google correct it.
Post a Comment
Read more

Have a relaxing Memorial Day

Enjoy the holiday today.
1 comment
Read more

Toilet seat cover

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Update August 2008: I wrote up the pattern for this with "improvements"! Here's the link to my No Cold Bums toilet seat cover ! Okay, remember a few days ago I was complaining about the cold toilet seat in my bathroom? Well, I decided to knit a seat cover. Not a lid cover, but a seat cover. I went online and couldn’t find anything for the seat, just one pattern for the lid by Feminitz.com . However, I took her pattern for the inside edge of the lid cover and modified it to make a seat cover. Here it is! It’s really ugly stitch-wise because originally I made it too small and had to extend it a couple inches on each side. I figured I’d be the one staring at it, so who cared if the extension wasn’t perfectly invisible? I used acrylic yarn since, well, that’s what I had, and also because it’s easy to wash. I’ll probably have to wash this cover every week or so, but it’s easy to take off—I made ties which you can see near the back of the seat. And
23 comments
Read more

One-Skein Pyrenees Scarf knitting pattern

I got into using antique patterns when I was making the scarf my hero wears in my Regency romance, The Spinster’s Christmas . I wanted to do another pattern which I think was in use in the Regency period, the Pyrenees Knit Scarf on pages 36-38 of The Lady's Assistant for Executing Useful and Fancy Designs in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work, volume 1, by Jane Gaugain, published in 1840. She is thought to be the first person to use knitting abbreviations, at least in a published book, although they are not the same abbreviations used today (our modern abbreviations were standardized by Weldon’s Practical Needlework in 1906). Since the book is out of copyright, you can download a free PDF copy of the book at Archive.org. I found this to be a fascinating look at knitting around the time of Jane Austen’s later years. Although the book was published in 1840, many of the patterns were in use and passed down by word of mouth many years before that, so it’s possible these are
2 comments
Read more

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th
18 comments
Read more

ひとり寿司第３６章パート１

「ひとり寿司」をブログに連載します！ ひとり寿司 寿司シリーズの第一作 キャミー・タング 西島美幸 訳 スポーツ狂のレックス・坂井 —— いとこのマリコが数ヶ月後に結婚することにより、「いとこの中で一番年上の独身女性」という内輪の肩書を「勝ち取る」ことについては、あまり気にしていない。コントロールフリークの祖母を無視するのは容易だ —— しかし、祖母は最終通告を出した —— マリコの結婚式までにデート相手を見つけなければ、無慈悲な祖母は、レックスがコーチをしている女子バレーボールチームへの資金供給を切ると言う。 ダグアウトにいる選手全員とデートに出かけるほど絶望的なわけではない。レックスは、バイブルスタディで読んだ「エペソの手紙」をもとに「最高の男性」の条件の厳しいリストを作った。バレーボールではいつも勝つ —— ゲームを有利に進めれば、必ず成功するはずだ。 そのとき兄は、クリスチャンではなく、アスリートでもなく、一見何の魅力もないエイデンを彼女に引き合わせる。 エイデンは、クリスチャンではないという理由で離れていったトリッシュという女の子から受けた痛手から立ち直ろうとしている。そして、レックスが（１）彼に全く興味がないこと、（２）クリスチャンであること、（３）トリッシュのいとこであることを知る。あの狂った家族とまた付き合うのはごめんだ。まして、偽善的なクリスチャンの女の子など、お断り。彼はマゾヒストじゃない。 レックスは時間がなくなってきた。いくら頑張っても、いい人は現れない。それに、どこへ行ってもエイデンに遭遇する。あのリストはどんどん長くなっていくばかり —— 過去に掲載済みのストーリーのリンクはこちらです。 *** 36 誰かと結婚するとしたら、きっと駆け落ちだ。 クスクス笑うマリコのブライズメイドの後をついて、レックスはよろめきながらパゴダブリッジ・レストランに入った。泣きわめくティキの隣で四時間立ちっぱなし——マリコはレックスを列の最後に入れてくれたから、ありがたい——抜歯と同じぐらい喜ばしい経験だった。ノボケインなしで。 （ウェディングそのものは一時間だけ。よかった）リハーサルも終わり、あとはオリバーを見つけ、四時間ぶりに椅子に座って、祖母のおごりで高価なリハーサルディナー（結婚式リハーサ
Post a Comment
Read more