Bargain Book Bonanza

Lesa, of Baja Greenawalt's Cozy Book Nook is starting a new linky party for those of us that love bargain book hunting.  Stop by to see all of the participants and their bargain book finds.

I'm not a book buyer.  Up until the summer, I lived in San Diego and had access to a wonderful library system.  I could reserve any book I fancied and it would be delivered to my local library for free.  It was rare that I had to wait more than a couple of weeks for a book.  In addition, they had an excellent collection of classics so if I was still waiting on a reserved book, I could always find something to read.

This past August we moved to a little village in Scotland.  The entire library is about the size of a large living room.  No joke.  I can go to the library on any given day and not find a single thing I would want to read.  Not very many classics.  There is a reservation system, but it costs 37 pence (not a big deal), and I often have to wait several months.  I have also found that there are some books that I'd like to read that are not available at any of the libraries in my area.

Enter the charity shop.  I had mentioned at The Avid Reader's Musings that I hadn't been able to get my hands on a copy of The Remains of the Day.  She suggested I check out thrift stores.  The thought had never occurred to me.  So I did.  My village happens to have one on the main street so I took a little stroll and was surprised to find such wonderful books.  I visit weekly, and I have found some great books in excellent condition.  All paperbacks are 5 for £1 (about $1.50), and children's books are 10 pence (about 15 cents).  It works out that it costs me less to buy books I'd like to read at the charity shop than to request them from the library.  Here are a few that I have found.

The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier--I've been wanting to read this for a while.  It's on my list for the What's in a Name 4 Challenge hosted by Beth Fish Reads, so I was really excited to find it.  (20 pence)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett--I have heard wonderful things about this book from many bloggers.  I was already planning to read it for Jenners' Take A Chance Challenge 3.  I found it at the perfect time.  (20 pence)

On Beauty by Zadie Smith--I was attracted to the cover of this one.  It doesn't show as well in the photo, but it is gorgeous.  It also says on the cover that it was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction.  That sure helped its cause.  (20 pence)

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery--I never read this as a child, but as a mom, I always keep a look out for books that I think my kids will enjoy.  While my 3 year old daughter isn't ready for it yet, some day I hope she'll read this one.  (20 pence)

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame--I have been wanting to read this one to my kids as a bedtime story ever since Kathy at The Literary Amnesiac mentioned that she had.  My kids are animal lovers so I thought they would love this one.  (10 pence)

Captain Courageous by Rudyard Kipling--I loved the Just So Stories as a child, so I thought I'd give this one a try.  I figured it might be a good one for my boys.  (20 pence)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott--This has been on my TBR list forever.  I'm not loving the movie tie-in cover, but that's okay.  (20 pence)

These aren't all books that I will keep, but any that I don't love will go back the charity shop to find their way into another bargain hunter's home.