Last Saturday whilst Mick and I were out shopping, I popped in to a couple of charity shops. The first shop I went in had Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey. This is a book I'd heard about on the tv, it's not only a detective story but also tackles the issue of Alzheimer's.
Whilst in that same shop, one of the assistants popped a book on the shelf. When I looked at it I found it was another book on my list, In The Midst Of Life by Jennifer Worth. I've read the first three books written by this author about her time as a midwife, I believe this book is about her time nursing patients who were approaching the end of their lives. No doubt I'll need to keep a box of tissues handy when I read this one.
They were both 99p each. I then went in to a different charity shop and couldn't believe my luck when I found another two books which were on my list. The first one is Grey by E L James, the fourth book in the Fifty Shades of Grey series. I'm not too bothered about this book but seeing as I've read the first three books in the series, I thought I might as well read this one too.
The last book from my haul is The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes by Anna McPartlin. I remember Mitzi from Lazy Days & Sundays at Willow Cottage writing about this book in her Another Week Over post. It's about a woman with a terminal illness coming to the end of her journey but Mitzi writes that because it's so brilliantly written, you're not left feeling sad.
Each of these two books were £1.49 each, so I did really well for books on this charity shop trip, four books for just less than a fiver. I've also got lots of books waiting for me on my Kindle so I'm going to be spoilt for choice when I come to decide what to read next.
I always check out the Charity Shops and car boot sales for books, it saves a fortune. My husband has a kindle but I like the feel of a book. Reading seems to be taking a back seat at the moment I am always busy with something else.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I'd like a Kindle as much as a proper book but I've surprised myself, I love my Kindle, and I seem to get through books much quicker on that too.
DeleteOur stash of books at work will be about the only thing I miss about it. Everyone brings in there read books and you can make a donation to a tin if you wish or swap your with another. I may go down the path of a Kindle this year as I can download hundreds of books quickly at a fraction of the cost. The local library is quite small and you wait for ages for books ordered to come from other libraries.
ReplyDeleteI think books swaps are great, I know a few people who have them at work and they get loads of good books from them. I love my Kindle, it's really handy when I'm awake during the night as I can read on that without having to turn the light on and wake Mick.
DeleteI enjoyed reading Elizabeth is Missing. Happy reading. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to reading that book, it sounds like a good story.
DeleteI don't know what it is but I can'y make myself like second hand books. I bought second hand books when I was a student but they never felt like mine somehow.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I was brainwashed when I was a child when school wouldn't allow books home when children had an infectious disease as they reckoned paper spread germs!
My mum reads books that are passed on to her from people she knows but she won't buy them from a charity shop or even borrow them from the library, it's that paper spreads germs thing. I don't mind where my books come from, just so long as I enjoy what I'm reading.
DeleteIt is great to get a bargain. Enjoy your reading!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Books can be quite expensive so it's great when I find some bargains in the charity shop. I was very lucky to find four I wanted on the same day.
DeleteDear Jo
ReplyDeleteI've read 'In the midst of life' and found it both moving and upsetting (the tissues might be a good idea). I'll be interested to read what you thought about it.
Happy Reading!
Best wishes
Ellie
I'm really looking forward to reading In The Midst Of Life and I'd like to read Letters To The Midwife afterwards, I've got that on my list and I'm looking out for it in the charity shops.
DeleteI had to wait ages when I reserved Elizabeth Is Missing at the library because of its popularity. It was well worth the read and one of my best reads last year because of the subject. I found it really touched me. I've read one or two of Jennifer Worth's books with my book group. Some of our members are retired nurses and we enjoyed discussing them. Some good finds in the charity shop, Jo.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea behind Elizabeth Is Missing is really good, I'm looking forward to reading it. I loved all the other three books by Jennifer Worth so In The Midst Of Life is another I'm particularly looking forward to reading.
DeleteGreat deals! Gone are the days (of youth!) when I would spend $20 on a single book - now I only get them at used book shops, charity shops and the library. I love reading, but for the longest time after the kids were born, I didn't read almost any fiction. It had always been a before bed ritual & I was quite frankly too exhausted. Then a few years ago, I got back into it, but it's slow going for me as I also like to knit before bed, so have to split the time.
ReplyDeleteI was the same when my kids were young. I was an avid reader as a child but like you, just didn't have the time when I became a mum, and if I found a spare half an hour, I'd be asleep. I'm so pleased I've got back in to reading again, I enjoy it so much and there's some really good books out there.
DeleteI check out the Ty Hafan charity shop in Neath every Tuesday. They sell their books 4 for £1, any that I buy get returned once read to keep the money going round. The ones that I really love I hang on to, usually reference books.
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat that price, can you? I've heard of charity shops selling things dirt cheap but ours tend to be on the more expensive side, still, I don't think four books for a fiver is bad.
DeleteThank goodness the weather is so awful! No need to venture out and plenty of time for your books. There is nothing better than the combination of books and bad weather.... apart from books and a relaxing holiday in the sun. (The latter most definitely gets my vote).
ReplyDeleteI agree, I tend to read far more when I'm away on holiday and nothing else is calling for my attention.
Deletei adore Jennifer Worth's books i shall have to look out for that one :) i imagine i shall have to keep a hanky handy haha
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure i want to read Grey, i liked the 50 shades book but i'm just not sure if i wan to read it from his point of view as i shall keep comparing it to the others lol x
I've really enjoyed reading the other Jennifer Worth books, I'm sure this one will be just as good. Grey wasn't at the top of my list but I'll give it a go seeing as I've read the other three in the series.
DeleteDD and I were only saying we don't read as much lately, though I'm never sure why now. I've a few in mind that I have in the bookcase and also fancy re-reading some of my old favourites. Most of my reading is reference books, which I love. Winter is a good time to relax with a book. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI read more now than I've done since Daniel and Eleanor were born, I really enjoy my books. I rarely reread books, I don't have the time for the new ones I want to read without reading ones I've already read.
DeleteI tried to read the first 50 Shades book and I couldn't get through it. Just wasn't my thing...it felt like a poorly-written romance novel to me. But Elizabeth Is Missing sounds deep! Interesting title for that.
ReplyDeleteI think you just have to take the Fifty Shades books for what they are, a bit of fluffy nonsense. They did get some bad reviews about being badly written, I'm not sure what some people expected, they were never going to be on par with any of the classics. I think Elizabeth Is Missing will be good, the subject is an interesting one to tackle.
DeleteYou did very well! I have Elizabeth is Missing in my pile so I will be interested to hear what you think of it. Happy reading! xx
ReplyDeleteYou'll probably get round to reading Elizabeth Is Missing before I do, I've got so many books waiting for my attention. I'm not sure what I'll read next, I'm spoilt for choice.
DeleteI haven't looked at books in the charity shops for ages, I daren't I have a pile waiting to be read by my bed!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good pile you have there, enjoy!
They're very tempting when you see something you fancy, very hard to leave them on the shelf. My pile which is waiting to be read is stacking up, I think I need to read faster.
DeleteThe charity shops are definitely the place to go for books and once they have been read they can go back again and so the money gets carried on being raised.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I usually take my books back to the charity shop once I'm done with them. I like the idea that many people will benefit from the same items being continually bought and sold.
DeleteWe always like visiting Charity shops for a good book - or books - to read, and I re-cycle them back too!
ReplyDeleteI've never had a kindle, although many people absolutely love them ... I just like the feel of holding and reading a good book ...
Hope you have a lovely weekend
All the best Jan
I never thought I'd take to a Kindle like I have as I liked holding a book in my hands. I absolutely love it, it's brilliant when I wake in the night as I can read without turning on the light and disturbing Mick, I can set the print to the size which is comfortable for me and I seem to read faster with it too.
DeleteHi Jo
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours. I have had a kindle for about 3 years now and although I love it I still crave the feel of an actual book so I do tend to flit between the two. I have read some of your finds. Elizabeth is Missing and The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes. Both are good but out of the two I loved The last days of Rabbit Hayes but you will need your tissue box.
Thank you, happy new year to you too. I read actual books just because I find them in charity shops, I much prefer my Kindle now, though I definitely prefer proper reference books. I tend to like lots of books which you recommend so I'm really looking forward to reading The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes.
DeleteA good haul! Let me know if Grey is any good; I've read the other three (and, boy, wasn't Peter happy that month!) but I've heard mixed reviews about Grey (and the movie was dire... like, really bad!)
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I think those books encouraged lots of bedroom action. I haven't seen the film, not sure I want to see it either as I haven't heard any good reviews.
DeleteYou did well!
ReplyDeleteRather than buying new books, I actually need to do a run to the charity shop with a boxful... when I've got a moment to sort them out.
I just don't have anywhere to keep books at the moment so I take them back to the charity shop almost as soon as I've read them. I've got a few waiting to go so I'll drop them off this week.
Deletewow - you would never ever find newish released books at op shops here but I think new books are a lot cheaper in the UK here ( we pay 10-20 pounds for adult fiction here!) and people buy a lot more. Friends who are back from England bought stacks back from Sainsburys etc like the new David Walliams for 3.50 pounds - here it is 11 pounds!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, books are so expensive over there, it's a wonder anyone buys them. No wonder your friends brought loads back from England with them. We do really well for books in charity shops, they're well priced and plenty to choose from.
DeleteI've started buying my books from charity shops & then passing them on. I hope you enjoy your selection x
ReplyDeleteIt's a good way to buy them, you end up getting a bargain and the money you pay is used for good causes.
Deletethats my favorite part of the thrift store, I never come home empty handed, I actually gave most of my books away except my very favs when we down sized, took the minimalist thing a bit too far lol, I missed them so much I am embarrassed to say I have spent the last year searching out many of those books,,I could don size everything else except my books, it was a big mistake,,
ReplyDeleteI don't have a kindle but would love one, I do know I will never give up the real thing though, I love the feeling of a book in my hands,, they are like my friends,,I have read a couple of your finds!
I must admit that my first port of call in the charity shop are the book shelves. I don't keep many books these days, I just don't have the room, I've had to be ruthless and let most of them go. I love my Kindle, I wouldn't be without it now, even though I didn't really think I'd take to one. I thought I'd miss having an actual book in my hands but I don't at all.
DeleteI just love charity shop books....and reading...no pun intended about all the germs...well don't we all share money, and walk the streets and come indoors, the list is endless where germs are concerned, but, hey...we have immune systems and need to keep them a few germs are healthy! When I'm done with charity shop books I donate them to my local library.xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree, we'd be locked in our homes not talking to anyone if we wanted to keep germ free. I didn't realise that libraries took donations, I ususally donate my books back to the charity shops.
DeleteI haven't read any of these, I look forward to hearing what you think of them. My friends and I swap books between us regularly, I've a big pile by my bedside to get through! xx
ReplyDeleteIt's good to swap books with friends. I always pass on the books I read, if not to friends or family, then to the charity shop.
Delete