The biggest second hand book fair in the universe is on tomorrow, and I’m planning to go. 
If you’re a novice book fair attendee, here’s some things to remember:
- Take gloves. ’Cause, whoa! those books are dirty!
- Take wipes. (See point above
) - A granny trolley; you need a granny trolley. They hire out shopping trolleys there if you care to leave your license, but actually, what you really need is one of those things they wheel around hospitals to collect the linen in. But a granny trolley will do. I’m taking my red tartan one, which brings me to my next point:
- Docs. If you own Dr Martens,now’s the time to pull them out. Or wear joggers. Or Birkies. Just wear something very comfy on your feet.
- Allow lots of time. One day isn’t sufficient to browse the entire display, but if you don’t waste time eating, drinking, and talking to the people you meet who love reading as much as you do, you will still have time to find a passel of treasures.
- Go with a friend, or someone who remembers what you already own and have read.
If you are bookfesting tomorrow, friends, may all your trolleys overflow with good and wholesome things!
Jan 28, 2011 @ 22:30:55
Ah…just when I am trying to cull them, along comes another post like this
Jan 29, 2011 @ 06:44:44
I hope there wasn’t too much book damage. My friend who won the painting give-a-way lives near Brisbane and he’s talked about the flooding. I hope you and your family have weathered the storms well.
Jan 30, 2011 @ 07:34:21
that’s a pretty trolley
Jan 31, 2011 @ 22:50:21
Now remind me … do your Docs and Granny Trolley colour co-ordinate nicely? Hope you had fun … sigh, I remember the days when I had time to go to Book Fairs.
Fee
Feb 01, 2011 @ 08:11:52
Hello all, sorry to take a while to respond: I’ve been….. reading!
Ruby, book management is not an event, it’s a cycle. You purchase, you read, you cull; you purchase, you read, you cull… (at least, that’s the story I’m trying to put past Mr BB at present
)
Thank you, Eric, we have been well preserved during the flooding. So your painting is somewhere near by?
I’m glad it made it safely to it’s new home: with so much of the country in disaster, it’s a good thing your painting has landed somewhere safe.
Vimal, it is! Mine’s not quite so cute, but it does the job
Fee… yes! The docs are cherry red and my tartan granny trolley was just made for them. I have a nice, navy trolley too, for those days when I am wearing my “conservative, white-linen-skirt-style, homeschooling mother” persona
There will be bookfair times again, Fee. I was talking to my little friend Mrs 5peas, who went bookfairing with me, and mentioned that when my children are all grown and flown, I will have time to wander bookfairs at my leisure. That although empty nest syndrome sounds kind of scary, I’m sure the silver lining will be in re-discovering the joy of taking as long as you want, without interruption, wandering through bookfairs and the such. But I guess we’ll have to wait and see! xx
Feb 01, 2011 @ 23:34:15
I have made the jump to e-books. There are, of course, books that can never be good e-books but so many can and I prefer the electronic versions because of all the side benefits…and because e-books never get dusty.
Feb 02, 2011 @ 04:45:16
I’m jealous! I wonder if I can get a plane ticket and fly there really quick. I love book fairs. Just my luggage would exceed the limit.
Feb 03, 2011 @ 02:12:29
Bluestockings, thoughts and prayers are with you and the people of Queensland today as Cyclone Yasi makes its way to your shores. Hope all is well with you and your family.
Feb 03, 2011 @ 13:09:09
Burstmode, it could be just sentimentality, but I revolt at the thought of ebooks taking over. There’s something of the “old friend” feeling about so many of my books, that I truly can’t think of reading them electronically without a pang of loss. Of course, you are quite right about the dust, (not to mention the second hand cigar smoke smell.. ) and I concede that to have my field guides on my iphone would save a lot of space when going on holidays, but for now I firmly hold my dinosaur status of needing to handle the real thing.
Swanpetal, it’s surprising how many wheeled suitcases show up at the book fair. You’d blend right in.
Flandrumhill, thank you for your kind words. Australia is certainly taking a battering this new year, and Queensland in particular. The reports show this morning that some parts of the north were razed to the ground overnight; homes and crops. Your prayers for God’s mercy on Australia would be timely, thank you.