Saturday 16 June 2012

A fun way to exchange books

My friend Patricia has Crohn's disease.  Every year she holds a fundraiser, for the annual Crohn's Charity Walk held here in Ottawa.  In the past few years she has come up with a fun way to raise money for this cause: a book exchange.  Bring a box of books, peruse all the books everyone else has brought, and after leaving a donation in the jar,  leave with the books you want.  This has grown until this year, they had two tables filled with books, with people bringing boxes in (we brought one too), and leaving with as many books as they brought.  We raised a lovely donation of money for Crohn's, and I personally found some awesome books to bring home:









Of Saints and Shadows - Christopher Golden
Ring of Bright Water - Gavin Maxwell
Russian Winter - Daphne Kalotay
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor - Stephanie Barron
The Darkness and the Deep - Aline Templeton
The Children of Hurin - JRR Tolkien
The Dragon Who Liked To Spit  Fire - Judy Varga
December - Phil Rickman
                                                    

I think I found some real treasures here, I've been wanting to read Major Pettigrew's Last Stand ever since Raidergirl3 raved about it in 2010,, and here at the end of 2010.  I want to try the Jane Austen mysteries for fun.  I read almost everything put out by Tolkien, but not Children of Hurin  yet.  Ring of Bright Water we owned as children, and I think my daughter will like it as she gets older.  Plus I need to reread it.

Mostly, I felt really good at supporting such a good cause for a dear friend.  Books to bring home - icing on the cake. Delicious icing!

And, bonus for second-hand stores:  I  found this in a new antique/second-hand store that has opened in my neighborhood. I have been searching for a copy of It, The Stand, Salem's Lot and The Shining by Stephen King - all of which I am certain I own, but are not on my shelves.  I am waiting for 11.22.63 to come out on July 5 in paperback (countdown is on!!), and have found myself craving a Stephen King to read - either Salem's Lot, or The Stand (because I'm missing the read-along online, I know!!!)  - or the only recent one I haven't read yet, The Cell.  Lo and behold, today in this vintage second hand store I found The Cell!  
A friend who reads horror  had just mentioned  to me that this was one of the recent ones she'd read that she really liked - vintage King, she said.  I was able to return the favour about Duma Key, which I really enjoyed three years ago.  So on this very warm late spring Saturday, I have a new to me Stephen King to read.  I don't know about you, but for me, Stephen King and lazy hot days made for reading go hand in hand.  Hurray for second hand stores!

16 comments:

Susan said...

My brother has Crohns disease, too. I'm glad someone's raising money to help with research--that's wonderful. And what a fun way to do it! Looks like you got some great books and supported a great cause. Very cool.

Jeane said...

What a nice cause for a book exchange. I used to go to one at our local community center (not connected with a cause) but there were never any good books there (sigh). Ring of Bright Water is very good- the sequels not so much- but this one remains a favorite.

Susan said...

Susan: I have a second cousin with it also. It's an awful disease to have. So any little bit helps to find a cure. I'll pass on your message to my friend, too, about it being cool. She loves to read too, which is why the book exchange is so fun to arrange for her.

Jeane: I know, book exchanges can be very iffy, can't they? That's why I was so thrilled to find so many I wanted to read. I know we had Ring of Bright Water and my sister read it; I can't remember if I did! So I will this time. I love otters.

DesLily said...

Can you believe that I've never read Stephen King?! (seen many movies but never read his books)...but guess what I did get at a used book store...(like new)the hardback of 11.22.63 . The cover made me take it! lol.. I have no earthly idea when I will get to it among my 140 other books I have here to read!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

What a great way to raise money! Thanks for sharing this idea.

Jenny said...

This sounds like a great thing. It's for a good cause AND it involves books. Love it.

I stopped by after seeing your comment on Suey's blog. Anyone that's watching the Euro cup is someone I want to know. ;)

Cath said...

What a fantastic idea! Everyone wins! And you got a Phil Rickman - good find. I remember reading Ring of Bright Water years ago too. Loved it.

litlove said...

What a great way to raise money, and so satisfying when an event like this catches on. Looks like you got some wonderful books. I'm hoping to get to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand this year too!

litlove said...

What a great way to raise money, and so satisfying when an event like this catches on. Looks like you got some wonderful books. I'm hoping to get to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand this year too!

Stefanie said...

What a brilliant idea! And for a good cause too.

Susan said...

Deslily: Stephen King's new book is out in softcover next week! I am picking it up asap, though like you, not sure when I will get to read it. I hope we both enjoy it!

Deb Nance: thank you! It is a great idea, isn't it? I hope it catches on, it's a great way to share books and raise money.

Jenny: Thank you! It is a fun idea, and a great cause. We certainly all had fun picking out books and donating at the same time.

I like the sound of you liking the Euros, too! Who are you cheering for? Now that England is out today, I have to decide who I want to cheer for. Italy were the better team, and I'm kind of glad they won, though I will miss cheering for England so much! And may I say that I am delighted to meet another blogger who loves soccer too?? :-D

Cath: Everyone wins, you are so right, I like that, Cath :-) I even started the Phil Rickman but got sidetracked....what I did read was good, so I will get back to it. A shiny fantasy caught my eye lol

litlove: yes, it was an excellent idea, I really like it too. Plus we all benefited from finding books to read! I hope we both enjoy Major Pettigrew's Last Stand whenever we get to read it, I've heard some very good things about it.

Stefanie: it is a bright idea! and a win for everyone, as Cath above said. I really like that it was for a good cause, too.

sprite said...

I thought Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was excellent, although it did take me a bit to get into it.

And the Stephanie Barron Jane Austen books are just fun. I hope you enjoy them!

Becca said...

A great way to raise money! I love it when books can make a difference like this :)

Literary Feline said...

I agree with the others. What a neat way to raise money. Wish I lived closer so I could've taken part. I hope you enjoy your selections!

I'm curious to read your thoughts on Cell when you get to it. I read it years ago. It's one of two King books I've read (to completion, anyway). I am trying to read The Stand right now, but am not having as much fun with it as I had hoped. I think it's timing rather than a bad fit.

Tami said...

Fabulous idea. I may have to steal it. :) And for such a good cause.

Susan said...

sprite: You are another vote for this book! It's not a kind I would normally read, though it does look interesting. I hope I enjoy it. Along with the Jane Austen mysteries. Have you read them all? I think they are getting better as the series goes along, one reviewer said.

Becca: it is a great way to raise money, isn't it? I love it when books make a difference, too.

Literary Feline: IF you lived closer, I would have invited you! I wish you and everyone here could have come along. I have a feeling the book selection from books you all brought would have been very interesting too! Plus we could have lemonade and cupcakes there :-) conversations with friends, book exchange, and cupcakes: it doesn't get much better than that, does it?

I've just finished The Cell, so I'm hoping to review it on Monday, after our holiday for Canada Day tomorrow. :-) I will say that it was very very interesting.

Tami: please steal the idea! using books to raise money for charity is win/win and I hope everyone uses this idea!