Meccas of Used Books

I hope everyone had a fantastic day...I spent my day in jury duty where I was selected to be a on jury late in August. If you can't sense my excitement (sarcasm) from here I must insist you pay attention.

Being stuck in a jury room in court all day did allow me to get some things accomplished. I finished two Lisa Marie Rice books (Dangerous Lover and Dangerous Secrets which I will review in another post) and I have resigned myself to the fact that my beloved first generation Nook is dying. It no longer holds a charge and the battery sucks up more juice than my three year old nephew...even on airplane mode. I am currently discussing with my Book Pimp (hubby) about getting with the technological times and getting a new Nook. I am thinking a Nook Color, but if you have a review for the Nook Tablet...lay it on me.

So, in consideration of my slightly depressing day, Book Pimp suggested going to The Book Barn. And those of you who aren't familiar with The Book Barn it is one of the most unique used book stores I have ever seen. It is three separate locations in Niantic, CT. The most awesome being the Main Barn...which as the name suggests, used to be a barn. It is also made up of several outbuildings which house separate genres. It is book heaven for me. Mass market paperbacks for $1.00. Trades for around $4.00 and they have a place for every genre (Book Pimp is into slightly nerdy Civil War books). You can get your favorite paperback, sit on a bench and just read the day away. They also buy books! So when your bookshelf just can't take the strain anymore (or you need more room) you haul your goods over to the barn and they buy for cash or credit. I usually take the credit option and give it all back the same trip. I am efficient like that.

The only downside to this is you have to rely on what other people sell back...which can be hit or miss. But in most cases it's a hit. A major chain bookstore in our area closed down rather recently, which flooded the used bookstores with practically new material. People didn't feel bad selling back a $14.00 book for a percentage because they didn't actually pay $14.00 for it. (When the chain liquidated they got down to almost 80% off books).

But what the used bookstore does for me is allow me to discover new authors...or begin/continue a series. I get to read someone new...I see if I like them, then I buy full price on my Nook. Or, sometimes I get book 2 and 4 of a four book series, so I buy 1 and 3 on my Nook. It's a system that works for me and I have discovered a lot of new authors this way.

So blog universe...do you have a Used Book Mecca in your town/city? And what do you love the most about it? Have you discovered new authors like I have?

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @jessobrien25 and look for my reviews for Dangerous Lover and Dangerous Secrets coming soon!