I had a doctor’s appointment this morning that I was really anxious about, so to cheer myself up I decided to swing by Goodwill on my way home for some (discount) retail therapy. I intended to try to find some new work clothes but ended up leaving with two bags full of books, and a single polka-dot dress.
I spent $24, $4 of which was on the dress, and came home with 12 books, mostly hardcover, and almost all of them in nearly perfect condition. It was such a great day that I’m already planning a trip to a different local Goodwill tomorrow to see what else I can find.
Let’s get right into it. Here are the twelve books I found at Goodwill this morning, for just $20!
From top to bottom:
Horton’s Miraculous Mechanisms by Lissa Evans
This was the only book that I picked up without knowing anything about it first. Honestly, I just really liked the cover of it, as it reminded me of the art of Edward Gorey. This middle-school novel follows Stuart Horten, who is searching for a mysterious, magical workshop that once belonged to his great-uncle Tony, a famous magician who disappeared without a trace.
What is the What by Dave Eggers
I’ve heard amazing things about this book, so I was happy when I found a copy. It’s about the Lost Boys of Sudan, children who were forced to give up their childhoods and become child soldiers. Valentino Achak Deng gets resettled in the United States in this novel and faces new challenges in this drastically different world.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I actually just purchased a copy of this for my Kindle, but I like physical books better, so finding a copy at Goodwill was a good excuse to buy it again. The main character, Hazel, has terminal cancer, and she thinks it’s the end of her story, but then she meets Augustus Waters at the Cancer Kid Support Group. I’m also looking forward to reading John Green’s other book, Turtles All the Way Down, which I just bought a few weeks ago on Amazon.
Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier
Cold Mountain is one of my favorite books. I lived in the Appalachian mountains for all of my twenties, and I have a huge soft spot for any book that takes place there. I’d seen mentions of this book around the internet, but I didn’t know too much about it. When I finally read the synopsis of it upon getting home, I got very excited: “At the age of twelve, an orphan named Will Cooper is given a horse, a key, and a map and is sent on a journey through the uncharted wilderness of the Cherokee Nation.” I’ve already added this to my November TBR pile.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Most people probably read this book in school at some point, but I don’t remember having read it, so I figured it was about time.
The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks
Max Brooks is the author of World War Z, which I enjoyed, and this book seemed really fun. My friends and I frequently discuss our plans for the inevitable zombie apocalypse, so this is definitely a must-have.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
This is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy, and although I’d read this series years ago, and had all three books on my Kindle, I’ve been wanting the physical editions. While I did find Mockingjay as well, unfortunately, I didn’t see the first book there. Two out of three isn’t bad though!
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
See above.
New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson
When this book came out last year, I remember immediately adding to my TBR list. And then… I sort of forgot about it. When I saw it at Goodwill this morning, I remembered that it was about a world suffering from the effects of climate change, which is one of my favorite genres, so I immediately picked it up. It’s not in the best condition, but it’ll do for $1.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
I originally read this book on the plane on my way to Chicago last year, and I loved it. I’ve always been interested in mountain climbing, primarily because I have absolutely no interest in physically doing it. It’ll be nice to reread this.
Why Kerouac Matters by John Leland
Jack Kerouac has been one of my favorite authors since someone urged me to read both The Dharma Bums and On the Road in my early twenties, a time when I was restless and figuring out who I was. This book is a deeper look at On the Road.
Imzadi (Star Trek: The Next Generation) by Peter David
Star Trek is the best thing in the world, so obviously I was going to pick this one up. I already have a small collection of Star Trek books that I’ve picked up second hand, but I hadn’t seen this one before.
Overall, I’m thrilled at the books I found today. What’s the best book you’ve found at a thrift shop?
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Header credit thanks to Koushik Chowdavarapu on Unsplash
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