I almost didn’t record this episode.
I’m tired. I’ve tried recording it a few times already. And honestly, I just wanted to take a nap before work. But I didn’t want the week to end without sharing what turned into one of the most unexpectedly rewarding thrift runs I’ve had in a long time.
This was supposed to be a quick stop. I went in for one book.
Instead, I walked out with a full-on personal library upgrade.
Note: This is an unedited episode. lol
Why Books, Why Now
Up until now, most of my collecting conversations have centered on films and physical media. But physical media doesn’t stop at movies or television. It extends into books, music, CDs, vinyl — all the formats where knowledge, culture, and craft live on shelves instead of disappearing behind subscriptions.
This haul made that very clear.
The Book That Started It All
All Under Heaven: Recipes from the 35 Cuisines of China — Carolyn Phillips
This was the only book I actually came in for. I’d seen it weeks earlier and couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s massive, beautifully structured, and thoughtful about regional cuisine rather than pretending to be “definitive.”Original retail: $40
What I paid: $4
Savings: $36
That alone would’ve been a win. But then I got lost in the stacks.
Hardcovers & Literary Non-Fiction
Everything below cost $1 each, unless noted.
Harry Styles and the Clothes He Wears — Terry Newman
The English: A Social History from 1066 to 1945 — Christopher Hibbert
Original retail: $32.95
What I paid: $10 (the most expensive book of the day, and still a steal).
My Name Is Barbara — Barbara Streisand
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life — Eric Idle
The Poe Shadow — Matthew Pearl
The Swan Thieves — Elizabeth Kostova
Anthology of Spanish Literature, Vol. II (18th–20th Century)
Luster — Raven Leilani
The Prophet of Zonga Street — Mohammed Nishihu Ali
Only in New England: A Story of a Gaslight Crime — Theodore Roscoe
Marvelous Things Overheard — Angie Malenko
The Penguin Dictionary for Writers and Editors — Bill Bryson
The Family Guide to Waldorf Education
Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in His Own Words
The Irresistible Consultant’s Guide to Winning Clients — David A. Fields
So You Want to Start a Podcast — Kristen Meinzer
Some of these are educational, some inspirational, some purely curiosity-driven. My current rule with books is simple:
If it’s entertaining, educational, or informative, it earns a spot.
Paperbacks & Source Material
Again, $1 each.
Who Owns the Ice House? — Clifton Taulbert & Gary Schoeniger
The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms
QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter — Richard Feynman
Chronicles, Vol. 1 — Bob Dylan
On Photography — Susan Sontag
As I Please: 1943–1945 — George Orwell
The Overstory — Richard Powers
Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day — Joan Bolker
Playing Shakespeare — John Barton / Royal Shakespeare Company
LSD: Two Zen Masters and a Life on the Dharma Trail
Two Chairs: The Secret That Changed Everything
Luis Buñuel (foreign-language edition)
Miss Lonelyhearts & The Day of the Locust — Nathanael West
Clara and the Sun — Kazuo Ishiguro
A lot of these are going to serve as poetry source material, language study, or long-term reference. Some might be quick reads. Some might sit with me for years. That’s the beauty of building a physical library slowly and intentionally.
Books for My Daughter
Also $1 each — and honestly, some of my favorite finds.
We Ate Wonder Bread — Nicole Hollander
The Last Kids on Earth — Max Brallier
Middle School: Save Rafe! — James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts
She’s getting more into reading, and finding books like this secondhand makes it easier to encourage exploration without pressure.
The Math (This Is the Point)
Here’s what this actually looks like when you break it down.
Total number of books: 34
Prices paid:
All Under Heaven: $4
The English: $10
Remaining 32 books at $1 each: $32
Total spent: $46
Now compare that to original retail pricing. Even conservatively, the combined retail value of this stack lands well over $800.
That means:
Money saved approximately: $750+
For the price of one or two new hardcovers, I walked away with a full library refresh — supporting a local thrift store, keeping books in circulation, and giving these titles a second life.
Why I’m Sharing This
Not to flex a haul — but to remind you what’s possible.
If you’ve ever thought about rebuilding your reading habit, expanding your creative resources, or just reconnecting with physical books again, your local thrift store is one of the most overlooked places to start.
This wasn’t a shopping trip. It was an investment in curiosity. If you’ve read any of these, or think there’s one I should start with first, let me know.
Until next time — I’ll see you in the stacks.
— E. A. Bland
