This is probably also a good time to tell you...

I am madly in love with used books. I love new books too, particularly when they are heartfelt gifts or from amazing independent book stores (see here, here and an amazing store in Napa, CA that I can't find online but I swear they organize books like they are in my head). But there is something about used books that I find incredibly special, you never know who has read them before, where they have been, who has enjoyed them, there is a bit of a mystery to them. Clearly this is familial, my cousin Shawn has a project that chronicles interesting book inscriptions. Anyway, used books incorporate my love of both books and an amazing deal (it's the good jewish girl in me), and I will go to great lengths for a good sale or store. It is so bad that when my boyfriend and I get in a fight, to make up, he will often say, 'do you want to go to the used book store?' He's no fool, that is the best aphrodesiac ever... There was once a crazy charity sale in D.C. when I was living there where the books got cheaper each week until they were all sold. They had an outlet right around the corner from my office and I went probably 3x a week. I loved it so much that I started reading the trashy books in a couple of evenings and sneaking them back in to the sale for them to sell again... I have a problem... that's why I have to tell you about them!