"Book People Are the Best People" by Cerella Sechrist

Book people are the best kind of people. I was reminded of that this past weekend when I stopped by my local library's weekly sale. It's a fantastic offering in my community - many people donate their books and the library provides books that have been pulled from circulation to the floor of a tiny house. The library receives so many donations that they occasionally have to stop accepting books for awhile until they can sell off their current stock. The books are $1 for hardcovers and 50 cents from paperbacks - a steal for readaholics like myself.

This past Saturday when I stopped by, the sunny spring weather kept most of the usual patrons away for the morning, so I practically had the entire space to myself. I happily strolled from room to room for a couple of hours, looking for favorite authors and keeping an eye out for any of my own published works (I've yet to find any there!)

The thing about book people is the bond we all share - the love of a good story. There was one one other customer sorting through the shelves and piles last Saturday, and we eventually got to talking. I learned that she loves sweet Hallmark movies and wholesome fiction - it was the perfect lead-in to tell her about the Harlequin Heartwarming line and its tender romances. Next time I head to the sale, I'm going to tuck a copy of Gentle Persuasion and The Paris Connection into my book bag so I can pass them along to her.

Because that's what we bookish people do. We share the stories that touch us, and we're passionate about the characters we connect with. When we meet another book-lover, we can't resist telling them about the books we've read, knowing that somehow, we've found a kindred spirit who might understand. That's how we re-live those stories - by passing them along.

I had nearly left the book sale last weekend when I made one last sweep of the shelves, reluctant to part from the company of so many stories. It was there that I stumbled upon the best "find" of the day - a well-read, battered copy of the Heartwarming novel, Katie's Rescue, by our own Pamela Tracy. I've long wanted to read this one, not just for the stunning cover (I love the play of light diffusing over the characters!) but because the story revolves around a zoo and a dying panther. My cousin is a major animal lover (who would likely be embarrassed if I named all the pets she owns), and a big-time book lover herself. We've spent hours dissecting stories together, naming our likes and dislikes, falling in love with characters by passing along recommendations to each other.

And knowing how she loves animals, I'm sure she'll enjoy this story. So once I've read Katie's Rescue, I'll be passing it along to her.

Because that's what book people do.

Comments

  1. I love the Hallmark movies and often use them as an example, along with certain Hollywood flicks, when trying to explain to friends what our line is like :). I love book people too ;).

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    1. I think Hallmark is the perfect way to give people an instant feel for what we do, Rula. Their stories are always so sweet. Maybe Hallmark should start making movies out of our Heartwarming stories. ;D

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  2. Our regional libraries have the same kind of sale once a year. It boggles the mind to go. They have several rooms in a warehouse. I get a lot of research books there and when I finish with them I pass them on to Goodwill that also has a big book store here. It's where I've found most of my baby-name books and I like the Fodor travel books for in-depth stuff for settings. Glad our Heartwarming books are finding their way to libraries.

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    1. Me too, Roz! There are a several in south central PA, where I live, that take place once or twice a year, but I feel so blessed that my local library runs one every single week. It's mostly fiction now, but I still pick up some good reference books on occasion, too. I can spend hours just sorting through used books. :)

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  3. Some of my very best friends have been made through our love of books. I am a true believer in the awesomeness of book people! Love that you found a Heartwarming book out there.

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    1. Ditto, Amy! I bonded with my best friend entirely over a shared love of books and then me hauling her around to book sales since she was new to the area. I love that instant connection with fellow book lovers!

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  4. Our little library does the same thing, but in our case, it's just half a dozen tables covered with books in a single room. Still, it's so much fun to hunt. And, like Roz, I look for books that are going to help me with setting. I love the cover of KATIE'S RESCUE, too, It reminds me of that scene in the Keira Knightly PRIDE AND PREJUDICE where they find each other as the sun is coming up and finally share an embrace.

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    1. Yes, Muriel!! I didn't think of that, but the Katie's Rescue cover is much like the Pride and Prejudice scene! So lovely! I'm so proud of all of the Heartwarming covers - the art team does a fantastic job.

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  5. I always seem to be busy when these sales roll around (or out of town). Since all our bookstores have closed in town, I miss browsing and chatting with the browsers.

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    1. Oh, that's a bummer, Melinda. :( Isn't it horrible to see your local bookstores close? We lost Borders a couple of years ago, but then it became Books A Million, so I was happy about that. And we do have a few local bookstores that are holding strong. I try to support both bookstores as well as the used sales. We have to support the industry! :)

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  6. Hi Cerella!! I agree wholeheartedly. We book people share something special. Just literally a couple hours ago I mentioned to a friend that I want to start a small book club and meet in the park on a beautiful day to discuss the books we're reading. She was so excited and we are already recruiting a couple others. I am going to introduce my Heartwarming books. My local bookstore, Second Look Books, is a treasure and I never get tired of visiting and perusing the books there. It just feels like home. Thanks for the wonderful post.

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    1. I love the name of your local used bookstore, Laurie! Second Look Books sounds like my kind of place! :) I actually thought of you when I was writing this post and how, when you won two copies of The Paris Connection, and I offered you another book instead, you still wanted a second copy so you could share with a friend. Because yep, that's what book people do. :) Good luck with the book club! And btw, if you read any of my stories, just LMK, and I'll make up a discussion question list for you to use when you all discuss the story!

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    2. I LOVE Second Look Books!! They have a great system where customers bring in their used books for store credit. Then you use your credit to get 50% off the already reduced priced used books, and 15% off the reduced priced new ones. The best thing is being able to bring in the Heartwarming books I've read so others can get acquainted with them. The problem is, I don't like turning in my autographed copies!! ( :

      You have a good memory!! Yes, since I have 2 copies of The Paris Connection, it will be one of my first suggestions to read. And we can eat your cookies in the park! ☺️ I've been saving them for a time like this. I am looking forward to it, and I will absolutely tell you when I'm ready for that discussion question list. Thank you so much!!

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    3. Laurie, you're such a sweetheart, sharing those cookies with friends! But you're right, that sounds like a perfect thing to do for the book club! :) You just LMK about the discussion list, whenever you need it! I so appreciate readers like you. :)

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  7. Cerella, that sounds like so much fun! I wish I had a library closer by--or even a bookstore! You are so right about "book people." I have a special connection with my reader friends and I love it when I get a recommendation that I end up loving or I pass on a recommendation that they end up liking. We can talk about books for hours...

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    1. IDK what I'd do without my local library, Carol. My library card is so old that it still has the metal tag system - they had to place a barcode sticker on the back, and I never upgraded to a plastic card. I still use the card I first got in kindergarten. :) If you ever come my way, you must LMK, and I'll take you around to all my local bookstores. We'd have so much fun!

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  8. Your post has made me realize how much we need to fight, petition, whatever, to keep our libraries vibrant. They are such wonderful assets to our communities. I think I'll go to my library this afternoon!
    Cynthia

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    1. Agreed, Cynthia! When my debut novel came out, my local library system was so generous - they had me speak at two different locations and let me include a themed giveaway basket with the book as part of their annual fundraiser, etc. I love being able to support my library as well as the publishing industry. That's another thing book people do - we support authors whenever we can. :)

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  9. Oh my, you found a battered copy of Katie's Rescue. I'm thrilled that you're reading it. I've marketed and marketed so much so that I actually went to eBay and purchased two copies of Katie's Rescue - not battered copies either
    My husband gets embarrassed because I'll go up to people out in public, if they're reading, and ask them about the books they're reading.

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    1. I was so excited to see it on the shelf. If there had been more people at the book sale that day, I might have gone running from room to room, holding it high and saying, "Look at this!" lol :D

      That's another thing about book people - we can be perfectly comfortable asking somebody about a book they're reading while in public. I love to see what people are reading on the plane when I travel. I sometimes surreptitiously read along, to see if the story is any good. :)

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  10. There is NOTHING better than a book sale!!!

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