kyburg | Advent 2011

What's wrong with a good book? Particularly if it's one you haven't read - or may not have even known about?

Or maybe, out of print. Welcome to the lovely world of used books.

If it must be online, it must be Abebooks, my go-to for anything I really don't absolutely have to have brand new. Seriously. They even do textbooks -

I love getting books as gifts - as much as I love giving them away, perhaps with a few teabags or a scented candle tucked away in the box with it. Portable, durable - and sometimes, the best stories are not the ones written, but the clues left by prior owners between the pages.

I've gotten more than one book of poetry inscribed from a teacher to a student (and some of them, oh so long ago), parent to child, friend to -

Some of the best moments are noting what was highlighted or underlined.

So, no. There is no such thing as a 'bad used book.' Let your fingers do the walking through either the search engine of your choice or the yellow pages, find that used book store near you and rummage at will.

Enjoy - and see you tomorrow!