Parading at Holland Hall Book Fair...

Did the Cozy Book Nook family shirk work and play at the book fair? If you voted for shirking work, then you win! Really, was the outcome ever in doubt?

Actually, it was touch and go for a bit. No gory details but I had a bout of sick Friday night... crazy passing out food poisoning sick. So disappointed, as I expected to be out of commission for a jaunt to the book fair, but miraculously I rallied. Guess you just can't keep a bookworm down!

Even though we didn't arrive till 1:00, there were still plenty of books to peruse. The entire gym floor was covered with utility tables and most were still loaded with books: All neatly organized into more categories than I've ever seen at a book fair. Very nice!

First though, I popped into the rare book room. A couple of books caught my eye but neither were appealing enough to go through the bidding process while in a weakened state.

Second, we checked out the children's room located in a small auditorium. There were only 1 or 2 boxes of books left per table. Oh well, the lady on tv did say to be there by 8 a.m. because the games and kids books go quick.

Overall, the Holland Hall Book Fair resembles any other book fair except on an incredibly massive scale. Many newish book and lots of outdated dull books but also quite a few old charmers that make the treasure hunt worthwhile.


The only drawback was the overpricing but maybe that is normal for a big city book fair. I'm used to paperbacks being .10 to .25 and hardbacks being $1 to $3. Here most paperbacks were $1 and hardbacks ranged between $3 and $10. An inequity of pricing was very apparent among the books I purchased. Must be difficult to coordinate pricing between the many volunteers who prep the book fair.

Fab Finds

Found this hardback in the kids room. Fair price and great condition to boot.

Beautiful photos of unusual animals from downunder. Fascinating for my four year old and my students. Perfect for language stimulation (adjectives ect).
Plus, the text is ideal for my 4th-6th graders to practice their target sounds while reading aloud.

Cute little board book with flaps but in very worn condition. See what I mean about price inequity. Ten cents would have been a fair price... and the large hardback was seventy five cents. Go figure?! I still like it though and so does my little one and so will my early childhood students.


Beaucoup books on the language table! DeLynne, my linguist co-blogger, would have been in hog heaven!
Lots of French language learning books. I even spotted a couple of editions of 501 French Verbs that she recommended for advanced students.
DeLynne's Language Learning Resources

Aren't old books lovely? Hope DeLynne thinks so because this one is hers.



It is a 1961 edition and, of course, I couldn't resist the name and address written on the inside cover.

DeLynne is well beyond this book but maybe some of her advanced students might find it beneficial.

Not only do I adore food, I adore reading about food! Doesn't matter that this book reviews Parisian restaurants that may not even exist anymore: It is still amusing.




Note the prices. Aren't they a hoot?

By the way , this is a 1971 Gourmet Magazine publication. Makes me sad that an esteemed magazine such as Gourmet was discontinued after sixty eight years.

This little cookbook is only 4 by 6 inches. So cute! This one is for my other linguist friend, an elderly gentleman, who speaks several languages but specializes in Russian. He is a bookworm (book snob but I like him anyway) who definitely appreciates the culinary arts. The author was born in Moscow and teaches Russian. My friend will love it!


Yippee! A copy of Mrs. Baja's book! The book with the note that I've been reading off and on at school. I enjoy it and want to finish but with 878 pages, I really really need a copy at home. This paperback is in excellent condition. The spine isn't even cracked! A terrific value at $2!

This one is purely for my pleasure. 568 pages of thriller shortstories by a multitude of authors. A few of my faves are listed: Steve Berry, Lincoln Child, James Rollins, Douglas Preston, and F. Paul Wilson. Bet I find some new authors to read as well. The last few years, I have developed quite a liking for short stories. Just perfect for anytime quickie reading and especially for between book reading.
This one doesn't appear to have ever been read. It has stiff pages with an unbroken spine.

Can't wait to read a bit... I'm shivering with anticipation!