There is so much more to Charity Shops than clothes
I love charity shops. I make a beeline for them, whenever visiting a town. Not only can you sometimes find some bargain clothes, there is so much more besides. Whether you could do with some more, wine glasses, curtains, cutlery, lampshades, dog toys, etc, Check out the charity shops.
However my biggest success has been with finding bargain books.
I would like to share with you some of the wonderful books, I have found recently.
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
A brilliant tale, set in 1940's, California. It's called Cannery Row as the main work is at the local Cannery (canning sardines). The story is about the characters of this small community, such as Doc who owns the local laboratory. Theres also Dora who runs the local brothel, and Mack and his friends who rent the rundown Palace Flophouse, from Lee Chong who owns the Grocery. The story is as much about the individuals, as the community, and we become part of their lives, as well meaning Mack and his friends, scheme to throw Doc a birthday party, with hilarious consequences.
Other books by John Steinbeck I have found in charity shops are:
The Grapes of Wrath, The moon is down, and To a God Unknown
The Good Women of China, Hidden Voices by Xinran
Xinran, presented a radio programme in China, in the late 8O's, where she encouraged women to talk about their lives. After years of political turmoil, and centuries of obedience to men, women were at first frightened of the consequences of talking openly about their experiences. This book tells the stories of the women who came forward, and talked to Xinran, and also of the opposition she faced to keep her programme on the air. The women's personal reflections, compassionately told by Xinran, gives the reader a real insight into the past and present experiences, of women in China.
Other books I have found in charity shops include:
The whole series (5 books), of Maya Angelou's autobiography starting with, I know why the caged bird sings.
Lucky and Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Island and Chrome Yellow by Aldous Huxley
Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel
The Bell Jar and Ariel by Sylvia Plath
Tis and Angelas Ashes by Frank McCourt
The road to Wigan Pier, 1984, and Homage to Catolonia by George Orwell
and lots more.
Today I picked up 'The clothes they stood in' by Alan Bennet for 20p, and my friend picked up 'On writing' by Stephen King for £1.50, which is one of my recommended course books.
So if you're a lover of books check out the charity shops, the rewards are great.
