Books!

A sweet date for my husband and I is a quick trip from Northfield to Minneapolis to one of our favorite places ... Half Price Books! We know each store in the Twin Cities. One afternoon we actually hit all of them.

Even though we're on a date, we walk in the door together only to separate and go to our favorite sections. I check out the mystery and classic fiction sections, education and parenting books, Christian books and usually end up in the clearance section. Since this sectionof books is more haphazardly organized, I browse more slowly and carefully. You never know what $1.00 gem you'll find with all those other books. Half Price Books also has a great children's section. What a wonderful way to indoctrinate your children into the used book culture!


Used book stores have a unique aura. Unlike an upscale store with it's gourmet coffee and leather stuffed chair most second hand book stores have uneven piles of books here and there amongst the shelves. People slowly scan the shelves looking for that treasured, unusual book tucked in with a number of other obscure titles. Less conversation happens in these stores.


Used book stores don't draw the half-hearted non-readers. In other words, people who walk into the store aren't thinking, "I don't really like to read, but maybe if I got a really cheap book I might give it a try." People who come into Half Price Books are usually pretty serious readers. Often, they're quirky, too. What would you expect of a store with large sections of vintage comic books and vinyl records; with obscure titles on history and science; with every L'Amour or Christie book; with a large section on D & D and paranormal studies? It's a magnet for the out-of-the-ordinary.



Granted, not every couple will see an outing at a book store as a "hot date" which I guess could qualify us as quirky. But give it a try. On your next date, skip the movie or the mall and hit a used book store. You never know......