SANTA SNAP #19, USEFUL AND USED
Among the many interesting people I met, after moving to Aspen in 1988, were two well-known authors, Judith Barnard and Michael Fain. Both were successful in their respective careers prior to collaborating, in 1982, as the popular and skillful husband-wife writing team, Judith Michael. “Deceptions” was their first blockbuster. In their twenty-three year career, ending with “The Real Mother” in 2005, they published eleven well-received books of fiction. (And, incidentally, kept their marriage intact.)
Authors Judith Barnard and Michael Fain. Nora Feller Photograph.
I decided, after enjoying their friendship and loyalty for more than a decade, that I needed to not only read every book they had written but also collect them for my library. To do that, rather than ordering via Amazon.com, too easy, I choose to embark on a Second-Hand Hunt. For the next several months, I haunted second-hand bookshops, thrift/goodwill stores, library sales and, antique malls. Within 15 months, I had collected all their books, many showing the wear and tear of having been lovingly read. (“The Real Mother”, 2005, had not yet been written.) The total co$t – under $25.00.
I lugged all ten books to their home, triumphantly deposited them on their desks, and asked that they be autographed. Yes, most of the books had already been personally signed but I just suggested an additional inscription be added. To their credit and with good humor, they re-wrote-and-returned within the week, each book inscribed with a wonderfully special message. To this day, I display and treasure my Judith Michael collection.
So, here’s the Santa Snap – don’t discount second-hand, inexpensive books for holiday giving, hostess favors, birthday gifts, or presents of any kind. Scout out classic cookbooks for your favorite chefs. If a friend has a favorite genre, mysteries or science-fiction, perhaps, buy several written by various, well-known authors in that category. There are fabulous drawings and images in used and vintage childrens’ book, useful for enjoying or framing. Tabletop tomes are expensive but plentiful and cheap if you purchase used volumes.
Next week, as we march into 2012, I will Post favorite, must-read-books suggestions, solicited from many of my friends. It’s a forever-list of inexpensive, thoughtful gift-giving, if you go second-hand. Be creative – use “used” to your advantage to explore and discover and $ave and get personal. As a bonus, for every used-book you buy, there’s a tree who’s eternally grateful.