My lawyer once gave me some sage free advice: “My books are my friends, they will wait for me.”
He’s absolutely right, my books will wait for me and some of them will have to wait a little bit longer because I will be attending the Oilfields High School book sale April 26-27.
I am a sucker for a used book sale (with apologies to my favourite book store, High River’s Pixie Hollow).
At present, there are about 12 friends (books) under my bed waiting for me to open their covers.
Sure, a used book sale means Grisham Galore or a Plethora of Patterson, but it also means to get some gems for a quarter. I once purchased an autograph copy of Boy On Defence by Scott Young for 75 cents. I don’t even think I read it. However, an autograph from a hockey hall of fame writer is cool, but it’s doubly cool from Neil Young’s dad. This is as close as I will ever come to the legendary rocker.
Also tucked under my bed is a book previously owned by Nancy Endersby, the receptionist at Holy Trinity Academy. I know she owned it because she signed the inside cover in case it got lost. That is something I would never do, Ms. Endersby is highly organized.
I am not.
I am looking forward to the day she gets a call because someone found her book because I lost it. Nancy, if you get that call, call me.
Also, my friends under the bed have allowed me to see new places and learn new things.
I journeyed through the underbelly of Edinburgh, Scotland with Ian Rankin’s Rebus or found out Dick Cavett thought Groucho Marx might have had the sharpest mind the great TV host ever interviewed.
I’ve also been able to buy more copies of my favourite book, Catch-22, after I lose them (I don’t sign my books, remember. I should learn from Ms. Endersby).
A used book sale is a great place to get lost for a while. For $10, you can buy hours of thrills and entertainment.
So, I will be heading to Oilfields on Wednesday to spend some time with some loyal friends.
