Grab Bag: When Old Books Become New

I've always loved the look and feel of really old books – you know, the ones with frayed canvas covers, precarious binding, and decades of smudges and memories. The first old book I purchased was a collection of poetry, and it sat on my shelf, surrounded by its younger (and some would argue, prettier) peers, for a few years. Until one day I found another special old book, and another after that. And then, a collection began to take hold.

So you can imagine my thrill when, just a few weeks ago, I scored BIG at a random garage sale I passed. The first thing I look for in any store or sale is the book section, so obviously I scanned the junk to see what bookish treasures lurked there. Soon my arms were full, but I didn't even know which specific titles I was scooping up – all I needed to see was that little “Nancy Drew” lettering on the binding.

Here's the thing about Nancy: she's an icon. She's always in style, she's had movies made about her, and everyone knows her name. But here's my confession: I haven't really read any Nancy Drew books.

So I thank you, garage-sale-proprietors, for charging me a mere $5 for a collection of antique books that I will now read and, hopefully, finally appreciate. (And, sorry to break it to you, but I think you seriously undercharged me.) Because now, these old (very, very old – 1942! 1937!) books have become new again.

Any readers out there who've scored some new-old books? Did you find them at yard sales, or maybe hidden deep inside your parents' or grandparents' attics? Leave a comment and let us know what they were!

— Morgan, Scholastic staffer

Comments

[Comment #1]

My dad brought home some old books that used to belong to him after he visited his father.

[Comment #2]

I found some new old books left in the front yard of a neighbor's house. I don't know if the occupant died, or was moved to a retirement home, but whoever cleaned out her house just left the yard full of discarded stuff.

Though, none of it was as cool as your Nancy Drew find! I'm so jealous!

[Comment #3]

OMG!!! First of all, I love old books. I think it's sooooo cool to have something like that. Second of all, I love Nancy Drew.

Combined, I would totally die for that! That is SOOOO awesome!!! And only FIVE bucks!!

[Comment #4]

Awsome!

[Comment #5]

nancy drew is awesome and amazing my day at my new school was lousy!!!!

[Comment #6]

that is an awsome story

[Comment #7]

I loooooooove old books!

I have found several old books, one is "The Complete Shakespeare" and the others are the three volumes of a story called "Kristen, Lavran's Daughter." (That's not actually how you spell it.) They were just hanging out on the shelf.

[Comment #8]

Its a realy good book and i thats a awesome book.

[Comment #9]

Hang in there Manga Eyes, I'm sure school will get better :)

Thanks everyone!

[Comment #10]

Wow. I would really like something like that. 5 bucks?? I also even found some old books myself. Really wicked.

[Comment #11]

I found Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.
It is really good!!!

[Comment #12]

Jennifer! You are so lucky to have the old ones!! I have the whole collection! (The newer ones)
Nancy Drew is AWESOME! :)

Sydney

[Comment #13]

i love Nancy Drew books also i have her computer game the computer game is hard

[Comment #14]

Thats so cool. My friend found a very old copy of Little Women.It was even signed by Alcott.

[Comment #15]

Nancy Drew totally rocks the world of mystery!! i think its so cool u found old books!!

[Comment #16]

hey natasha5797, That's so cool what you found! And on the topic of old books, my grandpa has an old shelf full of his old math textbooks from the early 1900s. they're cool, but not as cool as Nancy Drew!

[Comment #17]

i think that they are bringing old books to new is great because i would really enjoy reading about history that would be great when i say great i mean great Yeahhhh boy

[Comment #18]

my favorite old book is nascy drew she is the boom in that book and movie