Honolulu Book Sale: Day 1 Review

Honolulu Book Sale: Day 1 Part 1

Here are some quick notes about the book sale this year, and some pointers that might come in handy if you haven’t made your way over there yet. They decreased the area layout for books, so the cafeteria is just as crowded as it was in years prior. It seems they’ve taken a step back logistically from the idyllic setup they had in 2008. The only books outside in the cool, outdoor corridors are cookbooks, hobbies, magazines and children’s books. The problem, and it’s a big one, is that you can’t move from the cafeteria to the corridor without standing in line and paying for the books you have in your hand. So if you pick out books from adult fiction you have to stand in the long line to pay for it before you can go and check out the kids books. Not very friendly for family shoppers, and a HUGE pain if you're a genre hopper.

The Hawaiiana books are usually a bit expensive on the first day, no surprise this year. Pick the ones that really interest you, then come back next weekend and watch the madnesss ensue when everything is fifty cents. Rare books and collectibles went fast this year but they haven’t put as many books out all at once. The Friends of the Library of Hawaii volunteers seem to be bringing out the books a little slower than they did in years past so you’ll still be able to find some good stuff on later days. Wear shorts and bring water bottles and canvas tote bags, but mostly, get ready to be friendly with a lot of people. Without them opening up the tented area like they did last year, they’ve had to squeeze history and politics back into the cafeteria. It’s definitely close quarters again! But still very much worth it. More visits and updates to come!

Don’t forget next Saturday June 27^th all books are fifty percent off, and Sunday June 28^th all books must go, fifty cents or less!