The other day, it hit me. I am craving a great fiction novel.
I grew up an avid reader. My passion and interest in writing is borne of years of devouring books — often more than one in a day. But over the last 10 years, that interest as fallen off due to things like work, the internet, and other things that fill my time and focus. What reading I do is for review programs, most of which are usually non-fiction and motivational in nature.
Don’t get me wrong! Those are great!
But I wanted fiction. Like I told my husband, I want a chick flick in a book.
I told my parents about my urge to read, and Mom mentioned that my brother recently visited a Half Priced Books store where my sister-in-law picked up armloads of books to read — most of which cost her about a dollar each!
So, I googled, “half price books nashville tn” and I was directed to McKays Books a bit west of town. So, my parents, my husband and I made the trip out to see what we could find.
I was in heaven. Absolutely in heaven. Books, music, movies… I wanted to bring in a cot and just sleep there for a few days… weeks… ok maybe a few months.
It didn’t take long for everyone to split up. I started in fiction, then eventually ended up pouring over photography books. I discovered Dad over in the financial section. Mom was in the motivational books section. And my husband indeed up in CDs picking out some to buy. We ended up, collectively, leaving with 11 books, 2 DVDs and 6 CDs. We spent about $46 total. For everything. Including tax.
My husband and I agreed we’d be going back regularly. I can already feel my passion for reading being revived with this trip to McKay’s. And I love it. So good to be reunited with a part of yourself that has been left dormant for much too long. I am most definitely happy!!
Sadly, the new McKay’s is about a mile away from where I live and I haven’t been yet! I drive by it every day! I loved seeing your pictures. It was definitely motivation to get myself over there.
By the way, The Tender Bar is one of my favorite books ever! Happy reading!
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Oh definitely go!! And plan to stay awhile. lol! It amazes me what all they have! Movies, video games, CDs, books of all kinds, vinyl records… it’s sensory overload to a degree! What impresses me is that you can take stuff in for store credit (or they will just pay you, too) AND you can take your receipt in and return books within a year for store credit back. I am a huge fan now, and I actually suspect I’ll be doing some Christmas shopping there this year. (Shhhh… don’t tell anyone. hehe)
OH! And I can not wait to read The Tender Bar. I actually found it in the Young Adult books. Someone had stuck it there out of place, and I still have a love for YA books despite being in my 30s. I LOVE Memoirs. The last one I read — and I highly recommend — is “The Glass Castle.” As soon as I saw The Tender Bar it went in my cart. I think I’ll read it first.
I’ve heard of McKay’s but never been. There is a much smalled used bookstore in Murfreesboro I went to once and about died so I imagine a place this big would cause a heart attack. ;)
I also did paperbackswap.com for a few years and really enjoy but now I mainly use the library because of the small apartment. Someday I shall venture to McKay’s and spend way too much money.
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It’s actually worth the drive up! Their selection is unreal!
I definitely want to get a library card up here. I had one for Rutherford County when we were in LaVergne/Smyrna and I used it a lot! I actually have a library about three blocks away from me now, and I still haven’t taken the time to go get a card. But I will So be doing that in between trips to McKays. ;)
I am very jealous of your bookstore! Had I known about McKay’s I would have never moved from Middle Tennessee.
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LOL!!!! Well now you have a reason to come visit!! Soon!! ;)
Looove used book stores! The Half-Priced Books in CS is really nice and huge. I remember when it was a tiny cracker box off Texas Ave. in Bryan, then it moved over by SW Parkway in CS, and now it’s really nice off University by the new Kirkland’s. Sadly Temple still doesn’t have any bookstores. :( I can drive to Killeen or Waco for B&N, but I haven’t seen any Half-Priced Books. Where did Scott go???
LOL He went to Half-Priced Books in CS. That’s what started this whole thing. ;)
I mentioned to Mom what you said about no book stores in Temple (I hadn’t even thought about it! Man I used to practically live at Walden Books in the mall!) and she told me about The Book Cellar in downtown Temple! https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Book-Cellar/233052166733664 Now I want to go check them out… looks like fun!
I read…a lot. And while most of it is from the library, you can totally knock my socks off with a good used book store or Friends of the Library sale. That one looks like a winner.
@Denise
Oh neat!!! I may have to check that out. Chris and I keep wanting to try a few of the food places downtown, so we could swing by the bookstore, too.
I don’t think I could ever pay full price for a book again (and as a hopeful author, I guess I shouldn’t admit that!) But besides Half-Priced Books, our community library has a sale room ($1 for a practically brand new hardback!) and Goodwill always has a great selection, too. Now if I could just find the time to read!
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