Andre Norton Forum

Irene has mentioned the importance of establishing good relationships with dealers. I would also recommend library book sales. Most libraries have a Friends of the Library, in one form or another. They will often have sales, ranging from frequency to once a year to every month. My county, redneck as it is reputed to be, favors the latter.

At my very first one, I found a hardcover copy of _Ride Proud, Rebel!_ for 50 cents. This sort of thing may not rival treasure trove in vaults of the deep, but it is treasure enough for me. After all, I now have something even Irene does not. [She has first and third printings; mine is a second printing.]

I use finds like this as auspicious omens. After all, so many of them only have meaning for me. I don't find obscure Andre novels every month, but I do find other treasures, that out of print Charles de Lint horror novel in new condition for 50 cents, etc.

Don't limit yourself to your local library system; call around. No sale [that I hear about] within an hour's radius is safe from me. I'd also recommend having a list with you, to avoid duplicates. Irene has a list of everything she's got, and another one of what she's looking for. I find that the latter works fine for me. When I tell my husband how much I'm saving him by shopping from the list, I am treated to disbelieving cocker-spaniel eyes. [I once spent an entire day reorganizing my books. When I asked Marty if he was impressed, he replied, "Isn't that sort of like rearranging deck furniture on the *Titanic*? I let him live. {note: This was years before the movie came out.}]

Discussions like those we've had this week are bound to rouse the old 'quisitive instincts: con-, ac-, and in-. A booksale mantra I've found useful:

Lust and drool, drool and lust, Have it I will, have it I must.

Of course, there's always the old standby: Yes, yes, yes! Mine, mine, mine! Good luck, good hunting, and be sure to let us know how it all comes out.