Everyone needs a hobby. Some of us have more than one. Among mine are writing and reading, painting badly, and talking to myself. Recently, inspired by an estate sale find, I embarked on a new hobby; although, perhaps it would best be called an eccentric pursuit.
Here’s what prompted my search:
A hardback copy of the first book in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Nothing special, right? In fact, at one time I owned every book in the series; although, some were the paperback editions. I donated that collection to a school library in Champaign, Illinois. A librarian friend had put out a request for Harry Potter books, and I couldn’t let her down.
But when I saw that copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone sitting all by itself on a table at an estate sale it seemed to say, “Take me home.” So, I did. Well, after paying for it. I’m no thief.
On my drive home from the sale I devised a plan to buy all of the books in the series again, but, with certain rules:
1) Buy only hardcover books in good condition.
2) Purchase only one book per location.
3) Buy them in order of publication.
4) Only buy the books from garage or estate sales. I’m still wrangling over whether I should allow thrift store purchases.
Yesterday, I found the second book in the series at a huge estate sale in Tallahassee.
It fit all of my requirements. And even though I could’ve purchased books 3 and 4 at the same venue, I slapped myself on the wrist and carried my book to the cashier.
Now, to me this search sounds perfectly reasonable, but when I tried explaining it to the woman in line to pay behind me, she gave me an odd look and slowly took two steps back. It seems there’s a fine line between eccentric and outright crazy.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Nice!
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Thanks!
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Maybe you just needed a shower …..:)
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Heh!
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I love your writing style! 🙂 and the story, too, of course! 🙂
Also, the last photo of over thinking the joy out of everything seems to speak to me profoundly. 🙂
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Thanks!
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Enjoy your finds. I think they’re wonderful!
Something you might also consider is getting copies of the British versions. While I was teaching I wrote a grant and received funds to buy a classroom set of the first two Harry Potter books in the series. Scholastic Books accidentally mixed in several of the British versions which have slight differences in colloquial words and phrases and the Title of the first book is different. You might want to search for those on one of your outings and compare the differences. It’s rather fun to do. BTW, I still have my son’s entire set of all the books. Pretty soon my grandchildren will be old enough to read them.
https://www.hp-lexicon.org/differences-changes-text/
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Oh wow! I’ll widen my search! Thanks so much.
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Yes! You now have to find book one with the British Title. My students got a kick out of the different names of various pastries. They thought the British words were hilarious. We had contests to find the differences in the texts. I think you will enjoy this new adventure!
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Yay!
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Makes perfect sense to me. Have you read the UK versions? They’re slightly different than the American pressings. Mostly language and spelling, but a few slight things to make them fun to read. – Marty
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One of the other comments mentioned that. I need to start keeping my eyes open for the UK versions!
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There’s nothing the matter with you Leslie xxxxxxxx
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Could I have that notarized?
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get a big sign up Hang it on your fridge!!
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Sounds like a plan!
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YES!!!!!
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My youngest daughter (now 26) and I read the series together. Towards the end I’m pretty sure she lost interest, but I enforced the mom-daughter adventure and made her stick it out- along with attending all the movies with me! 🙂
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What an awesome mom you are!
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Well…I thought it was fun, Alison maybe not so much, but I’ll take the label of awesome, thank you very much 🙂
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She might not have appreciated it at the time, but some day it’ll be one of her fondest memories.
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The Harry Potter books were banned from my son’s Christian School! I wouldn’t have been able to leave the shop with only one book though, and the look from the two steppin’ lady would have confirmed that for me. Enjoy the hunt. BTW have you heard of Marie Kondo, the tidying lady? I think you are her antithesis, hahaha.
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Everything brings me joy! 😉
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How fun! It is like your own personal scavenger hunt. Are you going to reward yourself when you reach your goal? People are weird. But… that is the cool part about people, the weird, because it makes them so much more interesting. The ones that turn their nose up at your weirdness just don’t get it. Stay weird!
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Thanks! I believe when I finally get the last book I’ll celebrate by rereading the series. Oh, there might be cake involved, too. 😊
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There should ALWAYS be cake!
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I think that sounds like a fun self-imposed scavenger hunt! It never would have occurred to me to put on those restrictions (I’m definitely not an overthinker and I’m way too impatient) but what ever floats your boat. Good to know that talking to oneself can be considered a hobby… I’ll add it to my list of why I’m so busy in retirement.
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I don’t have a lot of challenges in my life—mostly retired, empty nest, very few daily chores. I just needed a bit of distraction from the current world situation—and what’s better than books?
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