The ThriftBooks Blog

By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 29, 2021

On this date in 1595, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was first performed (not officially published until 1597). Although the renowned tragedy was by no means the first literary story of doomed love, it coined the phrase "star-cross'd lovers" and continues to inspire heartbreaking sagas even today.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 27, 2021

International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the liberation of Auschwitz on January 27 in 1945. For so many reasons, it is important to learn about this dark chapter in history. The books highlighted here offer a variety of perspectives and stories for all ages.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 22, 2021

Even though we try to shield them from it, children pick up the stress we are feeling. They may not be able to talk about it. They may even think they are protecting us by not bringing it up. That’s why it’s important for adults to address tough topics with their kids. Here are some age-appropriate books that can help with tough topics kids might be thinking about right now like the pandemic, lonliness, and financial worries.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 21, 2021

Newly streaming on Netflix, the movie Radium Girls is based on the book of the same name. The novel chronicles the harrowing fight of the young working-class women who took on corporate America in the 1920s after being poisoned by working with radium paint in clock factories.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 15, 2021

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's successful first book, Poor Folk, came out 175 years ago today when the author was only 24 years old. But in a life beset by drama worthy of, say, a Russian novel, it would be many years before he produced a notable follow-up. Here we explore the literary giant’s best books and how they mirror his extraordinary life.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 13, 2021

Today is Korean American Day, a celebration of the considerable contributions of Korean Americans to our society. Starting with Younghill Kang, the father of Korean-American literature, there is a robust body of literature infused by this rich cultural background. Here are seven of our favorite recent novels by Korean Americans.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 08, 2021

Elvis Presley was born eighty-five years ago today. Tragically, the thrilling entertainer died when he was only forty-two. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the twentieth century, he pioneered a bold new style of music. Here are seven things you may not have known about him.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 06, 2021

It's a new year and for us that means lots of new books to curl up with on these cold winter days! January is packed with must-reads. Here are eleven releases that we're excited about this month, along with suggestions of what you might want to read first.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 01, 2021

New Year's resolutions? For some reason, we're just not in the mood. This year consider adopting a set of anti-resolutions. Or in other words, just embrace the real you, warts and all.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • December 30, 2020

This time of year has lots of us thinking about how we can help the world to be a better place. This post features six extraordinary heroes across the past century who haven’t been afraid to take on big challenges for change.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • December 23, 2020

The time has come to pick our favorite books of the year. It’s never easy to choose, but we’ve narrowed it down. Here are our top choices, plus a runner-up, from each of six genres. You can see the full list of contenders here.

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