The ThriftBooks Blog

By Ashly Moore Sheldon • December 21, 2020

Have you heard of the Alex Awards? Established in 1998, they celebrate books written for adults that have special appeal for younger readers, aged twelve to eighteen. These intergenerational, or crossover, books can serve as wonderful connection points between parents and teens.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • December 16, 2020

In this time of COVID, we've had to get creative about how best to stay connected with family and friends. During the holiday season this may feel more important than ever. Here are 5 ideas of how to spend some quality, virtual time with your loved ones.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • December 09, 2020

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • December 04, 2020

Our current circumstances have a lot of people talking about the Nordic tradition known as friluftsliv (pronounced free-loofts-liv). Translated as open air life, it is the idea of spending as much time outdoors as possible, no matter the weather. So get on out there!

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • December 02, 2020

This is one of our favorite months for reading. The list of titles coming up in December is packed with must-reads. This week we feature ten new and upcoming novels, along with suggestions of what you can read first.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • November 27, 2020

You may not know what it is, but chances are you've read one. By definition, an epistolary novel is one made up partly or entirely of documents like letters, diary entries, newspaper articles, or emails. These stories capture the longing we feel for togetherness in times of separation. Here are ten of our favorites.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • November 20, 2020

For many of us, 2020 has been a tough year. From the pandemic to natural disasters to divisive political battles, it has been one thing after another. Finding gratitude for the good things may feel harder than usual, but one thing that never fails to make us feel thankful is books!

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • November 18, 2020

Margaret Atwood is 81 years old today! The renowned Canadian author has been publishing poetry, novels, nonfiction, children’s books, and more since 1961, but her star just keeps on rising. Known largely for books like The Handmaid’s Tale, you may be surprised to learn that speculative fiction actually represents a small fraction of the versatile author’s work.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • November 12, 2020

Are you noticing a proliferation of furry faces around you? Maybe it's due to cooler weather, but more likely it's because of Movember, a month dedicated to raising awareness around men's health—with facial hair. Here's our recommended reading list.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • November 11, 2020

November is Native American Heritage Month—a great time to pick up some of the resonant new titles by and about Indigenous people. We’ve curated a list of standouts in poetry, nonfiction, and fiction from the last several years. For younger readers, check out our post from last November.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • November 06, 2020

STEAM stands for Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math. That covers a lot of ground doesn’t it? But what it really boils down to is applying a mix of curiosity, innovation, and determination to solve problems. Here are fifteen inspiring picture books featuring real-life STEAM heroes.

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