The ThriftBooks Blog
2015 Man Booker Prize: the shortlist is up
By Hugo Munday • September 16, 2015
Yesterday the shortlist of 6 finalists for the 2015 Man Booker Prize for fiction were announced. There is one debut novelist in Chigozie Obioma, but other than that the list is made up of known quantities. Here are some thoughts.
Marlon James has made it to the shortlist for the first time, continuing a prolific hit rate after John Crow's Body was a finalist for the LA Times Book prize and his The Book of Night Women also became a finalist in the 2010 National Book Critics Circle award.
10 Titles You Lit-erally Need to Read
By Eva • September 14, 2015
Five words you never want to hear in a comparative lit class?
"Yeah, going off of that..."
Which, when translated to normal human speak, actually means "This in no way relates to the point you just made, but I really love to hear myself talk." Every English major knows the scenario: The class circles up after reading (or not reading) a beautifully crafted piece of literature, and an intellectually-indulged twenty-something decides to hijack the discussion with the deluded idea that they have the book completely figured out. But the thing about great literature is that no one has managed to totally figure it out – that's why it stands apart as a selection of work that we all keep coming back to. Plus nothing kills an engaging class discussion quite like an unchecked know-it-all. Whether you're the type of student who's read the book before it was assigned, or who only highlights quotes they find on sparknotes, these ten works of literature are worth a second (or third) read. And here's a plus; two of them are comic books.
15% Off Literature and Fiction
By Hugo Munday • September 09, 2015
For a good portion of September, Thrift Books is offering all books in our Literature & Fiction category at 15% off, if you use the code LITFIC at checkout.
Our Back to School discount ended at the end of August, but it wasn't lost on us that we could serve some of those returning students into September by offering a discount on ALL the used books in one of our largest categories.
Ten Reads to Establish Your Fictional Sense of Direction
By Melina Lynne • September 02, 2015
Have you ever solicited new book ideas from your friends, or posted your inquiry on Facebook, Twitter or some other form of social media? What you hear back is generally a pitch for their favorite author, genre, series, etc., and, ultimately, you realize you are no further in your quest for a new read than when you started. Plus you will now have to answer the question, "So, did you read it?" several times over the weeks and months to come. Sounding familiar?
Agatha Christie: A Woman of Mystery
By Melina Lynne • August 24, 2015
Who doesn't like a little mystery in their life? We spend each day so lost in the routine of working, taking care of the kids, cooking, cleaning, etc. that it becomes hard to carve out a few moments during the day that we can make completely about ourselves. However, sometimes an opportunity to step into another world with a good (especially discounted!) book, and use those parts of our brain that we feel go dormant at times, is much needed. Who better to stimulate our thrill-seeking, mystery-solving, crime-fighting selves than one of the best-selling authors of all time, Agatha Christie.
Just Kidding About the end of Back to School
By Hugo Munday • August 18, 2015
We've been feeling the love from readers across the globe about the Back to School sale, so much so, that we've decided to extend it. We're offering 15% off until the end of Sunday, August 23rd at midnight PST. Same code at checkout gives you the savings. TBTEXTBOOKS.
Actually we're feeling the used book love from a bunch of different directions. We asked some bloggers to sample Thriftbooks.com and publish their thoughts. They come at the site from different perspectives but in general the reaction is a big thumbs up.
3 Books Every College Student Should Read
By Serge Cruise • August 13, 2015
When today's college students are reading, their literary canon is centered on textbooks, course related articles, and manuscripts. Only a few students create the opportunity to read beyond the confines of their coursework and for many this is a missed opportunity. What about the books that will help you make the most of these precious years, not just the years that come after?
Just Do It
By Eva • August 10, 2015
Getting things done ahead of time is one of the most rewarding practices but, if you're anything like me, it's also one of the most challenging. I am a serial procrastinator and have been since I was old enough to pronounce the word. I'm not saying I don't do my work – I get things done on time and I don't settle for anything less than my best. But sometimes (okay most times) I don't leave myself enough time to get things done at a reasonable rate. The result? An ungodly amount of self-inflicted stress accompanied by a questionable rate of caffeine ingestion, with absolutely zero sleep (side effects usually include extreme irritability, emotional instability, stress eating, and a generally troll-like appearance).
Top Tips for Back to School
By Billy Doux • August 07, 2015
No one sums up the bitter/sweet, back-to-school feeling better than Joe Fox in that beloved movie "You've Got Mail":
"I would send you a bouquet of neatly sharpened pencils."
One Book, Two Books, We'll Find You Books
By Billy Doux • August 06, 2015
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