The ThriftBooks Blog

By Beth Clark • February 20, 2019

Black history IS history, and Black History Month is a time to celebrate both contemporary and traditional black history, beginning with a nod to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the scholar who established what we now celebrate in an effort to collect, document, and backfill all of the history that was missing because it never made it into the books. Below are 14 scientists, mathematicians, and engineers who have made significant contributions to furthering the human race for people of all color.

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By Beth Clark • February 14, 2019

Valentine's Day is all about love, and who do you love more than books?? ??

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By Beth Clark • February 08, 2019

Literary-themed bars across the US beg the question: Are you really alone if you're with the spirit(s) of your favorite authors or books? We don't think so. (And we're betting you've taken a book into a bar before.) Below are 9 establishments bookworms can drink their books in or even borrow one from the bar's library to read while sipping a cocktail.

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By Beth Clark • February 05, 2019

If you've ever unintentionally (or not) chosen disaster, lost your way, lost yourself, or wondered what the point of adulting is, or if there even is one, chances are good that you'll love Choose Your Own Disaster by journalist, author, and Entertainment Weekly correspondent, Dana Schwartz. In her own words: "I wrote this book about love and sex and eating disorders and traveling and career uncertainty. I hope you read it and maybe feel less alone."

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By Beth Clark • January 31, 2019

Did you know that Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl series, also wrote book #6 in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams? Or that David Foster Wallace's editor finished writing The Pale King? True story. Turns out, there have been other handoffs and collaborations, so here are five of the best and the stories behind them.

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By Beth Clark • January 28, 2019

Between Jack Frost, Robert Frost, Mark Frost, and a blizzard of other Frosts, the literary world is as Frosty as a snowman. Below are a few Frosts that you can enjoy during the depths of winter without having to put mittens on. In fact, it kinda works better if you don't so you can turn the pages.

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By Beth Clark • January 25, 2019

Hot Chocolate is the global go-to after playing in the snow, après-ski (plus peppermint schnapps, of course), or when you're snowed in, so here are some pro tips on making your own hot cocoa, along with some other ways to warm your body and soul in the chilly depths of winter.

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By Beth Clark • January 22, 2019

If the term "self-help" makes you roll your eyes or the thought of going on a play date with your inner tween makes you cringe, then this blog is for you! (Note: we do use the term "self-help" but only because the thesaurus alternatives are lame and "independent quest for human improvement" doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.)

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By Beth Clark • January 17, 2019

Refrigerator art and experimental LEGO cars are proof kids have vivid imaginations, but sometimes they have ideas for ingenious things that change the world, like popsicles (age 11), the trampoline (age 16), swim flippers (age 11), and earmuffs (age 15). What would you do if your kidventor came up with a mind-bending invention that was actually viable? The parents of the kids below all answered, "Patent it, build it, and/or sell it!"

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By Beth Clark • January 15, 2019

When diets developed for certain populations or conditions go viral and become fads overnight, unintended chaos can ensue and create challenging fallout for the originally intended group. It can feel like suddenly being surrounded by decoys and finding yourself in a bad TV game show called "Will the Real Celiac Please Stand Up?" We zeroed in on a few 'fad' diets that are actually lifestyles, including gluten-free, vegan, and keto, and came up with some interesting pros, cons, and effects of their mainstream surge in popularity. (And found some excellent guides, cookbooks, and other resources a lot of you will want to put in your carts!)

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