The ThriftBooks Blog

By Ashly Moore Sheldon • June 17, 2020

Celebrity activism isn’t uncommon. In fact, it sometimes seems like many stars jump on the philanthropic bandwagon simply to boost their image. But historically, standing up and speaking out could be risky for entertainers. Here are eleven celebrities who took bold stands for change.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • June 07, 2020

As the U.S. grapples with nationwide unrest following the death of yet another black man in police custody, lots of the kids in our lives are asking tough questions. Here are twelve books that can help young readers understand the reasons behind the anger and the need for activism.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • February 26, 2020

Here's the last in our Black History Month series, featuring great black writers from four genres. The publishing industry is sorely lacking in diversity, so it is important to shine a light on authors of color. This week, we feature Horror and Mystery. Here are nine writers who offer scary, thrilling, addictive reads.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • February 19, 2020

For Black History month we're bringing you a series featuring great black writers from four genres. This week, we feature Science Fiction/Fantasy, also known as Speculative Fiction. Here are nine authors who are blowing our minds.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • February 12, 2020

For Black History month we've decided to bring you a series featuring great black writers from four distinct genres. This week, in anticipation of Valentine's Day, our focus is romance. Here are nine authors who will leave you blushing and swooning.

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By Ashly Moore Sheldon • January 08, 2020

This week we celebrate the birthday of writer and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. Largely unappreciated in her lifetime, the trailblazing author's writings saw a resurgence after Alice Walker's 1975 essay called her "the patron saint of black women writers." Here we review five of her essential titles.

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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 • November 02, 2018

Since Oprah's original Book Club launched in 1996, it's evolved and taken on different forms, but it's still going strong because, well, she's Oprah. She's recommended 79+ books, plus written a few of her own (no pun intended), all of which invariably enhance the world of readers, even if it's just by making them think for a few pages. Below are nine recent titles, plus the one it all began with, so peruse and choose what speaks to you. Oh, and you can shop right from our blog!

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By Beth Clark • August 28, 2018

At the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech to a crowd of 250,000. The Civil Rights Movement—and the world—were forever changed by the words of one man.

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By Beth Clark • August 23, 2018

Back to school time means beach reads come out of your bag and textbooks go in, but that doesn't mean the fun is over. While we (obviously) embrace all things learning and reading (because books), even we have to admit that some textbooks are a bit, um...dry. To ease the transition, here are 22 alternative academic titles that are entertaining, practical and, well, educational.

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