I find free stuff online all the time, but have been skipping over the kindle books. Now I know that I can save and read Kindle books on my computer. How exciting!

This Jigsaw Words book is one of many listed free on Amazon. They have cookbooks, other Jigsaw Word book, and many others. Amazon even posts a list of the top 100 free kindle books on their Best Sellers page. You can easily download the needed computer application from there as well.

I am not promoting Amazon and I am not an affiliate. I just want to share freebies.

I am currently reading my way through a Berkley Prime Crime Mystery series by Lorna Barrett. The heroine in all the stories is the owner of a bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue.  If you like books, bookstores, and easy read mysteries you will will enjoy these books.

The three that I have read so far are:

MURDER IS BINDING

BOOKMARKED FOR DEATH

BOOKPLATE SPECIAL

I am looking forward to the next one, CHAPTER AND HEARSE and then the newest title is SENTENCED TO DEATH.  Even the titles are fun!

I do not have any of these books for sale, but I did find some on eBay by other sellers.

Chris Woodworth is an Indiana author.  I saw a small article about her in our local newspaper a year or so ago.  I wasn’t able to go to the event, but I saved the article so I wouldn’t forget to follow up.  I found three of Chris’s books at our local library. This book was her first.

When Ratboy Lived Next Door is about a junior high girl, Lydia, and some very real challenges in her life.  I found myself reminicing about my childhood as I read her story.  The author captured small town life in such a way that includes the true to life problems as well as the fun.  There is a plot involving serious issues  that are not apparent from the lighthearted cover artwork, such as an abusive alcoholic husband living next door. 

I recommend this book and I am now reading Chris Woodworth’s second, Georgie’s Moon.

I love old books, especially childrens books.  I enjoy taking the pages out of books that are falling apart and giving them new purpose.  I made these bookmarks from old flash cards and pages from a 1946 Dick and Jane book.  The flash card paper has tanned a bit and the book was falling apart.  Together they make fun bookmarks or tags for scrapbooking.

Our local flea market is the first Sunday of every month, 6 months inside then 6 months outside.  The outdoors sales always draw more vendors – and more shoppers.  The indoor sales, though smaller, are easier on everyone because of climate control.

I don’t set up every month, but will be there tomorrow with two friends from the old Mustard Seed store.  They always bring handmade goods.  I plan to surprise them with a few of my own crafty items this time. (With emphasis on the word few.) 

If you are in the Lafayette, Indiana area please stop by the fairgrounds from 7 to 2 p.m.  We will be inside the Home Ec Building, and the building beside it, this month and next.  The larger outdoor sales will begin in May.

March 2 is Read Across America Day.   Many of our schools and libraries are participating.  This sounds like a great idea to a book lover like me. 

Whether you read on paper or on screen, pick up a book and read…if you can read with a child that’s even better!  This is an annual celebration that takes place around the time of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  You can read more about it at the National Education Association’s web site.

I plan to read one of my Dr. Seuss books just for fun.  What will you be reading?

I have friends that use their imaginations to turn recycling into an art.  Today I got the chance to scan a few of Carol’s newly made ”book hearts” to share with you.  She was on her way to the Kokomo show (see events on our home page) so I didn’t have time for more than a few photographs.  She plans to insert sprigs of rosemary and other herbs to add another touch of charm to these notes made from the end pages of damaged books. Each heart is creased to fold in the middle. The other side is blank for writing a few lines.

The Anteater of Death caught my eye. It has an unusual title and it was the only audio book at the library with a zoo animal on the cover.  The first scene opens with the anteater, Lucy, thinking out loud.  Making Lucy a main character in the plot was a very interesting approach that had me hooked on the story right from the beginning. 

I hope to find more of Betty Webb’s books on CD.  If not, I may have to actually take a break and read her others in paper format.

I often listen to audio books while I work.  Have any of you listened to good books that you care to recommend?

Carol, my business partner, makes cards from trashed books.  It is a good way to salvage good parts of books that have lived a rough life. I loved this one so much that I bought it.  It sits on a shelf in my home next to an old family photograph of a little girl, my mother-in-law, sitting on a horse.

The caption reads: THREE MEMBERS OF A TEMPERANCE SOCIETY

Perhaps, once I finish my below mentioned organizing, I will be able to show off some cards of my own…please stay tuned.

I literally shopped until ready to drop today.  Yard sales can be hard work!

When I hit a bunch of good garage sales in the same day it seems silly to stop.  Since I spend at least every other weekend at my shop it is a treat to have the time free to hunt for treasure.

I found over 100 books today and most of them only cost a dime!  I think sellers are more motivated late in the day, so die-hard shoppers like me get some super deals.

I ended up with very good condition paperbacks to put in my spin rack at bargain prices.  I will make a little money for my trouble and win over some repeat customers in the process. There were only a few good titles at one little sale – a Twilight book and Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey.  The dust jackets had been discarded. (gasp!) They were not charging much so I went ahead and got the books anyway. Another place had vintage Disney hardcovers for 50¢ …my car is loaded with books!

I met some nice local people today. I tend to visit wherever I go. Garage sales are no exception.  I stopped at a house on the edge of town that ended up belonging to one of our regular Mustard Seed customers.  We had a nice talk while I shopped at her place for a change!