BARTERTOWN

Item 15: A lovely cranberry skirt!

2007-06-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

Cranberry colored corduroy skirt from Urban Outfitters

Where do faux-hipsters and college students with disposable income go to blow their student loan checks? Urban Outfitters of course! Here is a lovely long corduroy skirt from that very store...it's never been worn and still has its tags attached....wow! I will let my lovely female counterpart describe the size etc.
*** Ahem. Faux-hipstress here to describe it further. This is labeled a "Size 13" (I would venture to say it's a bit smaller than "13" - who has size 13 skirts, anyway? - and might be closer to a pencil-skirted 10.) It's 100% cotton (faux corduroy, perhaps?) and machine washable (woohoo!) and the label is "Lux." There's a slit up the front of the skirt to about knee-length, and the skirt has pockets, which is rare these days. It's a lovely little thing, never worn. Give it a home, and it will accompany you to many a fine cultured event.

Item 20: The Reader's Companion to American History (hardcover)

2007-06-12T20:29:00.000-07:00

The Reader's Companion to American History (hardcover)

This is one massive book (we recommend picking this one up, unless you own stock in a postage company). This enormous book covers the history of America from it's inception up to the new millennium! That's a lot of info...and a lot of cool pictures, photos and maps too. A great read for a sick day (or maternity leave....) or a great addition to a student's library (would be a great help with reports and essays).

Item 19: School Projects: Papers & Presentations (softcover)

2007-06-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

School Projects: Papers & Presentations (softcover)

Why not get a jump start on your kid's upcoming work load? Here's a nice little book that offers a myriad of school projects ( including papers, presentations, science-type projects etc.). It also offers up some tips on verbally connecting with your kids so you can help them more effectively. Spookylibrarians are child-free....so maybe one of you folks out there can get some use out of this donated library book?

Item 18: A clutch of Sewing Magazines (lot #1)

2007-06-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

A clutch of Sewing Magazines (lot #1)

Fancy yourself a costumer? Would you like to learn? Well here are 4 brand new sewing magazines, never touched - patterns and tips intact! Why not pick them up and brighten the day of your favorite tailor or seamstress?

Item 17: Marlowe's Shakespeare (hardcover)

2007-06-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

Marlowe's Shakespeare (hardcover)

We have a ton of Shakespeare books around the Spookylibrarian lair, so we're culling the herd. This is another of the Classics series...bound nicely and gilded up real purty-like. Full of wonderful works by the original high school English class buzz-kill himself. Would make a handsome addition to your library, s'truth?

Item 16: To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf (softcover)

2007-06-12T19:57:00.000-07:00

To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf (soft cover)

Wow...what can be said about this "instant classic" of pagan literature? It is indeed about a "new generation of witchcraft" and is actually one of the strange library-donated tomes that I took the time to read. Ms. Ravenwolf ( if that is your real name!) covers a lot of ground in this book...getting started, creating/joining covens, divination, spellcraft, herbs, potions you name it....
If you're interested in pagan religions, white witchcraft or you're just looking for a light read from a weird author, this one is right up your alley.

* please note white rat "familiar" is NOT included*

Item 14: Soccer Coach's Guide.... (hardcover)

2007-06-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

Soccer Coaches Guide to Practices, Drills and Skill Training (hardcover)

Ah yes, another summertime favorite here in the Midwest and a multitude of foreign nations...ye olde' soccer. Most librarians are notoriously poor athletes [sorry for the shocking spoiler] so the spookylibrarians really have very little use for this book. I'm sure it's chock full of wonderful tips and coaching techniques...there sure are a lot of diagrams and pics too. Would be a wonderful gift for that sporty person in your life.

Item 13: Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self (audiobook)

2007-06-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self (audiobook)

This curious "audiobook" showed up at our library one afternoon and has never even been opened...still in its shrink wrap. From what I can gather at various retail sites, this audio book is geared toward women...to help them excavate their authentic self and shut the door on their unauthentic pasts....
I have no idea what this means...but then again, women are a mysterious lot. Apparently this author also penned another popular self-help book called "Simple Abundance".

Summertime is upon us and this cassette series might be just the thing to get you through those great plains states
Let my ignorance can be your gain!

Item 12: Swing: The New Retro Renaissance! (softcover)

2007-06-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

Swing: The New Retro Renaissance! (softcover)

Hey cats and kittens, why not take a look at this hip book on all things swing! Just ignore the crappy pic above and think about all the cool info you could be thumbing through...reviews of tons of swing bands, the history of swing....the lindy hop, charleston, east and west coast swing...even interviews with some of the icons of the "new retro renaissance". A lot of cool material in a large, coffe-table style soft cover book! Recommended.

Item 11: War of the Rings (PC Game)

2007-06-12T19:28:00.000-07:00

War of the Rings (PC Game) from Sierra

Man, I can't say enough good things about this nifty lil' strategy game the windows pc.
It is, of course, set in Middle Earth and you can play as either the side of good or the nifty and powerful side of evil. If you're looking for a change from World of Warcraft or you just want to kick elves about (as you should) this might be just the thing you need!

This was passed along to me by a good friend in the horror show biz and I have had an absolute blast playing it...so now it's time to pass it to someone else who wants to do a little orc-stompin!
It comes with the game discs and the instruction manual (including the serial number...so it's all legal-like)

Item 10: "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy (hardcover)

2007-06-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy (hardcover)

Are you bored by today's vapid literary "masterpieces"? Are you all stressed out at work and suffering from nightly bouts of insomnia? Constipated and spending too much time in the other "library"? Well have I got just the thing for you! Leo "Mad Man" Tolstoy's lengthy missive about war and peace, religion and perdition, anguish and joy....it covers it all and then some.

This book is of the "classics collection" which means it well-bound, gilded and a has a built-in bookmark! Looks great on a shelf or under an extremely wonky table-leg.

ITEM 9: Field Guide to American Architecture (paperback)

2007-06-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

A Field Guide to American Architecture by Carole Rifkind

The pitch: Impress your friends and family with your newfound architectural and historical knowledge! This is chock-full of drawings which I was tempted to use for nefarious artistic purposes, so act quick and save this sterling publication from some bohemian fate.

Item 8: Westward Tilt: The American West Today (hardcover)

2007-06-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

Westward Tilt: The American West Today (hardcover)

Howdy pard'ner. Do you like the rootin' tootin' wild west? Well, there's no accounting for taste.... Just kidding! Here's a book that will get your chaps in a knot, it's all about America's westward expansion! It's sub-titled "The American West Today", which at one time was the absolute truth, but that day was in the halcyon days of 19 and 63.
A curious tome for lovers of the west...another donated book that needs "room to roam"...so don't "fence it in", make an offer!

ITEM 7: Animal Rights (paperback)

2007-06-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

Animal Rights: Opposing Viewpoints (hardcover)

The pitch: Have a debate party and use this to prepare! The Opposing Viewpoints series tackles all sorts of issues. This one centers on the plight of green rabbits. (Actually, it's a collection of essays on the subject of animal rights in general.) This was another donated library book and might make good material for a school report. Or you could enlarge the cover photo and use it to frighten people.

ITEM 6: Why Paint Cats? (softcover)

2007-06-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

Why Paint Cats? (softcover)

Ah yes, an eternal question.... I would suggest that the best reason to paint cats is because it is still socially unacceptable to paint infants. My publisher changed his number after I sent in my final draft of that soon to be classic...*sigh*
Anyhoo, "Why Paint Cats" is a wonderful coffee table book full of fancy color photos of neurotic cat owners who've violated their felines dignity and trust by airbrushing them all sorts of garish colors! Wheee! We actually owned this book prior to this copy showing up....and we only have one coffee table...so our spare is your gain!

ITEM 5: Woody Guthrie Biography (hardcover)

2007-06-12T18:51:00.000-07:00

Woody Guthrie: American Balladeer by Janelle Yates

The pitch: Who wouldn't love an Earthy biography about an Earthy folk icon like Mr. Guthrie? Commies.....that's who.
Being librarians means receiving a lot of weird donated items...this small biography on Woody Guthrie...small enough to fit in your denim knapsack, right next to that water skin full of strawberry wine and your 8 track of Freedom Rock. Hard cover to withstand your next dirt-laden drumming circle.....

ITEM 4: Sarum (hardcover)

2007-06-12T18:50:00.000-07:00

Sarum: The Novel of England by Edward Rutherfurd

The pitch: Like England? Not going anywhere for a while? This book is over a thousand pages long and traces the history of Britain from ancient to modern times. If you don't like British history, it also makes a handy doorstop. I've read this a few times since I got it as a teenager, and am now willing to let it go and entertain someone else. Or keep someone's door open.

ITEM 3: Small Mod Photo Album

2007-06-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

Small Mod Holographic Photo Album

The pitch: Dude, this is one trippy photo album. It holds 40 4 x 6 photos and is made of that 3-D - looking vinyl that, um, looks really cool but is difficult to describe. We think this came from an Archie McPhee surprise box and we were going to use it for Meet Cleaver Theatre photos, but since we have digital cameras, we never even got around to opening it from its pristine plastic wrap. It would make an excellent gift to anyone who likes the '60s. Or photos.

ITEM 2: Green Suede Blank Book

2007-06-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

Green and Pink Blank Book/Journal

The pitch: It's cute! It's fuzzy! It's small (6 inches high, 4 inches wide)! It has a little built-in pink ribbon to use as a bookmark! I used about four pages before coming to terms with the fact that my spidery handwriting and left-handedness do not match well with such tiny and tightly-bound blank books. The pages I mangled have been torn out, leaving you with 200 or so blank pages to record your dreams, your diet plans, or your gas mileage.

ITEM 1: Five Hundred Years After (paperback)

2007-06-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

Five Hundred Years After, Steven Brust

The pitch: Our first Bartertown entry is a worthy book by an even worthier author! I picked this up at a used bookstore over the winter, not realizing I already had a copy. If you like the swashbuckling of The Three Musketeers but wish they would have gotten the hell out of France and into a different reality altogether, this is the book for you. In small, travel-friendly paperback format.

Welcome to Bartertown

2007-06-12T10:48:00.000-07:00

Two things enter! Two things leave! Wait, that's not right.

What Is This?

The Spooky Librarians have done their spring cleaning and have found themselves with a pile of random stuff they don't know what to do with. Then they thought that perhaps they could make it more interesting by trading with others. If you see something you like, make us an offer. Tangible goods, intangible goods, we're interested in it all. Got some books? Are you handy about the house (we need to hang some lights in the garage)? Can you make a mean lasagna? Wanna be an extra in a horror host show? Make an offer!

How Do I Make An Offer?

You can either post your offer in the comments for the object you'd like, or email us at info(AT)spookylibrarians.com (replace the (AT) with @, you know the drill). If you email us, put "bartertown" in the subject line somewhere so we don't consign your message to the spam compactor inadvertently.

How Long Is This Going On?

Until we can buy our freedom here in Bartertown! Er, not really. The Spooky Librarians Bartertown will be open over the summer and then close down in the fall.

What If I Back Out at the Last Minute?

You know the rules of Bartertown! Break a deal, spin the wheel! Muhahahaha!