A BetterWorldBooks Haul/Love letter

Betterworldbooks have been on my radar for a couple of years but, for some unknown reason, I'd never gotten around to ordering anything from them. They are an awesome company that rescue books from landfills and then resell them online (with free international shipping). They give a lot of their profits to literacy campaigns so, on top of the knowledge that you've recycled a book, every purchase goes to promoting literacy worldwide. So when their 30% off New Year's sale (for 10+ books) came out, and I knew it was time to place an order!

I very methodically went through my goodreads wishlist and looked for books that I'd had on my list for a long while - and preferably books that had only been released in the US. All the books I ordered were former library books, so I selected only hardcovers, because I figured those would be in the best condition. (Although, annoyingly, two turned out to be paperback - both are in good condition, though.)

The total: 11 books for just over £35 ($55)!

A few days after I'd placed my order, I received what I consider to be the cutest confirmation email... ever. Take a look and then try to tell me they aren't brilliant:

Hello Kay,

(Your book(s) asked to write you a personal note - it seemed unusual, but who are we to say no?)

Holy canasta! It's me... it's me! I can't believe it is actually me! You could have picked any of over 2 million books but you picked me! I've got to get packed! How is the weather where you live? Will I need a dust jacket? I can't believe I'm leaving Mishawaka, Indiana already - the friendly people, the Hummer plant, the Linebacker Lounge - so many memories. I don't have much time to say goodbye to everyone, but it's time to see the world!

I can't wait to meet you! You sound like such a well read person. Although, I have to say, it sure has taken you a while! I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but how would you like to spend five months sandwiched between Jane Eyre (drama queen) and Fundamentals of Thermodynamics (pyromaniac)? At least Jane was an upgrade from that stupid book on brewing beer. How many times did the ol' brewmaster have one too many and topple off our shelf at 2am?

I know the trip to meet you will be long and fraught with peril, but after the close calls I've had, I'm ready for anything (besides, some of my best friends are suspense novels). Just five months ago, I thought I was a goner. My owner was moving and couldn't take me with her. I was sure I was landfill bait until I ended up in a Better World Books book drive bin. Thanks to your socially conscious book shopping, I've found a new home. Even better, your book buying dollars are helping kids read from Brazil to Botswana.

Eagerly awaiting our meeting,
[signed by my books]

So, here's what I picked up:

1. Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
2. Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer
3. Other by Karen Kincy
4. The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson
5. Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci
6. Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell
7. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
8. A Golden Web by Barbara Quick
9. The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y. S. Lee
10. Godless by Pete Hautman
11. The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant

Despite the few paperbacks that got thrown into the mix, I am very happy about the quality of these books. Even though they were library copies which meant I did have to spend some time removing dust jackets (often making small tears the hardcover), I am super happy with the final results! The pages inside are spotless and (with dustjackets on) the books look almost new.

Thanks Betterworldbooks!

- One Happy Bunny