When Rachel Moncada was younger, she flew through book after book in the scary, young-adult “Goosebumps” series by R.L. Stine. On Sunday, she was on the hunt for those same books at the Vancouver Community Library book sale so she could share them with her stepsons.
“I loved ‘Goosebumps,’ and I had every single one,” the 30-year-old Vancouver woman said, adding that today’s children have been reintroduced to the series thanks to the recently released “Goosebumps” movie. “What was I thinking getting rid of all those books?”
The weekend sale had plenty to offer book lovers, including fiction, text books, children’s, history, biographies, and humor.
On Saturday, the books were on sale for a substantial markdown in price. On Sunday, those low prices were slashed in half.
The seven “Harry Potter” books in hardback were priced at $30 all together. The four-book “Twilight” saga in hardback was $10.50 for the set. Classic paperbacks “Little Women” and “Pride and Prejudice” were $1 each.
Although Moncada couldn’t find exactly what she was looking for at the book sale, the library had “Goosebumps” available for checkout. Stepson Dominic Moncada, 9, checked out book No. 38, “The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena.” His brother, 8-year-old Al, checked out the “Goosebumps” thriller “Dr. Maniac Will See You Now.”
The boys’ little sister had a different kind of book in mind, and this one was for keeps.
“I love elephants so much,” 6-year-old Lily said while showing off the book she planned to buy at the sale: “Elephants Cannot Dance!” by Mo Willems.
The children’s father, Bernie Moncada, also shared his family’s love of books. He grabbed his phone and brought up a photo of their bookshelf, which is about 30 feet wide and 7 feet tall, and stuffed with reference texts, books about philosophy and foreign language, cookbooks, art books, and more.
“We have a ton of books — shelf after shelf,” Rachel Moncada said. She said she wants to keep the kids interested in reading and “to make them actually enjoy it.”
Supporting the library
The books on sale during the event were donated from library patrons, and proceeds from the sale go to Friends of the Vancouver Community Library, who organized the event. The group helps support some library programs and operates the Booknook near the library’s entrance, where guests can find books year-round for just $1, said Nancy Stepsis of Friends of the Vancouver Community Library.
The group is considering having another book sale next fall, Stepsis said. Much of what wasn’t sold over the weekend will either be added to the Booknook or sold online, she said.
Craig and Polly Wohlgemuth of Vancouver volunteered at the sale Sunday. He worked the cash register while she helped answer customers’ questions. The couple was there for two reasons, Polly Wohlgemuth said.
“It gets us out and helps us to volunteer in the community,” she said. And, “we came because of the variety of the books, and the fact that they’re reasonably priced. … It’s a win-win for us.”
Volunteers said a steady stream of customers came to the sale over the weekend, and that Sunday was busier than Saturday.
“It’s a real bargain,” Polly Wohlgemuth said.
