There’s something undeniably magical about adding books to my collection. Whether they’re fresh off the press or those well-loved secondhand treasures, each one adds to my bookshelf of happiness. Granted, once they find their way to that shelf, they might be there for a long, long, long while, but just the joy of knowing they are there is a bliss all of its own kind.

Today, I’m sharing the latest additions to my bookshelf of happiness, and some tips. After all, isn’t there always room for just one more book? And I try not to buy too many other things unless we really need them, so there is always room for just one more book!

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For this week’s theme of latest bookish additions over at That Artsy Reader Girl

The Latest Additions to My Bookshelf of Happiness

• And Thereby Hangs a Tale by Jeffrey Archer (Contemporary British Fiction) 
• Deadeye Dick by Kurt Vonnegut (Literary Satire). My daughter’s pick for she wanted to read more Vonnegut after reading Slaughterhouse Five in high school
• The Great Book of French Impressionism by Diane Kelder (Art). My dh’s pick simply because…
• Kafka on the Shore by Murakami (Historical Literary). Not sure if this was mine or my son’s pick.
• The Math Book by Clifford A. Pickover (Mathematics History). A very cool read and a great gift for math geeks!
• Measure What Matters by John Doerr (Strategic Management). Another choice of my DH.
• Pinochhio by Carlo Collodi (Fiction). This is the second Pinocchio I have picked up in the past couple of years!
• Realm of Algebra by Isaac Asimov (Math). This could have been either mine or my dh’s pick, can’t recall now.
• Seriously… I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres (Humor Essays). I picked this from the local library’s sale
• Tales of India: The Windermere Series

Note: all these books are either from favorite used book stores (three of them, in this case) or library book sales (one of them here).

10 (Un)usual Places to Find Books for Your Bookshelf of Happiness

Building a bookshelf of happiness doesn’t always mean heading to the nearest regular bookstore or clicking “add to cart” online. Sometimes, the most delightful finds come from the most unexpected places! Here are 10 not-the-usual spots where you can stumble upon your next treasured read.

1. Little Free Libraries: I love peeking into any and every LFL I see whenever I am out and about on foot, and sometimes, stop the car to check them out when possible while driving too. I have found surprising gems left by fellow book lovers within, and if I don’t have a book to leave to honor the ‘take a book, leave a book’ idea of these LFLs, I do it later at a neighborhood one. And they’re free!
2. Thrift stores and consignment shops: When my daughter wants me to take her thrifting, I always look for that corner of the store with used books, and I always find a good book each time! A couple of today’s books are from the local Goodwill!
3. Libraries’ used book sales: While I don’t often go to the library for physical books nowadays, each visit ensures a stop at their friends of the library books for sale corner and I never leave without one.
4. Book Vending Machines: Have you seen one anywhere? I am yet to but know where the closest ones are, just haven’t had a chance to go there.
   • On a side note, there are also short story vending machines you can use for a quick read! Here is a map to check out the closest one near you
5. Yard Sales and Estate Sales: When I see ads for these locally, I try to go when I can, if only to look for the books they every likely have, like treasures!
6. Flea Markets: Another fun place to explore for everything they have, and books! We also love to get whimsical decor and music records for our Victrola each trip to our local flea market. And you can’t beat the prices!
7. Streetside Used Book Vendors: While I am not sure there are many such streetside stores in the US, these are my go to stores when I travel to India.
8. Friends’ and Family’s Unwanted Piles aka Bookshelves: Check with friends or family members who might be decluttering their shelves. You might be surprised at the treasures they no longer need.
9. Public Transport (Buses, Trains, Subways): People often leave books behind, and transit lost-and-found offices sometimes offer unclaimed ones. Some trains have a library/bookshelf somewhere that houses these discarded books! I found a couple of books ages ago on one such shelf.
10. Etsy (and other similar online venues) for bundles of books or those mystery-date-with-a-book gifts!

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, what’s the latest book that brought you joy, the latest addition to your bookshelf of happiness? Share your recent finds and let’s celebrate the happiness of growing our bookshelves together! Which is the most unusual place you have gotten a book? Or read one?