Thursday, May 22, 2008

24 hours of bookie heaven

Tomorrow is the day all Dunedin bookophiles have been anticipating all year - the famous and fabulous Regent 24 hour Book Sale, kicking off at midday. Picture a theatre, pick a big one, cover the stage with trestle tables groaning with books, line the front and the aisles too. Heck, why not put some upstairs in the dress-circle. Toss in 24 hours of entertainment, masses of treasure hunters and you get the picture.
It doesn't matter when you go, it's busy. I've been at 10.00pm - packed. I've been at 4.30am, still busy - I don't know why, you'd have to be a nutter to be out at that hour of the morning. I'm still deciding on my strategy to beat the crowds this year - maybe several quick assaults.
Last year's best treasure was the 1971 New Zealand boy's book of crafts, pets, sports and hobbies, compiled by Anthony Harvey and Peter Snell. It makes The Dangerous Book for Boys look a yawn. It's provided endless entertainment for the boys, young and old.
What treasures will this year's sale reveal?
I'll keep you posted.

1 comment:

Mary McCallum said...

There's a big book fair in Palmerston North today, too. My friend Martin and his mate Michael O'Leary are heading up there today with an empty boot. I think the Red Cross run it. I always look forward to the massive Inner City Mission one here in September. I got a first (UK) edition Janet Frame there one year for $2.