The Sunday Post #27: Book Thrifting

Last Sunday, after lunch with my son I decided to stop at the local Goodwill to look for books. I’m always jealous of the good books Ruth finds in her area. However, my Goodwill never has anything that I want to read. But I was there so why not stop by? I made my way to the book section knowing I wasn’t going to find anything. It was crowded over there so I stood in the back behind a bench and just casually scanned the area. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. Could it be? Yes! A stack of Amish romance!

I jumped over the bench and stepped in front of the man standing there. “Excuse me! I need in here!” I mean, really, was this man going to love Amish romance as much as I did? Okay, maybe. But I had to save these books! Like a superhero coming in to rescue the day, I quickly scooped up the entire stack, jumped back over the bench, and went to a quieter area to see what I had.

As I’m looking through the books, one caught my eye. I was pretty sure it was in my shelf so I called my husband and guided him to the area on my bookshelf he needed to check.

“Are you sure that you don’t see The Mysterious Amish Bachelor?”

“It’s not here.”

“They’re in date order, this one is from May 2024.”

Husband sighs. “You don’t have it.”

I drive home, relishing in my accomplishment (you know, of saving the books). When I get home, I take a quick pic and start putting books away. Wait—what’s that? Hmmm….

Guess who owns two copies of The Mysterious Amish Bachelor?

This week I read The Mother’s Day Bargain , The Farmer’s Marriage Bargain, and Green Pastures. I simply could not sleep while reading Green Pastures and got up Friday morning at 3:00 am just to finish it. It was just too good!

For my walks and knitting, I’m reading The Lightness of Water (audiobook). This is where those who are actually reading this blog post pause and check that they’re on the right page. Yes, I Carla, am reading a romantasy. And enjoying it.

I pushed off Her Amish Refuge due to other commitments but I really do want to read it. Soon. I’m going to pick up Kate Landry Has a Plan as soon as I’m done writing this blog post. I’d also like to read Discovering Dahlia and An Unexpected Companion. I have Friday off so I have every intention of reading and knitting all day.


The Sunday Post #26: FOMO Alert: FOMO alert! Lent has me pressing pause on deadline-driven review books, and while I’m holding strong, the latest Love Inspired sign-ups are testing my resolve. But slowing down isn’t just about books—I’m also shaking up my blogging routine to keep things stress-free.

–See More Sunday Posts–

The Stranger at the Door by Henry O. Arnold: Author Interview & Giveaway. What if helping a stranger put your family in danger? When Maxwell Crane and his family rescue a terrified young woman from a deadly cartel, they have no idea the nightmare that awaits. Abduction. Betrayal. A race against time. Will Maxwell’s faith and courage be enough to bring his daughters home? Join me for an interview with Henry O. Arnold, where he shares insights into faith, storytelling, and taking risks. GIVEAWAY OPEN through March 24, 2025.

Green Pastures by Patricia Johns: Author Interview & Giveaway: Step into the heart of Lancaster County with Patricia Johns as she takes us behind the scenes of Green Pastures! What happens when a prodigal sister returns to her Amish roots? How do faith, love, and family bonds shape the lives of three very different sisters? Patricia shares her inspiration, research process, and what success means to her as an author. Plus, don’t miss your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of Green Pastures! GIVEAWAY OPEN through March 25, 2025.

-See More Giveaways-


Audiobooks:

  • The Lightness of Waterby Sara Jane Jacobs, narrated by Lisa Lynn Sandlin. Lisa sent me this one because she knows I like to walk and read. She’s a fantastic narrator so I was so happy to be gifted this.
  • Season of Hope by Sara Jane Jacobs, narrated by Lisa Lynn Sandlin. This is another one from Lisa. It’s nice having Instagram friends who are narrators.

JustRead Publicity Tours:

Free Kindle Books:

Twelve thrifted Amish romances from Goodwill.


  • These Long Shadows by Jennifer Mistmorgan: Author Interview & Giveaway
  • March 2025 Clean Romance Book Reviews: Amish Edition 
  • Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet: Book Review & Giveaway
  • Texas Divided by Sherry Shindelar: Author Interview & Giveaway 
  • The Sunday Post

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Tell me something good.

Thank you to the following bloggers for their excellent link-ups!
Caffeinated Reviewer hosts The Sunday Post, Readerbuzz hosts Sunday Salon, and Reading Reality who hosts Stacking the Shelves.


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  1. buffywnabe Avatar

    I’m chuckling about your husband not seeing the book, lol. I never seem to find anything at Goodwill either. I used to find some awesome prizes at the Dollar Tree store, but lately they have less than they used to and I don’t find as much. Thanks for visiting me last week, I’m getting out and checking what I missed!

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      My Dollar Tree never has anything I’d want to read. The reading section at mine is pretty sparse.

      Like

  2. Liz Dexter Avatar

    What a wonderful haul! My two best ones have been finding a big load of Debbie Macombers before she was popular here, American editions, and also about 25 Three Investigators Mysteries, at a different shop. I just donated 17 books to my local Oxfam Books and like thinking about who might find them!

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I think I’m going to have to stop thrifting for a while because of this pile. I don’t want my TBR to get too much crazier. I love donating books when my shelves start getting too full. It allows others who might not be able to afford them to enjoy them as well.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Kelsey Gietl Avatar

    Thrifting is the best! You can find some great things for super cheap. Two of my favorite thrifted book finds are a reproduction of a 1902 Sears Catalog and a book all about 1910s/1920s cars.

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I loved the Sears Catalog when I was little! I’d look through my Grandma’s old ones all the time. What a fun find!

      Like

  4. shanaqui Avatar

    Hahaha, your poor husband having to check your bookshelves… and getting it wrong. Was the book where you said it was? :p

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It was exactly where I said it was! Don’t know why I’m relying on a man who has poor vision to look for me 😂

      Like

  5. shelleyrae @ Book'd Out Avatar

    Congrats on the haul! My local thrift stores don’t tend to have much of a selection, but I have an app (CLZ Books) in which I’ve recorded every book I own so I don’t double up on the chance that I do find something

    Wishing you a wonderful reading week

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I’ve never heard of that app. I’ll have to check it out.

      Like

  6. lovingsue Avatar

    Smiling while reading your book thrifting story. I could have done the same. :)

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      😊 Have a great week!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. BooksofMyHeart Avatar

    Great you found some good ones at Goodwill. We used to enjoy Half Price books and a bunch of other used stores in Minnesota. There’s a few here but after moving I have cut way back on print books.

    Anne – Books of My Heart   This is my <a href=”https://booksofmyheart.net/2025/03/23/sunday-post-23-March-2025/”>Sunday Post</a>

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    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It is more practical to have ebooks but I don’t know that I’ll ever enjoy them as much as a paperback.

      Like

  8. Cindy Davis Avatar

    Twelve thrifted books is awesome! Your story was so funny. I am almost done with Green Pastures, I hope to finish it this evening. Have a great rest of the weekend.

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I hope you have a great week too, Cindy!

      Like

  9. Cat @ Cat's Wire Avatar

    Nothing like a surprise haul! Doubles happen, but if you don’t pay full price, there’s usually no big harm done now that there are so many places you can bring books to. I like our public book cabinet for that (we don’t have Little Libraries in my town). It’s really popular.

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    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      We don’t have a book cabinet or Little Free Library in my town. But we do have the main library for our library system here so I typically donate to them. Sometimes they put the book on the shelf and sometimes they save it for the annual book sale.

      Like

  10. Samantha @WLABB Avatar

    Good thing you made that call to see if you had that book. 😂 I hope you got a good deal. I don’t have the patience for thrifting though I am always impressed when people share their finds.

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    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      😂😂😂 You just made my day with that comment. Too funny! I paid a little less than $2 per book. Sometimes you can get deals almost that good for new books on the Harlequin website (for the Love Inspired imprint) but it was still fun to pick them up.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Aj @ Read All The Things! Avatar

    Haha, I’m glad you found some good books!

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Now if I can just find the time to read them.

      Like

  12. Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life Avatar

    Lol!! Your posts always make me smile!!! I am glad you found a stack of books at your Goodwill! I went used book shopping the other day with Wyatt, my cousin and his girls. His 15 year old found the Amish romance section and was like, “Erin! They have Amish romances!!” She had never heard of them. I told her they were a very popular genre and she may have added one to her stack of books to buy..

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Oh, I hope she did! They would be good for a girl that age. And the characters are usually in their early twenties or younger because the Amish marry young. So not entirely unrelatable.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar

    I want to go book thrifting! I’m sorry you ended up with two copies of the same book, but still—it makes a great story!

    Have a fantastic week, Carla.

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I should’ve went with my instincts on that one. It’s okay. I’ll just donate the extra copy to the library.

      Like

  14. mjeanpike Avatar

    I love this, Carla! It sounds like you made quite a score. Treasure hunting in the book section of my local Goodwill is one of my favorite things — Enjoy :)

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Usually my Goodwill just has a bunch of Nicholas Sparks novels so this was a really great surprise.

      Like

  15. the bookworm Avatar

    Enjoy the Amish romance you found at Goodwill! It’s better to have 2 copies of the same book than none at all lol. The yearly Spring library book sale is going on in my area this week and I might pop in today.

    Happy reading!

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Absolutely! I’ll take 2 over none any day. I need to go to our library sale. I usually only donate to it.

      Like

  16. Carla Avatar

    My friends and I joke about men looking for things. I would send my husband to get something from the freezer of shelf downstairs and he often couldn’t find it, but it was right in front of him. Too funny. That is a wonderful find, 12 Amish books, lucky that you were there to rescue them. 😁 I hope you have a wonderful week, and enjoy that day off, Carla.

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I don’t know why I thought having him look would work. I have a friend who keeps a list of her books with her so this doesn’t happen. Not sure that I have the patience for that. Have a great week!

      Liked by 1 person

  17. susandyer1962 Avatar

    Thats so funny about having your husband search for the book! My husband has done the same thing! Twelve books is an awesome haul Carla! I hope you love them all. Have a wonderful Sunday and an awesome week ahead!📚🌞☕💜

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I’m sure I will…they’re all Amish romance! lol Have a wonderful day.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Mae Sander Avatar
    Mae Sander

    I’ve never thought of going to Goodwill for books. I also haven’t thought of donating books to them, but that might be a smart idea too — every now and then we do have to get rid of a few boxes of books. Though now that we read a lot of ebooks it’s not as pressing. Too bad you already had a copy of the book you chose.

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Donating to the goodwill is a good idea. I typically donate clothes there and extra books to the library.I’m not too worried about the extra copy it’s just funny that I had him check a couple of times and he insisted I didn’t have it.

      Like

  19. bl3ss3dfitn3ss Avatar
    bl3ss3dfitn3ss

    I love this post! I have actually read the 4 you mentioned here: Kate Landry, Discovering Dahlia, Unexpected Companion & Her Amish Refuge. All great reads!

    I love that you saved the Amish book stack!

    AND that your husband is digging into the Grandma book, hahahaha. I see you have the author of These Long Shadows coming up. I actually LOVED that book!

    i didn’t realize Texas Divided was already coming up! I JUST got it in the mail not that ling ago.

    Like

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you! It’s so fun to find readers who are reading the same thing. Yes, I was shocked how close Texas Divided came in to the post time. Luckily I did an author interview so I can read the book at my leisure. The interview is excellent and I’m excited to share it.

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Welcome to Carla’s Book Crush where I share my favorite clean, Christian reads. I review everything from Amish and historical romance to suspense, contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and the occasional devotional. If it has heart, hope, and a message that points back to Christ, it’s probably on my shelf. I also love chatting with authors and featuring interviews that give you a peek behind the pages. Whether you’re looking for a new release, a cozy weekend read, or just something uplifting and well-written, you’re in the right place. Clean stories. Encouraging faith. Books worth reading.