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Such a fun compilation! Those 'Bin Box' stores for returned merchandise - yikes. Those just scream "Stay Away" to an introvert like me, but people sure seem to get fired up about finding something for a deal!

I love, love, love the Silent Book get togethers. And the attendees actually had REAL books in their hands. It felt like being in a small library with friends. What an awesome idea! It's like a Book Club with a twist.

Thanks for sharing these, Gayla.

Happy New Year!

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Thanks for reading Heather. I agree, way too many people at a "bin" sale. There is a local chapter of the Silent Book Club in Dallas; I think I'm going to have to look into it for 2024. Happy New Year!

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The Front Porch story was a lovely read. Thanks for sharing!

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Thanks for reading Jessica!

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Thanks for sharing my post!

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You're welcome! Thanks for reading.

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Thank you so much for the ongoing great info. ~ Happy New Year. 🎉🥂🩷

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Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

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Loved the last "Happy Friday Links" of 2023. Glad you have tax deadlines in your rearview mirror. This week you managed to tickle a couple of memories and thoughts

(1) As a young kid we grew up in a small ranch. At one point three boys in the same room and one bathroom. The best feature of the house was a front porch. I have thought in the time since it became our window to the world. While I followed the American trend of the deck, it seems with a deck we shut ourselves out from the world while a front porch engages the world.

(2) Carnegie Libraries -- I seek these out when I travel. Andrew Carnegie is a redemption story I think. The worst of the worst as he accumulated a fortune and exploited people on a grand level. He applied his focus and long-term planning to a goal that left a wonderful legacy and has changed lives at the end of his life.

Happy New Year and happy reading.

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Happy New Year to you and thanks for reading! In looking at the list of the Carnegie libraries, so many of them have demolished over the years. There are a few within a few hours of me that I think I'm going to visit in the next couple of months.

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We have at least five that are nearby in the cities and a beautiful one in a small town ~20 miles away -- one spot where I play tennis on early mornings is just a few miles away and I stop in there occasionally -- great place to cool off and enjoy the space.

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Loved reading about the Reading Parties in NY. That certainly is my kind of party. Thanks for a great compilation.

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Awe... Thanks for reading!

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Fun, delightful post.

Happy new year. May the good times roll, any day... we're waiting.

I love the assorted things you pulled together in this post, so I'm going to say that you jjust helped the good times START to roll!

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Thank you Jill, and thanks for reading. Happy New Year!

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Dec 31, 2023Liked by Gayla Gray

Restacked!

I'll come back to this post with a large cup of tea😌

And happy New year to you and all your readers❤️

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Thanks for reading Lina and Happy New Year!

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Thanks for these, Gayla, especially best state capitols and bookstores. I'm also interested in the Amazon story, and Libby--both new to me. As for reading, I'm just finishing a short collection of stories by John Mortimer, "A Rumpole Christmas," starring the criminal lawyer Rumpole (and his wife, "She who must be obeyed.") I mostly don't read mysteries unless they're very tame, but the character Rumpole is great fun and these are mostly pretty light. The drawings heading each story are nice too. A funny Rumpole touch is that he loves a certain brand of not-too-expensive wine, "Chateau Thames Embankment." That cracked me up.

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I'm glad you found things of interest to read in my newsletter. I've never heard of A Rumpole Christmas before, I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation and thanks for reading!

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