There are 106 books in this picture, many of which were purchased at last year's AAUW's Used Book Sale.

The 58th annual AAUW Used Book Sale is upon us. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my husband has been looking forward to this event for months. Since it apparently falls to me to be the one who knows about when and where all the exciting things are happening, hubby has asked me at least ten times when “that good, big sale” is. Last year, we were beside ourselves with joy when we left brown bag day with 116 books for only $28!

Besides boasting unbeatable prices and charitable aims, the AAUW’s Used Book Sale stands out for its efficient organization. With fifty-six diverse categories, it’s not at all difficult to locate the genre—or even the exact title—you’d like to purchase. And don’t think you’ll be leaving with tattered copies of archaic, boring literature, no. You’ll have access to over forty-thousand gently-used, pretty-much-as-good-as-new, secondhand books.

Those 116 books I mentioned? Most of them were hard-cover classics, pristinely kept. Among them were several that have since become favorites: John Irving’s “A Prayer for Owen Meany”, D.H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” and even a colorful “Encyclopedia of North American Birds.”

Right now, our home office is overflowing with hundreds upon hundreds of books, but how can I pass up the chance to provide a kind and loving home to a host of amazing literature — one of which may become my new favorite? I guess hubby and I are going to have to repurpose our guest room…

A quick run-down of the facts:

Who: The Ann Arbor Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW)

What: 58th annual Used Book Sale

When: Friday, Sept. 10 (8-10 a.m. early admission, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. general public); Saturday, Sept. 11 (10 a.m. - 8 p.m.); Sunday, Sept. 12 (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

Where: Morris Lawrence Building on the campus of Washtenaw Community College

Why: Proceeds will support scholarships for local students, as well as students selected by AAUW at the national level.

How Much: $15 entrance fee for Friday early admission (8-10 a.m.), no entrance fee after 10 a.m., books full-price on Friday; Books are half-price all-day Saturday; Sunday is brown bag day: customers may fill one paper grocery bag with books for just $8 or two bags for $15.

For more information about the organization behind the sale, take a look at last year’s event preview.

Melissa LR Handa is the founder and organizer for the Ann Arbor Classics Book Group and the Lead Books Contributor for AnnArbor.com. Her goal is to make classic literature more accessible to the everyday reader.