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Nancy Drew 24: The Clue in the Old Album
Nancy Drew 24: The Clue in the Old Album | Carolyn Keene
29 posts | 23 read | 2 to read
Nancy Drew witnesses a purse snatching and runs after the thief. She rescues the purse, but not its contents, then is asked by the owner, a doll collector, to do some detective work. Readers will enjoy Nancy's clever ways of finding all she seeks, and bringing happiness to a misunderstood child and her lonely grandmother.
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MariaW
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Mehso-so

Even though there was finally only one narrative it was oozing with stereotypes and weird incidents as well. Overall, it was quite frustrating because the narrative wasn‘t pushed forward, but Nancy was feeling the same.

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MariaW
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Trying to get back on track with my monthly reading. 🙈🙈🙈

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Sace
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I love when I get to see the results of an author‘s research. Nancy Drew is educational 😂

#NancyDrewBR

Ruthiella I‘d already forgotten this factoid! 🙈 3w
41 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

I‘m late finishing this one for #nancydrewbr and I think I have another potentially #unpopularopinion. 😂 I was surprised to see this with a 33% rating and I enjoyed it for exactly the reasons many hated it. While I have major objections to the Romany stereotypes and the pejorative used to name them, I liked that the mystery didn‘t involve a lot of secret rooms and exploding oranges. The side characters were awful, but that was part of the charm.

Ruthiella Nice to read a positive review of this one! 😃 (edited) 2mo
Librarybelle It was nice to have a different type of mystery—agree on that! 2mo
Sace I just started this one and while I hate the ethnic insensitivity the mystery itself seems really interesting. 3w
DGRachel @Sace That‘s a good term. There‘s a lot of ethnic insensitivity in these books and it‘s disturbing but not unexpected. 3w
Sace Yes, I am finding the conversation around the Romany really gross. 3w
42 likes5 comments
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kwmg40
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Panpan

Not a particularly good installment in this series. There were unappealing side characters, problematic stereotypes and a mess of a plot.

#NancyDrewBR @Librarybelle
#HauntedShelf #ScreamTeam
#OneSnacktoRuleThemAll #AllThingsApple
#BookSpinBingo
#AfterDarkBingo (Let's Split Up, Gang!)
#ISpyBingo (red hair)
#PumpkabooHunt (small)
#GottaCatchEmAllSpooky (Sinistea: Antique)

@ImperfectCJ @Bookwormjillk @TheAromaofBooks @PuddleJumper

Bookwormjillk 🍎🍎🍎 2mo
Librarybelle Completely agree! 2mo
PuddleJumper 🧡🖤🧡 2mo
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TheAromaofBooks I'm gathering from various reviews that this wasn't the strongest entry in the series 😂 2mo
Seabreeze_Reader Which Nancy Drew book has been your favorite so far? 2mo
kwmg40 @Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks Glad I'm not alone in disliking this one! 2mo
kwmg40 @Seabreeze_Reader Hard to say, as there have been several I've liked very much, but The Clue of the Broken Locket and The Secret in the Old Attic come to mind. 2mo
38 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
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Alright #LittenDetectives ! It‘s time for our #NancyDrewBR discussion! This one was a hot mess, and I think most of us feel that this is not a strong entry in the series. But, it was fun to go back to River Heights and visit with Nancy and the gang.

I have 5 questions posted. They can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

Next month we encounter The Ghost of Blackwood Hall!?! 👻 Official post tomorrow!

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Librarybelle
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5. There are not many adventures for Nancy in this one...though the ending with her abducted by the bad guys and thrust into a car was a little spooky. Thankfully, Carson Drew could get a helicopter on standby to rescue her! 🙄

But, overall, it just seemed like a letdown, Nancy being one step behind the bad guys in this one and driving all over to hunt down the violinist that may or may not be Rose's father. Thoughts? #NancyDrewBR

Ruthiella Overall I just found this one WIERD. 😅 The mysterious substance in the doll that gives energy is never explained. The television studios and radio stations that are easily accessible. The message in the blanket. The doll with the poison sword… 2mo
Bookwormjillk I agree. It was just really weird. How many antique shops and radio/TV stations do they have in River Heights? 2mo
CogsOfEncouragement Hiring a detective but not telling Mrs. Struthers was whack.

The helicopter got an eye roll from me too.
2mo
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DebinHawaii Dull & it was just chock full of random odd bits that never came together in a way that benefited the story. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo
kwmg40 I agree with the other comments. The plot in this book was a weird mess. 2mo
DGRachel It‘s funny to be on the other side of one of these. I can totally see everyone‘s arguments, and maybe it‘s just my current mood, but I appreciated the quieter absurdity. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo
MariaW I think all of us missed that Carson flew the helicopter himself!!! That old lock-picking genius!!! 🤣🤣🤣 6d
10 likes7 comments
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Librarybelle
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4. Let's move into the characters. I had a hard time feeling any sympathy for Rose--she's a child, but also not a well-behaved one!

I also found it funny that Ned was telling Nancy his lifelong dreams and was about to say that she was included in them, only for Nancy to interrupt him and talk about the mystery. 😂

Any thoughts on secondary characters? #NancyDrewBR

Ruthiella Totally! In the last book he starts going on about their future together and she ignores him /cuts him off. Clearly she‘s not interested in marriage! Rose was I guess just misdirected, but her behavior was frustrating. (edited) 2mo
Bookwormjillk Rose seemed drunk a lot of the time. Calm down Rose.

That was funny about Ned though.
2mo
bookandbedandtea Rose was annoying but I definitely felt it was the gramma's fault...kids need to be taught proper behavior. As for Ned's future plans, I like that this series shows Nancy with priorities other than marriage, especially considering how long ago these were originally written. 2mo
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CogsOfEncouragement Ned had some good boyfriend moments in this one, and then I too was amused by Nancy cutting him off.

The side character I most want to know more about is Nanny Dew. lol
2mo
DebinHawaii Rose was really annoying! 2mo
BarkingMadRead Poor Ned 🤣 Rose was a nightmare! 2mo
kwmg40 I thought it was amazing that Rose learned to play the violin so quickly. It must be multi-talented Nancy's influence. 😄 2mo
DGRachel I may be misremembering, but I feel like a lot of the children written as side characters in these are horrid little monsters until Nancy steps in to gently correct their behavior. I like that Ned wasn‘t as obnoxious in this one, and Nancy‘s abrupt change of subject cracked me up. 2mo
MariaW I thought it was funny finding out more about Ned‘s summer jobs. He always seems to have something to do in the next village or town, always helping/working/learning (in) a new job. Seems like he doesn‘t know what to do with his life yet. 🙈 Rose was quite annoying and I don‘t think her violin teacher telling her about stage performances helped. 6d
11 likes9 comments
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Librarybelle
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3. The dolls deserve their own talking point! Not really a question regarding them, unless you also got a little tired about hearing about dolls like I did.

And yes...some of the earlier designs of dolls are super creepy (and kind of appropriate for this time of year).

Link in comments to a brief history of rag dolls in American history. #NancyDrewBR

Ruthiella I did want to look up that particular rag doll! Thanks for the link! 👍 2mo
Bookwormjillk I kind of skimmed over all the doll business but hearing about them always reminds me of when my brother rented an Air BnB that was actually a room in someone's house that was filled with dolls. 2mo
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CogsOfEncouragement I was unable to picture any of the dolls in any way but creepy LOL I tried. Something about a doll being on display in a collection instead of loved by a little kid turns it into something else. I definitely watched too many Twilight Zones. 2mo
Ruthiella @CogsOfEncouragement Oh yeah. Talking Tina! 😱😱😱 2mo
DebinHawaii Yep, just something creepy about dolls on display! 😱 2mo
BarkingMadRead Dolls have never really creeped me out, but I also never really understood people who collect them 🤣 of course, my gnome collection is totally normal 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo
kwmg40 I actually found the doll theme rather interesting and made me think of the Raggedy Ann doll I had as a child. 2mo
DGRachel @BarkingMadRead Gnome collections are absolutely normal and not anything at all like creepy doll collections. 2mo
BarkingMadRead @DGRachel whew!!😰 2mo
MariaW I thought the doll collection was super creepy as well - especially when they try to poison you. Was anyone always reminded of Tri-Face (Neverending Story II) by the doll Nancy bought for the old lady? https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt0100240/mediaviewer/rm995412993/?ref_=ttch_ph_2 6d
11 likes11 comments
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Librarybelle
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2. Now that we're in a more lighthearted mood from Cher, let's explore the plotline for this Nancy Drew escapade, which I thought was kind of boring. I didn't read this one as a child, but I think younger me would be disappointed in it too. It's also a bit dated with thoughts on gypsies, in my opinion.

What are your thoughts on the plot?

Link in the comments is to the Hungarian Rhapsody, as played by violin and piano. #NancyDrewBR

Ruthiella The plot and characters were weak.The writing tries in a 1970s way to underscore “not all Gypsies” but does not succeed. I thought the doctor knowing what poison was in the sword was ridiculous and the message in the blanket…just how long was that lady working on it? 😂 (edited) 2mo
Bookwormjillk Yup, boring. I missed the usual Nancy high adventure. The only interesting part was the poison and that happened early on. 2mo
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bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella @Bookwormjillk I was FLOORED that the doctor could identify the poison by smell and then whipped up an antidote on the spot! 😆 2mo
CogsOfEncouragement Yes, I agree @Ruthiella they did not succeed. It needed much more of a rework to erase the feeling that gypsies are no good. And yes, so glad the doctor had a good sense of smell! lol

I was also confused by the whole child bride situation being included.
2mo
DebinHawaii Yes to all this! The whole child bride thing was odd & yay for the doctor with the amazing nose! Hah! 😳😵‍💫🙄🤣 2mo
kwmg40 I too found the stereotypes disturbing, and the whole child bride thing a bit icky. 2mo
DGRachel I very much hated the stereotypes of the Romany and the child bride thing is wrapped up in that. I liked the poison dolls, though. I thought they were clever, even if the doctor recognizing it was ridiculous. 2mo
MariaW I agree with @kwmg40 on the stereotypes. The whole poisoned doll incident felt ridiculous for me. How could the lady have bought a doll without being informed of its dangerous contents? But I thought it was quite interesting to be informed on how radio shows were recorded back then. 6d
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Librarybelle
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1. To set the mood, I've placed in the comments an audio recording of Cher's “Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves.“ I don't know about you, but it definitely played rent-free in my head while I was reading this one!

I thought this was the weakest of the books we've read so far. We'll break down plot, characters, etc. in the next questions, but what was your overall impression of the book? How does it compare to our prior reads? #NancyDrewBR

Ruthiella I agree this was a bit of a stinker overall. I don‘t think I would have noticed as a kid, however. (edited) 2mo
bookandbedandtea @Ruthiella ditto! I'm sure child-me enjoyed this as much as any of the others but adult-me wasn't impressed by the mystery or the attitudes about the gypsies. I love that song, though @Librarybelle ! 2mo
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Bookwormjillk I wasn't impressed either. It was dated, but also kind of a little boring. 2mo
CogsOfEncouragement I agree, a little boring. Thanks for the link to the song, I am not familiar with it. 2mo
DebinHawaii Perfect song! I barely remember this one from childhood except the poison in the sword 🗡️ of the one doll. I remember that freaking me out. This definitely was not a good one! 2mo
BarkingMadRead It was fine. That‘s it. 🤣 2mo
kwmg40 I agree. This wasn't a particularly memorable installment in the series. 2mo
DGRachel I‘m completely opposite the group on this one. I enjoyed it more than most simply because it was quieter. 🤣🤣 2mo
MariaW Overall, it was okay for me mostly because there has been only one mystery round the gypsiea and that‘s it. It didn‘t seem that over-exaggerated like some of the others 6d
11 likes10 comments
review
Bookwormjillk
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Panpan

Very dated, and an improbable number of antique stores for one area. Not even a secret passage or a submarine, but still looking forward to the discussion tomorrow.

RaeLovesToRead I think "an improbably number of antique stores" is now my new favourite piece of literary criticism ? 2mo
RaeLovesToRead *improbable 2mo
Ruthiella Remember, River Heights is magical. It has beaches, an airport, two synthetic fabric factories, a castle, at least two retired sea dogs, a variety of colonial era inns…and a multitude of antique shops. 2mo
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Librarybelle This one is definitely not one of the better ones 2mo
DebinHawaii @Ruthiella You forgot the singing shellfish seller! 🤣🤣🤣 2mo
Bookwormjillk @DebinHawaii is your town even on the map if you don't have a singing shellfish singer? 2mo
OutsmartYourShelf 🔍🔍🕵🏻‍♀️ 2mo
TheAromaofBooks Fabulous review 😂 2mo
71 likes10 comments
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CogsOfEncouragement
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Finished # 24! Ready for #NancyDrewBR tomorrow.

Librarybelle Yay!! 2mo
26 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
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This is a rather late reminder that our next #NancyDrewBR discussion is on Wednesday!

I started this one over the weekend, and I‘m kind of creeped out over the dolls! 😂

Questions will be posted by 12pm US East Coast time.

DGRachel Oh dear. I think I‘m going to be a smidge late on this one. Life is being extra lifey but I‘ll try to remember to crack it open tomorrow and at least get started. Where has October gone already?? 2mo
Librarybelle @DGRachel I know what you mean! Life is extra complicated of late. 2mo
Ruthiella Thanks for the heads up! 👍 2mo
PurpleyPumpkin So appreciate this reminder! I‘ll start this one today. 😉 2mo
43 likes4 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Okay, here we go. #NancyHasBeenPoisoned

Librarybelle I started this afternoon, and I think I‘m going to be creeped out by the dolls! 😂 2mo
AnnCrystal 🤩💝. 2mo
48 likes3 comments
review
DebinHawaii
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Pickpick

#Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

Finished this one last weekend for #NancyDrewBR & it was for lack of a better word, fine. I vaguely remember some of it from childhood but not a lot of the details. We had purse snatching, old dolls & a search for the missing father of a young girl who is a talented musician & a good “gypsy” unlike most of the others in the book who are busy stealing & marrying off child brides—yep, it‘s pretty racist. ***#NNK counter⬇️

DebinHawaii …spoiler*** there is no noggin knocking for Nancy & our count remains at 10/24. She does however get poisoned from an old doll but the doctor called is able to quickly identify it by smell & come up with the antidote & after it & a night of sleep Nanners is right as rain & ready for a carnival date with Ned the next night. Anyways, not my favorite again & because I rounded the last one up to pick for nostalgia, I‘ll round this one down to so-so ⬇️ 2mo
DebinHawaii …for all the discrimination.🤷🏻‍♀️ Should be a good discussion with the group on 10/15 though & it‘s book #24! 2 years of #NancyDrewBR !!! 🎉 2mo
DieAReader @DebinHawaii ♥️♥️Dedication! 2mo
Librarybelle Hard to believe two years! 2mo
45 likes4 comments
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bookandbedandtea
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Mehso-so

Nostalgia means I always enjoy reading Nancy Drew but this is not one of my favorites. It felt like Nancy just did a lot of driving around (and flying- I did enjoy her visit with Aunt Eloise) and stumbling on dolls for sale in multiple shops. Carson, Hannah, Bess, George, and Ned were all included and I liked seeing everyone. The gypsies and their "cause" as well as the "energy giving substance" made this one a bit weird.

Librarybelle Oh boy! 2mo
29 likes1 comment
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CogsOfEncouragement
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AnneCecilie
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#BookReport

I‘ve read Audre & Dash Are Just Friends, The Lighthouse at the World‘s End and The Clue in the Old Album

I continued my yearlong long and my reading of A Thousand Feasts

I continued All the Sinners Bleed on audio

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bookandbedandtea
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Nancy Drew looking 35 years old 😆

TheBookgeekFrau 😂😂 2mo
Ruthiella 🤣🤣🤣 2mo
KT1432 Omg 😆😆😆 2mo
See All 6 Comments
Bookwormjillk 😂😂😂 2mo
Librarybelle Ha! 2mo
dabbe 😂😂😂 2mo
34 likes6 comments
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DebinHawaii
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#Naturalitsy #HyggeHourReadathon

Spending my #HyggeHour with Nancy & her entourage for #NancyDrewBR This is book number 24 & I can‘t believe we have been reading a Nancy Drew book a month for 2 years now! 🤯

Drinking a cold mango drink because it‘s still humid & munching on these Peelerz in zombie & brain shapes.

Mood is as usual, sorry that the weekend is over but I am taking Thursday & Friday off this week so I have that to look forward to.

Librarybelle I know! So hard to believe! 2mo
TheBookHippie Oh nice! Three day week! 2mo
42 likes2 comments
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LitsyEvents
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Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 3mo
29 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
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What could the clue in the old album mean?!?

October‘s #NancyDrewBR title is the 24th in the series…hard to believe we are up to 24! Discussion on October 15th.

All are welcome to join. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the tag list.

BarkingMadRead Can‘t wait!! 3mo
Ruthiella I‘m still reading this month‘s book! 😂 I need to get my holds in earlier. Looking forward to what Nancy and crew get up to next. 3mo
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Bookwormjillk I missed the last one but am recommitting for this one. 3mo
MuddyPuddle I'm going to jump in if it's okay. I have a copy of #24 and will start it today. Please add me to the tag list....THANKS! (Haven't ready Nancy Drew in a million years, but she got me started reading and loving mysteries. I bet I'm going to have my eyes opened after all that time.) 2mo
Librarybelle Glad you can join us, @MuddyPuddle ! Welcome! 2mo
41 likes9 comments
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IndoorDame
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annahenke Mine too ❤️ 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🧡🧡🧡 3y
Chrissyreadit I love these covers. 3y
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Eggs Great covers❤️❤️ 3y
Aimeesue Those are gorgeous covers! I now covet the covers. 3y
quietjenn Yes, same! And these editions are so good. 3y
49 likes6 comments
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AshRaye
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Panpan

I just didn't care for this one. I wasn't interested in the mystery or the characters involved. There wasn't anything to really figure out, the "mystery" was mostly just finding things.

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ravenlee
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Pickpick

24 done for #nancydrewchallenge has us still in George Fayne territory but we‘re pressing steadily onward. A good mystery with solid sleuthing, but some racist attitudes toward gypsies and a mysterious “energy-giving substance” knock it down a little. 3.5/5 ⭐️

Number eight for #14books14weeks

StayCurious I‘ve always liked the covers of those vintage copies 6y
32 likes1 comment
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Bibliogeekery
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Love these old classic copies of Nancy Drew. I'm going to try reading this to my nieces on a long drive today.

69 likes2 stack adds
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CarolynOliver
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Volunteering at my son's elementary school library today--always fun to see what the kids are into.

43 likes1 stack add
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Ncostell
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These are some of my #lovedatage10 (give or take a year or two). I saved most of these books from my childhood and now my children are reading them. Some of the Nancy Drews were picked up at the Book Barn in Niantic, CT. I love sharing my childhood favorites with my kids. #17booklove

Born.A.Reader I loved Nancy Drew as well -still have all my pretty yellow hardcovers, too. I just didn't have a picture of them handy! 😊😊 9y
Lmstraubie The Book Barn is on my list of places to visit. It looks AMAZING!!! (Also A Wrinkle in Time is one of my all-time favorites!!!) 9y
Ncostell @Lmstraubie The Book Barn is definitely worth a visit! 9y
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mcipher I went to the Book Barn today! And only got two books because I was feeling guilty about spending money when I can get them at the library... @Lmstraubie It is totally amazing!!! They have 5 locations now I think. 9y
Lmstraubie @mcipher I know what you mean. I usually borrow fiction & buy nonfiction for the same reason. But I just weakened & bought 3 more Book Riot deal of the days. Ugh! But the price was so hard to pass up. Must. Have. Self. Control!!! 9y
Lmstraubie @Ncostell @mcipher You both have me wanting to go even more now!!! 9y
kspenmoll Nostalgic for my families Nancy Drews...all gone 😟 Have to check out Book Barn. About an hour or so away from Niantic. 9y
Ncostell @kspenmoll It's worth the ride, especially when the weather gets nicer as it's a neat little place to walk around. I've only been to the main Book Barn but I want to check out some of the other locations in downtown Niantic as well. 9y
35 likes8 comments