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Book Collecting: Building a Valuable Library
Trivia: Which long-distance U.S. footpath runs roughly 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine?
RetireHub
August 23, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Saturday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on book collecting: building a valuable library, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
🎧 49% OFF – Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
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🧳 20% OFF – Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds Hardside Spinner Luggage
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What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Felicity Green After a painful divorce, Liv Grantham relocates to a quaint English village with her daughters, only to stumble upon a haunted camera that reveals eerie images of her deceased neighbor. When she’s falsely accused of murder, Liv must embrace her long-dormant psychic abilities and unravel ghostly clues with help from eccentric relatives and spectral snapshots. Full of quirky humor and paranormal intrigue, this cozy mystery kicks off a series where family, secrets, and spirits collide in delightfully unexpected ways. |
On this day in 1973, a dramatic bank robbery in Stockholm captured the world’s attention—not just for the crime itself, but for what came next. Hostages held inside Kreditbanken developed emotional bonds with their captors, refusing to testify against them even after being freed. This surprising reaction sparked the first documented case of what we now know as Stockholm Syndrome—a complex and ironic reminder of how our hearts and minds respond to stress.
Book Collecting: Building a Valuable Library
From Sentimental Favorites to Timeless Treasures
There’s something deeply satisfying about surrounding yourself with books—not just for reading, but for collecting. Book collecting is more than a hobby; it’s a rewarding blend of personal taste, literary curiosity, and (sometimes) long-term investment. Whether you dream of a cozy shelf of childhood classics or an enviable collection of first editions, building a valuable library is well within reach.
Start with What You Love
The best collections begin with passion. Are you drawn to mystery novels, cookbooks, vintage sci-fi, or illustrated children’s stories? Begin by collecting what speaks to you personally. A collection centered around your interests will bring joy every time you add a new title—and can often lead you to niche areas that increase in value over time.
Condition Matters (But Not Everything)
When it comes to collectible books, condition counts. Look for editions that are clean, complete, and ideally, have their original dust jackets. But don’t stress if a book is a little worn—especially if it holds sentimental value. A well-read copy of a beloved title can be just as precious as a pristine collectible.
Learn the Lingo
“First edition,” “limited printing,” “signed copy”—these terms matter in the book world. A first edition of a bestselling author’s debut novel, especially one with a limited print run, may be quite valuable. Signed books and copies with interesting provenance (like a personal inscription from the author) can also become prized pieces.
Shop Smart, Shop Often
Thrift stores, estate sales, indie bookstores, and library sales are all treasure troves for book collectors. Online marketplaces like AbeBooks, Biblio, and eBay can also be useful—but be sure to research prices and sellers before making a big purchase.
Display and Preserve with Care
Keep your collection in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Shelve books upright, dust them regularly, and use bookends to prevent warping. If you’re preserving rare editions, consider protective covers and archival boxes.
More Than Monetary Value
Remember, the true value of a library isn’t just in dollars—it’s in discovery. Each book you collect tells a story about your life, your interests, and your journey as a reader.
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Do You Stretch in the Morning?
While some of us rise and shine with a trusty stretch routine, the majority are still working on making it a habit. A solid 30% said they want to start stretching in the mornings but haven’t quite locked it in yet. About 27% manage to stretch most mornings, and 19% are daily stretchers! Meanwhile, 11% prefer to stretch later in the day, and another 11% say stretching just isn’t their thing. No matter where you fall, there’s always room to add a little more wiggle to your wellness!
TOP COMMENTS
“If I don't I hurt all day.”
“I do some stretching before I go for a morning walk and then a few after the walk.”
“30 years ago, I used to have bad headaches and my chiropractor said to sit up in bed and do neck stretches. Head in the 4 directions to the sides, then neck rolls 3 x to the right & left. Shoulder shrugs 3x forward and back, then spine rolls 3 x, then twist with hips straight and stretch arms back around you as far as you can go. I stopped having frequent headaches and continue for an easy 7-8 mins stretch every day. ”
Strengthen Money Muscles: How to Help Grandkids Build Smart Financial Habits
Teaching young people healthy money habits is a bit like encouraging them to flex financial “muscles”—with practice and repetition, they grow stronger and more resilient. Start with three simple yet powerful principles: define their long-term "why" by brainstorming dreams or vision boards, prioritize saving by paying themselves first, and use automatic transfers to set aside a portion of each paycheck for savings or goals. Framing money lessons as regular, small exercises can help young minds form lifelong habits—offering both freedom and security as they step into adulthood.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Breezy brainwave
Meaning: A breezy brainwave refers to a light, spontaneous, and effortless idea that seems to pop into your head like a gentle breeze—usually creative, clever, or unexpectedly helpful. It often implies a moment of casual brilliance or a relaxed “a-ha” moment that didn’t require too much overthinking.
In a sentence: “During our morning crossword group, Helen had a real breezy brainwave and solved the entire top row without even needing her coffee!”
Good News of the Day
Sniff the Future: Radio Waves Restore and Enhance the Sense of Smell—No Surgery Required
A groundbreaking South Korean study has demonstrated that a brief, five-minute session of 2.45 GHz radio wave stimulation—delivered painlessly to the forehead—can significantly enhance a person's ability to detect faint odors, with improvements lasting up to a week. Participants boosted their “sniff score” from about 9.7 to nearly perfect 15.8 on a 16-point odor detection scale after a single treatment.
What makes this discovery particularly exciting is its noninvasive nature—no surgery, no chemicals, just focused radio frequency stimulation—opening up promising avenues for helping those with smell loss due to aging, illness, injury, or long COVID.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which educational TV series featuring Jim Henson’s Muppets premiered on November 10, 1969? |
Which long-distance U.S. footpath runs roughly 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine? |
What was the first product to feature a barcode scanned at a checkout counter in 1974? |
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