I used to skip library book sales because of the smell, then a $2 find in Cincinnati changed my mind

Victor Butler · 2026-10-16T01:10:04.272901+00:00

Two weeks ago I walked into the Friends of the Library sale at the Cincinnati Main branch just to kill time, and the whole room smelled like old basement. I almost turned around right there. But I spotted a beat up paperback of All the Pretty Horses for two bucks and figured whatever, worst case I'm out two dollars. Got it home, aired it out on the porch for a day, and now it's one of the best reads I've had all year. Any tips for getting that mildew smell out of paperbacks without wrecking the pages?

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I used to skip library book sales because of the smell, then a $2 find in Cincinnati changed my mind | Book Haul Gallery - Librear