Garage Sale America

by Bruce Littlefield

Garage Sale, Yard Sale, Tag Sale, Rummage Sale, Estate Sale, Barn Sale... they all mean one thing––BARGAINS––and America loves them. It's estimated that on any given Saturday, hundreds of thousands nationwide attend garage sales and flea markets to pick through other people's stuff. Garage Sale America explores this cultural phenomenon of grass roots retailing, showcasing the people, places, and things of this modern– day gold rush, and reveals to readers the secrets to incorporating cheap but chic decorating into their lives. It's filled with funny and poignant stories of buyers and sellers, as well as a wealth of detailed photographs pf sales across America. Pull quotes, sidebars filled with anecdotes and fun facts, tips on bargaining and decorating tips make this an instant American treasure.

Genres: Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Bruce Littlefield is a best-selling author, lifestyle expert, and an arbiter of American fun. He shares his passionate curiosity (and occasional mischievousness) through his books and TV appearances. Bruce has appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC News, FOX News, MSNBC, The Rachael Ray Show, NPR, Sirius, and numerous other programs, and has been featured in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the New York Post, People Magazine, OK! Magazine, Saveur, This Old House, the New York Daily News, Miami Herald, Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times.

Bruce grew up in a small South Carolina town where he gained an appreciation for interesting stories, fascinating characters, and happy living. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Outstanding Senior from the University of South Carolina. He moved to New York City as a model—you may remember him from Clearasil ads or the cover of When a Child Kills, but was saved from all that glamour when he was named a Freedom Forum Scholar and received a full scholarship to New York University, where he earned a master’s in journalism.

His multi-book brand with Harper Collins is an adventure in American fun: For Garage Sale America, he took a thousand dollars and a truck and set out to see what treasures he could find. For Merry Christmas, America, he hung off light-encrusted houses and hung out with the real Santa Claus. And for Airstream Living, he took to the open road looking for the rolling silver icons. He is also the co-author (with Barbara Corcoran) of the New York Times best-selling Use What You’ve Got and the first book to read to dogs, The Bedtime Book for Dogs.

Reviews

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent little read. The photography in this book is just excellent, and that by itself makes for a good draw. The text is good as well. The author travels to these great sales (garage, yard, barn, etc. Who knew there were so many different types?), gives hints and advice on what to look for and how to buy, and meets a diverse bunch of people. I found the stories of the people he meets very interesting; nice slices of Americana so to speak, stories that can go to whimsical to moving. In addition, the book features all sorts of little trivia items that add interest to the book. The book also features a small glossary of terms and a list of some major garage sale sites across the nation, so if you are interested in a road trip, these can be good destinations. Whether you enjoy garage sales or not, this book is interesting and neat. It may make you want to go out to to hunt for some treasures yourself. This was definitely a pleasure to read.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting list of resources!

[Briony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me back to my childhood. I can remember waking up at 6: oo am to go garage sale shopping with my grandparents. It was always such a thrill to find something for really cheap.

Littlefield brought this memory back through his insight as a professional garage sale buyer. It was neat to read about his interesting finds and how he bargains with sellers. I also liked his tidbits to those who are interested in selling and buying.

My favorite chapter was when he discussed the great finds of people who paid a few bucks for an item only to discover that it’s worth thousands. The chapter on how he decorated his house with all his finds was also very neat.

Overall, it was a fun read with a few dry spots.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been raised a child that was frequently taken to yard sales, I loved this book. I'm an adult who took her sons to yard sales and taught them to see the value in used things and the also the value of bargaining and the excitement of finding that perfect thing you always wanted but didn't know you did until you saw it.. ;) The pictures are beautiful and the author does such a great job of relating his experiences, this is definitely one of my favorite books.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me want to go "yard-saling"!! I have attempted in the past, but always get impatient when I can't find something "perfect." The author of this book has it down to a science; reading about his (mis)adventures is half the fun. Seeing his yard sale booty (and how much he paid for it) gives me quite a charge!

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suited more for the garage sale fanatic, and I don't mean this in any kind of negative way. It just didn't do anything for me, who just so happens to find garage sales while walking to the store and half the time I'm too broke to stop. Lol! But I did enjoy this book and loved seeing what the author did with some of his finds.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book nearly a year ago for my birthday and I had read here and there ... but this week I sat down to a delighful few hours being entertained by all the information I would ever want to know about one of my favorite Sat. morning activities ... the art of discovering garage bargains.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really charming! I loved reading about his finds and how he put together each room in his home. I am not a garage saler at all, so this was a fun and quick read from a different perspective.

[Emily]

"Part memoir, part how-to, this quirky treasure includes a calendar of the best garage sales nation-wide" (People mag).

Really appeals to the junk shop-lover in me. :)

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is so funny. I loved reading this book, not only to learn some tips, but to hear his 'voice'. I was reading in the teen room and laughing and I know those kids thought I was crazy.

[Casii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowledgeable, flawless sense of style, delightful humor.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun read

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just mildly fun ---

[Combs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too sly by half.

[Manintheboat · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute and very funny.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love to read about other people's adventures in yard saling. Great read lots of great finds. And stuff that is fun and affordable.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was cute, but not worth the money. It's definitely a one-time read only.