Author brittanychapterchats

A woman adds a paperback book into a green Better World Books box.

Donate Your Gently Used Books to HCLS and Support a Good Cause 

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A woman adds a paperback book into a green Better World Books box.

by Brittany M.

Before I started ninth grade, my eyes swept over my complete collections of The Baby-Sitters Club, Sweet Valley High and Anne of Green Gables. I had a hard decision to make. Do I let them go so someone else can be entertained and learn valuable life lessons from these books? Or do I keep them because they were well-loved, read repeatedly, and guided me through adolescence?

I decided it was time to let them go. So, I donated them to my local library which held book sales throughout the year. Although Howard County Library System no longer holds in-person book sales, your donations are still needed and much appreciated. We are partners with Better World Books, and the books you donate go to them to be sold online; a portion of the proceeds returns directly to Friends & Foundation of HCLS. Please keep these tips in mind when deciding what to donate:

The Condition of the Books 

Before donating, please evaluate the condition of the books. They should not have any mold, mildew, excessive dust and dirt, water damage, spine damage, or missing pages or covers.  

OK to Donate 

  • Fiction and nonfiction (hardcover and paperback) 
  • Rare Books 
  • Children’s Books (including unused workbooks and activity books) 
  • College Textbooks (published within 10 years) 
  • Foreign Language Books (with an ISBN) (particularly Spanish, French, German, Russian) 

Not OK to Donate 

  • Annuals and Yearbooks 
  • Audio Cassettes, VHS Tapes, LP Records/Vinyl and Computer Software 
  • Book Club Editions (Reader’s Digest Condensed and Time-Life Books) 
  • Britannica and World Books Encyclopedia 
  • Procedural Law Books 
  • Custom Course Packets 
  • Directories, Telephone Books and Indexes 
  • Duplicate Copies (more than 20 copies per title) 
  • Un-sellable Editions (Free Copies, Review Copies, Examination Copies, Complimentary Copies, Not for Sale Copies, Not for Resale Copies, Counterfeit Copies, Inbound Edition, Advanced Reading Copies, Uncorrected Proofs, or Galleys) 
  • Journals and Periodicals (Literary Criticisms) 
  • Microfilm and Microfiche Newspapers and Magazines 
  • Non-Western Script Books 
  • Tax and Government Documents or Forms 
  • International Editions of Low Price Editions (LPS) 
  • Hybrid Editions 
  • Stand Alone Access Cards 
  • DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs 
  • Audiobooks and CDs 
  • Video Games 
  • Playaways 

Where to Donate 

HCLS has two branches where you can drop off your books. Just look for the bright green donation bin with “Better World Books” on the front and sides: 

Charles E. Miller Branch & Historical Center  
9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042 

East Columbia Branch  
6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045 

Please do not leave books at the front doors of the branch or by the book drops. Also, do not set books on the ground outside of the donation bin, because in the event of inclement weather, the books are ruined.  

If you find yourself still buried in books after decluttering or for items that do not make our cut but are undamaged, consider taking them to The Book Thing of Baltimore, Goodwill, or the Salvation Army.  

Brittany is a Customer Service Specialist at the Miller Branch who loves writing, reading, and all things stationery. Her other hobbies include playing video games, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family.

The book cover shows a corridor in a prison cell, with overhead lights casting a green glow on the concrete floor.

Freida McFadden Keeps Readers Guessing

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The book cover shows an eerie house in the dark woods, with light shining from a front window and a tree in the foreground.

By Brittany M.

I’m pretty good at figuring out where a plot is headed before it ends. Whether it’s something I expected to happen or an unexpected twist, I keep it to myself. I’m not one of those people who spoils the journey through the storyline for other readers. When a book ends exactly the way I knew it would, I feel a satisfied smile spread across my face, and on the inside exclaim, “Ah ha! I knew it!”, then I move on from that author. But when my brain is spinning, my mouth drops in shock, and all I can think is “I did NOT see that coming,” I’m hooked and eagerly awaiting the author’s next book.  

There is one author who keeps me guessing every time. After reading a few of her books, I still can’t figure out where she is going with the story, but I’m always glad to have read it to the end for the shocking twist. That author’s name is Freida McFadden and her books fly off the shelves at Howard County Library System.

The book cover shows a brown eye looking through a keyhole.

The first McFadden book I read was The Housemaid. A young woman in desperate need of a job starts working for an affluent family. The perfect facade starts to crumble and fade the longer she is employed, ending in a shocking conclusion.

The book cover shows a corridor in a prison cell, with overhead lights casting a green glow on the concrete floor.

The second book I read was The Inmate. The heroine of the novel has a chilling past that haunts her on and off the job. While trying to piece together the puzzle of her past I found myself trying to guess the villain to no avail. The book had so many twists at the end that I had to go back and re-read the last few chapters to make sure I did not miss anything.  

By the time I got my hands on One by One, I considered myself a solid McFadden fan who would be sure to guess the plot this time. It turns out I got too confident in my plot prediction skills and found myself wrapped up in so many twists and turns in this book that it’s my favorite one by her yet. 

If you’re looking for something unpredictable, entertaining and hard to put down, a Freida McFadden book is the perfect choice. HCLS has several titles from the thrilling author, so no matter which one you choose, you’re in for a nail-biting time up until the very end. 

The Housemaid is available from HCLS in print in English, Korean, and Spanish.

The Inmate is available in print and as an e-audiobook.

One by One is available in print and as an e-audiobook.

Brittany is a Customer Service Specialist at the Miller Branch who loves writing, reading, and all things stationery. Her other hobbies include playing video games, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family.

A small children bundled up in a coat and hat looks at a homeless person wrapped seated and wrapped in a blanket.

The Old Man by Sarah V. & Claude K. Dubois

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A small children bundled up in a coat and hat looks at a homeless person wrapped seated and wrapped in a blanket.

by Brittany M.

I was halfway through The Old Man when the first tear fell. I cried a few more before the end. This sweet children’s picture book by Sarah V. & Claude K. Dubois teaches awareness, kindness, and compassion for the homeless – all things our world needs more of (me included). 

The cover art and title caught my eye while I was shelving books in the children’s section of the library. Even though I don’t have kids yet, I’m always on the lookout for books to share with them in the future, so I borrowed it. The story is simple but powerful, as the words, actions, and attitude of the characters who interact with the “The Old Man” act as a mirror for society, reflecting the stereotypes and prejudices a lot of us hold against the homeless. It resonates because I bet you have already come across someone who reminds you of “The Old Man” at least once. 

A lot of feelings stirred within me while reading this book. Shame regarding the indifference I sometimes display towards homelessness due to feeling awkward and guilty. I feel awkward making eye contact when I see someone holding a sign asking for money, and I feel guilty for having more and not remembering to keep spare change or bills. I want my kids to be better than me by always being ready to give to someone in need and to feel comfortable when doing it. While doing some self-reflection, I researched ways to help the homeless beyond money exchanging hands. 

One good idea I learned from a friend is to have a bag of essentials ready to give. You can make them for a low cost by shopping for items at the Dollar Tree or Five Below, including gloves, socks, non-perishable food items, toothpaste, toothbrush, wipes, deodorant, and even a blanket. If you want to add something extra, consider grocery store or coffee shop gift cards. You never know when was the last time someone had a hot meal to eat or a warm beverage to drink. 

Before the year is over, I invite you to do something good-hearted for those less fortunate. Maybe it’s someone you see regularly on your commute or maybe it’s a random act of kindness. No matter who you choose to give to or how you choose to give, make sure it’s without prejudice or judgment. 

Borrow a copy of The Old Man from any HCLS branch.

Brittany is a Customer Service Specialist at the Miller Branch who loves writing, reading, and all things stationery. Her other hobbies include playing video games, listening to music and spending quality time with her family.