BookJingle Blog

Today, I am beginning a 26-week-long endeavor to give you all of the ABCs of BookJingle! Each week, a new letter will be featured and a fact will be unveiled corresponding to that letter, starting with A and ending with Z. (Of course, a few letters might use a little tweaking like X and Q). And here we go!

A is for Always Accepting Books.

BookJingle is up and running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can enter ISBN information and get quotes any time of day. Unlike bookstores that have set hours and close for holidays, BookJingle is always open and always accepting books. So, even if you get the urge to enter book information at 3:00 am, rest assured you will be taken care of.

This also means that there is no down period. Some university bookstores have set days in the year when they buyback used textbooks, and those usually occur around the beginning and end of a semester. So, if you have books you want them to buyback, you have to wait until it is convenient for them. But not BookJingle. They will buyback your used textbooks when it is convenient for you, anytime of year.

Of course, it is also a good time to mention that when you sell your used books to BookJingle, you are going to get a fair price. So, whenever you’re ready to get some cash for your used books, log on BookJingle.com! They’ll be there.

Have you seen the recent JC Penney commercials? If you ever watch TV, I’m sure you have. It features a lot of people screaming over sales. That’s about it. And at the end of the commercial, nothing is explained. There is just a mysterious date: 2/1/2012. That just happens to be today. So, after remembering that commercial (I guess ads do work), I hopped onto their site to see what all of the fuss is about.

I was greeted with the “new” JC Penney site. Apparently, they realize that JC Penney isn’t exactly anyone’ s first choice for shopping. And it would seem they also realize people are all about saving money these days. The “new” JC Penney has three kinds of prices:

Red: Everyday Prices
White: Month-Long Values
Blue: Best Prices (which happen on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month)

I went to the site to check out these “month-long” deals. Among the deals, I found several $6 shirts, $11 pants, and a $15 jackets. The deals are pretty great, and it makes more sense than having hap-hazard sales all the time. I’ve always noticed many stores have constant sales, and if that’s the case — how can you call them sales? It is just to make the buyer feel like they are saving more money than they are. Having sales last an entire month, plus remembering the 1st and 3rd Friday rule doesn’t seem half bad. It also seems more likely that if they run out of stock, they will have a new shipment before the sale is over. I am even tempted to check out the best deals in store this coming Friday.

My one question about this new pricing hierarchy is will they still continue to use coupons? I know JC Penney, like other department stores, used to give out lots of coupons and “cash” you can use on a later purchase. That might make a lot of people angry. Even if they get prices lower than with their coupons, people still like that feeling of saving money that coupons give. Many won’t even make a purchase without a coupon (thank you Extreme Couponing), which is silly in this case, when prices are lower than many other stores even with coupons.

So, even though many shoppers have forgotten about JC Penney, maybe this new JC Penney will bring them back. I know anytime I go to the mall, I skip over the place. Perhaps the next time I am at the mall, I’ll give it another chance. I like when a company realizes it has been doing something wrong, and decides to switch it up. Some don’t like change, but if it saves me money, I’ll give it a shot.

What do you think of the “new” JC Penney, and the three kinds of pricing? If you aren’t already a shopper, does it make you want to change your mind?

Although I am an avid reader and I love books, I am guilty of ignoring some of the classics. I have made excuses for never reading the likes of Moby Dick or Pride and Prejudice in the past. Now that I am writing more and reading more, I have decided that these books can not go unread any longer. While my resolution was to read even more books than I did in 2011, I plan to work in at least one classic book a month.

When I say “classic” books, I am talking about Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, and many others. I am talking about books that have permeated our culture ever since their initial printing. I am ashamed that I have called myself a book lover but have so far snubbed these popular and important works for so long.

Snub no more! This year, I plan to read the following classic books from beginning to end.

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• Dracula by Bram Stoker
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• Emma by Jane Austen
• David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
• Mrs. Dalloway by Virgina Woolf
• Moby Dick by Herman Melville
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Admittedly, this is a huge list to tackle. But I plan to do my best to complete all 12 of these books. I will try to keep everyone up to date on my list with thoughts and a review once I have finished each book. Anyone out there miss out on reading any of books they consider to be classic care to join me in this endeavor? Leave a comment and tell me which classic books you plan to read in 2012.

2004 was a very interesting year. Domestic Queen Martha Stewart went to prison for five months, Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won the Oscar for Best Picture. And 2004 was also the year that BookJingle opened up shop in Georgetown, Kentucky. Many origin stories are said to have begun in a garage or basement (Google and Apple to name a couple), and this origin story is no different. Eight years ago, BookJingle was just an idea. But it wasn’t long before that idea came to fruition, and started with humble beginnings as a home-based business. But now BookJingle, still a family-owned business, offers customers all over the country the easiest way to sell used books. And with thousands of satisfied customers, BookJingle is always committed to providing its customers with the best book buyback site on the net. They strive to give each and every one of their customers the highest quality service, and offer the following benefits:

• Free Shipping
• Payments within 48 hours
• Top Prices
• Excellent customer service
• Book Scout service
• Easy to use website
• Excellent communication throughout the entire process

When you are making extra cash by selling your books to BookJingle, you are also supporting a family-owned business that is dedicated to giving its customers the best and easiest experience possible. Give it a shot, and see the difference a little dedication makes. And when you are convinced, tell your friends!

Cold and flu season is upon us, folks! That means along with some nasty weather, you might also experience some nasty sicknesses. Coughing, runny noses, sore throats, and fevers. We all know that being sick is no fun. Of course, getting a flu shot is a good way to stave off certain strains of the flu, but there are other things you can do to try and stay well. There are ways to prevent sickness, and even foods that boost your immune system.

In order to prevent sickness, be sure to do all of the following:

• Wash your hands often. Use soap, lather up, and scrub for 15 seconds.
• Sleep! Those who are sleep deprived have compromised immune systems, and are more susceptible to sickness.
• De-stress. Like those who are sleep deprived, those of you who are stressed are more likely to get sick.
• Drink more water.
• Disinfect surfaces daily.

In addition to the previous tips, the following foods have been shown to actually boost the immune system. Of course, I don’t recommend eating them all in one dish, but that’s up to you.

• Garlic
• Kiwi
• Shiitake Mushrooms
• Sweet Potatoes
• Brazil Nuts
• Sunflower Seeds

It’s not always possible to keep the cold away. So, if you still end up getting sick, just use these suggestions to make it a little less agonizing than it already is:

• Take it easy. Listen to your body, and only do what you feel ready to do. Don’t do too much too fast, or you risk allowing the illness to drag on.
• If possible, start treatment within the first 24 hours of being sick. It is much easier to kick an illness during the first few hours than it is later.
• Ask for help. If you need something (soup, ginger ale, a good magazine), don’t be afraid to ask others so you don’t risk spreading your germs at the drugstore.
• Get a new toothbrush, especially after a bacterial infection. The infection may actually stay on the brush even after you are better.

And we all know that when you’re sick, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of warm soup. Here is a link to over 20 recipes for comforting soup that will make you feel better, if only for a little bit. Stay well!

As promised, I spent the last few days coming up with my own list of the best books of 2011. Some critically acclaimed, others completely ignored. All of them interesting, and worth the read. When it comes to books, I have very eclectic interests. I love mysteries and thrillers, along with the quirky and magical. I can also get really engrossed in a good biography or memoir. There were a lot of really great books released in 2011, but the following five books are my picks for the best books of 2011 (in no particular order).

1. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
I have previously expressed my love for the magical realist writings of Sarah Addison Allen. The Peach Keeper is on par with her previous books, and possibly better. She uses words to spin new worlds full of magic, love, and food. I read this book as soon as I could get my hands on it. The only problem with reading it so fast is having to wait for her next book to be published!

2. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Yes, the book is as strange as it sounds. But it is a good strange. The story revolves around a teenager whose grandfather dies under mysterious circumstances. After receiving a letter from his deceased grandfather, he goes on an adventure with his father to try and figure it all out. The book was actually written based around photographs found by the author, which are included in the book itself. Strange photographs that inspire a strange story.

3. Bossypants by Tina Fey
I love 30 Rock, so obviously I love Bossypants. This isn’t the first time I have talked about this book, and I am not the only one to put it on a “Best of 2011″ list. It’s much different than your usual celebrity autobiography. Tina Fey keeps it light and funny, but still delving into her personal life. It isn’t boring or uninteresting, and it doesn’t seem like she wrote it just to be another celebrity who wrote a book. She has a story to tell, and it’s a hilarious one.

4. Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
This is where the mystery/thriller lover in me shines through. This book is scary. Not because of monsters or killers, but because it is about something truly terrifying: losing one’s memory. Christine had an accident that left her with no short term memory. Every morning, she wakes up not knowing who she is. Of course, this has been done time and time again in books and movies, but this time there is a new twist. She keeps a journal of her life story that she reads every morning. One morning, she picks it up and reads a message from herself: “Don’t trust Ben.” Ben is her husband. I couldn’t put this book down, and definitely think it is a good choice for anyone who loves a good thriller.

5. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
I love all books about the circus. There’s something about it that fascinates me. Along the same lines, I love every books about magicians. It just so happens that The Night Circus is about circuses and magicians. Fantastic. Le Cirque des Reves is a circus that appears at night with no warning, and disappears just as quickly. Amazing tents, and amazing performers come together to make it an extremely memorable event for all, especially the reader. I bought this book the day it came out, and it is definitely my favorite book of 2011. I can’t wait for this author’s next book to come out.

There are many books that I could have put on this list, but I narrowed the bunch down to just these five. I recommend all of the above books to anyone, and hope that you love them as much as I do. Hopefully 2012 will be full of as many incredible books as 2011. We have 11 more months to find out!

So, you’ve decided to dig up those old boxes of books from the attic to sell on BookJingle? Good for you! Selling your used books to BookJingle is an excellent way to make some space in the house, and make some extra cash! But, lo-and-behold, the attic hasn’t exactly been the best place to store books. Cobwebs and a little dirt can be cleaned off  books in a snap, and as long as they still match BookJingle’s guidelines (ex: no water damage, no musty smells which signal mold), you’re good to go. Some great tips when cleaning up a book to sell are:

Remove any dust on the outside of the book by gently vacuuming with a brush attachment or use a magnetic dusting cloth. When doing so, be sure you turn the book upside down, to prevent dust from collecting in between pages.

Clean the edges of pages of cobwebs and other debris by wiping with a slice of fresh white bread or a soft bristled brush.

After the dust jacket has been wiped away of any actual dust, clean it with a small amount of window cleaner and a soft cloth. Be sure to spray the cloth with the cleaner, and not the book itself! For paperbacks or books without a dust jacket, use a dry cleaning pad to wipe away dirt. You can also use a dab of cleaner and wipe away dirt with your fingers. Be sure to use as little cleaner as necessary, you don’t want to damage the books in the process of cleaning them.

If you notice grease or oil marks on pages (on a cookbook, for instance), you can try to remove them using paper towels and a weight. Simply place a few paper towels over the spot, close the book, and place the weight on top. Leave it for several days in order for the towels to absorb the maximum amount of oil.

Although these are good methods for slightly dirty books, many page stains, water damage, tearing, and musty smells cannot be removed. And thus, cannot be sold to BookJingle. It is important to take good care of your books, and even recommended to clean your books using the above methods once a year to keep them in the best shape. Additionally, when storing books, always keep them in a dry place to avoid mold and humidity.

These are great tips for your everyday book, but if you’re dealing with a rare or valuable book, these cleaning methods are not recommended. Take any rare, valuable, or antique books to an expert.

Hopefully, some of you have taken my advice and have begun or plan to begin composting your scraps. Composting is a great way to lessen the amount of garbage sent to the landfills, and creates wonderful fertilizer for gardening. Whether you are planning a flower, herb, or a vegetable garden, composting will give you nutrient-rich fertilizer that you made yourself. Recently, I came across an article which lists 75 surprising things you can compost. It is a great guide to what can be composted, and what cannot. Everyone knows that fruit and vegetable scraps and grass can be composted, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. As the article suggests, I was surprised by some of the items on the list. Some of the most surprising compostable items on the list were:

• Old loofahs
• Receipts
• Contents of your vacuum cleaner bag or canister
• Pizza boxes, ripped into smaller pieces
• Old/stained wool or cotton clothing – rip or cut it into smaller pieces

The full list, found on PlanetGreen.com, can be found here.

If you plan to start your own garden in the near future (or already have one), why not give composting a shot? By doing so, and using the preceding list as a guide, so much garbage can be saved from landfills. The resulting fertilizer may even give your soil that little boost it needs to give you a green thumb that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

For more on composting, visit the Composting page on PlanetGreen.com for tips, instructions, and even a guide to what not to compost.

I have previously posted a link to a list of the best-selling books of 2011, as compiled by Nielsen. Today I am posting about the  best books of 2011, which sounds similar but is completely different. Best-selling books don’t always equal best books, and many bestselling books of the previous year were not recent or new books. Of course people have different opinions, so I have gathered a few lists compiled by the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and the Washington Post to give a wide range of opinions.

New York Times Best Books of 2011

Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2011

Washington Post Best Books of 2011

It is interesting to note that the only two books to appear on both the bestselling books list I previously posted and a best book list are Tina Fey’s “Bossypants,” and “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. Additionally, there is no one book that appears on all three of these lists, but the following books do appear on two of the lists:

“State of Wonder” — Ann Patchet (Publishers Weekly & Washington Post)
“Hemingway’s Boat” — Paul Hendrickson (Publisher’s Weekly & Washington Post)
“The Marriage Plot” — Jeffrey Eugenides (Publisher’s Weekly & New York Times)
“Arguably” — Christopher Hitchens (Publisher’s Weekly & New York Times)

If you are interested in reading more about the best books of 2011, the New York Times has a great article about the 100 most notable books of 2011 you can find here. Or you can just compile your own list. What, in your opinion, are the best books of 2011? I’ll think about that, and share my own list soon.

Did you know that at anytime, you can log into your BookJingle account and check out the details of your order? Your account keeps you informed about your order every step of the way. Among other things, it can tell you the status of your order. This includes whether BookJingle has received your books, if a payment has been issued, and other details. To get to your account, all you have to do is log in via the “Log In” link on the homepage of BookJingle.com. Once you are logged in, just click on the “My Account” link. You can view recent orders, change account information, and even reprint BookJingle’s free shipping label.

Being this easy and user-friendly is just another way that BookJingle continually shows it is commitment to providing its customers with the best book buyback site on the net. So next time you find yourself wondering if BookJingle has received your order, or sent your payment, just log in to your account!