Dear Sun Spots: I enjoy your column very much and read it every day. I also have used it several times and thank you for all your past help. Would any of your readers have a copy of the Oprah’s Book Club selection “Anna Karenina” that they would sell for a reasonable price? I have looked at used bookstores and have not found any. I can be reached at (207) 926-4281. Thank you. – B. T., New Gloucester.

Answer: In addition to receiving responses from Sun Spots readers, used copies of “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy can be purchased through the Internet at www.Amazon.com, prices starting at $4.85 and they would be shipped in one to two weeks.

You can also contact the following used bookstores: Book Burrow and Cafe, 1 Great Falls Plaza, Auburn, (207) 783-6090; Book Mart, 13 Union St., Lisbon Falls, (207) 353-8128; Carlson & Turner Antiquarian Books and Bookbindery, 241 Congress St., Portland, (800) 540-7323; Cat’s Paw Used Books, 74 Main St., Bridgton, (207) 647-4030; Curiosity Book Shop, 285 Main St., Wilton, (207) 645-4122; Dragoneye Gems, 16 Main St., Lisbon, (207) 353-2050; General Eclectic, 65 Lewiston Road, New Gloucester, (207) 926-4060; Lake Webb Emporium, Dixfield Road, Weld, (207) 585-2710; Mr. Paperback, 855 Lisbon St., Lewiston, (207) 783-2273; Pepperell Books, 550 Lisbon St., Lewiston, (207) 344-6900; River Oaks Books, Jay Brook Circle, Jay, (207) 897-3734; Route 26 Antiques Books & Collectibles, 1188-3 Main St., Oxford, (207) 744-0232; Shoestring Books, 497 Main St., Norway, (207) 743-9300; and Twice Sold Tales, 155 Main St., Farmington, (207) 778-4411.

Dear Sun Spots: You provide a nice service for people in surrounding towns. During the holiday season, I participated in putting together Christmas food and gift boxes. This year we had a number of canned goods donated with expired dates of a year to two years past. We did not dare include these items in the baskets. Could you find out what the time frame might be for using past-date items? There are probably others who would like this information, too. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: From what Sun Spots could find on the subject, you were wise not to include the items in question and should dispose of them. According to the Food Quality Centers Web site at www.qfconline.com, the shelf life of high-acid items, like tomato products, is generally no more than 18 to 24 months from the packing date. By the time the product is stored and shipped throughout the year, it generally has a shelf life of no more than 12 to 18 months when purchased at the store. Low-acid canned fruits and vegetables may be good for two years or more, depending on storage conditions and the condition of the can itself. They do not recommend using dented, bulging or rusted canned goods; additionally, they advise never tasting such foods, and throwing out any food you suspect might be spoiled.

Also, to help you determine the expiration date of code-stamped canned goods, visit the following Web sites where you will find information and code charts for decoding these codes: Y2K Kitchen -Canned Food Code and Shelf Life Information at www.y2kkitchen.com/html/can_code_decoder.html and the Food Reference Web site at www.foodreference.com/html/tcannedfoodshelflife.html.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].