DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am relocating and would like to know of any book dealers who would be interested in buying hard-cover books in excellent condition in the surrounding areas of Rumford, Lewiston-Auburn, Norway, South Paris, Farmington, Wilton. I have about 20 large boxes. Thank you. — Janice via email

ANSWER: The market for books isn’t what it used to be. You may be able to sell your books, but unless they are collectibles (for example, signed first editions), you may not get much money for them.

The genre also affects the value. You can often buy like-new used copies of hard-cover popular fiction at Amazon for a penny plus shipping. But some books, perhaps, say references or cookbooks, hold their value better.

Sun Spots does have a few options in her Rolodex. For strictly used, she has:

* Artios, 180 Turner St., Auburn, 786-4007

* Twice Sold Tales, 155 Main St., Farmington, ME 04938, 778-4411

The following new bookstores also deal with used books, albeit in a more limited way:

* Apple Valley Books, 121 Main St., Winthrop, ME 04364, 377-3967, www.applevalleybooks.com (used books not inventoried, but arranged according to genre and alphabetized)

* Bridgton Books, 140 Main St., Bridgton, ME 04009, 647-2122, facebook.com/pages/Bridgton-Books/179021899789 (mostly new but have some used and a bargain section)

* Maine Book House, 1545 Main St. (Route 26), Oxford, ME 04270, 743-9300 (includes collectibles)

If there are others Sun Spots has missed, please let her know.

The easiest option might be to donate your books to your local library and take the tax deduction. Most libraries have annual book sales, and those sales are often in the summer.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Does Lewiston-Auburn or the greater L-A area have any clothing consignment shops that include adult clothing for men and women? Thank you. — Cleaning Closets via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots has the following in her most recent listing. If there are additions or subtractions, please let her know.

* Maine Vintage & Consignment, 18 Main St., Lisbon Falls, www.mainevintageconsignment.com, 353-2216

* New To You Consignments, 148 Summer St., Taylor Brook Mall, Auburn, 333-3007

* The Once More Store, 906 Lisbon St., Lewiston, 786-0224

* Raggamuffins, 120 Center St., Auburn, 784-2884, by appointment, also in Gardiner, 279 Water St., 582-2886

* Rag’s II Rich’$, 14 Main St., Lisbon Falls, 754-9496

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are looking for artisans and crafters for Kingfield Festival Days. The artisan fair is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 20. Please contact Emily Hatfield at 779-6191. You can also go to the Kingfield Festival Days page on Facebook and message us that way. Thank you! — Danielle Mathieu, dmathieu@msad58.org

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The members of the West Auburn School Historical Society appreciate the help you have given us in the past in publicizing our annual yard sale. So here we go again.

The West Auburn School Yard Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 (rain date, Aug. 17). Tables can be rented for $10 by contacting Dick Keene at 966-2202. Space is limited, so call early to reserve your space.

In addition to treasures galore to purchase, we will be having a baked goods table, a hot dog lunch and interesting items to raffle. Visitors are welcome to tour one of the last remaining one-room schoolhouses in the state, which was restored by the West Auburn Historical Society more than 20 years ago.

Come on by, stroll around the grounds, visit with old and new friends, and have a pleasant summer experience. All are welcome!

Many thanks, Sun Spots, for helping us with this event. — June Spear, West Auburn School Historical Society, 782-6341, junesp@roadrunner.com

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). Please include your phone number. 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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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