What do the CIA and Halloween have in common?

I know this might be a tough one but here's what I learned, they both have spooks lurking about.

Did you know that the Webster's New World Dictionary defines spook as an undercover agent or spy? That same dictionary indicates the root word is Dutch (1801) spooc or German Spuk meaning ghost or apparition. Now this makes sense, spies or undercover agents are not supposed to found out while doing their mission. They are supposed to be able to get into enemy territory unseen, do their mission, and get out undetected like a ghost or remain undetected for years while sending vital information to their home country while in enemy territory. Super scary to be sure, but not to our long time section manager Suzanne Little. Suzanne writes "Just in time for Halloween, Political Science has a large number of books on spooks, spies, disguise, deceit, and undercover operations by the CIA, FBI, NSA, KGB, and MI6! Come check out our Political Science section and see what we have to offer those of you willing to be scared by the other spooks this Halloween.

 
Preview Our Shelves

Check out some of the thousands of books that will be on sale this weekend using our shelf preview pictures.

 
FOPAL is feeling a bit CRAFTIER this month- Kaffe Fasset

Regardless of whether you want to make zombie cupcakes from polymer clay, or knit a pumpkin inspired hat, or string the perfect orange and black beaded necklace, FOPAL's October sale has a craft book for you.

Home & Crafts section manager Nancy Welch wrote "I have a wonderful collection of new books this time: knitting, jewelry, quilting; but what I think we should feature is a Kaffe Fasset sub section." Here's more information on Kaffe Fasset and why he merits a sub section. Kaffe Fasset is an American-born artist who is best known for his colorful designs in the decorative arts -- needlepoint, patchwork, knitting, painting and ceramics. "Color is his very medium, whatever the substance he uses." Author of more than 30 books, Fasset concentrates on teaching the color and design stages of craftwork rather than the construction stage. In addition to books, he has hosted craft-related television and radio programs, including his own show, Glorious Color. He is also a fabric designer for Rowan Patchwork and Quilting and the primary knitwear designer for Rowan Yarns.

If textiles aren't your medium and you're interested in expanding your craft book collection for inspiration, come check out the other sub sections in Home & Crafts. Look for a new sub section for jewelry; we've never had this sub section before. Many of these books are new and filled with lots of projects to help you be even craftier in October.

 
Ephemera Sale has posters and much more

While FOPAL focuses on selling gently used or new books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, records and VHS tapes, we receive donations of many other items. Our sorting volunteers often feel like they are on a treasure hunt as they sort through the hundreds of boxes and bags we receive monthly. Among the books our sorters will find money, letters from a 1965 civil rights volunteer, savings bonds, WWII correspondence letters, African statues, a Beatles memorabilia head band, Indonesian masks, photographs and much more. Most of these donations find their way to our Ephemera section.

Althea Andersen, FOPAL's Empress of Ephemera offers a bounty of gems including: vintage magazines, sheet music, maps, office supplies, pamphlets, stationary, greeting cards and photo frames most priced at 25 cents unless otherwise marked. This month Althea found dozens of posters being donated, several from past museum exhibitions and middle school class rooms. Some are inspirational posters and even some great photographs of animals. You'll find these available in the outside Ephemera Area. A reminder, our monthly sale begins at 8 AM with the Ephemera Sale. If you are here early this Saturday you can help Althea move the ephemera sale carts outside including at least one cart of framed art!

 
Large Judaica & Judaism donation

A local retiring rabbi donated his entire collection of books. Our section on Judaica & Judaism can be found in the main room next to the Religion section and our Education & Language section. The books donated cover a wide range of subject matter and include titles like: Jewish People, Jewish Thought, When They Came to Take My Father, or Like Bread on the Sedar Plate. Many books were donated new and will sell for $2 to $4 each. With Hanukkah approaching you could find a fitting gift for the season. Just to let you know, FOPAL often receives this type of generous donation and when we do we'll let you know. Please pass the word regarding this donation on to anyone you think may be interested. Thanks!

 
Read more books on Movies, TV & Radio

I know, I know, there are only so many hours in a day, and I'm suggesting you spend one of them with your nose in a book that has to do with movies, TV or Radio. Well, yes, because if you're not constantly challenging your mind it's going to get slack, dull and inflexible. And what kind of book lover can live with a slack, dull, inflexible brain? Don't answer that; instead consider reading a book on about a famous actor, TV personality or voice on the radio. Our Movies, TV & Radio section is full of books you may have thought of reading and just didn't think it was worth your time or money to purchase it. We've helped with lowering the cost of these books and we are giving you permission to take time to read one from our great selection. After perusing this section FOPAL is offering two books on Gregory Peck, and four books on Greta Garbo, Cary Grant or Grace Kelly. Any of these books feels worthwhile and probably fascinating. Now, don't laugh, the one book that really caught my eye was...Sculpting a Galaxy:Inside Star Wars Model Shop. This large format book was nearly new and only $8. Now aren't you interested to check out this section and possibly read a book from it? Do it!

 
Special Seasonal Selections

One of our newer section managers, Camille Sorrant, has been working hard with long time section manager Althea Andersen to bring out all the seasonal Winter Holidays books and CDs we've been collecting these many months. You'll find a large selection for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas. If you are looking for great ideas on how to liven up your holidays, look no further. You are sure to find something you'll be excited to read, listen to or share with loved ones during this upcoming holiday season. Look for the festive red and green display as you enter the Main Room on the right. Also, because we have even more Hanukkah and Christmas stuff still packed away in storage, look for more of our collection to be put on sale in the coming months.

 
Audio High & FOPAL vinyl sale

After our very successful Quality Vinyl Sale earlier this year, we are again partnering with Audio High in Mountain View in November to offer hundreds of LPs, 45s, and 78s in all genres from rock to jazz to international to classical to indescribable. You'll find an assortment of old favorites at low prices as well as collectible titles and rarities.

Highlights include:

• A nice collection of avant-garde albums by Fred Frith, John Zorn, and others.
• Lots of French, African, and Greek records
• A group of Frank Zappa and related albums
• A number of gospel albums by lesser-known artist
• Several albums of 78 rpm "party" records