Offering Three (3) Advance Reader’s Copies (ARC) of books by National Book Award winning authors, two from books that won the NBA and one signed.  Books include:

1. A Near Fine Advance Reader’s Edition of A Free Life (2007) by Ha Jin, who won the NBA for Waiting in 1999 flat signed by the author on the full title page. First Edition stated on copyright page, full number line.  Softcover (as is the case for ARC’s) in full color wrapper that is identical to the dust jacket for the hardcover copy.  “Advance Reader’s Edition” stated on front cover, publication information on back cover.  Spine straight, binding tight, probably unread.  Cover undimpled and corners sharp.  Only flaw is that on top text block edge, someone has splashed something that creates a spackled effect, like coffee on the edges.  This does not soak through to internal pages, with the exception of minor staining at top of first inlaid page containing letter from publisher. Otherwise, the text block edges are unmarked and the spine is uncreased. 
2. A Very Good plus Advance Reader’s Copy of Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson, which won the National Book Award in 2007.  First Edition stated on copyright page, full number line.  Softcover in full color wrapper that is identical to the dust jacket for the hardcover copy.  “Advance Reader’s Copy” stated on front cover, publication information on back cover.  Spine straight, binding just less than tight.  Front cover undimpled and corners sharp, though some bending of top corner on back cover.  On the back cover, bottom edge there is a minor tear and internally the bottom of the last page before the back cover, is bent in the bottom corner and has a small tear on the bottom edge.  The last dozen or so pages have a bend that mirrors that of the top corner of the back cover.  There is a small scratch on the bottom text block edge. The spine is uncreased.  The CD that accompanied this release is intact and the CD holder has remained unopened.
3. A Very Good Advance Reader’s Copy of The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, which won the National Book Award in 2001.  First Edition stated on copyright page.  Softcover in full color wrapper that is similar to the dust jacket for the hardcover copy (the illustration on the spine in the ARC is about the same as that on the harcover DJ, except facing the other direction).  “Advance Reader’s Copy” stated on front cover, publication information on back cover.  Binding tight, but spine leans about 5 degrees and has some creasing, though not that noticeable.  This copy has, obviously, been read and shows normal wear from reading/handling, as is the definition of Very Good condition.  Front cover undimpled both corners curve up, as do adjoining pages, and the bottom corner has been creased.  Back cover corners less bent, though not perfectly square either.  Text block edges are somewhat dirty, there’s a stain on the top text block edge about the size of a dime. 

Books pictured are actual books for sale.  Information about how I rate book conditions is provided after book details.

Please note, I accept Paypal only and ship only to the U.S. or Canada.  Books are carefully wrapped, protected with bubble wrap, newspaper, or Styrofoam “popcorn” pieces and shipped in a sturdy box.  Buyer determines how quickly you receive the package as I provide the option for you to choose from multiple shipping options, with shipping prices determined accordingly.  My goal is to mail the package within 24 hours of receiving payment.  I live literally across the street from a post office, so that is a very achievable goal.  I time auctions to end when I will be able to mail out within 24 hours if I receive payment within 3 days.  If there will be a delay in mailing as a function of not receiving payment within the first three days (due, for example, to my travel schedule), I will e-mail you as soon as I receive notification of payment and inform you when the package will be mailed. 

Payment Information:  I accept Paypal only.  Full refund if dissatisfied with purchase because of condition if returned in same condition. 

Book Condition Information:  I am not a professional book dealer, but am a long-time book collector who cares about condition, and when I purchase a book online, I want as much information about condition as possible.  I believe that describing a book and dust jacket using commonly accepted condition guidelines provides collectors and dealers with the information they need to make a decision about the collectable worth or value of any book I am offering. As a collector, however, I have been burned more than once with items described as Fine or Very Fine that were neither.  To provide you with information about how I am judging a book’s condition, I use the following guides to make a decision about condition.   I will also, however, provide specific details about flaws in any collectable book I am selling.  Because I am not a professional, I attempt to err on the side of being conservative.  It is my experience, however, that listing each little tic, bump, and crinkle, and rubbing mark makes perfectly collectable copies of books sound worse than they really are. As such, I try not to downplay any potential flaw, but also try not to undersell the book’s quality needlessly.  If there are book or dust jacket conditions that could be considered “borderline” between two levels of condition, I will make my best judgment with regard to identifying a condition, but will include a picture of that condition issue.  Occasionally, I will provide a range for the condition (e.g., Near Fine to Fine) if I am unwilling to assign the higher rating exclusively.  If you are at all unhappy with the condition of your purchase, I will refund your money. The guidelines I use for making a decision about condition (modified and slightly expanded from those recommended by eBay) are:

AS NEW
Unread, in the same condition in which it was published and absent any flaws that may have accompanied the book off the shelf.  Spine absolutely square and tight, no rolling whatsoever, book corners tight and sharp.  Dust jacket in similarly pristine shape.

FINE
An excellent, collectable copy but may have some minor shipping, shelving, or storage defects to the dustjacket, including minor rubbing or notable bumps to book's board or board corners. Not as crisp as new.  May have been read previously, but spine still square.  No tears whatsoever to dustjacket.

NEAR FINE

A very nice copy, but just short of Fine.  Bumps to board corners or top/bottom of book extend beyond slight, spine square but loose, more evident shelf wear.  Dustjacket may have glue from sticker, creases (though no tears).  Still a desirable copy, usually one minor flaw away from Fine. 

VERY GOOD
May show some signs of wear on either binding, dustjacket, or wraps. Spine may have roll.  May have previous owner signature or other marking on fep or in book or may have remainder mark. 

GOOD
Has evidence of average reading wear on both book and dustjacket.  Spine may be rolled, binding no longer tight.  DJ may have tears.  This is the highest ranking I would give for an ex-library book.

I rarely list any book lower than GOOD, but if I do so, I will provide explicit descriptions of the condition issues. 

Thanks for bidding.  If you have any questions, e-mail