In a nutshell, a book scout can be described as a combination of treasure hunter and dumpster diver. While the former is a more glorious observation and the latter a bit of an exaggeration, the truth is somewhere in between the lines. Ever wondered what it would be like to spend each and every day searching for a few good books? To steal a phrase from Colonel Nathan R. Jessep in the 1992 legal drama of A Few Good Men, “You Can’t Handle The Truth!” That might be a little far-fetched, but it is certainly not for the faint of heart.

First off, there is some serious competition out there! Most of whom have their eye on the same books you’re gunning for. Quite honestly, when you’re rubbing elbows with someone that might not share the same high standards of integrity – yes, there are unscrupulous book scouts that will take the items you find if you’re not careful. One might say that there are certainly some characters out in the book world! Besides the characters you’ll encounter, spending a great deal of time driving around in your car is par for the course – traveling is a must when hunting for books.

Despite there being a number of devices and electronic aids, a person must have a true love for books if they are to really excel as a scout. Sound simple enough? It can be at times, but you’ll learn about new authors and titles at least once a week. You literally need to have a rolodex-like memory to recall the various books that you have, need, or want.

On any given day you might find yourself at a variety of places, from individual homes to library sales and on occasion a book fair. You’ll literally sort pass hundreds of books, if not thousands, to find that one gem that is unique and worth your time. And sometimes, depending on your proclivity to carry heavy boxes, you’ll even purchase a couple dozen boxes of lower value items in hopes of locating your literary treasure. If waiting in-line or arriving a few hours early to a sale makes you anxious, then online purchasing might be the next best option. Searching online for a book with value can be a daunting task, though nevertheless a feasible task if one is particularly skilled at negotiating or bundling discounts. It is an entirely different task altogether and one we intend to dissect at a later time.