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detroitspecials.bsky.social
Detroit Specials Used Books
@detroitspecials.bsky.social
1K followers 46 following 660 posts
We're Detroit's best used bookstore (that you've never heard of)

Gently used & new books in all genres, for all ages. Curated, inclusive, & leftist. Masks are required to shop in-store; we're happy to provide them if needed.

https://detroitusedbooks.com
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detroitspecials.bsky.social
WHEEL OF TIME, BAYBEE

We have 10 out of the first 12 books. Conditions range from G to VG, and prices range from $3.50-$4.50.

We're here at the store until 9 PM tonight. Hope to see you!
Photo of ten books in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and/or Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Half the books are face-out and the other half are spine-out. There wasn't any reason for how I set them up, it was entirely to fit them on the shelf.
December 6, 2025 at 8:07 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Last reskeet: NOT an affiliate link -- their stuff just looks cool and I like their business model 👍🏼
December 6, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Reposted by Detroit Specials Used Books
moxiest.art
✨ S S P S ✨
A typewritten note that reads: oh hi hello it's time to buy gifts for the people you care about, or at least need to pretend you care about. we got you.
December 6, 2025 at 3:28 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Good morning, all 👋🏼

It's Sick Stuff Saturday, and YES we have some SICK new arrivals on the shelves today. First up: this is the first time we've ever received any of the Andrew Lang fairy books! We also got this amazing little book on African folklore + MANY more fairy & folktale titles.
Photo of three of Andrew Lang's fairy books, all in library binding. Pictured are The Blue Fairy Book, The Brown Fairy Book, and The Green Fairy Book. All but The Green Fairy Book are spine-out; Green is face-out. Photo of a hand holding a copy of Folktales and Fairytales of Africa. Full bookshelves are visible in the background.
December 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Little Ruby Roo at the vet on Tuesday.

It's hard to see in this pic, but I wanted to know why she has SUCH a round-y belly.

$500 to find out it's poop 🤣😭
A dilute calico cat is glaring at you from the left side of the frame. Behind her is a little vet scale, and to the right of that is a cat toy with a feather on top. In the photo you can just about see how her belly is round, but it's even rounder than that, trust me, it's super round.
December 5, 2025 at 9:39 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
When you ran out of those little Post-It placeholder tab thingies two books ago
Close-up photograph of a book that's dog-eared like WHOA. Like, you can tell when the reader started to get into the book and then you can see where they were like EACH! PAGE! IS! A BANGER! ... ...and you can also see where they set the book down and never got back to it :'( We don't judge. It's happened to us, too.
December 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Good morning, all 🌞

It's What's New Wednesday! Here's our first photoset, showing off some new arrivals...everything from young adult series & performer memoirs to fantasy shorts & Stephen King.

We have hundreds of new-to-us titles going on the shelf this week...more pics coming later today!
Photo of all four books in Alexandra Bracken's DARKEST MINDS series: The Darkest Minds; Never Fade; In the Afterlight; and Through the Dark. The books are spine-out, in a slight fan, so you can just see the back cover of The Darkest Minds and the front cover of Through the Dark. Photo of two books by Questlove. Mo' Meta Blues is standing up and face-out; the second book, whose title is obscured, is lying down beneath the other book. You can see Questlove's name on the second book, but not much else. Photo of two copies of Faeries Never Lie: Tales to Revel In. One book is face-out; the other is lying flat beneath the other book. Photo of three copies of Stephen King's You Like it Darker. The books are spine-out at an angle, so you can just see the front cover.
December 3, 2025 at 12:42 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
(from my personal account)

LET'S DO IT
dorabadger.bsky.social Dora B. @dorabadger.bsky.social · 8d
MOOD

(from the amazing webcomic, The Property of Hate)
(by Sarah Jolley)
(link downthread)
Three characters from The Property of Hate, celebrating the slim chance that maybe not every single thing is fucked beyond all unfucking. Assok (a sock puppet), RGB (a lean dude with a TV head which has a mouth compiled of colored bars), and Hero (a hero) are all leaping into the air. RGB: We've got one last hero, and one last hope! We can do it! Let's do it! LET'S SAVE THE WORLD! Hero: YEAH!!! (there's SO MUCH context behind this panel, but you don't need any of it to just ride the vibe) LET'S DO IT
December 1, 2025 at 10:22 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Good morning, all

It's BUSY SEASON. Today, I'm up early assembling junk journal/collage packs for the return of Broken Books 🙂

I've collected materials for these for YEARS. It's nice to finally sit down & put together a bunch. The pictured packets + dozens more will be on our shelves this weekend
Photo of one of our junk journal/collage packets. The theme for this one is Fine Arts; the packet includes 30+ images and papers, plus a bonus strip of watercolors. All of our sets have some kind of random extra(s). I've literally been pulling papers, ephemera, etc. for these together for over ten years. I have a lot of stuff to pack in there, okay Photo of one of our junk journal/collage packets. The theme for this one is The Natural World. Illustrations of flowers, a rabbit, and a crow are visible but there are a lot of other images and papers in the packet; it includes 30+ images and papers, plus a bonus set of mini images that have been tucked into a vintage library book pocket. All of our sets have some kind of random extra(s). I've literally been pulling papers, ephemera, etc. for these together for over ten years. I have a lot of stuff to pack in there, okay Photo of one of our junk journal/collage packets. This packet is unthemed. Illustrations of a woman dressed in Victorian clothing and holding seven knives by their tips; another woman in a bikini being attacked by a snake; and a painting of a couple are visible, but there are a lot of other images and papers in the packet. This set includes 30+ images and papers, plus a bonus set of mini images that have been tucked into a vintage library book pocket. All of our sets have some kind of random extra(s). I've literally been pulling papers, ephemera, etc. for these together for over ten years. I have a lot of stuff to pack in there, okay
December 1, 2025 at 10:01 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Bump!
detroitspecials.bsky.social Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 12d
Hello, all! Here's what's happening at the bookstore this weekend:

Thursday: CLOSED
Friday: SHORT HOURS (2-6)
Saturday: EXTENDED HOURS (1-9), a cat food drive, and some great deals. Get up to $15 off with donations of cat food & plastic bags!

I am HUSTLING to get ready 🐱 Hope to see you!
A tuxedo kitten is sitting on a bookshelf. She's surrounded by physics books. (she's heard all the Schrödinger's Kitten jokes, but she'll still slow blink politely if you feel you must) The photo is overlaid with promotional text and the store logo. Text reads: Detroit Specials Used Books - Our hours this week: Thursday, Nov. 27: CLOSED - Have a great holiday! Friday, Nov. 28: 2-6 PM - Visit us to get a first look at our new grab bags, collage packs, and hundreds of new arrivals! - Small Business CATURDAY, Nov. 29: 1-9 PM - Details (arrow pointing to the left) Promotional graphic featuring the store logo and clipart of a tuxedo cat waving pompoms and cheering. Text reads: Detroit Specials Used Books - Small Business CATURDAY - 8275 John R - Detroit, MI - Nov. 29: 1-9 PM - Help us support our rescue cats AND our rescue friends! Donate items for $$ off your purchase: 1 can of wet food = $1 off (max 12 cans per person) - 5 plastic grocery bags = $1 off (max 25 bags per person) - Food will be split evenly between Detroit Specials, North End Catz Detroit, and Detroit Alley Cats. - 10% OFF all children's books - $5 Bookish Bag Lunch - 10% OFF all collage packs - AND meet RUBY, our latest foster ^_^ - We'll also have some other surprises...hope to see you!
November 27, 2025 at 5:26 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
I like Winnie-the-Pooh and all, but YIKES

this looks like Milne's about to shift into Pennywise
Photo of the cover of Ann Thwaite's A.A. Milne: The Man Behind Winnie-the-Pooh. Milne is sitting down, and his son Christopher Robin (he looks about 5 or 6 years old) is on Milne's lap. Christopher Robin is holding the original Pooh toy. Milne is caught in a very unfortunate lighting situation which makes his receding hairline look like it's framing an astonishingly bulbous forehead, and is giving his eyes the same bizarre sheen you'll find in videos of rabid foxes. His tight-lipped HOLD STILL, KID smile isn't helping. This man looks like he will bite you. RUN, KID Close-up on Milne's eyes from the previous picture, just in case you weren't 100% sure that this is a very creepy photograph
November 27, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Reposted by Detroit Specials Used Books
haymarketbooks.org
Help us send 2,000 books to readers who are incarcerated this winter through our Books Not Bars program
Books Not Bars 2025 Holiday Campaign
BOOKS NOT BARS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Haymarket Books is committed to making our books available for free to people who are incarcerated. In an effort to support those inside who are dealing with the imm...
haymarketbooks.app.neoncrm.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Hello, all! Here's what's happening at the bookstore this weekend:

Thursday: CLOSED
Friday: SHORT HOURS (2-6)
Saturday: EXTENDED HOURS (1-9), a cat food drive, and some great deals. Get up to $15 off with donations of cat food & plastic bags!

I am HUSTLING to get ready 🐱 Hope to see you!
A tuxedo kitten is sitting on a bookshelf. She's surrounded by physics books. (she's heard all the Schrödinger's Kitten jokes, but she'll still slow blink politely if you feel you must) The photo is overlaid with promotional text and the store logo. Text reads: Detroit Specials Used Books - Our hours this week: Thursday, Nov. 27: CLOSED - Have a great holiday! Friday, Nov. 28: 2-6 PM - Visit us to get a first look at our new grab bags, collage packs, and hundreds of new arrivals! - Small Business CATURDAY, Nov. 29: 1-9 PM - Details (arrow pointing to the left) Promotional graphic featuring the store logo and clipart of a tuxedo cat waving pompoms and cheering. Text reads: Detroit Specials Used Books - Small Business CATURDAY - 8275 John R - Detroit, MI - Nov. 29: 1-9 PM - Help us support our rescue cats AND our rescue friends! Donate items for $$ off your purchase: 1 can of wet food = $1 off (max 12 cans per person) - 5 plastic grocery bags = $1 off (max 25 bags per person) - Food will be split evenly between Detroit Specials, North End Catz Detroit, and Detroit Alley Cats. - 10% OFF all children's books - $5 Bookish Bag Lunch - 10% OFF all collage packs - AND meet RUBY, our latest foster ^_^ - We'll also have some other surprises...hope to see you!
November 27, 2025 at 12:26 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Happy birthday to Charles M. Schulz! I still love so many of the classic Peanuts strips ❤️
comicsinthega.bsky.social Comics in the Festive Age @comicsinthega.bsky.social · 12d
Today is the birthday of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts. (Nov. 26, 1922-Feb. 12, 2000.)
Schulz at his drawing table holding a sketch of Snoopy.
November 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Our new arrivals are in!

...who ordered the cat?
A tuxedo cat has been perfectly packaged into a box. I was a little disappointed at the lack of bubble wrap at first, but then I realized not packing her in plastic was a safety measure and probably for the best. Five stars to the shipper.
November 26, 2025 at 12:36 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Hello, all. I hope each of you is having as lovely a morning as this perfect little man
artologica.net Artologica aka Michele Banks @artologica.net · 13d
Big news! The groundhog is back at my sister's and she gave him a plum
November 25, 2025 at 1:46 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
ok first of all how dare you
Photo of a hand holding up a copy of ARE YOU EATING CANDY WITHOUT ME? The cover features a small child with afropoofs holding her hands to her openmouthed face. She is AGHAST, and so am I
November 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
!!! UPDATE!!! This has been a DAY and we have to push this back to 2 PM. I'm so sorry for the delay. We'll see you soon!
detroitspecials.bsky.social Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 17d
Reminder: this is TOMORROW. We'll be open from 1-9 PM, and the Swap will be held from 1-6 PM. Hope to see you 🎉
detroitspecials.bsky.social Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 23d
Okay!

Here's the new date for our Ornament Swap!

Again, we WON'T be holding it today.

I also have rough news, and better news... 1/?
November 22, 2025 at 6:27 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Reminder: this is TOMORROW. We'll be open from 1-9 PM, and the Swap will be held from 1-6 PM. Hope to see you 🎉
detroitspecials.bsky.social Detroit Specials Used Books @detroitspecials.bsky.social · 23d
Okay!

Here's the new date for our Ornament Swap!

Again, we WON'T be holding it today.

I also have rough news, and better news... 1/?
Promotional graphic. Text in a black box over a blurry photo of snowflake-shaped holiday lights. Text reads: New Date! for our first ever ORNAMENT SWAP | Nov. 22 1-6 PM | DETROIT SPECIALS USED BOOKS | 8275 John R - Detroit - 48202 | How it works: - Bring us some of your old ornaments (that are still in really nice condition) - Take some new-to-you ornaments home - Have fresh holiday decorations at no cost! Hope to see you! ...the store logo is in the lower right-hand corner of the graphic.
November 22, 2025 at 12:41 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
UPDATE to our hours this week!

To finish prepping the store for our ornament swap, we will be CLOSED tomorrow & Friday. BUT we'll be open an extra hour on Saturday! And we'll be back to our regular hours next week 🙂

Hope to see you!
Photograph of a shelf full of fantasy and science fiction books. The store logo, and text in a white box, are laid over the picture. Text reads: OUR HOURS THIS WEEK | CLOSED Thursday & Friday | 1-9 PM Saturday Ornament Swap from 1-6 PM | DETROIT SPECIALS USED BOOKS | 8275 John R - Detroit - 48202 | Hope to see you!
November 19, 2025 at 11:33 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Bookshop.org is down & not available for shopping right now. CF rolled out the first part of the fix from their London servers about half an hour ago but it'll take hours for everything to come back up.

CF is having a frantic day, but the rest of us* can sit back & wait for the fixes
November 18, 2025 at 2:23 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Heads up, crafters!

Coming to our website and to the shop floor this weekend: NEW collage and ephemera packs from Broken Books!

We rescue & package eye-catching illustrations, signature sheets, + other pages from books that're falling apart into one-of-a-kind themed packets for creatives... 1/2
Four small collage/junk journal packs. Images like cutouts of illustrations from a 1920s book for parents on children's books; vintage photos of snakes; cute vintage cards and fine arts pieces rescued from damaged art books are paired with themed printed papers and assorted ephemera like library pocket inserts; vintage souvenir patches; vintage international stamps; and more. Photo of a junk journal/collage pack. Images like watercolor and line art inked illustrations of different birds are visible. Other images, like a picture of pink flowers, are obscured or partially obscured by the two illustrations in front. A strip of sample watercolor paints is also visible. Photo of a junk journal/collage pack. Images like colorful illustrations of a toddler; the cover of a paperback edition of Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth; and architectural drawings are visible. Other images are obscured or partially obscured by the three illustrations in front. A strip of sample watercolor paints is also visible. Photo of a junk journal/collage pack. Images like a stylized drawing of a black girl watering flowers and a zebra being silly are visible Other images, like a drawing of a fairy or pixie smiling at a flower are obscured or partially obscured by the two illustrations in front. A strip of sample watercolor paints is also visible.
November 17, 2025 at 9:13 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Teen books alert 🎉

We received several dozen new-to-us teen & YA books in VG or better (!) condition this week. We were also able to restock a few titles that always sell out quickly for us.

I'll be adding some of these to the website over the next few days: detroitusedbooks.com
Photo of a bookshelf filled with teen and young adult titles. Fantasy, horror, and general titles are shown, along with some graphic novels.
November 16, 2025 at 8:48 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Don't mind us, just getting some of our Random Stuff shelves ready for the holidays 👍🏼
Photo of a display in a bookstore, featuring two novelty mugs on the top shelf; the second shelf has three card games: Scridoodle, Bumfuzzle, and Yes, Yes, Yeti; plus a little board book with a puppet titled Itty Bitty Yeti
November 16, 2025 at 7:09 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
A gray door, bounded on either side with tires that have been painted blue and green. Address is 8275.
November 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM