Friends of The LSU Libraries recently hosted their 62nd Annual Book Bazaar, from Friday to Sunday. 

The annual Book Bazaar is a large book sale where the public can browse through a wide selection of books and other items. The sale was held in the John M. Parker Agricultural Coliseum. The open-spaced arena was filled with multiple rows of tables stacked with books. 

There was the occasional sound of feet shuffling on the dirt turf of the agricultural center along with some whispers. In an area filled with people, you could only hear the turning of pages.

Everyone is gathered for one reason: the love of books. 

Anita Adams said her and her husband, Jeff Adams, have been volunteering for the Book Bazaar for about 15 years. The bubbly duo refers to themselves as the “weekend worries” because they don’t work with the organization full time. 

“This is one of the best second-day turnouts we’ve ever seen,” Adams said.

Adams said the line from opening day wrapping around the entire arena as people waited to get inside. While there was no wait to get in day two, the inside was still bustling with eager book enthusiasts.  

Donald Hookfin, a bio engineering sophomore, said he heard about the Book Bazaar from an Instagram post. He said he’s always looking for new science fiction and foreign language books to read. 

“There’s a lot of interesting books so I figured I would just come look around,” he said. 

Adams said most readers come in looking for a specific genre or two that they like. However, the Book Bazaar has a wide variety that will satisfy just about any reader. From graphic novels to books on medicine, there was more than enough to fill the turf.  

“We can’t organize this any way but randomly,” Adams said. “But we do break it down into 46 categories.” 

The sale had more than just books. There were also DVDs, CDs and vintage Vinyl records. Costte Kaufman, a previous attendee of the Book Bazaar, sat near the vinyl section as she flipped through a book. She said she is an avid reader and has been for a while. 

“And I didn’t come here for a cookbook,” Kaufman said as she gestured to the book in her lap. “But here I am looking through one.” 

Madeline Breaux, an LSU alumna, said she heard about the event from an article online. Breaux said when she got to the book sale, there were more books than she expected.

“I really like thriller books and literary realism,” Breaux said. “So I see a lot of things I like.”

The organization began in 1962, making this year the 62nd anniversary, Adams said. 

“I think that’s kind of a neat way it all balanced out,” Adams said.