Detroit Specials Used Books
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detroitspecials.bsky.social
Detroit Specials Used Books
@detroitspecials.bsky.social
960 followers 44 following 610 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
...prices start at $3 for our library pocket inserts.Our smaller sized, overstuffed junk journal packs are $11; larger sized collage packs are $15; our collage/ephemera boxes are $25. They'll be in stock soon. I'm even getting our holiday packs done early this year! Check back 11/21 for info! 2/2
Photo of five packs of vintage library pocket inserts. All packs pictured have a mixture of lined, standard inserts and unlined inserts (most will be the lined sort). Inserts may or may not have one or more names and due dates written on them. Photo of a 70+-piece junk journal pack. Images and ephemera like a vintage illustration of a masked couple kissing; a vintage photo of a party; a Dia de los Muertos-style length of grosgrain ribbon; patterned papers; and more are visible. Most of the pack's contents are obscured, but the sample shown is representative of the contents. Photo of a 45-to-60-piece Christmas themed collage pack. Illustrations from children's books about Christmas are visible. Most of the pack's contents are obscured, but the sample shown is representative of the contents. Photo of the other side of the previous picture of a 45-to-60-piece Christmas themed collage pack. Stylized gift tags are visible, along with several colorful and/or patterned papers that match the theme. Most of the pack's contents are obscured.
November 17, 2025 at 9:36 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
I'm also refreshing the adult fantasy shelves this week! We have a dozen or so new-to-us titles that will be available next week -- here's one of them:
Photo of a hand holding a copy of Hafsah Faizal's WE HUNT THE FLAME. Full bookshelves are visible in the background.
November 16, 2025 at 8:56 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
HECK YEAH BAYBEE

#bookstorebits
November 16, 2025 at 1:42 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
#bookstorebits
Post-It doodle. Close-up on the person from before. Their eyes are now shimmering blue stars. Text reads, ...so...BLUE...
November 16, 2025 at 1:34 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
#bookstorebits
Post-It doodle. The same person from before, but now they're holding a paintbrush. Text reads, I'm gonna paint it blue...
November 16, 2025 at 1:33 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
#bookstorebits
Post-It doodle. Vague outline of a person with poofy hair, glasses, and a mask. Their hands are on their hips. Text reads, ...I wanna paint that door
November 16, 2025 at 1:32 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
#bookstorebits
Post-it doodle. The door from the previous picture, with a wavy ribbon of text across the middle. Text reads ~ DULL GRAY :( ~
November 16, 2025 at 1:31 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
#bookstorebits
Post-it doodle. Text reads BOOKSTORE BITS. An angry fluffy tuxedo cat and a chill sleek black cat are beneath the text
November 16, 2025 at 1:29 AM
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
detroitspecials.bsky.social
It's always fun when books written by someone I know IRL show up at the store (hi, Helen!) ❤️
Photo of a hand holding a copy of Helen Pattskyn's GHOSTHUNTING MICHIGAN. Full bookshelves are visible in the background.
November 16, 2025 at 12:03 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
McPhail passed away in 2021, but he left behind a legacy of dancing children and all manner of animals, and a world where conflicts could be solved by inviting everyone to come check out this cool thing you found...

...this has been a David McPhail appreciation post 🎉
Graphic featuring the cover of David McPhail's SNOW LION. A lion has just discovered snow and he is absolutely PARTYING in it. This is the best day of his lion life.
November 15, 2025 at 11:47 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
If the cover isn't as joyous as these, then there's almost always at least one page inside where everyone's jumping or dancing around.
Graphic featuring the covers of six David McPhail books in which everyone is jumping, dancing, or just bouncing along in a Very Happy Way (TM). I Am Just Right's rabbit is leaping into the air; Olivia and Owl in Olivia Loves Owl are playing in a pile of leaves; the titular characters in A Girl, A Goat, and A Goose are dancing; the characters in Tinker and Tom and the Star Baby are strolling happily along; Bear in Ben Loves Bear has his arms raised and is grinning at Ben, who is smiling back; and Crash the Cat is caroming around the house and just having the best day of his life.
November 15, 2025 at 11:40 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
McPhail's favorite Thing to draw is pretty easy to see: he loved to draw his characters as being filled with joy.
Graphic featuring the covers of five books by David McPhail. Each cover features at least two characters, and they're all having a WONDERFUL time. In The Party, several animals are dancing with a little boy; the cover of Sisters has two sisters jump-walking happily along; Big Pig and Little Pig are playing in a puddles; Something Special's raccoon and dog are playing with bones; and the children and animals in Jump are, well, jumping.
November 15, 2025 at 11:32 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Good evening, all.

All illustrators have A Thing they like to do. The Thing will show up in their work over & over again.

Allow me to present children's book author & illustrator David McPhail:
Two book covers: David McPhail's Baby Pig Pig Walks, and his Budgie & Boo. The first cover has an illustration of a piglet in overalls happily taking his first steps while a very small cat watches. The second cover features a bear and a rabbit happily walking down a path; the bear is carrying a bouquet, and the rabbit has a basket filled with veggies. All three main characters on the two covers are cheerfully bouncing along in true David McPhail style.
November 15, 2025 at 11:26 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
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 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
It's this one 👇🏼 ...I found it, I found it!
Photo of a hand holding up a paperback copy of The Rights of Reporters: An American Civil Liberties Union Handbook. Full bookshelves are visible in the background.
November 15, 2025 at 1:05 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
JUST IN: #Warhammer 40K & Age of Sigmar miniatures! All pictured items are NEW.

These are all available in-store or on our website (detroitusedbooks.com).

Introductory set: $42.50
Redemptor: $30.00
Age of Sigmar: $15.50

We have two of each item!
Product photo of the Warhammer 40,000 Introductory Set. Contents are shown on the cover (miniatures, paints, dice, paintbrush, clippers, play mat and ruler) in front of a background painting of stylized miniatures that have come to life and are engaging in battle. The box is on a row of shelved books; other books are visible in the background. Product photo of the Warhammer 40,000 Space Marines: Redemptor Dreadnought miniature. A fully assembled and painted miniature is pictured against a background of a destroyed city. The box is on a row of shelved books; other books are visible in the background of the photo. Product photo of the Warhammer Age of Sigmar Stormcase Eternals Paint Set. Contents are shown on the cover (miniatures, paints, and paintbrush). The box is on a row of shelved books; other books are visible in the background.
November 14, 2025 at 11:56 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Ruby took SPAAACE!'s favorite napping box, so I made him a little bed in another box.

She took that too 😅

We're here tonight until 6 P, 2-9 P Friday & Saturday, & 1-5 P Sunday.

We AREN'T doing an ornament swap/anniversary thingy this week! More info on our plans is coming Sat. Hope to see you!
A dilute calico cat with RIDICULOUSLY cute little boots is all curled up on a blanket that's been stuffed into a box. She's VERY asleep, shhhhh
November 13, 2025 at 9:42 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
At least 3 people I otherwise respect immensely can't seem to stop sharing AI slop. Pushing back feels like screaming into the wind.

This stuff is meant to divide us, bc it's programmed by people who HATE us. HAAAAAATE. It's baked in. Even many "feel-good" posts have a divisive hook.
Screenshot of a deepfake image of a young person sleeping on a futon in a sparse basement, captioned with some AI-generated bootstrapping bullshit. Origin is an account called Sparkling Giggles, which is rich considering the entire post is judgmental af and not sparkling at all. The screenshot is overlaid with text in red. Text reads: DEEPFAKE (over the image) - this account is probably run by scammers (next to the account handle) - THIS IS AI SLOP (over the text). The deepfake image from the previous graphic has been run through the Hive AI image detection tool. The result? 99.6% likely to be a deepfake, which is the highest percentage I've seen since these environment-destroying programs kind of halfway figured out how to "draw" fingers The text from the first graphic has been run through an AI text detector tool. The result? This one doesn't give percentages and instead has one of those little circle graphs. The circle for "AI" is nearly closed. Again, just a ridiculously positive result. This is SO very AI that I'm actually insulted. Like, they really think we're this ignorant. Ouch.
November 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Hello, all 🐱

I haven't been online for the past week or so...I had to focus on the store & on Ruby for a bit. But I'm BACK! News about our holiday schedule is coming soon. Right now: the lights are ON and the music is UP and we are HERE at 8275 John R in Detroit today until 6 PM.

Hope to see you!
An open laptop sits atop a stack of books on an incredibly messy table. Four separate stacks of books are visible, along with a notebook, pens, Post-Its, and a bottle of Goo Gone. Full bookshelves are visible in the background. Only the bookshelves in the background are in focus, but this was somehow still the best picture in the photoset. some days are just like that
November 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
Good morning, all 👋🏼

Detroit Specials is holding a flash sale this week! Shop our website - detroitusedbooks.com - and you'll automatically get 25% off ALL fiction and on ALL children's chapter books.

New titles added daily. Free shipping starts @ $50.

This sale ends 10/30 -- don't miss out!
Promotional graphic: colorful text over a black background. Text reads: FLASH SALE! 20% OFF ALL fiction & kids' chapter books - detroitusedbooks.com - SALE ENDS 10/30/25
October 27, 2025 at 11:33 AM
detroitspecials.bsky.social
'sup
A black cat is peeking at you from atop a box that's up high. If you keep looking at him he'll leap to his feet and jump into your arms with no warning. Be ready
October 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM