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Summary: Fun, Flamboyant, and Factual. Fantastic!
Review: Al Hoff's #1 gift is her ability to bring to life the intangible thrill of the hunt that is the narcotic base of the thrift-store game. Her writing is so good that she could easily get by on style and no substance, but her #2 gift is to use the first gift to impart actual information. I learned more from this book than I ever knew I needed to know, both on practicalities like judging old fabrics and furniture and on esoterica like the history of big-eye paintings. This book is definitely not for the grimly practical (as the few negative reviews below indicate.) It's fun, fun, fun, and it always gets my thrifting blood up. I re-read it often, and nearly every time I do I'm prompted to take another trip to Sal's Boutique.
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Summary: Don't leave home without it
Review: As a card-carrying ex-Thrift Score fanzine subscriber I was delighted to see Al branch out and write what has to be the ultimate book on Thrifting, if not the ONLY one! It's certainly most comphrensive and offers more than just tips for shopping, it's a whole lifestyle guide for creative-living on a budget... Topics covered include: I (heart) K-Tel Records, Supermarket of Art, The Manly Den - The Lost Room, Electrical Kitchen Appliances - the Good, the Bad & The Ugly. Full of helpful tips and marvellously funny throughout. Thrift On!
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Summary: A witty, fun read for avid or beginning thrifters
Review: Before I say anything, let me be completely upfront - I have known the author for several years. I hoped her acerbic wit would come through in her writing and I'm happy to report I not only was I not disappointed, the book was better than I'd expected. I bought this book as a gift for my husband and he literally couldn't get his hands on it until I'd read the entire book. I simply could not put it down. Al Hoff has written a funny, readable book about a type of shopping many people have yet to discover - thrifting. Even if you don't actually plan to display a shelf of books whose cover art consists of women in underwear holding guns(an actual suggestion from the book), you will enjoy reading the the various tips and ideas for purchasing and using the treasures you can pick up at thrift stores. The book is logically organized by rooms in a house - bed and bath, entertainment center, and so on. Hoff describes what you can buy for each of the focussed rooms and gives ideas for what you can do with the stuff. For example, if you're searching for dishes and accept that you'll never be able to get a full set of that special dinnerware, look for another way to tie the various pieces together. For example, try for a particular color or motif (floral, dots). How about games? I never considered using old game boards as hot plates or wall art. You'll also enjoy the interesting bits of trivia found throughout the book. There's a history of puzzles and facts about fabric and Hawaiian shirts. If you're already an avid thrifter, occaisionally drop by thrift stores to see what's there or are considering starting, I'd strongly recommend this book. Yard sale and flea market shoppers will also find good stuff. Not only is the book full of fun and interesting ideas, it is a good read. I may never adopt any of Hoff's pointers, but I found myself continually chuckling while reading the various tidbits and anecdotes contained in this nifty, thrifty gem.
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Summary: Someone From My Own Heart: Thrift Philosophy
Review: Even before discovering this delightful book, I developed into a thrift-shopping fanatic. My discovery of this book came from my desire to expand on my thrift-shopping philosophy. Naturally, I used libraries and the INTERNET to get more info about this phenomenon. I came across this book.
Before I read it, I told others about my thrifting thirst. I was accused of being "obsessed" with thrift stores. I have been told that thrifting is only for the poor and downtrodden. I continued doing it. Then I read this book. I became excited that "I" am not the only one who thrift shops as a way of life. That made me feel good.
Much of what she discussed in the book, I had discovered before reading the book. However, she did mention things that I had not thought about. This broadened my mind. I also enjoy the history lessons explaining some of what one might encounter in the stores.
There are times when I would recommend checking a book out of the library. However, for those who are inveterate thrifters, or those who have an interest in it, this is a book that should be "bought". This represent an encyclopedia, the "BIBLE"of the thrift philosophy.
This book shows that people who are not rich, can appear to be by buying thrift.
I wish that I could someday meet Al Hoff.
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Summary: Thrift Score:The Book, at Last
Review: I haven't read this book yet, but I couldn't resist plugging it anyway because I've been reading Al Hoff's zine of the same name for the past 2 years. Thrift Score has been one of the few zines out there worth saving and re-reading.Al Hoff has a sure feel for pop culture, for what was cool, what should be cool, and what may be cool again. If alot of people buy this book, it may inspire Harper-Collins to sign some of the other great minds of tomorrow. Be warned: this book may be very hard to find at your local bookstore, as they might not know where to shelve it. My local Borders had it under "Hobbies and Crafts." Buy TS here and support a worthy website!
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Summary: Why do you thrift ?
Review: I initially bought this book for my wife and started paging through it to take a look. I ended up reading the whole thing. This book has it all, from the philosophy of why people thrift to where to look in the store for those hidden bargains. I hate to admit it, but I think I have been converted into a thrifter. I highly recommend getting this book, but don't wait until you find it in a thrift.
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Summary: its funny
Review: I read some of it but it wa a gift book, but sure is funny & you learn the tricks customers use to get away with things. i work for three thrift shops & the information was valuable to me.
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Summary: Excellent book
Review: I tried to write a sensible, professional-sounding review, but I just couldn't. Al Hoff is brilliant not just because she can write, but because she can bring across the thrill of the hunt to her readers. I've been thrifting on and off since I was six years old, and Al Hoff knows exactly what it's like to walk into a thrift and wonder what's going to be there this afternoon. Is this the day I finally find the perfect fifties-print summer shirt? Do they have any books with cool covers? After a certain point it slowly takes over your life, until I find myself saying that it doesn't matter whether that cute guy in my Dante class is Catholic like me- but if he thrifts, it could be love. On a slightly saner note, I've been a dedicated thrifter for years. This leads naturally to a certain amount of knowledge about things like clothing quality, sizes, and loads of random stuff in general, but Al Hoff's wealth of knowledge leaves mine in the dust. She clearly knows what's going on, and it's just as clear that she loves thrifting. If you're looking to find designer clothes for cheap, live within a budget, or dig up collectibles (if you're dedicated enough, and if you know what to look for and how to look for it, you might find some stuff worth money. But you probably won't), then go elsewhere. But if you've ever felt that little shiver down your spine at the sight of the perfect score, get this book. Al Hoff knows exactly what that's like.
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Summary: If you love stuff, you'll love this book!
Review: I'm not a collector or a pennypincher. I just love "stuff"--old stuff, quirky stuff, unusual stuff. At last I've found a book for somebody like me. Al Hoff doesn't make "investments in collectibles", she doesn't put comic books in plastic bags, and she doesn't try to tell us how to feed and clothe a family of 8 on $50 a month. She just loves to go to thrift stores and find neat stuff. She writes well about the high that comes from finding the perfect thing that you didn't know you needed. And she has some great ideas on what to *do* with all your great stuff once you get it home. Have a tiki party! Cover an entire wall with big-eye paintings! Set yourself up an all-metal office! If this sounds like fun to you (and it sure does to me!) then you'll probably love this book as much as I do. This is the best book I've read in the past year.
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Summary: Al Hoff is the Heloise of "Haute Thrifture"
Review: Second hand shopping has been second nature to me for as long as I can remember--my mother raised me on thrifting. So while I knew I would enjoy Al Hoff's book, I didn't think I'd learn much I didn't already know. Boy, was I wrong! For example, Al Hoff gives a detailed description of what various clothing fabrics are made of and how to care for them, and even the history behind why certain fabrics were used. (I'm no longer wondering, "Orlon? What the hell is Orlon?") She also tells how to clean up just about anything from sticker gunk to permanent marker so that you can make your old stuff new again. She has really researched her subject with the methodology and thoroughness of a scientist. I especially love this book's wry humor and creativity. The writing is both informative and entertaining. And she goes the extra mile by including such highlights as "Beyond Thrifting"--profiles of impressive people who have turned thrifting from a simple pastime into a mission. Al Hoff also provides a list of movies that have thrifting themes in them. (A bonus for me, as seeing movies is my other favorite pastime...and once again, she lists a few that even I have never heard of.) I haven't read Al Hoff's zine yet, but after reading this book, I am now inspired to order all of the back issues!
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