On Nov. 19 and 20,  the Kent State University Press held its second Annual Book Sale on the first floor of the Kent State University Library. The sale offered books published by the Press for just $5. Poetry, history and nature books, among many other genres, were offered. 

Mary Young, the assistant director and editorial manager at the KSU Press, helped set the sale up and assisted shoppers. Young said she loves books.

“Any time you open up a book, you can learn about different people in different worlds,” she said. 

Young enjoys historical nonfiction, true crime and cozy mysteries. A book she recommended from the Press is “The Fifth Star” by Jason Capuzza, a book about the women’s suffrage movement in Ohio.

“It’s very powerful. It’s an easy read,” Young said. 

Stephanie Vincent, a Kent alumna, now credit transfer evaluation specialist at the university, attended the sale. Vincent took the sale as an opportunity to get caught up on what the Press has been publishing. 

“The KSU Press has some really great titles,” she said. “I figured I’d grab a couple while they’re at a good price.”

Vincent studied history and got her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees all at Kent. 

She recommended “This We Know,” also published by the Press. Vincent described the book as “an hour-by-hour account of the May 4th shootings.” She said she utilized the book when she used to teach. 

“[For] anybody who wants to know about our history at Kent State, this is a great one to start with,” Vincent said. 

She said the book sale is unique because the community gets a chance to see what the Press has been up to. She also pointed out the diversity of the genres offered. 

“It’s a nice mix of general topics, popular topics, but also our own local history,” Vincent said. 

Sophomore chemistry major Abby Cronk stumbled upon the book sale as she was already studying at the library. Cronk enjoys reading because it’s an escape from reality. 

“[You] get to see different perspectives,” she said. “I think it makes you a more well-rounded human being, and I think it expands your empathy towards others.” 

Cronk suggested Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan’s murder mystery, “Mad Honey,” which she said she read in two days. The novel flips between past and present tense, featuring suspense, hidden secrets, complex characters and even romance. 

Cronk praised the book sale’s uniqueness because of the selection. 

“I haven’t seen a lot of books of this caliber in a little bit,” she said. “I love nature books and I haven’t seen really good photography [for a while].” 

Cronk said that reading is important to promote for multiple reasons. 

“Furthering your education individually, I think, makes you a better person,” she said. “Also, I think it’s really important to promote in a day and age where censorship is so prevalent and it’s a good way to combat willful ignorance.” 

Reprinted from The Kent Stater Daily News. Melora Shue is a reporter. Contact her at mshue1 [at] kent.edu.