With the recent and much-lamented closing of Voss Books on Water Street and the Constant Reader Bookshop Ltd. on Irving Place last year, Milwaukeeans in search of used books are having a more difficult time.

The recent Golda Meir Library Used Book Sale, a fund-raiser with all proceeds benefiting the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee library, served as a sound reminder that when hunting for bargain books, one often has to sift through a lot of junk in order to unearth the hidden gems.

Divided based on subject matter, the books ranged widely in content, size, age and value.

The book sale also featured a variety of vinyl records and old classroom maps, as well as serial grab bags at discount prices. With thousands of used books for sale, more than a few unique gems were found among the rubble.

Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” (Price: 25 cents)

After catching PBS’s “American Experience” on Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill a few weeks ago, I was thrilled to come across a good-as-new copy of his autobiographical masterpiece, “Long Day’s Journey Into Night.”

Tucked in the midst of a variety of mass-produced paperbacks, including lots of romance novels featuring dated, half-naked men, several copies of the New Testament and a French-English dictionary, O’Neill’s work was a diamond in the rough.

The best parts of the book are the witty and insightful remarks penciled in by a previous owner — one of the many delights those limited to firsthand copies are bound to miss out on.

Donald I. Roger’s “Teach Your Wife to Be a Widow” (Price: $3)

A sign of the changing times, Donald I. Roger’s “Teach Your Wife to Be a Widow” is an eye-opening look into the way that women were perceived prior to equal gender rights. Written by the former financial editor of the New York Herald Tribune in 1953, this book guides “doting American husbands” to instruct their wives on matters such as household decisions, tax matters and suggested stock purchases in order to best prepare the 1950s housewife how to be self-sufficient if widowed and forced care for herself.

While the writing is often patronizing, the clear message of the need for women to understand how to be self-reliant foreshadows the massive social movements to come.

The Know-How Book of Spycraft (Price: 25 cents)

Recently, my 8-year-old niece has developed an earnest interest in everything spy-related. Lucky for her, tucked under several diet and microwave recipe booklets was a 1975 publication of The Know-How Book of Spycraft, a booklet featuring a variety of secret codes, tricks and disguises, perfect for an up-and-coming spy.

Lucky for me, it was in perfect condition. This boldly illustrated book was a great find and a perfect gift.

While the Golda Meir Used Book Sale featured thousands of used books, it also required shoppers to have enough patience to sift through the junk in order to find the unique treasures buried within. With a little time and patience, the rewards were worth the effort.

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