Mega Book Sale August 9



Mark your calendar! The semiannual “Mega” Yellow Bag Book Sale is happening Saturday, August 9, from 9:30 AM to 3 PM at the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library. With a huge inventory of books for all ages and interests, it’s the perfect chance to stock your shelves, find hidden treasures, or pick up vacation reads—without breaking the bank.

From board books and easy readers for kids to YA favorites and a wide variety of adult fiction, nonfiction, and media, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the popular “Big Yellow Bag” deal: fill one up for a single low price! Plus, explore our special collection of antiquarian, rare, out-of-print, and collectible books—ideal for gifts or your personal collection.

Get ready for a month of fun, learning, and creativity with our August lineup of children’s and tween programs—there’s something for every young explorer! Programs sponsored by Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library (SRFOL) are highlighted.

📚 Storytime

Wednesdays, 10–10:30 am

Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!

🤖 Intro to Robotics

Monday & Tuesday, August 4 & 5, 3–5 pm | Ages 8–13

Get hands-on with beginner robotics. Bring your own laptop if possible. Online registration required: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com

🔬 Science Quest: Biology & Anatomy

Wednesday, August 6, 3:30–5:30 pm | Ages 8+

Explore plant and animal cells, the heart, and the brain through hands-on 3D models and more!

⚛️ Science Quest: Chemistry & Physics

Thursday, August 7, 3:30–5:30 pm | Ages 8+

Dive into atomic structure, the periodic table, forces, and waves through engaging experiments and games. Take home a marshmallow engineering challenge!

📖 Special Storytime with Local Author Lisa Cortez

Tuesday, August 19, 6 pm

Join us as local author Lisa Cortez reads her picture book The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee.

🪶 Soapstone Beads Craft

Wednesday, August 20, 4 pm | Ages 12+

Learn and create! In partnership with the San Diego Archaeological Center. Online registration required: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com

💻 Girls Who Code Summer Python Workshop

Saturday, August 23, 12–3 pm | Ages 8+

An empowering hands-on coding session for budding programmers.

🎭 Kamishibai StoryBox Theatre

Tuesday, August 26, 6–6:30 pm; all ages

Experience the magic of traditional Japanese paper theater in this engaging storytelling performance, presented in partnership with Write Out Loud San Diego.

🧺 Reed Basketweaving

Wednesday, August 27, 4 pm | Ages 12+

Hands-on craft and history! In partnership with the San Diego Archaeological Center. Online registration required: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com

🌸 DIY Clay Trinket Dish Workshop

📅 Monday, August 18, 5:00–6:00 pm

Join us for a hands-on craft session and create your own unique trinket dish using air dry clay. All supplies will be provided—just bring your creativity!

Age Group: Teens, Emerging Adults, Adults, Older Adults

🔗 Register online: sandiego.librarymarket.com

🎲 Fun & Games for Seniors

📅 Tuesdays, 12:30–3:00 pm

📅 Thursdays, 10:00 am–12:00 pm

Enjoy a friendly atmosphere and a variety of board games. Open to all and free of charge.

Visit Grace’s Book Nook, the cozy used bookstore located inside our library, and discover a treasure trove of books at unbeatable prices—open daily during library hours! After the excitement of our semiannual book sale, “yellow bag” customers are encouraged to return and refill their bags in the Book Nook in the weeks following the sale, all for one low price. It’s the perfect way to keep your shelves—and your summer—stacked with great reads!

From March 3 through August 1, 2025, the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library is undergoing a vital safety upgrade: replacement and improvement of the building’s fire suppression (sprinkler) system. Work is being completed in phases, with affected areas temporarily closed to the public. All other areas of the library remain open as usual.

🔒 Areas Closed by Phase

Phase 1: Completed

Adult Non-fiction; Fireplace Area

Phase 2: Completed (April 1 – May 23)

Community Room; Seminar Room; Grace’s Book Nook

Phase 3: Completed (May 26 – June 20)

Great Hall (Adult Fiction); Reference Area; Tower Room

Phase 4: Completed (June 23 – July 11)

Children’s Area

✅ This area is now open to the public.

Phase 5: In Progress (July 14 – August 15)

Front Desk; IDEA Lab; Staff Area; Courtyard

🚫 Work on Phase 5 has started ahead of schedule, with construction underway in staff-only work areas. The Customer Service Desk remains accessible to both patrons and staff.



We appreciate your patience as we work to make the library a safer and more welcoming space for everyone. 

The Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library Book Discussion Group offers a welcoming space for readers to connect, reflect, and share their thoughts on a wide range of titles. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (except in November and December) from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in the Seminar Room at the Scripps Miramar Library Center. Attendees are welcome to bring their lunch and enjoy a lively, thoughtful conversation. July’s discussion centered on Know My Name by Chanel Miller, a compelling memoir selected as part of One Book One San Diego. The book traces Miller’s courageous journey in reclaiming her identity after being sexually assaulted on Stanford’s campus. Her victim impact statement, which went viral in 2016, brought national attention to her case. Participants found the book powerful, moving, and a vital read.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, August 28, when the group will discuss Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. Whether you’ve read every page or just want to listen and learn, all are welcome to join the conversation.

This month's recommendation comes from Bridget ThomasMayhew, Library Assistant 2, Central Library.

ThomasMayhew recommends: I Want to Be a Wall, vol. 1 by Honami Shirono

“Gakurouta and Yuriko are used to feeling different. Gakurouta is in love with his childhood friend Sousuke, but cannot risk their friendship and tell him. Yuriko is an asexual and aromantic BL (“boys’ love” genre) fangirl whose safe spaces shrank as her best friend became focused on 3D romance. Everyone notices how the two are never in a relationship, so in an effort to fit in they...”.

To read ThomasMayhew’s full review, check out the July 13th, 2025 issue of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Reviewer’s Comments:

I was drawn to this book because one of the characters is asexual and a story about friends marrying sounded so interesting. In a way their lavender marriage puts me in mind of the fake marriage in another manga, Spy x Family. My favorite part is how Yuriko and Gakurouta are kind to each other. I also love how Gakurouta wants to be a good husband and understand his wife’s BL hobby, even if she does not want him reading those books.

Check out the book here:

“I Want to Be a Wall, volume 1,” by Honami Shirono

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C1697070

“I Want to Be a Wall, volume 2,” by Honami Shirono

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C1750960

Similar Titles

“The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today, volume 1” by Hitsuzi Yamada

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C1751318

“She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat, volume 1” by Sakaomi Yuzaki

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C1778498

Recommended Reads is an ongoing partnership with The San Diego Union-Tribune. Every other week, Behind the Desk goes in-depth on the books we recommend. Read the Sunday Paper to see our most recent reviews or view our past archive on the SDPL website: sandiego.gov/sdplreviews