HANSVILLE — As spring arrives in North Kitsap, Hansville is looking to turn the page on the seasons with a much anticipated book sale. An extension of the popular Hansville Rummage Sale, the book sale has been a hit the last few times it was taken off the shelf, and now boasts more books than ever.

“We have 1,600 to 1,800 fiction paperbacks, about 800 hardbacks that are fiction and about 1,000 coffee table, cookbooks, arts and crafts books and poetry books,” said event organizer Mike Bryant. “People have donated newer books that are very good quality, very new books, very recent books.”

The last book sale held, in October 2006, brought in about $1,100, which went into the Greater Hansville Community Center fund to be used for community events and scholarships. Once a part of the rummage sale, the books got their own day and space after it became too difficult to have them at the August sale. The books fill up the main room of the community center, and draw their own crowd without being lost in the shuffle.

“We’re in the midst of sorting through everything right now,” said book sale helper Lynn Hix. She organized the event last year, but passed the reigns on to Bryant when his love of books became apparent during his past volunteer work. “The paperbacks won’t be going in till Thursday.”

The hardbacks are already waiting at the center, Bryant said. Along with the books, artwork, records and some movies will be available during the two-day event.

Several special items were found among the bestsellers and coffee table books, and will be set aside as part of a silent auction, he said. One such item is a set of American Heritage books featuring the original watercolor paintings of birds from John James Audubon.

“Other, newer editions are worth about $100,” Bryant said. “This two-volume set is worth about $150. We’ll have it as a part of the silent auction starting at $40.”

It’s highly likely anyone looking for something special will be able to find it at the sale, Hix said.

Along with the well-known authors are some unusual ones ready to tempt different readers. There will not be any previews for the book sale, and no one will be able to check out the books before the doors open at 6 p.m. Friday, Bryant said.

“People have cleaned out their book shelves for this sale,” Hix said. “There may be treasures in there we haven’t found yet that someone else might.”