I used to have this uncanny sixth sense that would tell me to go to Kinokuniya in San Francisco when they had great stuff at heavily discounted clearance sale prices, but since Kinokuniya has pretty much killed off their music section, I haven't really been able to use it. Apparently my psychic powers still work, though, because Himawari-kai had their monthly used Japanese book sale, which I go to occasionally, but today I had an especially strong compulsion to go. Best Himawari-kai book sale score EVER: I found five large-format paperbacks/mooks on movies and music, all of which still had Kinokuniya price tags on them, ranging from $24 to $43, and I got them for $1 EACH.
1. All Tōhō Kaijū Daizukan — An illustrated guide to Toho's movie monsters, mainly Gojira and his various co-stars, but also such things as the alien creatures in Pink Lady no Katsudō Daishashin!
2. Nachisu Eiga Dengeki Tokuhon: Nazi Movies A Go-Go — Speaking of monsters, this is an extensive study of Nazis in cinema, with lots of photos.
3. Disc Collection: GIRL POP — Western female pop stars from the 1950s into the new millennium, from Patti Page to Lady Gaga, with reviews of 500 records.
4. GS I Love You — Articles and interviews covering "Group Sounds": Japan's Beatle-based rock bands of the late 1960s.
5. Hotwax presents Kayōkyoku Bangaichi: Queen of Japanese Pops Vol. 1 — Although its focus is "Bitch, Sexy & Fury" (as it states on the obi) rather than cute idols, it was still far and away today's best score, chock-full of color photos of hot Japanese babes from the 1960s and 1970s, and the bonus CD is still sealed! (I don't get why Kaji Meiko wasn't included, even though some of her movie co-stars were.)