BUT. As a consequence of my grumpiness, I decided to visit the used paperbacks store, which I normally avoid like the devil because it's the one with the Weird Old Guy. I forgot there is now a 50% chance that it will instead be manned by the Nice Old Lady* with a passion for both books and readers. Which today it was! AND I FOUND A TREASURE BOOK. Hold the Rein Free, a wonderful old horse book from the 60s that I love, ex-library hardcover, for $3.25.
*I knew she was one of those people who would appreciate me telling her how happy I was to find this specific title, and sure enough, actual quote as best I can remember it: "Isn't it wonderful how books have a way of finding their readers?"