I love Half Price Books. It’s one of my favorite book-type destinations. If you do not need the latest a greatest read but a read that was great once and still is – this place is for you. In 16 states scattered across the country you can find this wonderful store. The concept is simple. You have books (or records or cds or dvds or even VCR tapes) that you do not want any more. Load them up and take them to your Half Price Books – now unless you have some pretty rare books or books that will bring a pretty penny – you won’t get rich selling your books. But you will get more money to buy more books or just the money if you prefer. Sounds perfect to me.
Today, Husband and I made the trek to the big Half Price Books on NorthWest Hwy in Dallas. It’s the big one – there are smaller ones scattered around the D/FW metroplex but this one is giant. I really could spend hours there but it was college football Saturday so I had a time limit.
I love the old books with the yellowing pages. I love the dusty, musty scent of the place laced with fresh brewed coffee. I love the fact, if I wanted to, I could get a back massage right on the premises next to the coffee shop. Today being Halloween – most of the employees were also dressed up.
I love the old paperbacks and the clearance aisles where the inexpensive used books are even more inexpensive. I love that sometimes you can take one off the shelf, crack it open and read some sentiment written by someone to someone maybe a really long time ago or maybe just a little time ago. Maybe a thought of good wishes in an old Bible in the Religions section. Maybe just a note mentioning how good this book really is. Sometimes you might even get an old bookmark – if your lucky.
Used bookstores of all names and shapes and sizes – they are places of magic and mystery. How did this book get here? How did the owner decide this one just didn’t make the cut while packing to move? Did the owner need some extra cash to buy another book or even buy some bread? However they got there – they have a renewed life, a new chance to be read, a new chance to make a difference — a new chance to inspire and inform.
