The Great Books

pristine set ready to purchase

2012 has gotten off to a great start here at Recycled Reads. We had a terrific time at the Austin Booksellers’ Associations Book/Photo/Paper show. Thanks to all of you for stopping by our booth. We invite you to come by to see some of the changes we’ve made at the store. There is a lot more room to sit, browse, and shop.

Recycled Reads prepares for Book and Paper Show

2012 Austin Book and Paper Show January 14-15 Norris Conference Center

If you are a serious collector or thinking about collecting rare and vintage books as a hobby, then I encourage you to attend the upcoming Texas Book Sellers Association’s annual show at the Norris Conference Center. We are brining a large selection of unique books to satisfy everyone’s interest and price range. We’ll have addition collectibles and sets just up the street at the Recycled Reads bookstore at 5335 Burnet Road. Come by the store for a complimentary pass, or print one out from this posting. See you there!

2012: The Story of Civilization

2012 is upon us. When we entered this millennium, the dire predictions were about Y2K; for the past decade the hoopla has been about the Mayan Calendar and what if forebodes about 2012. The demise of civilization has been predicted since its beginnings. Luckily for us good writing and solid research stand the test of time. So many of the donations we receive here at Recycled Reads come from historians, educators and journalists that it is not difficult to find and account of the past and how it influences the present.

We at Recycled Reads wish you a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. We feel pretty certain that a decade from now intrepid shoppers will continue to find the perfect books and materials on a variety of subjects and interests at our store. Since we’ll be open until 6:00 p.m. on December 31, we hope they don’t wait that long to discover our unique collectibles and endless good reads.

Resolute Readers

As we finish up our Christmas shopping and enjoy some relaxing time with friends and family, we are starting to consider the new year. For Recycled Reads, it will bring many exciting possibilities and endless bookshelves of surprising finds and classic favorites. In 2012, we plan to get organized, slim down our collection to the very best then flaunt it!

What are your resolutions for next year? How will you work to improve your character, your mind, or your life? For you bibliophiles, maybe you’re ready to finally read the classic literature you skimmed during college. (OK, the classic literature whose cliff notes you skimmed during college.) Perhaps you twentysomethings are feeling a bit lost and confounded with your options in life, and you are looking for sound and non-judgmental life advice. Maybe you’re beyond those growing pains and are just looking for a way to bring joy to yourself and others in the next year.

You are in luck! Recycled Reads is just the place to fulfill your most achievable resolutions. Not only do we have a well-trained staff to help you find whatever kind of book you are searching for, but we have a seemingly-endless supply of classic literature. Right now we have an excellent set of Franklin Library Books with classics and rarer works by classic authors. Just look at this random selection in the photo featured!

Don’t delay, these books won’t last long.

Curling up with Good Book on a Frosty Day

With temperatures below freezing, it’s hard to remember those blistering days when we were melting old vinyl records on the sidewalk to make unique jewelry. Now, just like when we were kids, all we want to do is curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and read a good book. Yesterday we held our annual vintage children’s book sale at the store (www.recycledreads.org). From the Little Prince to Raggedy Ann; Mary Poppins to the Hardy Boys, so many books from my childhood danced like sugar plum fairies. Books with vibrant dusk jackets and intricate illustrations served as a lovely reminder why so many of us fell in love with reading.

While yesterday’s event complete with Santa, caroling harps and dancing elves was a great success; we still have several treasures here and I’ve posted pictures of some below. If you’re tired of the mall, cyber shopping and big box stores, consider doing your Holiday shopping at Recycled Reads. We’ll be open until 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 24.

vintagebookphoto (2)

vintage children’s book

the Future of the Book

In the age of eReaders and Overdrive, some believe that the future of the book is digital. At Recycled Reads, we neither deny nor embrace this idea, but weigh the opposing viewpoints to determine the possible outcomes. 

In the event of obsolescence, Recycled Reads is prepared. Already we recycle ten tons of books each month. Many of you have seen our Recycled Crafts – from jewelry to home decor – that we make out of the books that would have been recycled. Book Art is a quickly growing art form, and we hope to inspire our customers to keep outdated or damaged books for crafting projects. Come by the store on Saturday, December 17th between 1 and 3pm to learn some of our holiday-inspired crafts like recycled map gift wrap, paper jewelry, and paper wreaths!

But because we are mostly staffed by librarians and librarian-supporters, everyone here understands that sometimes, you just want to hold the book in your hands. What is it exactly – the smell? the weight? the notes in the margins or end-page-inscriptions from half a century ago? The most invigorating of our donations are the older books. The stories they tell can not be appropriately translated into a digital format. The random newspaper clippings and photographs tucked into the pages are treasures that only a vintage book-lover can know. Well, vintage book-lovers, rejoice! Recycled Reads has been holding back the very best of our old and new books to sell at our Holiday Open House this Saturday, December 10th. Come for the amazing prices on our new, old, and coffee-table books…stay for the dancers, music, and Santa photos! (We encourage you to bring your own cameras.)

Either way, Recycled Reads is prepared for the future of the book. Don’t get left behind! Come into the store before your holiday shopping is done!

 

The Life and Tragic Death of Jesse James

Recycled Reads: Where Shopping is Not a Contact Sport

Black Friday is over and Cyber Monday is done. Somehow retailers have turned shopping into competitive sport where customers are ready to duke it out over waffle irons. We believe in a kinder, gentler shopping experience here at Recycled Reads. Our only enticements are the classical music from KMFA and the wonderful bargains for book lovers of all ages. Even our gift certificates are user-friendly. Starting at $5 (up to$50) a Recycled Reads gift certificate never expires and the shopper does not have to use it all at once. They can use it toward any item in the store–even our handcrafted jewelry. And during the Holidays the buyer can select a handcrafted bow to present with this thoughtful gift.