Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Bibliophile

Whatever your interest, you're sure to find a book
that covers it at the Friends of the Library Bookstore


Borders Books & Music it ain't, but if you want to take your time browsing,
pull up a chair and enjoy your finds


Tucked into the basement of the Wheaton Regional Library in Wheaton, Maryland, is a cavernous corner devoted to the selling and donation of books--young and old.

Within its narrow walkways and high shelves you can find everything from a 1920 printing of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn as part of a collection of works by various writers to copies of National Geographic book series, from case bound copies of William Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich to Tom Wolfe's A Man in Full. There are encyclopedia sets and special collections, children's books and Reader's Digest condensed volumes. There are mystery/thriller and trashy romances, history and poli-sci, cook books and career manuals, travel guides and map books, language primers and textbooks. You name a genre or an author and you're likely to find something you'll be happy with.

But here's the best part: the prices. You can pick up a box of books and still spend less than $20. Most case bound books are $1.00. The paperbacks are $1.50 - $2.00 (haven't quite figured out why these are more than the case bound.) All of the books are in relatively good condition, which is important if you have hang ups about grimy, I-don't-know-who's-sneezed-in-it books like I do.

If you love books, but you don't always love the hole buying books can put in your budget, check out the Friend's Bookstore at the Wheaton Regional Library. And if you have books you don't want to throw away (perish the thought!) or you don't want to give to Goodwill, you can donate your tomes to the bookstore. It's tax deductible, by the way.

11701 Georgia Avenue (cross street is Arcola)
Wheaton, MD
T: (240) 777-0688

Hours:
Mon-Thurs 10.00A-8.30P
Friday 10.00A-4.30P
Saturday 9:00A-4:30P
Sunday 1:00P-4:30P

http://www.folmc.org


P.S. If you're like me and you have books by the bazillions, you should check out this blog. (The name is a shock and misread initially, but look at it again and you'll notice it's a play on words. I promise it's legit and isn't some lewd, inappropriate site.)


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 3/08
Text copyright: On Rush Hour in D.C.--my firstborn blog ever

10 comments:

The Artful Eye said...

I have an addiction to books and reading. I never seem to have a budget when it comes to books, however I have now overrun my bookshelfs and I have towering books on coffee tables and such. I could be addicted to much worse.

Even pictures of books make me happy.

Janet Kincaid said...

AE: If you have bookshelves overflowing with books, you should check out this blog spot:

http://exposeyourshelf.blogspot.com/

I know. You just read that is "Expose Yourself" and thought, "What the hell is Janet doing recommending some lewd blog to me?" I had to read it several times before I realized it said:

Expose Your Shelf

Check it out! I think you'll find it amusing.

Fénix - Bostonscapes said...

Janet, this has nothing to do with books, but you must've heard the news about the U.S. Defense Department mistakenly shipping ballistic missile components to Taiwan. How crazy is that? >8@

Anonymous said...

Fenix: Unbelievable. But not inconceivable. (I need to catch up on the news today. I've been spring cleaning all weekend.) I swear, the Defense Department should have to make its case to the American people every year as to why our tax dollars should go to them. And our tax forms should have a check box that lets us choose where our dollars go. Sheesh.

The Artful Eye said...

OMG, Janet...LOL I didn't even flinch at Expose Yourshelf and I thought I was reading Expose yourself and wasn't even phased ready to hop on over. This is so cool. My shelves have toys and trinkets, collectables in front of books. I thought I was the only crazy one. I also have a game closet stuffed with board games both current and vintage and many great jigsaw puzzles.

Maya said...

This entry is right up my alley in so many ways! I LOVE books, and that shelf site was most interesting. I'll have to take a photo of one of my bookshelves and add it.

I also love the top shot you took. Not only do I like the colorful books, but I like the woman standing in the Romance section. Lovely!

Janet Kincaid said...

AE: Glad you enjoyed that! I think it's the most creative title for a blog I've seen in a long time!

Maya: Books rock! As for the lady in the romance section, how hilarious is that?

 gmirage said...

I like that second shot, view from the foot! =D

I used to have lots of book...don't know what happened lol...

Lara said...

I haven't been in a library in a long time. From my university years, I think I developed a certain ... something against these places (too many hours spent there, in silence). I still very much enjoy reading in the comfort of my study thou...

Janet Kincaid said...

Gee: I have too many books, if that's possible! Still, I'll take them any day over television.

Lara: Get thee to a library! Actually, what's great about this bookstore is, at least 70% of their content is fiction. If you want a book for the beach, this is the place to go! I have friend who travels on business a lot. She buys a stack of books to read while she travels, and then she leaves them behind. At less than $2.00 each, it's not a loss.