Red Room Where the Writers Are

Used Books Make Great Gifts

I discovered a chain bookstore a few years ago only to find out it is an exercise in the ultimate recycling of literature and all things artsy-fartsy. The Half-Price Bookstore of Westport, Missouri is as unique and eclectic as this oddly intriguing neighborhood in Kansas City.

Here's how it works in this Midwest mecca of manuscripts, magazines, music and movies: I bring my unwanted stuff in big cardboard boxes and leave it on the waist-high counter with "them". The agents of acquisition for Half-Price Books politely ask for my name and encourage me to go browse. There is a cute little red shopping cart perched nearby.

The sturdy old wooden bookcases are lined with overstocks, gently used and sometimes even those rare, one-of-a-kind books and entertainment samples that make me tear up in wonder. Looking around cautiously, I add those treasures to my already stacked book cart.

I can hardly contain my joy at finding a 1905 edition of Le Malade Imaginaire by Moilere with "appended vocabulary for college preparatory students" for only $2.50 ?!?! Okay, so what if I will only get about every sixth word? It is a really cool-looking old book, no? I continue searching for more finds like this, thinking what a great coffee table a few stacks of these fraying tomes would make with an old mirror on top.

'And I might even read some of them', I justify to myself.

In less than the time it takes to read the book jacket of an overstocked autobiography of Dolly Parton, my moniker wafts through the dusty hush of the bookstore, in an almost maternal summons. When I return to the collection countertop , I am handed a discreet slip of paper upon which is written the valued amount of my discards. I am now regarded with the utmost of respectful attention as I pronounce this judgment either good or bad.

I usually look at the mounds of holiday gift books, games. movies and personal reference favorites and say something clever like, "Are you kidding me?!??! I can go shop more now! Thanks, man!"