Fighting AIDS One Book at a Time
I don’t know of another bookstore in the US like Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. The entire premise is to raise money for AIDS programs; it’s a thrift store for books. I keep thinking I must have been in other ‘charity’ bookstores (other than at a library), but can’t come up with one. To date, Housing Works has helped over 20,000 men, women, and children with AIDS/HIV. The public contributes in a variety of ways. Housing Works offers memberships. For example, a $60 annual fee entitles the member to 10% off all purchases. Book donations stock the store, in fact there was a table of books donated by Chronicle Books, but unlike most used bookstores, the public is actually giving the books to the store without receiving a credit. If that was an option in LA, I’d happily give my books to a charity bookstore (I already give my books to the library, but I’m open to spreading the love). And, of course, you can do what I did-buy books and eat there.
The Bookstore
It’s all for a good cause, but is it a good bookstore? You bet. The atmosphere is used store perfection: wood floors, dark bookshelves, open space for lounging or holding events, a wide selection. In the essay section I found a volume of Michel de Montaigne’s Essays that has been on my ‘to be purchased’ list for over a year. In classics I found Anthony Powell’s A Dance to the Music of Time which I passed up the day before at Posman Books. The book was discounted and it was for a good cause, so I succumbed. But the prize was waiting for my in the short story section. A book rack displayed recommended books and there was Nathan Englander’s For the Relief of Unbearable Urges. Half an hour earlier, I was shopping at McNally Jackson and almost bought Englander’s book; at Housing Works I practically lunged for the book wondering why no one had snatched it before me.
Why my reaction to Englander? A few weeks earlier, Claire e-mailed me and said I had to read Englander’s story in the New Yorker’s 20 under 40 issue. People tell me I have to read stuff all the time, and I love hearing recommendations, but often it feels overwhelming to add them to the sea of books on my desk. But, Claire isn’t the biggest fan of short stories, so I paid some attention. When she asked the next day if I had read the story and sent me the link, I knew I needed to read it. It’s gut wrenching and impeccably written, Claire describes it best in her post. Needless to say, I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found it, I almost took a picture of it to send to Claire.
Any used bookstore where I can pick up two books I passed up at regular prices within 24 hours of seeing them qualifies as a good bookstore in my opinion. Plus, they serve a mean quiche. Check out the two amusing signs I found in the store. FYI, Housing Works and McNally Jackson are less than two blocks apart, making for a nice duo excursion.
If you know of other charity bookstore, other than those associated with libraries, please tell us about them!
126 Crosby Street
New York, New York 10012
Tel: 212.334.3324
Tags: charity bookstore, Englander short story, New York, New York bookstore, new york city, New York City bookstore, used bookstore
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Started reading the story but honestly it didn’t grab me so I didn’t bother finishing. In the words of the great Nancy Pearl, ‘I start many more books than I finish.’
Housing Works on the other hand is definitely going on my must visit list.
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I finished far too many books I should have put aside! Good for you Meagan for knowing what isn’t for you and moving on, there are far too many wonderful books and stories to read them all so it’s important to keep moving when you read something that isn’t for you.
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