The Book Thing

 

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10

brandon l.

Spring Hill, TN

Again, another service in Baltimore that I wish was provided where I live. Books for free and a huge selection as well! Not sure how often you'll find something you are looking for.. but you're sure to find something of interest. I'd be here often if I lived in the area for sure.

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2

35

K S.

Oberlin, OH

No where else in America have I had the pleasure of discovering a place as queer as the Book Thing. Down a nondescript alley sits a faded beige building with a tiny spray painted sign, hardly noticeable, reading "book thing". The interior is similar to a used bookstore, except that there is no register or employees or anti-theft devices. You just sign out how many books you've taken, and are encouraged to take as many as you please by the "BE GREEDY" signs on the wall. Four large rooms full of books, entirely free!

For a free bookstore, the selection is certainly impressive. While the fiction books are certainly plentiful, the really good ones seem to come and go, and there's a lot of books by popular authors that are quite long (Michener, Irvine Welsh, Slaughter). On the other hand, there must be nearly ten thousand fiction titles alone, and I certainly didn't sift through them all thoroughly. The real treasure was to be found in some of the more specialty books--the writing books, urban studies, politics, travel, science, all had excellent selection, on par with any good used bookstore, and there were also thousands of magazines. On the other hand, it's a FREE bookstore, so what's the point in complaining?

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Elite '08

26

78

Marion P.

Evanston, IL

I can't believe no one has reviewed the book thing yet! But it will be an honor to be the first, and give it five glowing stars.

First off, the book thing is filed under shopping, but it's really a category of its own. Especially because you can't buy anything there. You can, however enter this amazing warehouse, filled with books and bustling volunteers, browse through books in endless bookstore-like sections, and leave with PILES AND PILES of books for not a penny at all.

The book thing accepts donations of books, and encourages people to visit and take as many books as they can read. And you will always find something. Oh, there is so much to be found! I found a falling apart vintage children's book with the most amazing drawings. I found literature classics I've always wanted to read. I found books I actually needed for school. I found books with hilarious titles that served to amuse whole groups of people. I returned many of those when I left town, and felt great about not having to throw anything away.

This is a wonderful place to donate to, volunteer at, and spent a weekend afternoon browsing and finding unexpected things.

I wish every city had a book thing!

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