Buying Books for A Better World

I am a 'helper'.  I find it hard to sit still when there is an opportunity to help.  I help clean up after a dinner party.  I'm on the speed dial of many of my friends-- just in case of car trouble, health trouble, running late for picking up the kids, and other small stuff.  As you may expect, I even like having the opportunity to buy things and help good causes in the process.

I also am a 'reader'.  I have an Amazon wish list that never seems to get shorter.  I collect books like some ladies collect shoes. In my single days, I did not have cable because I liked having the extra money to spend on books.

I am a 'recycler'.  On a weekly basis, I fill two recycling bins with paper, cardboard, plastic, and glass.  Why fill the dump with this stuff if it can be reused?

So imagine my joy when I happened across Better World Books.   This company rescues old library books from certain death and destruction (5 million pounds of paper-- in fact).  Then these kind people try to find new homes for these books via online sales and through the Amazon system.  They then donate some of the profits to non-profits who focus on eliminating illiteracy ( 1.3 millon dollars, to be specific).  Click here to read the full survey of success metrics.  They even have a blog.

So as you think about holiday presents this year, consider taking the opportunity to give an old book a home and purchase a gift from Better World Books.  Some suggestions include: 

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
Business as Unusual by Anita Roddick
Grace and Grit by Ken Wilber
Leap of Faith by Queen Noor of Jordan
Joke by Milan Kundera

For Kids:
The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler by Konigsburg
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon by Ellen Raskin
Summerland by Michael Chabon

Comments

[Jules Carney]

"Wow", it is so nice when someone break such a hard topic to understand very easily. I am very glad to see you here again.

Done a brilliant job and Best of luck for your upcoming one!