The Book Bin

I frequent the McIntire Recycling Center once a week, sometimes more.  I choose to drive my recyclables from home knowing that with each stop, I can pop into the book bin and see what’s new. You never know what you’ll find, but as its free, the price is right by me.

It’s become a reading room of late. Employees and volunteers have spruced the 20′ shipping container up so that it’s down right homey in there. Gone are the floor-to-ceiling hoarder piles and most of the musty smell. Most of it. Ok, the air freshner helps not a bit. But for the curious book hounds and collectors, it’s worth the regular visit. For someone like me, scavenger artist aiming at repurposing  books — contents, spine and cover — why it’s a smorgasbord of compelling typography and graphic images of yore!

Favorite, curious, amusing, must have titles I’ve brought home include:  Leather Pants, Peter Gets the Chicken Pox, Better Rural Living.

Yes, I just found The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown book!

Yes, I just found The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown book!

This is a decidedly nicer way of saying leave your books, take some books, then go.

This is a decidedly nicer way of saying leave your books, take some books, then go.

Discussion and Debate nestled between The High Cost of Peace and The Holy Bible.

Discussion and Debate nestled between The High Cost of Peace and The Holy Bible.

No one goes there for the view.

It's practically cozy inside, really. Lamps, rugs, armchair, hot coffee and donuts!

It’s practically cozy inside, really. Lamps, rugs, armchair, hot coffee and donuts!