Local independent book stores are a treasure hunt for avid readers. While the economy struggles and national chains fail, indie bookstores thrive. They offer fair pricing, personal service, and some even are joining the e-book sales technology. Interstate Highway 10 is the path between greater Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona areas, less than a two hour drive. These three indie bookstores top the local book pile in these and other Arizona cities.
Changing Hands Bookstore can only be found in the Phoenix area convenient to I-10. It opened on April fool’s Day 1974 committed to selling used, new, and hard-to-find books and to community service. There are lots of cozy places to curl up with a book or magazine. The store’s free press area offers copies of a cornucopia of free community publications and a bulletin board decorated with area events, including volunteer and charity opportunities. The bookstore contributed to over fifty schools and charities in the greater Phoenix area. It also has one-of-a-kind local and international artisan items. International artists participating with the Fair Trade Commission, receive the profits. Favorites are the one-of-a-kind, indoor or outdoor, oil-drum wall art by Julio Balan, of Haiti. These nearly indestructible artworks cost only about $75. Changing Hands now offers e-books starting at $0.99 each.
Changing Hands Bookstore is at 6428 S McClintock Dr, Tempe, Arizona, Hours M-F 10am – 9pm,
Sat. 9am – 9pm, Sun. 10am – 6pm, Prices from $0.99 and up.
Mostly Books bookstore in Tucson is next to Annabell’s Attic furniture and consignment store on the city’s eastside. It may be tiny, but Mostly Books’ own twist on new and used books with other fun related items, gives the larger stores good competition. One great niche is the extra effort the owner takes to find books signed by authors living-in or visiting the Tucson area. Because of this, it is not uncommon for unexpected signed books to be offered, such as signed giant crossword puzzle game books. Many other books and related items are for sale, priced at $1.00 and up, including book-lover themed nightshirts, mugs, book markers, t-shirts, jewelry, compact discs, greeting cards in all subjects, funny and serious.
Mostly Books is at 6208 East Speedway (at Wilmot), Tucson, Arizona, in a shopping center also with one of the Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange bookstores in Tucson. Price range $1.00 and up, Hours M-F 9:30-9, Sat 9:30-6, Sun 11:30-5.
Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange began in Tucson in the 1970s with the motto “used is not a dirty word.” The company now boasts six stores, with three in Tucson and one each in Phoenix, Mesa, and Flagstaff. Online sales are coming soon. Not only does Bookman’s buy and sell used books and magazines, but also home decor, jewelry, electronic games, record albums, compact discs, and more. See website for complete details before lugging fifty pounds of books or your grandmother’s china set or encyclopedias to sell or exchange at Bookman’s.
Cozy seating begs customers to linger. Wi-Fi and table areas make it more welcoming. Some personal favorite purchases include autographed books by Rodger Tory Peterson, Henry Kissinger, J. A. Jance, and Lady Bird Johnson. Bookman’s travel mug fits my hand perfectly, its lid cleans thoroughly, and the unit is most leak-free of any owned. T-shirts emblazoned with Bookman’s passion for fighting censorship are a testimonial to the store owner’s dedication to free speech and individual rights. It is an honor to patronize this entertaining store.
Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange is at various locations in the greater Tucson, Flagstaff, and Phoenix, Arizona areas; Price range @ $2.00 and up, Hours 9 am to 10 pm everyday.
Source
Lynn Pritchett, regular patron of these bookstores and many more wonderful indie book lover hang-out in Arizona and anywhere else she roams.
