Founded in 2012, The Book Cycle is a wonderful initiative that keeps unwanted books in circulation. How, you ask? A free bookstore. You heard that right. The Book Cycle – a 501(c)(3) non-profit is a free book store in Houston where visitors can continue their story through literary delights.
Located at 405 Velasco Street near the Navigation Boulevard shopping district in East End, The Book Cycle is a community-driven hub has operated on one beautiful, “no-strings-attached” principle: keeping books in circulation for free.
Through its initiative, The Book Cycle aims to create a third space in the city; that is, a location outside of home or the office that offers a place where citizens can spend time without the expectation of buying anything.
And what a third space it is. Cozy and endearingly bohemian, its interior is adorned brick walls, wood panels, and twinkly lights. Visitors can find comfortable chairs and tables to nestle up with a book if so inclined. All to say, that its homey setting offers an idyllic place to explore the stacks and get lost in what you find.
How It Works: Take a Book, Leave a Book (Or Just Take One!)
There is no catch here. While visitors are encouraged to donate any unwanted books, visitors are free to select books to take home as their own – no strings attached!
All the books at The Book Cycle in Houston are 100% donated by Houstonians. As such, the inventory varies on the day to day, but generally speaking its collection contains everything from best-selling fiction to sheet music, vinyl, and comics. Furthermore, the book store also offers a great selection of kids and YA books.
Photo via Shutterstock
How To Support
The Book Cycle accepts books of any age or genre during operational store hours and volunteer hours. Interested parties can also make monetary donations through their website here, which go toward operational costs, rent, transportation of books, and outreach.
The Book Cycle is located at 405 Velasco Street, Houston, TX 77003. The store is open from 9 am to 3 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as 9 am to 5 pm on the first and third Saturdays of each month.