Now, thanks to Mason and the nonprofit Friends of the Aledo Library (FOL), Aledo has its own bookstore. Second Story Books is located at 213 Mesquite across from Bryant Grain. With the closing of Arts and Letters in Weatherford, it is the only dedicated bookstore in Parker County.
Bookstores and libraries complement each other by increasing the number and type of books in circulation and fostering reading. Numerous studies confirm that developing reading skills in children help in their future job prospects. Mason, who has worked as a librarian in Aledo and elsewhere, knows from professional and personal experience that reading to kids at an early age is important. She read to her own three in their early years; they’re now in college. Reading doesn’t just benefit the young; adults who read maintain and sharpen their cognitive ability.
Bookstores function as cultural hubs and Second Story Books is no exception. In addition to selling books, it supports writers by hosting a weekly Writers’ Quarters on Thursdays from 10-2, when anyone can drop in and write, surrounded by books and other like-minded people. It hosts a Men’s Book Club which meets monthly to talk books and sports. Groups can rent the upstairs room to play mahjong, play music, hold classes, etc.
Independent of the City of Aledo, the nonprofit bookstore is an entrepreneurial leap that looks to generate sufficient revenue through book sales and rentals of its second story room. FOL’s main thrust is to donate money to the library to buy more books.
Second Story Books sells used books and relies on donations to fill its shelves. It’s a business model that succeeds in many small towns, such as Sedona, Arizona and Boothbay, Maine. Residents welcome the opportunity to cull their shelves to make room for new books and support local reading. Aledo Public Library no longer accepts donations of used books.
Long time Aledo resident Aaron Garmon dropped several boxes of books by, eager to help the store stock its shelves. The gregarious Garmon engaged staff about he and his wife’s hopes of reprinting his father-in-law Homer Norris’ classic “Parker County Prairie Sketchbook,” detailing the author’s wanderings and archeological findings in the area. The bookstore will stock it when available.
Second Story Books is staffed entirely by volunteers. The bookstore is in need of more. If you wish to help, join FOL (friendsofaledolibrary@gmail.com). Second Story Books augments the library in ways besides monetary donations. Most of its volunteers live outside the city limits, broadening participation.
Its reselling used books appeals to many. Charissa Miller, an Aledo resident and avid user of the library, is excited about the bookstore. “I think it’s wonderful,” Miller said. “I love that things can be reused. I love that rather than end up in a landfill, the books can be reused. Books are truly the window into the world. They inspire you to learn about anything.”
Shoppers can find value in the books they buy. Mason said, “My hairdresser always buys used books to save money. Second Story Books is a place to shop for bargain books.”
Because the store relies on donated books, its offerings are always changing. Its books range from recently published titles to old treasures, from picture books for young readers, middle grade, and young adults books, to nonfiction and fiction. Repeat visits are recommended. Its offerings are also growing, as the store looks to dramatically increase its shelf space.
Long-time resident and prolific reader Rod Saint and his wife visited the bookstore recently. “I picked up some bargain basement books.” He found a couple he hadn’t read by a favorite author. “My grandson was named after Harlen Coben because I posted a note about one of his books at the same time my son and his wife were down to their last choices.”
Saint perceived a happy vibe in the store, and not only in his own purchases. “A child and parents were so excited to find some interesting books as well. Another lady brought in a big box of books to donate so we will need to visit again or perhaps donate the books I purchased once finished.”
What is Cathy Mason’s most memorable recent book? “The Day the World Came to Town about when 9/11 grounded all airplane flights and many landed in a small town on Newfoundland,” Mason said. “It told about the outpouring by the locals in caring for the stranded travelers.” It was an event that shook up the town, changing it forever. Much like Aledo’s Second Story Books.
Second Story Books is open:
Geoff Mantooth is an author whose book about the barbed wire inventors and entrepreneurs is forthcoming this fall from Texas A&M Press.
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