Anyone who’s driven on I-84 by Union, Connecticut has seen a tempting sign hovering right off the highway that says “Food and Books.” This week I finally stopped to have a meal. But not only a meal…
Founded in 1970, the restaurant adds to dining two other goals: to encourage people to read and to recycle extra books. When you have a meal – and the food is basic hearty American grub – you get to choose three free books from the shelves lining the dining room.
So why did they start doing a book give-away? In 1983, the owner wanted to thin out his personal collection, so he lugged a couple of boxes to the restaurant and passed them out to his customers. They now handle about 100,000 books (or 50 tons they say) per year. The books come from libraries getting rid of their surplus, from flea markets, and from donations. I picked up books by Anthony Trollope and Anita Brookner as well a short story collection from a writer I don’t know named Joy Williams. My companion got the original scripts from the movies Pulp Fiction and The Matrix.
The waitress called me away from the stacks when my food was served, but no one rushed me afterwards as I continued to browse. There is also a store downstairs called the Book Cellar that features, its leaflet says, all sorts of “reasonably priced” and “unique and hard to find titles.” I didn’t go downstairs, but it certainly looked intriguing.
It is such a winning combination – food and books – one many people experience in their own homes, that it is doubtful that I will ever drive I-84 again without stopping in and have a bite and a browse.
Photos courtesy of Barry Hock
It's one of my favorite road foot places, too. One problem, though. If I stop at the beginning of my trip, I know that I'll be late arriving. And, if I stop on the way home, I know that I'll get home later than I'd planned. It's tough to pull myself away.
Posted by: Shirley Moskow | 17 January 2012 at 10:30
Of course you would know all the cool places - and combining "travel" with "book" - just made for you Shirley. And I can see your conundrum!
Posted by: Sue Katz | 17 January 2012 at 10:33
This is wonderful! I've heard of coffee shops that let customers take and leave books, but nothing on this scale! Love this!
Posted by: Joan Price | 17 January 2012 at 14:36
I could just see you there, Joan. I noticed another table getting served these gorgeous tall glasses of hot chocolate - and was sorry I hadn't thought of that.
Posted by: Sue Katz | 17 January 2012 at 15:38
What an awesome idea! My future calling in life might just be the West Coast version of this unique idea.
Posted by: davidshearer1956@gmail.com Shearer | 23 January 2012 at 10:58
Let me know the minute it's up and running so that I can tell all my west coast peeps!
Posted by: Sue Katz | 23 January 2012 at 15:42