Grassroots Books, Reno

The artists, teachers, and librarians that staff Grassroots Books know firsthand not to judge a book by its cover. Alongside new, glossy hardbacks and crisp paperbacks, they stock gently used and new-but-slightly-shelf-worn reads at generous discounts. Any books without value are responsibly recycled for free, instead of stuffed into Harry Potter jackets as "secret sequels." Used CDs, DVDs, and video games also share shelf space with more than 3,000 kids books catered to pre-K through high school readers. More exciting yarns await youngsters during the independent bookstore's kid storytelling hours or school book fairs, while the 22nd of every month honors educators with a free book just for coming to the store. Grassroots Books even donates its leftovers to educators and nonprofits after its monthly warehouse sales, four-day extravaganzas where nearly 10,000 books and movies are available each for $0.99.