A
s Bookstock celebrates
its 20th anniversary, its
achievements keep grow-
ing — hundreds of thousands
of used books and media items
sold, raising $3 million for local
nonprofit literacy and education
programs. Every year, thousands
of readers look forward to what
is believed to be the largest used
book sale in the country and cer-
tainly the only one that is operat-
ed solely by volunteers.
An amazingly dedicated volun-
teer leadership group organizes
the eight-day sale at Livonia’s
Laurel Park Place for 11 months
each year, allowing themselves
only one month off before they
begin the colossal task again.
The first Bookstock was held in
2003. This year marks the 20th
anniversary because of COVID,
as there was no sale in 2020 and
only pop-ups in 2021.
Founding co-chairs are Roz
Blanck and Jodi Goodman;
Susi Schoenberger is a current
co-chair. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free
Press columnist, is Bookstock’s
honorary chairperson, and Alycia
Meriweather, deputy superinten-
dent of Detroit Public Schools
Community District, is honorary
chancellor. Wallside Windows is
the lead sponsor.
This year, more than 500,000
used books, records, audio
books, dvds, cds, and video
games will be sold from April
7-14, drawing thousands of shop-
pers. Bookstock’s first sale lasted
four days and raised $40,000. Its
origin was the Brandeis Book
Sale, which was held for many
years at Southfield’s Tel-Twelve
Bookstock sale
celebrates its 20th
year April 7-14 at
Laurel Park Place.
continued on page 14
SHARI S. COHEN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ELAYNE GROSS PHOTOGRAPHY
MARCH 28 • 2024 | 13