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