ReRead

By Gayle Hazelbaker

Linda Tuckey has years of experience in retail and customer service. She is also no stranger to books, having always been a reader. Between her husband, Ron, and herself, they own between 2,000 and 3,000 books. With that background and experience, she is the perfect person to be the owner and operator of ReRead Books. Located in the Tecumseh Plaza near Jerry’s Market, it is easy to find.

Tuckey was encouraged by her mother to purchase the business, although she and her husband had discussed the idea of owning a book shop for many years. She purchased ReRead about 10 days before the Covid restrictions went into effect in March 2020. In November 2022, the store moved into its current location on Herrick Park Drive. Floor space went from approximately 3,000 square feet to a little over 1,200. In order to make the transition, the inventory had to be culled. Once done, the remaining titles either met or exceeded the standard of quality she requires of her books before they are put on the shelf to be sold.

She loves the idea of putting print books into the hands of readers because it is a vacation for them. “Most people spend the majority of their workday in front of a computer screen, so why would you want to continue that in your leisure time?” she replied when asked her preference for print over digital. Her philosophy is clearly stated on her website – “Give Your Brain A Vacation. Read a Real Book.”

Another reason she loves a physical book is for its recyclability. “Recycling is an environmentally sound practice,” Tuckey said. “A paper volume can be recycled many times. Once it has been read by multiple people, it can be used as a fire starter or used in a craft project. So different than putting it in a graveyard for electronics.” Books are portable, easily taken to the beach, the mountains, or Granny’s house without worry that they will be lost or damaged.

The collection of books for sale at ReRead is quite diverse. They have children’s books, readers, lots of chapter books, and picture books. Collections of titles for adults run the gamut from Jeff Foxworthy to the history of B-Bombers to VanGogh, as well as the usual genres of mystery, romance, and literary fiction. They do have a heavy emphasis on history, from world history to presidents to Michigan history. Within the shelves a browser can find unique titles such as one on basic surgery and a how-to book on shorthand from the Detroit School of Business.

All their books for children and adults are of good quality. The shop does not take donations. ‘We purchase all the books we sell,” Tuckey said. She finds herself frequently at estate sales combing through old books.

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“By not accepting donations, we are guaranteed to have good quality books for our customers. “With our shop, we are not competing with the library or Goodwill. ReRead is a different opportunity for used book sales,” she said.

If you have books you would like to be considered for her shop, give Linda Tuckey a call and make an appointment. She will evaluate the titles and let you know her decision.