Join Us For ThriftGiving

For Giving Tuesday, stock up on books in support of literacy

What Is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is tomorrow, December 3, and ThriftBooks is proud to be taking part in this global generosity movement. By committing to donate 1 percent of our gross revenue from the day to a selection of literacy and educational nonprofits, we hope to inspire generosity—on this day and beyond. "We are excited to enable book lovers across the country to participate in ThriftGiving through their purchase on ThriftBooks," says Barbara Hagen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday originated as a simple idea, a reminder to give back and do good. In the words of CEO Asha Curran, the day creates "a shared space where we can see the radical implications of a more generous world." Over the past seven years, the day has inspired hundreds of millions to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Doing Good Feels Good!

Helping other people is a win-win. The truth is that giving isn’t just good for the recipients, it's good for the givers as well. Studies show that donating money or time can improve your physical and mental health. Here are five books from notable philanthropists about how their work has changed lives, including their own.

Banker to the Poor: Micro-lending and the Battle Against World Poverty
Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus tells his visionary story of establishing Grameen—the first of its kind—a bank devoted to providing microloans to the poorest people of Bangladesh. His dream is the total eradication of world poverty.

Leaving Microsoft to Change the World
In 2001, after a soul-searching trip to the Himalayas, Microsoft executive John Wood walked away from his lucrative career and founded Room to Read, an organization dedicated to childhood literacy and gender equality in low-income communities around the world.

Keeping Hope Alive: One Woman—90,000 Lives Changed
Since 1991, Dr. Hawa Abdi (dubbed "the Mother Teresa of Somalia") has operated a massive camp on her farmlands, just outside of war-torn Mogadishu. There she and her daughters (also doctors) have provided critical healthcare and childhood education to their fellow Somalians who have been displaced by war.

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World
In her bestseller, Melinda Gates shares inspiring stories from her work with the Gates Foundation. For over twenty years, she has been on a mission to reduce inequities, particularly those facing women. Backed up by startling data, her narrative is deeply compelling.

Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty
Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo analyze how the stress of extreme poverty leads to impossible choices for impoverished people. The Nobel Prize-winning duo shows that change begins with understanding these dilemmas and restructuring the way that help is offered.

Literacy Saves Lives!

As all of us book lovers know, reading does so much to improve our lives. Books are a balm, an endless source of information, and a treasure trove of experiences. People who read are generally more successful, kinder, and happier. Literacy literally saves lives. Reading helps people achieve goals and move ahead in life. That's why ThriftBooks is partnering with a selected group of nonprofits and organizations focused on literacy and education efforts. Here are five books about the transformative power of literacy and education.

The Freedom Writers Diary
This book from California high school teacher Erin Gruwell and her students, dubbed "The Freedom Writers," chronicles the students' growing sense of social justice and their observations as they learn about the experiences of Anne Frank, Zlata Filipovic, and Rosa Parks.

Reading With Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship
An inspiring memoir from Teach For America volunteer Michelle Kuo, who makes a profound connection with one of her students. A meditation on the redemptive power of knowledge.

Among Schoolchildren
From Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Tracy Kidder comes the story of his year observing an extraordinary fifth grade teacher, Christine Zajac, and her incredible commitment to her students in the depressed "flats" of Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Holler if You Hear Me: The Eduation of a Teacher and His Students
Alternating between Gregory Michie's growth as a teacher and the stories of his students in Chicago's South Side, this book shares an intimate and compassionate view of teaching and learning in urban America.

I Am A Pencil: A Teacher, His Kids, and Their World of Stories
In 1995, writer Sam Swope gave what was supposed to be a one-day workshop to a third-grade class in Queens. But he was so enchanted with his 28 students that he "adopted" the class for three years.

Help Us Make a Difference!

We hope you'll join us on December 3's global generosity movement. Just as a reminder, ThriftBooks will donate 1 percent of all revenue to selected local nonprofits. With your help, we can really make an impact, so stock up on all your book needs during this special event! And stay tuned on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on how we do.

Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon