Thanks to you, Mr. Robinson

Today by chance I ran into the man who put the Robinson in McNally Robinson. Ron Robinson is always lovely to chat with about a myriad of topics - Fringe plays, Coronation Street, Eaton's, and of course books. Sounds like he has a serious case of hoarditis. His partner suggested that they buy the house across the street because their own is wall-to-wall books. "I always think of it as insulation," was Ron's defense. As a result, Ron has been on his own quest to monetize his literary assets. So I asked him for his suggestions of good spots to sell used books.

His first go-to spot is Bison Books, with the proviso that they don't always offer top dollar. He brought a book there a while back, and was offered $3 for it. He decided to hang on to it, as he was planning a trip to London, England. Once there, he walked into a shop on Cecil Court off Charing Cross Road and asked for their appraisal. The shopkeep eyed it. "First edition, The Tin Drum, good condition, I'll give you £30; for it." "Sold!" said Ron. (He originally paid 50p for it). He promptly donated his $60 CDN to CKUW, the campus and community radio station where he hosts the programs Pages (Thursdays at 5 p.m.) and The Saturday Morning Show (Saturdays at 6 a.m.)

His second go-to spot is Aqua Books, located in a former Chinese restaurant on Garry Street. One plus is that the owner, Kelly, will donate any books he doesn't buy to the Children's Hospital Book Market. So once you take your books to Aqua, you don't have to worry about the rejects languishing in the trunk of your car. After selling books there, Ron usually spends his proceeds on a tasty dessert from the cheerful in-store bistro, EAT!. That Ron Robinson is a wise, wise man.