About Us
How a Love of Books Became Central Connecticut's Favorite Treasure Hunt
WorthWhile Reads opened its doors in 2021 with a simple idea: books deserve second lives, and readers deserve fair prices. What started as a passion project has grown into a destination for book lovers across Central Connecticut.
Today, our Bristol store holds over 40,000 titles across more than 50 genres, with inventory changing constantly. We've rescued over one million books from landfills and put them back where they belong—in the hands of readers who'll appreciate them.
Core Values
Accessibility
We believe reading shouldn't be a luxury. With prices starting as low as $1, we make it possible for students, families, collectors, and casual readers alike to build their libraries without financial stress. Everyone deserves access to books, and we work hard to remove the barriers that keep people from reading.
Sustainability
Every book we sell is one that didn't end up in the trash. We've built our entire business around a circular system that gives books multiple lives. When you shop with us, trade in your old reads, or partner with us on a book drive, you're participating in something that matters for the planet.
Discovery
We've designed WorthWhile Reads to feel like a treasure hunt, not a chore. Our constantly rotating inventory means every visit offers new possibilities. We want you to wander, explore, and stumble across books that surprise you. That sense of discovery is what makes a bookstore special.
Community
WorthWhile Reads isn't just a store—it's a hub for readers, collectors, and neighbors. Through events, partnerships, vendor pop-ups, and everyday conversations at the register, we're building connections that go beyond transactions. We want you to feel like you belong here every time you walk through our doors.
The Person Behind the Shelves
Erik Kryzanski founded WorthWhile Reads because he believed the used bookstore experience could be better, bigger, and more accessible to everyone. His vision was a space where readers of all backgrounds could discover something unexpected without worrying about price tags.
Erik remains hands-on in the business, committed to building a store that feels welcoming, keeps books in circulation, and serves as a genuine gathering place for Central Connecticut's reading community.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reinvent the used bookstore experience by combining massive selection, low prices, and constant discovery. We exist to make reading and media accessible to everyone while promoting a circular system that keeps books in circulation rather than sending them to landfills. Every book deserves a reader, and every reader deserves a book they can afford.
Our Vision
Our mission is to reinvent the used bookstore experience by combining massive selection, low prices, and constant discovery. We exist to make reading and media accessible to everyone while promoting a circular system that keeps books in circulation rather than sending them to landfills. Every book deserves a reader, and every reader deserves a book they can afford.
