We discovered this nonprofit charity that helps out prisoners, the Book Cellar, a few years ago, and it has a lot to offer — including top-notch used books and a beautiful Saturday half-day escape from the Los Angeles grime. (To get there, drive up Pacific Coast Highway and out Kanan Dume Road to the frontage road just before the 101, or take the 101 to the Kanan Dume exit to the frontage road, and then when you’re all done you can watch the sunset as you return home along the PCH. Super scenic either way.) Choices include National Geographic maps at 10 cents each; an excellent selection of cookbooks, Judaica, children’s books in good enough shape to give as gifts, scores of undamaged hard-cover bestsellers, high-end trade paperbacks and New York Times notable books. Prices 50 cents to $1 typically. Book Cellar also has a big paperback sections of romance, thriller and mystery novels, plus comfy chairs and a plate of free cookies. (It’s only a few miles from the Book Nook, so make a day of it and see both.) 29901 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills, (818) 889-2278. —N. Jensse

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