BARGAINS : BOOK-BUYING BONANZA.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

If large chain bookstores seem a bit sterile to you, Bargain Books may be your kind of place. In the business of selling recycled books since 1958, this cozy little shop has books crammed into every nook and cranny at discount prices of 40 percent to 90 percent below original retail.

The bargains start before you even enter the store, with a circular rack of paperbacks for 25 cents each and shelves of hardback books for 94 cents with authors such as John Grisham, Harold Robbins, Irving Wallace, Gore Vidal and more.

Siblings Diane Sharrar and Bill Worth took over the reins of the store from their parents about 23 years ago. They buy books outright and prefer purchasing nonfiction books, such as a large variety of National Audubon Society Field Guides that they sell for $11 each instead of $19 retail. If you enjoy art, the large selection includes coffee-table books, like one showing the restoration of the Sistine Chapel for $45 ($75 original retail price).

Although most of the inventory is devoted to nonfiction books, you'll also find a nice selection of popular fiction and classic literature. For example, Ernest Hemingway's ``For Whom the Bell Tolls,'' in a high-quality paperback that looked brand new, was $6.50 instead of the publisher's price of $12.

There are also books for children. ``Play Garden,'' an activity book that was still sealed with 90 play pieces, was $11 instead of $18.95, and a pop-up book, ``Bugs in Space,'' also unopened, was $8 (publisher's price was $14.95).

Bargain Books is always running specials. The current special is on gardening books - if you buy two books, you receive an extra 10 percent discount, three books is another 20 percent off and buy four or more books for an additional 30 percent discount.

If you don't see a book, ask. The storage area is at least three times the size of the store.

Bargain Books is at 14426 Friar St., Van Nuys; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. A 30-day layaway plan is available with a 10 percent deposit.

Inside info

If you're adventurous and want to get the latest-style haircut for free, call Sebastian's Model Program. They are recruiting models (must be 18 years or older, 16 years with parent approval) who are willing to have their hair cut, styled and/or colored. Model calls take place every Tuesday and Thursday between 3 and 5 p.m. If accepted, you will be contacted when to return for your free haircut. For more information, call Sebastian Model Program at [phone] Ext. 4288. Sebastian Salon is at 6109 DeSoto Ave., Woodland Hills. Recruitment hours are 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays only.

Here's another fun idea that's free. Tickets are available through Paramount Guest Relations for the latest TV shows such as ``Sister, Sister,'' ``Dharma & Greg,'' ``Moesha,'' ``Leeza'' and many more. Bookings are accepted five days prior to showtime. Limit four tickets per show. Age restrictions vary from show to show. Call Paramount Guest Relations at [phone]. Hours to make reservations for tickets are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Photo

Photo: Customer Angela Arreseigor browses the ample stacks at Bargain Books, where there are even more books in the storage area.

Tom Mendoza/Daily News