About Us
Vortex Books is an online-only used book store based in sunny Hawkes Bay on the East coast of New Zealand. We’re family owned and operated and love to be help find new owners for books that might otherwise just gather dust. After all, what use is a book if it never gets read again?
We appreciate the relaxed and tactile experience that a good book can provide, and have enormous respect for the authors that have gone to great effort to share their knowledge and stories with others. Where some people might see a book as heavily worn, we see it as heavily loved!
Alan
Hello from Vortex books! This is an introduction to our website. If you would like to read more about us you can do it here.
As a small family-owned business that primarily sells used books, we invite you to consider the special significance books can have in all our lives. Whether your purchase is motivated by 1) the desire to learn something new; 2) an investment that may potentially increase over time; 3) a way to group cherished materials; 4) a desire for the sight and feel of “hard copy”; or 5) an inheritance that you can leave one for your children and their children to enjoy and treasure, you’ve come to the right website! Indeed, at Vortex books, we want to show that every book can have value to the appropriate person, for countless reasons!
You will no doubt notice that we’re in the process of creating a large selection of genres to choose from. Indeed, it would be a blessing if you would consider buying our books. It’s also hugely appreciated if you recommend us to someone you know too!
There are many other bookstores out there and we don’t claim to be the best. However, we will try our utmost to create a positive and enjoyable experience for you (and hope you will consider being the latest addition to our online family!). And like family members that listen and work together, we welcome your feedback, criticism, truly anything is appreciate if it helps us do a better job for you. Like most business ventures in these uncertain times, we are unsure about our future. However, we really do want to become a success story and we can’t do that without you. As such, we hope to welcome you into our growing family of book lovers.
On an ending note, please rest assured that we are committed to becoming a better bookstore.
Whether through feedback or criticism — your comments are all appreciated. We are always looking for ways to improve, so if you have any suggestions or concerns don’t be afraid to contact us!
Thank you for your time.
Lyndon
My name is Lyndon Watson. I’m Alan’s father and business partner/co-owner of Vortex Books. I’m in my early 60’s with a passion for (as much as my limited free time permits), countless things like reading, permaculture gardens, exercise, healthy eating, sustainability, environmental issues, and much much more. I’m currently looking into “basic training” that would enable me to become a book toting, tree hugging, card carrying, platonic Cuddlist — a not entirely unexpected result of my never ending concern and respect for people and the natural world.
On a more personal note, I provide complete at-home care for my mum who requires nursing home level hospice care (she unfortunately has dementia and needs even the simplest things explained, from how to swallow pills, or get in bed, or help with the commode chair). She requires specialty protein drinks and supplements which are largely unfunded. When I’m not helping her, I’m working with my son on the Vortex Books site. On rare occasions, I try to grab a few minutes for a wee bit of sun.
I firmly believe each of us deserve an equal chance to prove how unequal we are, and in the process, hopefully increasing the infinite diversity and beauty on this planet. To this end, I’ve truly tried to maintain a childlike sense of wonder despite the inevitable plethora of life challenges each of us face in these challenging times. We hope Vortex Books and your association with our “. . . family of book lovers . . .” will aid you throughout your life’s journey of discovery.
Ngā mihi nui (Kind regards — with emphasis on gratitude 
),
Lyndon