If it’s raining and you can’t be outside, go to a bookstore.
If it’s too hot, too cold, or just too much, go to a bookstore.
Bookstores offer great escapes from routine or chaos. Once you step inside, who knows what you might discover! You can wander displays, peruse picture and art books, and ask for recommendations. Explore genres you don’t usually read, authors you haven’t heard of, or even pour over maps and cookbooks.
If your town is fortunate enough to have a bookstore, visit often! When you travel, discover local bookstores. Some are quirky, and almost all are friendly. You might run across one of these unique bookshops.
The Outdoor Bookstore. In St. Ojai, California, you’ll find Bart’s Books, a used bookstore that is mostly outside! According to the store’s website, “The original Bart’s Books was nothing more than a few books outside the home of Richard Bartinsdale, an avid reader inspired by Parisian book carts on the banks of the Seine.”
The Tiny Bookstore. Fairytale Books is a tiny wonderland in East Nashville, Tennesee. It’s magical for kids who love to read—or might discover they love to read once they step into the shop. Small but mighty, the shop is full of books, games, and art supplies. Bonus: It’s owned by middle-grade author Kelly Byrd.
Books and . . . PICKLES! When Leigh Altshuler lost her job during the pandemic, she thought about how she wanted to spend her time. The answer: With books! She collected used books and opened Sweet Pickles Books on the Lower East Side. And yes, the store also sells pickles. The inspiration for the quirky pairing came from the movie Crossing Delancy, which tells the story of a pickle vendor falling in love with a bookseller.
Connecting Kids and Books. Semicolon Books in Chicago is a nonprofit bookshop on a mission to raise literacy rates and invest in youth, one book at a time. Once a month, they invite local students to Clear the Shelves, where they can take home whatever books they want, free of charge.
Tell us about your local bookshop and why you love going there.