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The
Ivy Bookshop in Baltimore
in an upscale neighborhood is great -- small with
oak floors, one small table and maybe two chairs,
but an excellent selection of travel, art and bestsellers
and more literary authors. Address: 6080 Falls Road
. Tel: 410-377-2966. Next door is a coffee shop
with outside tables.
Jackie, Baltimore,
USA
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If
you stay in the usual conference hotels (Sheraton,
Tutwiler, Redmont, or housing in the University
area) in downtown Birmingham,
Alabama, you are in a desert island as far as shopping
is concerned. The happy surprise is to find the
tiny Episcopal Book
Store at 2015 6th Avenue North.
It's packed floor-to-ceiling with tasteful gifts
and cards and books of course. The titles are not
all religious in subject; I found books on political
conflicts and current events, good fiction, regional
cookbooks, humor, and children's classics along
with philosophy and religion. Knowledgeable, friendly,
all-women staff and clean restrooms. What more can
you ask? There IS more: you can buy a book and read
it in the beautiful church garden around the corner,
facing 20th Street. This bookstore is within walking
distance of the Museum of Art, the federal and county
court buildings, and most of the banks where you
may be doing business.
S.O., Alabama,
USA
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On
the island of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, just
where the road curves south in Buxton,
is a marvelous escape called Buxton
Village Books. In a little white
house with a wonderful owner, GeeGee, to guide us
through the scrumptiously known and unknown in literature,
non-fiction, children's books, and even a few little
water color and pen and pencil sets for the "sudden
artist" that appears in all of us when we vacation.
Bliss!
Jenny, from Athens, Ohio
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Chicago
has wonderful bookstores for academics - especially
in the Hyde Park area. The
CTS Bookstore has a great selection
of new books covering many academic areas, and has
many publications not widely available in the US.
Powell's on 57th Street is an excellent stop selling
used academic books.
Sue, San Francisco,
USA
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There's
a female-friendly book store in Chicago.
It's called, Women
and Children First, and it's right
on Clark (5233 N. Clark Street). I think other women
will like it.
Emily, Chicago, USA
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I
would love to recommend Tattered
Cover located in Denver,
Colorado. I studied for my MA in Denver so I had
a lot of personal experience with Tattered Cover.
There are two or three locations in the city. It
is a warm and welcoming bookstore that has lots
of activities. There is also a cafe and comfy sofas
all over the bookstore where you can read to your
heart's content. Some have been known to fall asleep
and no one wakes you! There is also a lot of community
interaction. See their website: http://www.tatteredcover.com.
Ruth, Barbados, West Indies
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I
know that Detroit,
Michigan USA is not a hot travel destination. But
there is an used bookstore that is at least 3 floors
of books called: John
K. King Used and Rare Books on 901
W. Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, MI, 48226 USA.
I am writing a novel set in Ireland and live in
Detroit. That book store is a treasure for someone
like me who likes to do research. Not much in ambiance,
but lots of substance. Tel: 313-961-0622. Website
is www.rarebooklink.com
Email: kingbooks@aol.com.
Lynn Ellyn, Detroit, USA
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I
love this opportunity to share my most favorite
bookstore in Houston,
USA.  Twice
Told Tales is a 'small in area but
huge in selection' used bookstore. It is owned and
run by the nicest lady who used to be a manager
at a large chain bookstore, and the others who work
there are also book people: just as nice - and unbelievably
helpful. They take all paperbacks (& some hardbacks)
in trade and maintain your balance on file indefinitely.
They do both requests and searches. They coordinate
with the local schools and have books on required
reading lists, both summer & school terms, in
stock. I really could go on and on. (and it's not
for lack of competition: within a few miles is a
Barnes and Noble, a HalfPrice Books, and several
other used book stores). Address: 8648 N. Hwy 6
(out Hwy. 290, NW of Houston in the suburbs). Tel:281-463-4961
Beth, Houston, USA
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I'd
like to recommend Becker's
Books in Houston,
Texas. It's literally(!) a house
(3500 square feet) full of used books. The owner,
Ann claims that she has another houseful of books
as her inventory. She and her husband have run
this shop since 1994 and every available nook
and cranny is stuffed with used, out-of-print,
many signed titles and rare books. It's a quiet
place to browse; most prices are reasonable. Address:
7405 Westview, Houston, 77055, (713) 957-8088.
Website: http://www.houstonbooks.com/
Susan, Houston, Texas
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Our
city of Houston,
Texas has a number of great independent bookstores
but my personal favorite is called, Murder
By The Book, an unique shop filled
to the brim with mysteries. Their staff is both
knowledgeable and helpful and go to a great deal
of trouble to find just the book for you. Murder
By The Book has at least one author signing each
week. Their book club meets once a month and everybody
is welcome. If you plan to visit Houston and love
mysteries, sign up for their e-mail newsletter
which will fill you in on all events. Website:
www.murderbooks.com
Dorothy, Houston, Texas, USA
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In
Iowa City,
Iowa, USA there is the Prairie
Lights bookstore. This place is
a haven for bibliophiles. Of course, during the
summer, it becomes a second home to attendees
of the University of Iowa's Summer Writers Festival.
In addition to housing every genre of book imaginable,
the shop has one of the most extensive selections
of literary journals available. It also has a
coffee shop upstairs where writers can convene
or sit with laptop or manuscript and get lost
in solo creativity.
Karen, Pelham, USA
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I
would highly recommend the independent book store
called, Lemuria
in Jackson,
Mississippi. Every employee possesses a wealth of
literary knowledge while the store is filled with
an impressive inventory of carefully selected titles,
has a "First Editions Club" in which a
signed first edition is sent to each member every
month, has numerous author signings, and will ship
anywhere. It is the VERY best bookstore!!
Connie,
Jackson, USA
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In
Los Angeles,
CA there is Every
Picture Tells A Story, a delightful
children's book store that doubles as an art gallery
featuring artwork from children's books. The shop
used to be located on Beverly Blvd. but recently
located to Santa Monica. Its website is http://www.everypicture.com.
Karen, Pelham, USA
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In
Louisville,
Colorado, The Book
Cellar sells new, used and rare
books and has a terrific used book trade policy.
They are open Mondays through Saturdays. The store
is located in the cellar of a refurbished historical
building in Old Town Louisville, The Marketplace.
They share this space with a bead shop, bakery,
chili shop, beauty salon, massage spa, and pottery
studio. The store is cozy, and lined with bookshelves
full of books of all kinds. Book are arranged by
category and alphabetically by author, and if, by
some chance you can not find what you are looking
for, you can always ask Barbara, the proprietor,
or Annie and they will always be able to put their
hands on what you want. Twice a year Barbara holds
a Psychic Faire when she hosts a numerologist, tarot
reader, clairvoyant, and tea leaf and palm readers.
It's great fun. Louisville is a little out of the
way, but anyone visiting Denver or Boulder should
try to make time to stop by The Book Cellar. Address:
820 Main Street Tel: 303-604-2880 Email: thebookcellar@qwest.net
Website: http://www.thebookcellaronline.com.
Elizabeth, Louisville, Colorado, USA
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There
is a little upscale bookshop in New
York that I return to time and time
again when I need a special gift for the kiddies
that I love. Books
of Wonder contains a fabulous collection
of titles that are sometimes difficult to locate
in other places. The staff here is so courteous
and I never leave the store empty handed. Gift wrapping
in bright, shiny, green or blue paper is complimentary
and while books are not discounted here, the last
time I visited I was given two $1.00 certificates
towards my next purchase. P.S. Every Sunday at noon,
Books of Wonder hosts a good old-fashioned storytelling
time (16 W. 18th. Street).
Evelyn, Toronto,
Canada
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Idlewild Books
is a beautiful new independent store near Union
Square, specializing in travel and international
literature. A bookstore organized by country,
Idlewild carries fiction and non-fiction from
all parts of the world, including new and classic
works in translation, travel guides, books about
politics and culture, graphic lit, language-learning
books, maps and more. Address: 12 W. 19th Street
near Fifth Avenue.
Evelyn, Toronto,
Canada
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The Strand
bookshop in New York
City is massive and has the most
amazing titles. I spend hours there. They have rare
books, used books and are a family owned business.
I like to support them as they are not a cookie
cutter store.
Beth, Hoboken, USA
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I
want to tell you about one of my favorite bookstores
in NYC.
It's the Black Orchid
Bookshop at 303 East 81st St,.
Telephone 212 -734-5980. Email Borchid@aol.com.
Website www.ageneralstore.com.
It is a small shop that only carries mystery writers.
They have hard covers but also many many paperbacks.
Bonnie and Joe, the owners are very knowledgeable
about the genre and have introduced me to many
new writers. I make sure I go there before every
trip I take. I have been known to overpack books
because I once had the experience in Europe of
running out of things to read. Don't want to repeat
that experience.
Tarah, New York City, USA
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In
North Cambridge,
MA there is Kate's
Mystery Books. This shop is not
to be missed by any lovers of mystery books or
black cats. (Though there are no live cats, there
are plenty decorative ones throughout the store.)
Kate has a wonderful selection of mysteries and
thrillers, both hard cover and paperback, and
she and her capable staff are happy to make suggestions.
She showcases New England mystery writers on one
set of shelves and host book signings with writers
of local and national acclaim. She also plays
host to the New England chapter of the Mystery
Writers Association, who hold their monthly meetings
at the shop before taking their invited speaker
out to dinner nearby. Another interesting piece
of trivia, the book shelves were installed by
none other than mystery writer Robert Parker of
Spenser series fame.
Karen, Pelham, USA
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I
lived in Olympia, WA for four years before (sadly)
moving away. There is a fabulous little shop in
downtown Olympia
called The Fireside
Bookstore. It's the perfect size,
in a perfect location (plus, coffee shops abound
nearby), and the owner, Jane is sooo knowledgeable
and friendly. There is also a great reading group
that meets in the store on a monthly basis. I wish
I could still visit!
Jennifer, Sun
City, USA
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Bindlestiff Books
in West Philadelphia
is an awesome little bookstore. Opened in the
fall of 2005, their staff is super friendly, their
selection is outstanding (despite them being a
tiny bookstore), and the prices are right! Bindlestiff
gets most of its books from remainders or on discount,
and then pass those financial savings onto customers.
They also solicit feedback from customers, and
actually listen to it. Their selection includes
great children's books, cookbooks, fiction, and
history, including a lot of activism/social awareness
stuff. I've found nothing but great books there.
Hours: noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday,
closed Mondays and Tuesdays. They're located at
4530 Baltimore Avenue, in West Philly, Tel: 215-222-2432.
Kelly, Philadelphia, USA
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My
favorite bookstore is Powells
Books in Portland,
Oregon. It is the largest independent new and used
bookstore in the world. The staff is very knowledgeable,
and the store is well laid-out with color-coded
aisles and matching maps. Take the narrowest subject,
and you will find hundreds of books, while you probably
would find only a few anywhere else. The store takes
up three floors on one block in downtown Portland.
It is almost impossible to make a short visit. Their
website (powells.com)
allows you to be notified if an out-of-print book
becomes available. I can't recommend it enough!
Fran, Portland, USA
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Without
a doubt my favorite bookstore is R.J.
Julia Bookseller in Madison,
Connecticut. I could live in this place. It is so
charming it's like being in another era. The decor
is warm and woodsy, the furnishings are such that
I'd like to have them in my own home. The pictures
on the wall are appropriate and lovely; the selection
of books is wonderful, timely, and attractively
displayed. There are also reproductions of authors's
signatures on the hardwood floors. Gift items are
available as well, but not so many that you forget
you're shopping for books. In the back is a little
tea shop for sustenance. I've never been in such
a wonderful bookstore and stop in every time my
husband and I drive east.
Pattie, St.
Louis, USA
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A
used bookstore at an airport? Yes! 2nd
ed. Booksellers is located at Raleigh-Durham
International Airport (Terminal A).
If you happen to be flying into/out of the Raleigh-Durham
(RDU) airport in North Carolina, and you love books
then you have to stop in at this shop -- a real
cozy spot in the airport. They have used books,
maps, music, and nice people working there. This
store almost makes me look forward to going to the
airport! Just fantastic! Website: http://www.rdu.com/shoprest/shopping/2nd.htm
Lisa, San Diego, USA
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Greetings
from Washington,
DC. A charming bookstore is my city
is Chapters Literary
bookstore. http://www.chaptersliterary.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp
It is tucked into a small space on 11th street and
has a very carefully selected collection. There
is no end to the hidden gems you will find. One
of my favorites, a biography, Mistress Bradstreet:
The Untold Life of America's First Poet, by Charlotte
Gordon. Here's a few others...
Politics and Prose,
http://www.politics-prose.com,
is fabulous and has a huge following. It is located
close to the Maryland line in Chevy Chase, but
well worth the trip. They have numerous author
talks every week, run monthly book groups, and
are part community activists.
Olssons,
http://www.olssons.com,
has numerous locations throughout the city and
in VIrginia. They have a great store at National
airport -- makes it much easier to sit through
a delayed flight.
Audrey, Washington DC, USA
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I
recently travelled to Washington
DC. Amidst the business suits, monuments,
museums & galleries lies a unique little bookstore.
While exploring the shops along Dupont Cirlcle,
I came across this unique bookstore called: Kramerbooks
& Afterwords. From the outside,
it looked like a regular bookstore but once inside
I noticed it was also a cafe!! Its a great way to
spend some time among great books and good food.
Web site: http://www.kramers.com
Tania, Toronto, Canada
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I
can assure you that no trip to the city of
Washington, DC
is complete without a visit to the legendary Busboys
& Poets bookstore cum restaurant.
BB&P is a place to curl up with your laptop,
hunker down with an indie magazine, or hang out
with a friend. It's a place for social activists,
musicians, wannabe authors and curious onlookers.
You can peruse the eclectic selection of books
in the far corner, gaze at the artworks hanging
on the walls, gawk at passersby through the floor-to-ceiling
windows, or indulge in a wide array of gastronomic
delights (try their veggie sandwiches and you
won't be disappointed). Drop in for a film screening,
Organic Beer Happy Hour, a Writer's Festival or
Open Mic Poetry night. For listings & menu
items, check out BB&P's lively website: http://www.busboysandpoets.com.
Amit, Washington, DC, USA
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For
the mystery lover check out Foul
Play bookstore in an old house in
historic uptown Westerville,
a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. Meet the resident cats
and check out the many books (and cat gifts). They
also have author visits and a book club. Website:
http://www.foulplaybooks.com/
Laurel, USA
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Have Book will Travel
in Wilton,
Connecticut is a company that boasts a data base
of over 5000 travel books. Need special information?
They’ll locate the book(s) titles that will
be helpful and even sell the book to you at a 10%
discount. Call (203) 761-0604.
Phyllis,
Miami, USA
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Look for other bookshops:
Page 1: Australia, Bali, Bulgaria,
Canada, China
Page 2: Ecuador, France, Germany,
Greece, Hawaii, Holland
Page 3: India, Israel, Italy,
Japan
Page 4: Laos, Mexico, Nepal, New
Zealand, Nicaragua, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand
Page 5: United States
Page 6: United Kingdom
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