The Joys of the Independent Bookstore

I did not know until I couldn't how much I enjoy roaming a bookstore.

I do not go to bookstores without some idea of what I want to take home with me. Except for when I travel and visit at least one independent bookstore wherever I go (just like one of my baseball heroes Sean Doolittle), I rarely visit bookstores without a title in mind. But, I said that so I can say this -  I also do not walk in, grab my intended book from the shelf, pay, and walk out. (I almost forgot to put in the part about paying; I have never stolen a book.)

Instead, I peruse the displays. I am draw almost without exception to the shelf of books recommended by the booksellers. I read a number of book review magazines and blogs in order to make well-considered purchases for my library. But I always find a book I do not already know about on these shelves. I also like to look at new releases, both hardcover and paperback. In part for the art exhibition that a shelf full of face outs is. I have a deep regard for cover artists. Another section in many independent bookstores is a shelf or shelves devote to authors who live in or are from the area. These are also intriguing to me. 

I also appreciate the special displays or promotions. One of my favorites is a "Blind date with a book," for which the books are wrapped up in brown paper with just a brief description to draw you in. I also appreciate clever pop culture references such as books related, often indirectly or in a humorous way to movies, music or TV shows. 

Note: Most of my visuals come from the Library of Congress. If you want to see publication details, just click on the image to go to its home on the Library's site.

In case you travel or want to plan a trip to some excellent bookstores - 

Independent Bookstores I LOVE:

1. In my neighborhood - East City Bookshop
2. A bit farther afield in Virginia - One More Page Books and Hooray for Books!
3. Quite far away - RJ Julia in Madison, Connecticut - A bookstore I found serendipitously and fell for immediately.

Other independents near and dear (all of which I have visited and purchased from):

1. Politics and Prose in Washington, DC
2. Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC - They have an interesting story.
3. Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe in Asheville, NC - It has been a few years since I have been here and am eager to return.
4. Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN - My life dream, become an author and then open my own bookshop.
5. Square Books in Oxford, MI  - This one was a quick pass through because I was with hungry non-readers.
6. Raven Books in Northampton, Massachusetts - This is the only used bookstore on the list, but both Second Story Books and Capitol Hill Books are two others I love and visit regularly in DC. 
7. Borderlands Books in San Francisco, CA - This is a specialty store focusing on science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery - oh my!
8. The Shop Around the Corner in New York City - A fictional bookstore I have only been to through the movie You've Got Mail, but what a delightful place it is.

I have also been fortunate enough to visit two meccas to books and reading:

1. Strand Books in New York City
   
2. Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon
   

*These are places where you want to spend the day, then camp out, and explore more with a hot tea and cozy sweatshirt in the morning.

Places to visit that are on a literal list in my phone for when I travel:

1. The Drama Book Shop in New York City - This one is not quite open yet, but SOON!
2. Loyalty Bookstore in Washington, DC
3. Philly Aids Thrift @Giovanni's Room in Philadelphia, PA - This one has a long history.
4. The Ivy Bookshop in Baltimore, MD

If you do not have proximity to an independent bookstore think about reaching out to one of these, most of whom will gladly ship books directly to you.