Thanks also. I never know what I will discover when I spend time on Substack. We are always looking for inspiration for books for our grandson so it was fun to peek at your Newsletter. Birchbark Books is hard to avoid when in the neighborhood.
Thanks for sharing all those bookstores! I'd like to visit every last one! There's a lovely little bookstore called Pages in our town, Manhattan Beach, CA, just a couple of blocks from the sand and surf. It was started by three women 12 years ago. Avid readers, local support, author events and many book clubs have kept it afloat. Here's the link: https://www.pagesabookstore.com.
I lived in Southern California for many years. While I was a reader, I wasn't a nerd and obsessed about reading yet, so I didn't pay much attention to bookstores. I'd love to visit Pages as I love the beach too. I'm so glad to hear that it managed to survive the last couple of years. It makes my heart smile.
Yeah, it’s a minor miracle that independent bookstores like this one survived the pandemic when so many other businesses have gone under and/or are still struggling. Long may they thrive!
I do love independent bookstores, especially the ones that seem cozy, with soft lighting and comfy chairs, and the feeling I'm in a haven and not a place of commerce. I think if I had another life to live I would give it a try. I remember a beautiful little bookstore I used to frequent where the owner refused to sell Harlequin Romance novels. That would be me, I'm afraid. Not just poorly written assembly line products, but anything that irritated my political sensitivities. So I guess it's just as well I never tried it!
Love this piece. I'm going to check out their websites and have a lovely time doing it.
I know I've briefly entertained the thought of owning a bookstore, and if I were younger, I might give it a try. Since I'm not, I'll just be content on traveling around and checking out all the bookstores that I stumble across and I'm sure I'll have to buy a book or two while I'm there. I love your description of a "haven".
When I'm up north I'm in a bookstore desert. Just one 60 miles away and it's such a disappointment. Staffed with people who seem to have no interest in books and don't really want to talk about them. So it's a treat when I'm away and I can find one.
The reason why I didn't include Parnassus in this newsletter was because I had just written about it in the "book subscription box" newsletter. There were 4-5 others that I found but I didn't write about as either the true ownership of the bookstore was unclear to me or the bookstore didn't have an online presence that allowed enough research and information to put in the newsletter. :)
Feb 15, 2022·edited Feb 16, 2022Liked by Gayla Gray
Wow! Great post! I never knew about "Books and Books @ The Studios of Key West"! Haven't been all the way to Key West in a few years, and even though I know it very well due to family that had lived there, I wasn't up to date on business updates.
I used to frequent a long-gone small paperback bookstore/old-school newsstand there (it was sooooo cool), as well as the Key West Island Bookstore near Duval St. https://goo.gl/maps/Gc5n3AWV7AxhnGpC6 that has been there many years, and is still there. I need to get back!
My first memory as an adult of a favorite bookstore was a used paperback book store. I was young and into Harlequin romances and I'm sure I read every one that the bookstore had. I've never been to Key West, but it is certainly on my list of places to go.
I had heard recently that she owned a book store, but I didn't know anything else until I researched for this newsletter. That's half the fun of writing these newsletters, finding out all kinds of interesting information.
Thanks for sharing Gayla. Birchbark Books is one of the many optional stops when exploring the chain of lakes in Minneapolis. It is always fun to browse and take in a unique atmosphere.
I’m keeping this one bookmarked for when I travel again. It is so good to know about these. Only a couple were familiar to me before this newsletter. Thanks, Gayla.
I've never been there, but I hope to some day. I'd also like to attend the Unbound Book Festival, after I retire and my April is no long consumed with taxes. Have you ever been to the festival?
You and me both. I love road trips and I've got a few planned for 2024 and I will be stopping at all the independent bookstores that I can find along the way. Thanks for reading!
Cannot say enough good things about Birchbark Books -- it's a magical place.
Thanks for confirming what I discovered as I was researching these bookstores. I can't wait to visit it in the future.
Thanks also. I never know what I will discover when I spend time on Substack. We are always looking for inspiration for books for our grandson so it was fun to peek at your Newsletter. Birchbark Books is hard to avoid when in the neighborhood.
Your grandson is a lucky kid, Mark!
Thanks for sharing all those bookstores! I'd like to visit every last one! There's a lovely little bookstore called Pages in our town, Manhattan Beach, CA, just a couple of blocks from the sand and surf. It was started by three women 12 years ago. Avid readers, local support, author events and many book clubs have kept it afloat. Here's the link: https://www.pagesabookstore.com.
I lived in Southern California for many years. While I was a reader, I wasn't a nerd and obsessed about reading yet, so I didn't pay much attention to bookstores. I'd love to visit Pages as I love the beach too. I'm so glad to hear that it managed to survive the last couple of years. It makes my heart smile.
Yeah, it’s a minor miracle that independent bookstores like this one survived the pandemic when so many other businesses have gone under and/or are still struggling. Long may they thrive!
I do love independent bookstores, especially the ones that seem cozy, with soft lighting and comfy chairs, and the feeling I'm in a haven and not a place of commerce. I think if I had another life to live I would give it a try. I remember a beautiful little bookstore I used to frequent where the owner refused to sell Harlequin Romance novels. That would be me, I'm afraid. Not just poorly written assembly line products, but anything that irritated my political sensitivities. So I guess it's just as well I never tried it!
Love this piece. I'm going to check out their websites and have a lovely time doing it.
I know I've briefly entertained the thought of owning a bookstore, and if I were younger, I might give it a try. Since I'm not, I'll just be content on traveling around and checking out all the bookstores that I stumble across and I'm sure I'll have to buy a book or two while I'm there. I love your description of a "haven".
When I'm up north I'm in a bookstore desert. Just one 60 miles away and it's such a disappointment. Staffed with people who seem to have no interest in books and don't really want to talk about them. So it's a treat when I'm away and I can find one.
Parnassus in Nashville is owned by Ann Pachett
The reason why I didn't include Parnassus in this newsletter was because I had just written about it in the "book subscription box" newsletter. There were 4-5 others that I found but I didn't write about as either the true ownership of the bookstore was unclear to me or the bookstore didn't have an online presence that allowed enough research and information to put in the newsletter. :)
Wow! Great post! I never knew about "Books and Books @ The Studios of Key West"! Haven't been all the way to Key West in a few years, and even though I know it very well due to family that had lived there, I wasn't up to date on business updates.
I used to frequent a long-gone small paperback bookstore/old-school newsstand there (it was sooooo cool), as well as the Key West Island Bookstore near Duval St. https://goo.gl/maps/Gc5n3AWV7AxhnGpC6 that has been there many years, and is still there. I need to get back!
My first memory as an adult of a favorite bookstore was a used paperback book store. I was young and into Harlequin romances and I'm sure I read every one that the bookstore had. I've never been to Key West, but it is certainly on my list of places to go.
I shop at Books are Magic in Brooklyn! I never knew it was author owned. Great list!
I had heard recently that she owned a book store, but I didn't know anything else until I researched for this newsletter. That's half the fun of writing these newsletters, finding out all kinds of interesting information.
Thanks for sharing Gayla. Birchbark Books is one of the many optional stops when exploring the chain of lakes in Minneapolis. It is always fun to browse and take in a unique atmosphere.
I’m keeping this one bookmarked for when I travel again. It is so good to know about these. Only a couple were familiar to me before this newsletter. Thanks, Gayla.
Maybe we'll run into each other at one of these bookstores. That would be so fun. Thanks for being here.
As usual, a great article and so informative! It’s always fun exploring book stores and I hope to visit some of these. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Michele, I appreciate you being here.
Great post! And hooray for Skylark, my hometown store!
I've never been there, but I hope to some day. I'd also like to attend the Unbound Book Festival, after I retire and my April is no long consumed with taxes. Have you ever been to the festival?
Yes! It's a wonderful festival, you must come and visit us!
I want to drive across country with stops at these bookstores. What a great post.
You and me both. I love road trips and I've got a few planned for 2024 and I will be stopping at all the independent bookstores that I can find along the way. Thanks for reading!