My Journey Through the Aisles of Bookstores 🌍📚
Visiting local bookstores and reading books fuels my imagination to travel to different places, explore new worlds, and adventure through time.
Hello, friends, fellow book lovers, and time travelers,
Have you ever found yourself lost in the dusty aisles of a local bookstore?
For as long as I can remember, I have loved exploring bookstores and finding books that transport me to different times, places, and worlds. I remember reading the Hardy Boys series, imagining myself alongside Frank and Joe. Whether we were investigating a dying man’s claim that he hid his loot in a mansion’s towers in The Tower Treasure or navigating a mysterious old house perched high on the cliffs above Barmet Bay in The House on the Cliff, these bookstores provided the fuel for my imagination and adventures.
Over the years, my love for local independent bookstores has only grown. Not only do I continue to discover new books to read, but now, as a writer and author, I share my stories and speak at bookstores and events. I’ve come full circle in my literary journey.
Why I Love Independent Bookstores 📖💖
I love discovering and exploring local, independent bookstores.
In the Amazon era, dominated by online shopping and instant gratification (motivated by no shipping charges), the allure of local independent bookstores remains unparalleled. Each visit is a treasure hunt, with book titles and covers catching my eye as I wander through the aisles. There’s always a cozy corner with a comfortable chair, inviting me to sit and read a few pages.
Independent bookstores are more than just places to shop. They’re community centers. I appreciate the knowledgeable staff who share my passion for reading and help me schedule a speaking event. They’ve been invaluable partners in my journey as an author, hosting signings and celebrating my publications with the community.
They offer unique attractions, from kittens playfully roaming the store to cozy fireplaces providing warmth in winter. They feel like home, a refuge from the digital distractions that often shorten our attention spans.
These bookstores are not just about selling books—they’re about supporting the community and nurturing a passion for reading. And that’s why I love them.
Let’s Go on a Bookstore Journey 🗺️📚
Some of my favorites nearby in Oregon include The BOOKTique, good books at good prices for a good cause, Revolutions Bookshop, weird and wonderful books and vinyl, and Rose City Book Pub, with nooks for reading, a bar and tables for gathering, and a curated collection of good books, good drinks, and good food.
The California Bay Area features many to discover: Bookshop Santa Cruz, Books Inc., Pegasus, Moes, in Berkeley, and City Lights, in San Francisco. Head up to the Sierra Nevada to visit The Bookery, in Placerville. You might find an original, signed copy of My Journey with Bernie at these locations.
Check out Tattered Cover, in Denver. A wonderful bookstore experience for 97 years is Strand Bookstore, in New York with 18 miles of books.
Do you have a favorite bookstore to recommend in Alaska, New Mexico, Vermont or perhaps Costa Rica or Mexico or somewhere else? Please add your recommendations in the comments to help build a bookstore map.
What is Better than Bookstores and Cats? 📚😺
Sometimes these bookstores have unique attractions such as kittens who roam the store sleeping, purring, and brushing against my leg.
From ancient Egypt, cats have been sheltered in libraries, museums, and sacred temples to protect old manuscripts and books from mice and rodents.
Cat cafes, with books, coffee, and cats available for comfort and some for adoption. Check out Bookhaven or Mollys Books at Records in Philadelphia for a large selection of books, atmosphere, and fluffy cats.
Let’s Celebrate Indie Bookstores 🎉📚
I will celebrate local bookstores as part of Portland Book Week including a visit to Powell’s Books the world's largest independent bookstore.
Recently, Powell’s held a book sale and attracted massive crowds of book lovers from around Oregon and the country from as far as Florida to stand in a long line and sift through over 30,000 discounted books. Despite the rain, hundreds lined up, eager to explore.
Until our next journey, dear travelers, may the pages of your books turn smoothly and your imagination wander freely.