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Singing the Praises of My Favorite Bookstore - Page 1
You’ve just read an intriguing review for a novel and wonder if you can sleep without that book in your hands. You know a great bookstore just down the street that always carries the stuff you love to read. Please tell us more about your favorite bookstore.
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| Bookstore: San Francisco Mystery Bookstore |
| Location: San Francisco, California |
| Specialty: Mysteries and thrillers |
| Recommended By: Simon Wood |
San Francisco Mystery Bookstore is great pitstop for every reader of mysteries. It's small but the staff is dedicated. They know their stuff and are happy to help. The store is in the heart of Noe Valley, so there's plenty of places to stop off after you've made your criminal purchases.
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| Bookstore: Odyssey |
| Location: Novato, California |
| Specialty: Used Books |
| Recommended By: Lee Doyle |
As far as I know, the greatest selection of used books in Marin County--from fiction to children's to history to self-help. The books are in great condition, the owners are extremely helpful. Odyssey is on recently renovated Grant Street in downtown Novato. I'm actually surprised the bookstore is still there, given the tony shops, cafes, and restaurants that have recently opened on the street.
| Bookstore: Once Upon A Crime |
| Location: Minneapolis |
| Specialty: Mystery |
| Recommended By: Michael Allan Mallory |
Once Upon A Crime is a specialty bookstore that sells mystery, suspense and crime fiction. What's great about this place is that, in addition to the standard best sellers, it offers a wide selection of titles from small publishers, stuff you can't find at the big chains. The owners, Pat and Gary, are great people who really believe in supporting local authors. They hold numerous events during the year for both readers and writers.
| Bookstore: Barnes & Noble |
| Location: Littleton |
| Specialty: General |
| Recommended By: Leslee Breene |
Although a chain store, this Barnes & Noble has its own flair and dynamics. Set up in a circular fashion, the reader may browse comfortably for all genres in the spacious interior. In the center a lively, old-yet-new world Starbucks invites camaraderie with its surrounding tables and chairs, and delicious aromas.
Ellen Arboe, the Events Director, made me feel right at home with a chair and mike, and refreshment table, for my Book Launch Party of Leadville Lady. An intimate setting in a large, commercial venue. Everyone felt welcome.
| Bookstore: BookShop West Portal |
| Location: San Francisco, California |
| Specialty: General |
| Recommended By: Joy Zimmerman |
We love our new independent bookstore in West Portal! Although it's been open less than a year, BookShop West Portal already feels like an old friend with its inviting interior and friendly staff.
The book selection is terrific, especially for a small neighborhood store -- all the bestsellers, a broad selection of new titles, and a varied and carefully selected backlist. Their children's section is packed but inviting, with a comfy carpeted bench on which to sit and browse the books.
And they do events, too. Martina Navratilova had a crowd that spilled out into the street, and they've also featured the likes of George Lakoff, Jacqueline Winspear, and Vikram Chandra. We chose to live in the West Portal area because of its thriving local retail environment, and BookShop West Portal only strengthens the community feel of the street -- lucky us.
| Bookstore: Steeplejack Books |
| Location: West Dundee, Illinois |
| Specialty: General, Quality Used Books |
| Recommended By: Lisa Guidarini |
Steeplejack Books in West Dundee is exactly the sort of cozy bookstore we all dream of discovering. It looks a quaint bookshop you'd run across by accident in Britain. It positively exudes charm, from the beautiful and striking facade to all the little nooks and crannies you can plant yourself in while perusing the books.
Offering the best and most eclectic range of quality used books I've ever come across, Steeplejack is the best place to browse for books in the Northwest suburbs. You'll also find a few signed and more rare books mixed in with the other books on the shelves, which is a very cool surprise.
If there's something special you're looking for, Steeplejack can also order new or used books, so there's nothing they can't get for you if you ask. This is by far my favorite independent bookshop.
| Bookstore: Murder on the Beach |
| Location: Delray Beach, Florida |
| Specialty: Mystery |
| Recommended By: Christine Kling |
Murder on the Beach is the much-beloved mystery specialty store in Delray Beach, Florida run by the very capable Joanne Sinchuk. Tucked a few blocks off the very chic restaurant and shopping district of this seaside town, this store gets a few who wander in, but for most of us, it is a destination visit. I can't just run in and run out. The warm atmosphere makes you want to stay. Joanne and her superb staff always have some new and terrific book or author to suggest and what started as a quick trip, turns into a lovely afternoon. In addition, Murder on the Beach hosts wonderful signing events by many of the biggest names in crime fiction, often serving wine and loads of good cheer. The Florida mystery genre boasts dozens of authors and Murder on the Beach has played a big part in making that community thrive and grow.
| Bookstore: Sanibel Island Bookshop |
| Location: Sanibel Island, Florida |
| Specialty: Mystery, Children's Fiction, Romance, Non-Fiction |
| Recommended By: April Star |
The Sanibel Island Bookshop IS a GREAT place to be stranded. This quaint and inviting bookshop is owned and operated by Hollie who is far more than just owner, operator, and manager--she also makes every visitor feel at home with her warm and welcoming smile. I had my first book signing at Sanibel Island Bookshop and I'm so happy I made the absolute best choice. Hollie went out of her way with press releases and obtaining reviews from local book reviewers. She sensed my anxiety over this first major event in my life and quickly put me at ease with the relaxing and inviting author signing area she had set up on the veranda. This is truly one of those feel-at-home kind of bookstores.
| Bookstore: Reader's Cove |
| Location: Fort Collins, Colorado |
| Specialty: General with a great section for kids |
| Recommended By: Patricia Stoltey, Author |
Charles Kaine's new bookstore is large and beautifully arranged, is reader- and author-friendly, and is delightfully nestled between a bakery and Kaine's own Half Moon Bay coffee shop. I now have a new favorite place to feed my book and coffee addictions, and hope the rest of northern Colorado follows suit. I'd like to see Reader's Cove stay around for a long, long time.
| Bookstore: Laurel Bookstore |
| Location: Oakland, California |
| Specialty: General, Children's |
| Recommended By: Charlotte Cook, Publisher, Oakland, CA |
If you recognize the team of Luan, Iris and Mary, you've been to Laurel Bookstore in the Laurel District of Oakland. My personal favorite bookstore is small, colorful, inviting and refreshing. I love bookstores. My playpen for my first years on this earth was in the back of my parents' bookstore (Edward's Bookstore) in Lafayette, CA. My husband owns and runs Sunrise Bookshop, a metaphysical bookstore in Berkeley. Yet it's at Laurel that my needs for books are met. My mind and heart are nourished with and delighted by good friends who feed me choice books better than little pastries and chocolates. Community bookstores are in jeopardy but if you patronize one you know that you are in jeopardy if they go away. If you live in or near the Laurel District and you don't stop and shop with the wonderful Luan, Iris and Mary, you have deprived yourself of a special joy. Stop doing that to yourself!
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