Did you know there is a national Book Lover's Day? Well, it may be more accurate to say there are two such days since some people celebrate it on August 9 and others do so on the first Saturday in November (which happens to be today, November 7). Regardless of when or how it’s celebrated, though, it’s a great opportunity to take a look at some of this country’s most interesting independent bookstores, many of which have become tourist destinations in their own right.
It's true that Borders or Barnes and Noble are fine places to shop or hang out. You can walk into one of these stores in New York or Nebraska or Nevada and be fairly certain of what to expect. But there is something to be said for the thrill of wandering the aisles of a bookstore with a truly distinctive feel and personality. A place that you just couldn't find in any other city or state. A bookstore, in fact, that is even worth adding to your travel itinerary the next time you're in one of these cities.
So let’s celebrate Book Lovers Day with a look at seven of the most popular and unique independent bookstores in the land.
Powell’s City of Books - Portland, Oregon
A million books, spread across more than 3500 sections and 68,000 square feet of space.
Powells City of Books is one of the largest bookstores in the country, with color-coded maps guiding visitors through the maze of rooms. It’s also a distinctively Portland operation, located in an unassuming building on the outside and with new and used books sharing space on the shelves. One British traveler recently
wrote: “The alternative America of Portland is epitomised by the presence of Powell's City of Books, a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in reading.”
City Lights Books – San Francisco, California
Located in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood,
City Lights Bookstore was founded in the 1950s by the poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and gained fame initially as a hangout for the literary lights of the Beat Generation, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. The store maintains a bit of a counterculture atmosphere, in keeping with its history and location. You can browse its collection while musing about the authors who once wandered the same aisles.
The Tattered Cover – Denver, Colorado
Nestled in the heart of the Rockies,
The Tattered Cover is located in an old theater and is renowned for the comfy chairs scattered throughout the premises, the gas fireplace, and the coffeehouse in what was once the theater’s lobby. For a store that stocks more than 150,000 titles, the style is cozy and comforting. Book lovers are invited to relax as they browse this legendary Denver bookstore, which also claims to have a free special event nearly every day of the year.
Elliott Bay Book Company – Seattle, Washington
The
Elliott Bay Book Company is a quintessentially Seattle book store, with brick-walled rooms and a popular café on site. It’s another store that can lay claim to more than 150,000 titles and a constant stream of author readings and book club events. The shop is located in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square district, surrounded by an diverse collection of restaurants, galleries and retail stores.
The Strand – New York City
Like all of the other stores on this list,
The Strand has a character that is emblematic of its city. In this case, large, busy and sprawling. The store boasts of having 18 miles of books. There are 2.5 million new, used and rare books in its collection, overseen by more than 200 employees. The Strand has been around for more than 80 years in its location at Broadway and 12
th Street, during which time it has expanded from 4,000 to 55,000 square feet of space for its burgeoning book shelves.
Politics and Prose – Washington, D.C.
It’s a perfect name for a bookstore in a city that is consumed by politics. The
Politics and Prose shop is already well known for being the site of many of the author readings that are broadcast on C-SPAN. But the store is also known for a great selection of books, numerous inviting and comfy chairs for reading, and a great café.
Harvard Bookstore – Cambridge, Massachusetts
It’s appropriate that the most academically oriented of these bookstores would be located down the street from Harvard University. But the
Harvard Bookstore is about much more than intellectual topics, with a diverse collection of popular titles and a large assortment of used books in a bargain basement annex. It’s also a great place to begin a day of book shopping, as this is one of several bookstores that are located within a few blocks of each other in eclectic Harvard Square.
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Photo credit: Joe Mabel via Wikimedia Commons.
Comments
It helps to support the independent book store wherever you live. Good starting list of the big ones, Bob.
I seek out little independent bookstores in my travels - especially used books. You never know what you will find.
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