Neighborhood Bookstores

DEBORAH CROMBIE: There's been much in the news lately–hooray for some good tidings–about the resurgence of physical bookstores. Barnes & Noble is expanding–we have a gorgeous new store in a suburb nearer us than the old one, a definite cause for celebration.

But an even bigger cause for celebration is that we now have our very own  neighborhood bookstore! It's called, appropriately enough, NEIGHBOR BOOKS, and is on our historic town square here in downtown McKinney, less than a mile from our house.

This is a huge deal for us, as until now our closest bookstore has been our Half Price Books–not that I'm dissing Half Price! They are great, and have hosted lovely events for me in the past. But there is nothing that compares to having a good general bookstore nearby. Neighbor Books stocks everything from classics to the latest best sellers. They also discount books for a small monthly or yearly membership fee. This is a classic mom-and-pop (Joey and Ginny!) business and we want to do all we can to support them. I'm not sure what the space originally housed, but we know it dates back to 1888 and it's great to see our old buildings housed so creatively.

I ordered (because they'd sold out) a copy (probably insanely considering the weight of the hardcover!) of THE LONELINESS OF SONIA AND SUNNY by Kiran Desai, and while it's lovely that the store will special order anything for you, the best thing about the shop is browsing. On my first visit I found a gorgeous rerelease of E. Nesbit's THE RAILWAY CHILDREN, which I had never read.

I took it home and spent the rest of the day reading it from cover to cover. What a treat! This book was foundational for 20th century English children's literature and I don't know how I managed to have such a gap in my reading. (Nesbit herself is a character for another post–I'll just say that those Edwardians really got up to some stuff!)

Dear REDs, are you lucky enough to have a neighborhood bookstore?

RHYS BOWEN:  I’m the luckiest person in the world because my neighborhood bookstore in California is Book Passage. I’ve known owner Elaine for over 40 years and always launch my books there. I’m also on the faculty ( with Hallie) of their annual mystery conference. They are a true neighborhood magnet with classes and events every night. And they host all the big names. I have found myself speaking between Hilary Clinton and Amy Tan!

Also my neighborhood store in Arizona is the Poisoned Pen. Owner Barbara Peters is a dear friend and regular lunches with her are a highlight of my time in Arizona. Every mystery writer in the world comes to The Pen! I love stopping by to meet friends. 

HALLIE EPHRON: Though they’re on the other coast, I’m a huge fan of the Poisoned Pen and Book Passage. The owners are brilliant at what they do. Survivors and thrivers and nurturers! And, as we say here in Boston, “wicked smaht.”

And there’s a new independent bookstore that just opened near me - The Next Chapter Books in Quincy, MA. They are filling a long empty void. Come to Quincy for the Asian food and the history; stay for the books!

LUCY BURDETTE: I too am very lucky with bookstores! In Key West, we have two with quite different personalities. Key West Island Books is small and quirky with lots of local books and used books too. Suzanne has hand sold hundreds and hundreds of the Key West mysteries. We also have Books and Books, a nonprofit founded by Judy Blume and her hub. It’s much more modern and literary and very fun to browse. In Connecticut, we have one of the best bookstores in the country, RJ Julia Booksellers. I’ve had almost all of my launches there. It’s gorgeous and they have so many wonderful author events. It’s a dream for a book addict like myself!

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I’m going to start with a quote from The Penobscot Bay Pilot: “According to a 2023 story by MaineBiz, there are roughly 37 independent bookstores in Maine. With a population of 1.3 million people, that works out to be one bookstore per 35,000 people as opposed to the national average of one bookstore per 54,299 people.” Yay, Maine!

I have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to local bookstores. My closest one, about a 13 minute drive away, is The Bookworm, which is in a two-hundred year old house STUFFED with new and used tomes. In Portland, I love PRINT: A Bookstore (that’s how they spell it) for co-owner Josh Christie’s appreciation of mysteries. (It’s also the best place around to get progressive and queer literature for my daughter and daughter-in-law.)

If I’m on my way up to visit said daughter (and my grandson!!) I can stop at Gulf of Maine in Brunswick, and If I’m staying in Bar Harbor (which everyone should do at least once in their life) there’s Sherman’s, a Maine small chain which is up to ten stores throughout the state. 

You know, the state motto is “The Way Life Should Be,” and honestly, I think the profusion of local bookstores is a big part of that!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  Well, of course, Barbara Peters is the bookstore queen and fairy godmother to all.

Around here, we have some amazing bookstores! Ten minutes away, Newtonville Books, whose brilliant owner Mary Cotton was the mastermind behind my movie theater launch of ALL THIS. (Her first store hosted my very first bookstore event! Imagine that! 20 years ago.)

And An Unlikely Story, where I have interviewed many a bestselling star–Ware! Jewell! Sager! Abrams!--is absolutely magical. Jeff Kinney (yes,the Wimpy Kid) is the owner, and he is a flat out genius. (I’ll be there next week interviewing Adele Parks!)

A bit farther from home but still “neighborhood”--BookLove in Plymouth, and as Hallie mentioned Next Chapter Books, and if you are on the Cape, you must visit the wonderful Titcomb’s.

JENN McKINLAY: I just just checked the distance on Google Maps. I am exactly 3 miles from the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale. Hub and I love being so close. We shop there at least once a month, go see authors we love who are passing through, and have become close friends with the owners and staff, who are the best in the biz. Very lucky! 

DEBS: Readers, do you have a neighborhood bookstore? Tell us all about it!

I should add if you don't have a regular neighborhood store, many of the stores mentioned offer online sales. Two of my favorites are The Poisoned Pen and Murder by the Book (in Houston.)