Like most bookworms, I have an unshakable love for books, bookstores, and libraries. My husband knows this all too well, and one day, as he scrolled through Facebook, he spotted an advertisement for the grand opening of Pierce Bookkeeping and Bookstore. Without missing a beat, he pointed it out to me. We happened to have the weekend free, and the decision was easy—we were going. We arrived just in time to witness the ribbon cutting, a small but celebratory start to what would become a memorable morning.
We soon learned the story behind the bookstore. The owner, Becky Pierce, has spent the last fifteen years managing taxes and bookkeeping, but her passion for books was impossible to ignore. With so many of her own cherished volumes, she decided it was time to open a bookstore. Now, her son helps her run the shop, making it a true family endeavor.
The new building itself is inviting and warm. I couldn’t help but admire the tasteful signage, and the open porch was perfectly complemented by a working traffic light, adding a whimsical, small-town charm to the setting.
Inside, the store exudes a welcoming coziness. Gently used books are displayed across a variety of bookcases and bins, encouraging browsing and discovery. My eye was immediately drawn to the left, where shelves overflowed with Amish romance novels. I thought, “Oh, how Mom would love this.” She and her friends are devoted fans of these stories, often exchanging them with one another, and I could picture her delight if she were here.
I wandered past a bin and made my way down an aisle toward the back of the store, where I had been told most of the poetry and vintage books were shelved. There, I discovered a copy of Ivanhoe, recounting the events following King Richard’s imprisonment in Austria. I considered the book, but ultimately decided to explore further, curious about what other treasures awaited me on the shelves.
After some browsing, I selected two books to take home:
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Eben Holden: A Tale of the North Country by Irving Bacheller. Though I had not read it before, I knew it had been called the “first best-selling novel of the 20th century.”
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That Girl From Memphis by Wilbur Daniel Steele. I’ve been enjoying Westerns that explore 19th-century mining life, and this one piqued my interest immediately.
With my small collection tucked under my arm, I moved to the shelves on the right and began exploring the mystery section. A few Agatha Christie titles caught my eye—ones I hadn’t yet added to my collection. Just then, a noise behind me drew my attention. Turning, I saw my husband and quickly snapped his photo, capturing a quiet moment amid the book-filled aisles.
I continued my exploration, winding along the back and down another aisle to the west side of the store. There, a large collection of Westerns awaited—many by Max Brand and Zane Grey. I picked up an old copy of Wilderness Trek by Zane Grey and leafed through it, savoring the pages. In hindsight, I wish I had taken it home. How could I have passed up a book by the author who so beautifully captures the wild, free moments in life—the moments truly worth living for?
Near the front of the store, a lively chatter had gathered around the checkout area. Curious, I joined in, and the other shoppers pointed out a stack of books beyond a door I hadn’t noticed. Becky herself was at the cash register, welcoming customers with her warm smile. I approached, settled up for my two books, and was delighted when a woman nearby invited me to choose a bookmark from a stack of sewn bookmarks as a gift. I selected one featuring The Nightmare Before Christmas, a small treasure to remember the morning by.
It was, quite simply, a marvelous way to spend a morning. While most of the books in the store are in English, I did spot a few in other languages, a testament to the variety and thoughtfulness of the collection.
Pierce Bookkeeping & Bookstore
501 West Jefferson Street, Ohio City, OH
Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m., closed Sunday & Monday
Tax preparation available by appointment only
As Jane Austen once wrote:
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!—When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”
Visiting Pierce Bookkeeping and Bookstore reminded me exactly why this is true. There’s a joy in discovering new stories, in wandering through aisles, and in savoring the magic that only a bookstore can provide.
