I’ve always believed there’s something magical about books—the stories that transport us, the authors who give us new ways of seeing the world, and the bookstores that feel like little treasures waiting to be discovered. I love wandering through shelves, finding an unexpected title.
I love the excitement of shelves filled with brand-new releases just waiting to be discovered, but I’m equally drawn to the character and history found in antique and used bookstores. There’s something special about holding a well-loved book, wondering who read it before you, and imagining the stories it has carried through the years. Whether it’s a shiny new release or an old volume with a little history behind it, I love the possibility that the next great read might be waiting on a shelf.
I love stories that take me somewhere and authors who give me a different way of looking at the world. And if there is one thing I will freely admit, it is that I have a hard time walking past a bookstore without stopping to look inside.
There is just something about walking into a bookstore, wandering the aisles, looking at the shelves, and wondering what I might find. Sometimes I go in looking for a particular book, and other times I find something I wasn't even looking for.
I've included the bookstores I've visited here, along with tours, photos, and details from my visits. I've also included some vlogs because some bookstores are worth experiencing more than once.
Bookstores are also wonderful places to meet other readers. A simple "What are you reading?" can turn into a great conversation, and I've enjoyed talking with fellow book lovers and interviewing authors about their writing.
My husband will sometimes ask, with a knowing smile, “Have you moved at all?”
And I’ll answer, just as honestly, “Yes—about two feet.”
Below are just a few of the bookish spaces that I have frequented:
The Stacked Bookstore
Old Gilead Books
The Happy Historian Bookshop, pictured above, has since moved and is now Old Gilead Books. Bookstores may change names or locations, but thankfully, the love of books remains.
Cat Tales
(Official) FTC Disclaimer: In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, Lori's Book Loft would like you to know that while I do purchase many books, the majority of the books reviewed here on this blog were sent to me by the publisher, agent, or author.
