This is a weekly event hosted by The Broke and The Bookish where bloggers relate their "top ten" of a certain topic. This week's topic - Freebie Week!! Anything goes! After sharing a bit about a mystery bookstore I love a few days ago, I decided that we should all take a tour of some great independent bookstores, located all over the US. So, pack your bags and come along with me. I'm including a US map below with our route marked.
We will leave Austin, Texas, my home town, and head west first. Are you ready? As my Dad would say, did you visit the 'necessary' room? Here we go! (Sorry I don't have any pictures except for the Poisoned Pen, but there will be a few videos.)
1. The Poisoned Pen Bookstore located in Scottsdale, Arizona - This is a bookstore that I've visited many times. As you can see, I've included a picture above and below, I'm including a little video that was published just recently. You get a tour!
2. Mysterious Galaxy located in San Diego, California - I have heard such good things about this bookstore that specializes in mysteries and sci fi. It opened in 1993. I have not visited, but would love to do so.
3. Powell's located in Portland, Oregon - Oh, my goodness - I love Powell's!! We lived in Portland for 3 years and the first time I visited the downtown city block that houses Powell's, well...it...was...amazing!! Never had I seen anything like it. I could have moved in and stayed. Established in 1971 - if you ever get to Portland, visit Powell's. There are several locations, but the downtown store. You gotta see it!
4. Elliott Bay Book Company located in Seattle, Washington - Even though we visited Seattle several times during our Pacific Northwest time, we never got to this bookstore. Seattle has given us a lot and this bookstore is deservedly well known. It began in 1973 in Pioneer Square and has since grown and moved more than once.
5. Tattered Cover Book Store located in Denver, Colorado - Another wonderful store that I would love to visit. I've been to Denver several times, but not the Tattered Cover - yet. My daughter brought me a mug back from a visit to a college friend. I treasured that mug and still drink coffee out of it, even though my Tattered Cover markings have washed away. The Tattered Cover was opened in 1971 and now has several locations throughout the Denver metro area.
6. Aunt Agatha's Mystery Bookstore located in Ann Arbor, Michigan - This lovely little mystery bookstore is another that I've not yet visited. In fact, I've never been to Michigan. But, if I ever get there, you can find me at Aunt Agatha's (isn't that a great name?). Aunt Agatha's has been open for over 20 years and in 2014 won a Raven Award, presented by the Mystery Writers of America. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside of creative writing.
8. Strand Bookstore located in New York City - Our oldest bookstore on our tour, Strand Bookstore was established in 1927. It's still a family run independent bookstore and I'm sure everyone has heard it. The slogan is '18 miles of books'. Love it. And would definitely love to visit one day.
9. Murder On The Beach located in Delray Beach, Florida - Another store that specializes in mystery books and author events. Their website says they are the leader in signed books by Florida authors. And, again, not a bookstore I've visited. One day, one day.
10. Murder By The Book located in Houston, Texas - Slogan is 'Where a good crime is had by all!'. And I hang my head in shame by sharing that I've also never visited Murder By The Book. In my defense, it's been years since I've been to Houston. This bookstore was established in 1980 and bought by the current owner in 2009. I have heard wonderful, wonderful things about the author events, the store itself, the staff - really everything. If you get to Houston and you like mysteries, go visit Murder By The Book. It's not far from Rice University and The Galleria.
Extra: BookPeople located in Austin, Texas - And we are back around to my own home base. BookPeople was established in 1970 here in Austin. It is a lovely bookstore in downtown Austin and they host many, many events. I don't live at all close anymore or I would likely be there much more often. If you get to Austin, visit BookPeople. You won't be sorry.
Hope you've enjoyed our little vacation tour of some wonderful independent bookstores. I've included links to all their websites. I suspect that all of them would sell you books online. So, tell me your favorites in your area or share if you've visited any of these.
Wow these sound so cool! I definitely have to visit some of these the next time I go to the U.S!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/top-ten-tuesdays-5/
You could plan a trip around them! LOL
DeleteI've only been to Strand (quite an experience), but the others all sound like they would be worth the trip. Would especially like to visit Parnassus... Ann Patchett is a favorite!
ReplyDeleteI love her books too, JoAnn and would love to see that shop.
DeleteI've been wanting to visit Parnassus as Nashville isn't too far away from me and we go there quite a bit. I would dearly love to visit Aunt Agatha's, Powell's, Tattered Covers. Well okay I'd absolutely love to visit all of them! Great list!
ReplyDeleteI thought this might appeal to many of us. A bookstore vacation. Would be fun if it could really happen! :-)
DeleteWhat a great post! I went to the Strand years ago when I used to work in NYC but I haven't been there in a long time. I'd love to tour all these stores. What fun!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm really missing out by not having visited the Strand. One day.
DeleteFabulous post, videos, and tour! I've been to two Tattered Cover locations on trips to Denver, and I've been to the Strand many times over the years because I live in NYC.
ReplyDeleteYour bookstore theme goes nicely with the book I featured in my post today, The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop. Thanks for stopping by to see it.
This does go right along with your featured book, Catherine! Great minds, right?
DeleteThanks for sharing them. I don't get to travel much, but when I do I like to visit bookstores wherever we go.
ReplyDeleteI do too, Laura. I'm always seeking out books and little bookshops on trips.
DeleteI've been to half of the stores on your list so far - the other half I haven't been to because I've never been to those places (or in the case of Parnassus, it wasn't open yet. But I did visit Davis Kidd while it was around.)
ReplyDeleteI thought you probably would have visited more than a couple. Not a surprise at all.
DeleteI'm glad to know about these bookstores! I haven't been to any of them, and I want to visit Powell's one day. I order books from Powell's sometimes.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely want to visit Powell's. Such an experience.
DeleteThanks for the great tour. I love it and will be back to visit it again. I'm happy to say I've been to two of your tour stops. Powells is by far my favorite bookstore ever. My daughter lives in Portland and, when visiting, I always try to spend a day there. Yes, a day. It can't be experienced in just a few hours. I'm sure you agree.
ReplyDeleteI have no problem imagining a day. You should have been with me on my second visit to Powell's. The first time, I hadn't planned for hours of browsing. The second time - well, yes I did! LOL
DeleteI've been to Powell's, Elliot Bay Book Company and Tattered Cover. They are all lovely. Might I also recommend Griffin Bay Bookstore in Friday Harbor and Canyon Way in Newport, Oregon? Oh, and Earthsong Books in Del Mar, CA. Of course, you can also visit B&N in Lincoln, NE. ;)
ReplyDeleteI need to visit those stores when we get back to Oregon. It won't be this year, but maybe the next? I wasn't able to list all the ones I love. There's the little one in Lincoln City and there's a wonderful little shop in Ruidoso. We're going this summer and I'll be stopping by. And everyone is invited to B&N in Lincoln, right? Might get a personal tour from a bookseller there!
DeleteI've been to the Poisoned Pen Bookstore twice in the past and loved it!! Not only am I a lover of mystery novels, but I am a huge Diana Gabaldon fan so have been able to purchase signed copies of her books while visiting the Poisoned Pen Bookstore!!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to make it to the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore and I'm original from San Diego!!
I currently live near San Francisco and recently visited a 3 story independent bookstore in downtown San Francisco called the Alexander Book Company that is fabulous should you ever find yourself in SF, it's an awesome place to hangout out in.
Here's the link to my Top Ten Tuesday post for this week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2015/05/top-ten-tuesday-sexy-male-characters-in.html
Another Poisoned Pen lover and yes, Diana Gabaldon is often there. She lives in that area, right? Thanks for the tip about the SF bookstore. Will put it on my list!!
DeleteWhat a fun way to organize a vacation! Don't forget Square Books in Oxford, MS.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one too. I had to leave some out. :-)
DeleteThis is the coolest TTT I've seen today! And if I ever win the lottery I'm totally going take a vacation to the US specifically to visit all these shops.
ReplyDeleteYou should do that! LOL
DeleteWow, these places look awesome! I know I'd love to visit all of them!!
ReplyDeleteI know. Wish I could make that trip a real one.
DeleteOh! I love this topic- so clever! I actually live about an hour and a half from Ann Arbor, I have never heard of Aunt Agatha's but my mom would love it, all she reads is mysteries. We will have to venture there one day soon. I would love to take a week's vacation and spend the entire time in The Strand!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by The Local Muse
You should go there and then report back on what it was like. If your Mom likes mysteries, I think they have author events. You might plan a trip around one of her favorites.
DeleteSounds like a plan, Vicki!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Mysterious Galaxy on my trips to San Diego, but I did visit a very small indie bookstore by the water, The Upstart Crow. I put up pics of it a few months ago. They have the steps leading to the kids room upstairs that has a book cover painted on each step.
ReplyDeleteI'm originally from NY but never visited The Strand, ugh, so wish I had.
Thanks for sharing all these with us. Right now the only bookstore I have besides the little Friends of the Library used book store is a B & N, no indies within proper driving distance, oh well.
The Upstart Crow sounds like a lot of fun! And the used book store and B&N are fine too. Any bookstore is my favorite place to be. :-)
DeleteSuch a fun post! I've visited two of these -- The Poisoned Pen and Powell's. Love them both. The King's English in SLC, Utah, is also a really fun one.
ReplyDeleteI've only been to Salt Lake City once, when I was a teenager. But, will keep The King's English in mind in case I ever get back. And I know that I didn't put Changing Hands on here either. I want to visit next time we're in Phoenix.
DeleteThis is such a great post! I've only been to the Strand (and loved it!!!). Now I want to go check out all the other stores you have listed here as well. I love the idea of doing a roadtrip and visiting bookstores. :-)
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be a fun trip? Maybe I should start being a bookshop tour guide!
DeleteWhat a fantastic post - that's one I'd enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it!
DeleteWell I've been to two of those (why so many so far west?!) I visit The Strand every time I get to NY and allow several hours. And when we went to Houston we visited Murder By the Book and met Harlan Coben so it will always have a soft spot in my bookish heart :)
ReplyDeleteHow fun to get to go to Murder By The Book! And I didn't even notice that so many were in the west. Ha! Guess that's more the direction we head when we vacation.
DeleteWouldn't it be fun to work a book store into every trip?!
ReplyDeleteIt would indeed. And, actually, I'm always looking for little bookstores wherever we go. :-)
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