Spotlight on Local Indie Bookstores - Part Two

As promised, here is part two of my spotlight on local bookstores - enjoy!

1. The Best Little Wordhouse in the West, Bragg Creek, Alberta; submitted by conflictingfandoms

So this little bookstore doesn't appear to have a dedicated website or Facebook page, so I'm going solely on review for this one! The submitter, conflictingfandoms, describes entering this bookstore as feeling similar to "stepping into the TARDIS; bigger in the inside," and I think that is a fabulous description of a bookstore. It really paints a lovely picture of this bookstore as being quiet and cozy, but full of books and new experiences. Conflictingfandoms also describes it as being extremely organized with marked genres, alphabetized authors, and series located altogether, which is always helpful. I am immensely intrigued by the sound of this lovely store, so if any of you are in that area ever, I implore you to check it out (and then share your experience!)

2. Charis Books and More, Atlanta, Georgia; submitted by silentglamour

Dubbed as "the South's oldest and largest independent feminist bookstore," Charis Books and More appears to be an powerful store dedicated to feminist, cultural, and LGBTQ studies. If this sounds at all like something you would be interested in, then I highly recommend you read their page containing a history of the store, which describes both how the store was formed and what its overall purpose and goals are.

Photo courtesy of Charis Books and More's Facebook page.

Just as an additional note, you can also order online from their website if you can't make it into the store!

Such lovely shelves! Photo from the store's Yelp page.

3. Curious Book Shop, East Lansing, Michigan; submitted by planteatingmonster

The lovely Curious Book Shop is located right across from Michigan State University's Campus, which makes me really jealous that my own university doesn't have an awesome little bookstore that close to it. Planteatingmonster, who submitted this bookstore, says that upon entering "you're immediately greeted with the scent of old books, and novels stack from floor to ceiling."

Curious Book Shop began its life in 1969 in owner Ray Walsh's garage, but now contains over 50,000 items  spanning over three storeys. From their website description, they appear to have a large variety of books, magazines, and others memorabilia-type items.

Look at all the books...

I'd also like to add that their website has a page an awesome layout that lists where everything in their store is located, which makes someone like me who loves organization feel overjoyed.

Who doesn't like hidden corners in bookstores? I'm pretty sure they're one of the best things that exists.

Photos courtesy of Curious Book Shop's Facebook page.

4. Politics and Prose, Washington, D.C.; submitted by bookdweller

If you're looking for an active bookstore, then Politics and Prose is your answer! They have classes, trips, a huge calendar of events, book clubs, and so much more.

From the Politics and Prose Facebook page

According to their website, Politics and Prose was founded in 1984 by Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade as a humble store that steadily increased in size. It now boasts 8,000 square feet of pure sales space and contains a staff of over 50 employees. The store has since changed ownership to Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine, and its initial integrity is still wonderfully intact. 

What's most frustrating is that I've actually visited Washington, D.C. before... if only I'd known this place existed.

Photos courtesy of Politics and Prose's Facebook and Yelp pages.

That's it for second part of my spotlight on local bookstores! Part 3 will be up soon! If you have any local bookstores you want to submit, feel free to message me on Tumblr or send me an email at foreverlostinliterature@gmail.com

Happy reading!

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