Bookbound - Ann Arbor, MI

Bookbound, Ann Arbor, MI

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The Bookbound welcoming committee, Chester.  

Readers, you are absolutely going to love this place and the greeting you get here.  When I walked in, one of the friendliest bookstore dogs I've met, Chester, came ambling over to me with tail wagging and welcomed me to the store.  For some reason, I haven't been welcomed by any bookstore cats in the same manner.  Yes, this is a fine bookstore.  Yes, Peter and Megan, the owner, are wonderful people.  Yes, of course, lots of books.  Yes, yes, blah blah blah.  If you come to this store for no other reason, you must come to meet Chester.  Heck, even Peter told me that people come here just to see him and pet him.  But once you get past Chester, continue on through a really neat and roomy indie that you will thoroughly enjoy.

Bookbound is a one-level store with two spacious rooms of books and a few sidelines.  There is lots of room to move around in the store and Peter and Megan told me that they made a conscious effort to have a handicap accessible store including space to move and maneuver, wider doorway, and an accessible bathroom.  They offer all new books with the exception of a handful of used books.  They are not in the market of pursuing used books but when presented with the opportunity, they will offer store credit for particular books in excellent condition.  There are a small number of sidelines available and the greeting cards sell especially well.  The store has been open only 3 1/2 years, relatively new, and the good news here is that business has been positive each year.  Peter worked for Borders for many years and the experience has really helped here for buying books to stock on the shelves.  It has also helped that Peter and Megan are both learning their customer base better and are offering those books for their interests.  I especially like the arrangement of the books in the first room with all of the covers facing outward.  In the 2nd room, the books are shelved in a more conventional manner and if you want a bargain, look for a dot on the spines.  

The store is situated in a small shopping plaza (free parking) and it is conveniently located next to Cardamon Indian Restaurant, an outstanding and very popular restaurant that attracts customers from as far as 60 miles away.  This really helps Bookbound as does the proximity of the University of Michigan.  The store has been able to do some institutional buying for some professors and a nearby hospital, a great advantage.  

So here's my suggested itinerary.  Visit a renowned local restaurant; go meet and pet a friendly and welcoming dog; have a wonderful conversation with Megan and Peter about all sorts of books; browse their collections; make a purchase; repeat often.  If you're anywhere near Ann Arbor, this should be your weekly diversion.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Hillbilly Elegy, J. D. Vance.  Author writes about his experiences growing up in Kentucky and Ohio in the Appalachia culture and the low percentage of "hillbillies" who are able to escape the culture and succeed.  Despite all the challenges, the author goes on to a successful life and career.  This book was excellent.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, Karen Foxlee.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  His Bloody Project, Graeme Macrae Burnet.  

Another exterior view.  

One of the neatly arranged display windows.  

Need an activity for your toddler at home?  Put this on your schedule.  

View looking to the right from the entrance.  Notice all books displayed with the covers facing outward.  I love this.  

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  

I always like seeing the staff pick displays.  

A few of the sidelines available.  

Some of the greeting cards available.  

The store offers a small assortment of used books.  

At the back of the main room proceed through this very wide opening into the 2nd room.  

The store offers events, mostly with authors with local ties.  

Looking to the right and inside the second room from the first room   

The table display as you enter the 2nd room.  

Looking to the left as you enter the second room.  

A portion of the children's section.  This is where you bring your toddler for story time.  

I love the area rug in the children's section.  

A great place to try out a book.  

Display of non-fiction in the second room.  

A nice overview of the second room.  Scrupulous readers may recognize the celebrity seated and reading on the left.  Yes, that's my mom.  

Not sure it shows up on this picture but look for the dots on the spines for a bargain-priced book.  

A much better picture of Chester.  Seriously, look at this cutie!  How can you not visit here and say hello to this guy?!!

With Megan in the center and Peter on the right, the fine co-owners at Bookbound.  Thanks for a great visit.