The Bookshelf - Madeira, OH

The Bookshelf, Madeira, OH

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This is The Bookshelf, or maybe, the little engine that could.  This little engine that could has been plugging down the tracks for 42 years, each year capably led by women who have had a passion for books.  In their 42 years, there have been 17 owners, all women.  I've been to some great women-owned bookstores and I'm so glad I can include this long-running indie in both caterogires.  Great AND women-owned.

This smallish one-level store in the greater Cincinnati area offers all new books and a good variety of sidelines.  The sidelines for kids are especially good partially due to the closing of a nearby toy store a few years ago.  And as with many other bookstores, the greeting cards offered here sell very well.  The Bookshelf enjoys a solid nucleus of regular customers and does enjoy some out-of-town shoppers during the holidays.  One of the nice things for the store is its proximity to four school districts.  They offer teacher discounts (hey local teachers, support your community) and stock lots of required reading books for students.  The store is the preferred indie for many bookclubs and some of these are store bookclubs.  Let's just say that after 42 years, this place has things figured out.

The success of this store is thanks to the three founding women and the 14 who have followed them to the present.  If they're all like Betsy S., one of the current co-owners, it's no wonder this place has endured and prospered.  Betsy's background was in banking but her talent is obvious in the bookstore.  My only regret this visit was not meeting the other three co-owners who are certainly talented from everything I saw and experienced.

Thankfully, on this day Betsy tipped me off about finding this place and I'll also share this with you.  The address is on Camargo Rd. but you can't enter here.  Go behind the building and you'll see the entrance as well as ample free parking to go with it.

Hey Cincinnati, you need to check this place out if you haven't done so already.  And if you have been here, keep returning and bring a friend.  Betsy is as knowledgeable and as nice as they come so I can GUARANTEE an incredible bookstore visit.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Everyone Brave Is Forgiven, Chris Cleave.  Story of four Londoners during the blitz of WWII.  Follows their different paths to surviving or not, serving or not.  I really enjoyed this book and if you're a fan of historical fiction from this era, put this one on your list.  I think its descriptions of the London blitz are probably pretty accurate.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  His Bloody Project, Graeme Macrae Burnet. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Autobiography Of An Ex-Coloured Man, James Weldon Johnson.  Tell The Wolves I'm Home, Carol Rifka Brunt.  Roz Chast postcards.    

This patio area is just outside the store and would be a great place to try out your new book purchase on a nice day.  

Start your book browsing on the rack outside the entrance.  

Continue your browsing in the display window.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  Shrewd readers might recognize the celebrity looking over the book display.  Yes, that's my mom.  

If you're looking for a bargain, this 40% off table might help.  

Two great seats to sample a book or take a look at the new calendars.  

A lending library of audio books.  A great idea.  

I always enjoy seeing what the book clubs are reading.  

Kids should check out this line of items from Workman.  

Just a few of the books of local interest and local authors.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

Another display I always enjoying seeing.  

Relevantly themed items available.  

Lots of great items for kids.  

A portion of the children's section.  

The children's section is supervised by Elmo and Cookie Monster.  

More kids' games and toys.  

Students in the area can come in here and pick up a copy of their required reading.  

View of the store looking from the back toward the front entrance.  

If you're a regular customer this promotion is a no-brainer.  Join.  

With Betsy, one of the fine co-owners at The Bookshelf.  Thanks for a great visit.