The Indie Bob Spot: Snowbound Books

Snowbound Books, Marquette, MI

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This is what I call one fun bookstore experience. A very unique Dickensonian-like curiosity shop filled with books. That should do just fine for any bookstore customer, right? But the fun here is meeting Jennifer, one of the booksellers, Diane, the store manager, and Lea, a former staffer. You can have an experience at bookstores that is unattainable online. And that's one of the reasons I keep doing this. People like these three ladies are so engaging about books and what they do. I can't encourage you enough to visit with the staff when you go to bookstores, even if you don't need any help. Almost all of them will love talking books, just like Jennifer and Diane. No wonder Snowbound Books has been a successful Marquette presence for 34 years.

This beauty is located near downtown Marquette, offering a well-curated inventory of new and used books. They are very particular about what they will take for used books but will offer store credit if they take them. All of the used books I saw were in excellent condition. They also offer vintage, collectables, and complete sets of used editions. There are a few sidelines here including greeting cards, postcards, some journals and calendars. But as Diane told me, they are mostly about the books.

The store is in a 3-level structure but the books are all on the main level. They have a great storage area in the basement and they rent out the upstairs as an apartment. And since the store owns the building, this arrangement would be the envy of other bookstores not so fortunate. Snowbound enjoys a good core of local customers, including people from the Northern Michigan University community. They enjoy a large tourist customer base, especially during the summers. The store is also fortunate to have an outstanding public library where they're able to host events.

Dana S. is only the 2nd owner in the 34-year run of the business. I didn't get to meet her but as you know, everyone else was great (the store was in good hands, Dana!). Regular readers know that I give out lots of bookstore recommendations (you know, like, GO TO ALL OF THEM!) and here's another. If you've never been here, put it on your list. A wonderful bookstore with a rock star cast. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Tell The Wolves I'm Home, Carol Rifka Brunt. Story of a young girl dealing with the death of her uncle from AIDS. Takes place in the 80s when little was known about the disease. The young girl has to somehow come to grips with a deep grief and deal with her sister, parents, school, and her uncle's partner. A great story. Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING: Lilac Girls, Martha Hall Kelly.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: The Little Book Of Little Activists, forward by Bob Bland. Not purchased but gifted, Wolf's Mouth, John Smolens. Thanks Diane.

Another exterior view. I love this building.

Looking into the store from the entrance and toward the right. This is the first room of several in the bookstore.

Look for a 2018 calendar near the front entrance.

Always fun to check out the new arrivals.

Looking into the second room as you proceed through the store.

Here you go, collectors.

Or maybe an outdoorsman would prefer this leather-bound set.

This is the second room looking back toward the first room and the front of the store.

A really nice portrait of the store. You can get a copy of this on a postcard.

Some of the staff picks.

Looking straight back through the store to the back room. This hallway is adjacent to the second room which would be behind these shelves on the right. These descriptions will make perfect sense when you visit the store.