The Indie Bob Spot: The Book Seller


The Book Seller, Grass Valley, CA

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Now THIS bookstore knows how to handle a pandemic! I always ask during my visits, how did they do it? As store manager Angie K. told me, "We have an amazing community." I would agree with this since that has been one of the common denominators from the bookstores who got through this crappy health crisis. But the Grass Valley community took it one step further with a local government that designated the bookstore as necessary education allowing them to stay open. Boy, wouldn't every bookstore love a local government like this! Then the community took it from there with voluminous online orders and a phone that rang off the hook. I guess this shouldn't really surprise anyone. After all, The Book Seller has been here since 1976 so I don't think there's any way the community would let it slip away. Nicely done Grass Valley.

This two-level bookstore has a perfect location right on the main street through downtown surrounded by a variety of many retail businesses. The store offers all new books and quite the variety of sidelines. Greeting cards, bookstore socks, unicorn snot (don't ask), and a toadstool stool that is selling very well. The book thongs and pop-up flowers are also selling well (the unicorn snot has cooled off). As Angie told me, the sidelines are important but books are probably 60-75% of the business.

The kid's section takes up the entire basement and is outstanding. Colorful murals on all walls, a reading cave with the original aquarium, and a well-stocked book inventory. If you know a kid in Grass Valley who hasn't been here yet, bring them here! Kids will love this space. This area is also designated for smaller in-store events. For larger events, they have a new events center that they can use. For now, all events are on hold including a regular story time and a gathering group for teen girls from disadvantaged situations, a terrific social outreach.

I didn't get to meet Kit H., the store owner during my visit but ALL of the Book Seller staff were just terrific. Angie, the store manager was extremely thorough with all the store info and history. Along with Jordan, Ava, Jessica and others, I don't know how anyone could walk away without a wonderful experience.

Grass Valley knows about The Book Seller but the rest of the country needs to discover it. This place has it all and it's deserving of national attention. But best of all, Kit has filled it with great people. Check it out you'll be glad you did. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Giving A Damn, Patricia J. Williams. Short book that ties much of our current racial issues way back to slavery and the problems ever since. I really liked this book even though at times it got a little over my head. Those who need to read it won't. Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING: The Monk Of Mokha, Dave Eggers.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: Hatchet, Gary Paulsen.

Beautiful display window with lots of book ideas.

One of my favorite signs when I visit bookstores.

View looking directly into the store from the front entrance.

Looking to the left from the front entrance. This is where you'll check out with your book buys.

Fantastic display on the right wall just inside the store.

Table display in the front of the store with recent releases.

Genre signs throughout the store.

Just a few of the items of local interest or by local authors.

There is some great mural art work up above the front display window. This picture doesn't do it justice so just visit The Book Seller and enjoy this as part of your experience.