Tomorrow Bookstore - Indianapolis, IN

Tomorrow Bookstore, Indianapolis, IN

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Tomorrow Bookstore is another one of the several terrific indies that have recently populated the independent bookstore scene in Indianapolis.  As I looked around the Tomorrow Bookstore neighborhood, it would seem to be a good location with many urban city apartments and condos around the store and co-owner Julia confirmed that indeed it is which has helped them to do very well in the first 2 1/2 years of existence (Julia shared that much of the store’s success is thanks to her co-owner husband Jake who has the business background and talent that got the store off to a great start).

This neatly organized bookstore offers all new books and a variety of sidelines including greeting cards, candles, reading glasses, puzzles, t-shirts, and original patchwork quilts made by Jake’s grandmother.  But the hot items here are the stickers.  

I especially liked their excellent assortment of international authors, translations, and small press books.  I saw a lot of books I hadn’t seen elsewhere and Julia said this is an intentional part of their inventory and maybe a little better than other bookstores.  They also have a book club that tries to read a book by authors from different countries.  As she told me, authors from Western Europe and Asia aren’t too hard to find but it has been challenging to find authors from Mongolia.  In addition to this book club, they have three others and they have an active events schedule to go along with this.  They are in the early process of trying to offer online sales, always a great option for those who can’t visit the store in person.  

Readers, Indianapolis now has a plethora of options for your bookstore visits and you can’t go wrong with a single one.  So whether you come to town to see the Colts, the Pacers, or the Fever, take time to visit Tomorrow Bookstore and buy a book TODAY!  Go to Indy and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Mean Spirit, Linda Hogan.  The story of an Oklahoma Native American community in the 1920s and their troubled lives because of their land on top of massive oil reserves.  They struggle with the line between white America and their Native American beliefs.  This was written years before Killers of The Flower Moon but is the the same historical subject.  Classified as fiction but certainly based on true events.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Summer Book, Tove Jansson.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Wild Dark Shore, Charlotte McConaghy.    

 

Beautiful storefront on a beautiful day.  

Twist my arm.  

The store has large display windows on both sides of the front door.  

Looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Looking to the right from the front entrance.  

You'll find a great place to chill to the left of the front entrance.  

Handmade and unique quilts made by Jake's grandmother.  I love this.  

A most unique artistic work.  

Attractive table display inside the front entrance.  

The staff picks in every bookstore is one of my favorite places to browse.  

The long wall of books on the left side of the store.  

Ask about books signed by the authors.  

Grab something from this table before heading to the pool or the beach. 

Authors from around the world.  

Always check the calendar for their active events schedule.  

Partial view of the fiction available, found on the right side of the store.

A few of the books of local and regional interest AND books in Spanish.  

If the book you're reading seems out of focus, get a pair of these.  

Just a few of the stickers offered.  

If you're a regular customer this is a must.  

Overview of the children's area.  

 

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

ALWAYS consider a gift card.  

Table display of summer reads for something a bit heavier.  

With Julia, the fine co-owner at Tomorrow Bookstore.  Thanks for a great visit.  

The Whispering Shelf — Indianapolis, IN

The Whispering Shelf, Indianapolis, IN

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The experiences you can enjoy at an independent bookstore far exceed your “click and submit” for a book online.  Owner Lena B. was as nice as any I meet at any bookstore.  But on this day it was my good fortune to also meet Mark F., a publishers representative from Fujii Associates.  Both these people were the absolute highlight of my visit and I could’ve talked with them about books all day.  And with Mark, not only does he know books but he also knows bookstores, owners, and bookstore history.  Any bookstore customer would be lucky to bump into him at any indie.  Other bookstore owners reading this blurb may know Mark as well.

When I began this journey years ago, I thought Indianapolis was a little light for independent bookstores.  That has changed dramatically since the pandemic and this indie is an example of that.  A very attractive interior in a 100-year old building that was once an automobile radiator repair shop (be sure to notice the garage door).  Located near downtown Indy, it truly is a neighborhood bookstore, attracting regular customers via foot traffic from the surrounding residential area.  They also attract business from the many downtown hotels, conventions, and conferences.  The store has only been open for a little less than a year and a half but its visibility and reknown is on the climb.

Whispering Shelf offered mostly new books with a handful of used.  But don’t bring in any hardbacks for trade.  If you can’t visit in person, always consider ordering online through bookshop.org.  I especially like that they have an assortment of books available for free.  That’s what I call a budget buster!  Sidelines include greeting cards, lots of stickers, journals, and store merch to name a few.  The hot sellers here are the leather bookmarks, made in London and exclusive to this store.  If you see it in a bookstore and you like it, GET IT.  You probably won’t see it elsewhere.

Unsolicited, Mark told me that it was bonkers here on independent bookstore day with a long line out the door.  If you’re in Indianapolis, you need to visit this bookstore pronto and see what is a rapidly rising star in the bookstore world.  Go to Indy and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  Mean Spirit, Linda Hogan.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Many Daughters of Afong May, Jamie Ford.  The Summer Book, Tove Jannsson.  

Another view of the storefront and the beautiful landscaping and patio.  This is the entrance I used but keep in mind there is another entrance around on the left side of the building.  I didn't discover this until I was inside.  

What a beautiful setting for reading a book and chatting.  

I was drawn to this sign that said Free Books.  

View looking to the right from the front entrance.  

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  This is a rectangular shaped front room.  Proceed through here to the much larger main part of the store.  

If you're a local regular, I would strongly encourage this.  

Find this spinner display in the front left corner of the store and you can score some free books.  I looked through some of these and they're pretty good.  

An overview looking side to side in the front rectangular room.  

Just a few of the LGBTQ fiction offered.  Find these shelves in the front room of the store.  

Looking into the remainder of the bookstore from the front rectangular room.  You can see the other store entrance on the left.  

Looking to the right in the big room.  

Attractive table display.  

Some great store merch for your toddler.  

Looking to the left from the rectangular room.  

Just a few of the store's staff picks.  

This display of various sidelines is just inside the entrance on the side of the building.  

Bookstore candles available below the checkout counter.  

Consider a donation for the store's social advocacy.  

Indianapolis is home to the WNBA Fever so of course they have Caitlin Clark books.  

A very comfortable area in the back of the store.  The building was once an automobile radiator repair shop.  You can see the garage door on the left.  

Just a few of the stickers available.  

If I were a regular, this would be my spot.  

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

I took this picture because it was a curiosity.  Not because of the books, but because of the tiny little duck on top.  Ask Lena about this when you see her.  The uniqueness of independent bookstores knows no bounds.  

Overview of the children's area and a chalk board.  Check out the other side of the chalk board in the next picture.  

Another view of the children's area and a dry erase board for young doodlers.  

This.  At every single bookstore I visit.  

With Lena, the fine owner at The Whispering Shelf.  Thanks for a great visit.