Island Books & Crafts - Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Island Books & Crafts, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

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I’m not sure which is more interesting here, the bookstore or the wonderful stories you’ll enjoy hearing when you meet Les T., the owner of Island Books & Crafts along with his wife Kelli.  What an absolutely fascinating conversation I had with him covering everything from his childhood on a dairy farm to his enlistment in the Air Force and subsequent career in IT for 55 years.  As he told me, once he enlisted and began his life in data processing he decided he would never milk a cow again.  In the 1960s he was already working with computers before the rest of us even heard of them, making him a pioneer in the dawn of technology.  Want to learn some Michigan history?  Talk to Les.  Technology history, programming, and data input?  Talk to Les.  Interstate 80 history?  Talk to Les (Nebraska dropped the ball on the I-80 construction).  As I told him several times, he needs to write his own book.  When you visit Island Books & Crafts, do NOT miss out on your opportunity to meet this knowledgeable and interesting person.

Additionally, Les may be one of the few owners who takes a boat twice a day for work.  He and Kelli live on Sugar Island and he takes the car ferry to Sault St. Marie.  Island Books & Crafts has two bookstore cats and Joe is always at the door to meet him when he arrives.  Customers can enter in one of the two entrances to the store that was originally a bank in the late 1800s.  The right side of the store is mostly books, new and used.  The left side of the store is mostly arts and crafts all uniquely created locally and all sold on consignment.  As Les told me, one of their customers told him that they had some of the most unique items anywhere in the Upper Peninsula.  As I always urge, if you see it in a bookstore and you like it, get it.  It will be hard to find elsewhere.  Kelli is good at finding used books and many customers simply donate theirs to the store.  If you can’t visit the store you have the option of ordering any used or new books off their website.  Sadly, due to our current political climate, the store’s business is down 30% because Canadians no longer visit here.  

If you’re a regular, make sure you participate in the frequent reader’s club, a customer rewards program.  Tourism is a huge and important part of this business and WHEN you come here as a tourist, be sure to check this place out and definitely have a chat with Les, who is a living, breathing book of wonderful stories.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Frozen River, Ariel Lawhon.  The incredible story of Martha Ballard, a midwife in rural Maine in the late 1700s.  This story which is inspired by true events and Martha's actual preserved journal, encompasses Martha's life, her family, and the pursuit of justice for a rape victim.  And as you can imagine, women did not have it easy during this time.  You will love Martha and you will despise some of the men that she clashes with.  She's bad ass.  You'll also enjoy reading about the true lives of the characters in the author's notes.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Wild Robot, Peter Brown. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Warrior Girl Unearthed, Angeline Boulley.  

 

 

You're in the right place.  

Enjoy the beautiful sidewalk art just outside the entrance to the crafts side of the store.  

This is one of the two entrances and this is the entry to the crafts side of the store.  It doesn't matter which way you go in, the entire store is accessible once you enter.  

Another really creative work of art that incorporates a manhole cover.  

This is the entrance to the right side of the store where most of the books are located.  

 Free books, a true budget buster, just inside the entrance.  

View looking into the store from the left side entrance.  

View looking into the store from the right side entrance.  

Almost every indie will have bargain buys and this one is no different.  Find this book rack for a deal.  

What a great gift this would make if you know a Swiftie.  

A relevant read for the region.  

  

One of the aisles you can browse, located on the right side of the store.  

If you're a local and don't have this sticker yet, get with it.  

Tourists will enjoy this section, located toward the back of the store.  

I think this is a beautiful artistic depiction of this region.  

An overview of the children's area.  

The perfect setting for little readers.  

A very inviting area for children in the back of the store.  

Attractive display of children's books.  

You can find unique works of art in many bookstores.  This is a collection of copper art, created by a local artist. 

If you sit down here to try out a book you might have company.  

A cross section view of the back right of the store.  

An overview of the left side of the store looking from the back toward the front entrance.  

An overview of the basement area.  

Head down to the basement for this fantastic bargain.  

The store offers artistic creations in many mediums.  

Harsh winter weather is looming and this indie has you covered.  

Beautiful art work can be found displayed throughout the store.  

I love learning the story of historic bookstore buildings.  

The store is home to two very playful cats who were rescues.  They're happily at home here 24/7.  

With Les on the left, the fine co-owner at Island Books & Crafts.  Thanks for a great visit.  

The Cottage Book Shop - Glen Arbor, MI

The Cottage Book Shop, Glen Arbor, MI

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I’ve been wanting to visit The Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor because of the many beautiful pictures I’ve seen of the rustic log cabin structure, especially the ones when it is covered in snow.  Winter weather limited my opportunities to make it here so it was now or wait six more months.  Jenny P. is the 4th owner of this iconic bookstore that just recently celebrated its 40th year in business.  And unless you’re local or a tourist, you need to hear about this indie deserving of national attention located on the Michigan Upper Peninsula on Lake Michigan and right on the door step of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

For me, the most unique thing about this bookstore is it structure and exterior presence, a cabin or cottage.  The cottage was just that and was moved from its lakeside location to its current place in downtown Glen Arbor.  The magic begins when you enter this historic cottage with its equally beautiful interior and experience a space filled with mostly new books and a wide assortment of sidelines.  The books of local and regional interest are outstanding and if you’re a tourist in the area this is a must visit.  The sidelines range from greeting cards and stickers to puzzles and wacky bookstore socks.  They do have a few used books (go to the back room) and offer store credit in exchange for the books they accept.  If you can’t visit in-person or are a seasonal tourist who wants to support Cottage Books while you’re away, consider ordering online off their website.  And if you’re a regular local or seasonal regular, be sure to participate in the customer incentive program.  

The population of Glen Arbor is listed at approximately 282.  A normal town of this size could never support a bookstore with that figure.  But this number varies WIDELY due to the popular tourism during the summer season.  They enjoy local regulars and seasonal regulars which is the perfect recipe for a VERY successful long-running bookstore.  Tourists can enjoy a bookstore with popular releases, bestsellers, and many regional guides and books.  Locals can enjoy a bookstore that has a partnership with the local schools, offers book clubs and events, and customer incentives.  

Thinking about your next vacation?  Move Glen Arbor, MI to the top of your list and enjoy all the beauty and activities of a wonderful region AND a 5-star bookstore to go with it.  

                                                                                ACT II

SCENE 1:  Indie Bob didn’t get to meet owner Jenny when he visited the bookstore but had a great time meeting booksellers Amy and Kirstin.  Regulars will undoubtedly tell you that they are the best.  They were swamped with customers and UPS deliveries.  Tensions were high and the stress was PALPABLE (just humor me people).  Would Indie Bob get to meet Jenny? Would the UPS boxes get unpacked.? 🤷🏻‍♂️ He went to lunch.  

SCENE 2:  The UPS boxes were unpacked, the books of the month were readied for mailing (The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife), and Amy and Kirsten were happily engaged with pleasant customers.  Best of all, Indie Bob met Jenny and husband Greg, topping of his 642nd bookstore visit.

FINALE:  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Secret of Secrets, Dan Brown.  Two words:  thought provoking.  Katherine Solomon is a noetic scientist who is on the verge of publishing a book about the study of consciousness, including out-of-body experiences, near death experiences, and the experience of death and reality.  Bad actors from other countries are familiar with this research and will do anything to weaponize it which creates madness and chaos for Katherine, Professor Robert Langdon, and the CIA.  The scary thing about this book is that the author states at the beginning that all experiments, technologies, scientific results, and organizations in this book of fiction are factual.  Disturbing.  I love Dan Brown though and highly recommend this book.    

CURRENTLY READING:  The Frozen River, Ariel Lawhon.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Sleeping Bear Dunes Day, Sue Boucher.  

One of the most attractive, unique, and memorable bookstore exteriors I've seen throughout my many visits.  Beautiful.  

The weather in the fall is so impressive in this region and the bookstore takes advantage with touches like these.  

Looking to the left from the front entrance.  Notice the ceiling timbers.  

Looking to the right from the front entrance.  

Spinner of postcards to catch the eye of the tourists just inside the door.  

Along the front wall of the cottage.  

Just a few of the books of local history inside the front entrance.  

Check out the bookshelves crafted out of a canoe.  The bookstore totally maintains the theme of this incredible region.  

Halloween-themed children's books inside the front entrance.  

Relevant books for the region.  

Overview of the front room.  

The perfect place to try out a book.  

The store offers a plethora of maps, guides, and park information.  

View looking into the remainder of the store from the smaller front room.  

There are many Manitou Music Festival posters available for purchase.  

Display of recent releases.  

Excellent display of staff recommendations.  

Overview of the larger main room.  

  Overview of the children's room.  

Table display in the middle of the main room.  

You can find some of the sassiest socks in bookstores.  

The store has a wide variety of sidelines.  

Assortment of buttons.  Find one to fit your personality.  

A few of the unique stickers.  

When in the area, always checkout the bookstore events.  

So much to choose from.  

Great assortment of puzzles in the back room.  

Overview looking from the back toward the front entrance.  

Kids will love this place AND grandparents who vacation here can find lots of gift ideas.  

I always love being at a bookstore when UPS comes in with the new books.  This was the first of SEVERAL carts that came in on the day of my visit.  

You never know some of the cute little oddities you'll see in an independent bookstore.  

The front porch is the perfect place in nice weather to plop down and enjoy a book.  

With Jenny, the fine owner at The Cottage Book Shop.  Thanks for a great visit.