Monday, October 7, 2024

Sojourn Booksellers - Stevens Point, WI

Sojourn Booksellers, Stevens Point, WI

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When you enter Sojourn Booksellers you will be leaving the streets of Stevens Point behind and SOJOURNING into a new dimension.  A dimension that will take you back in time to a space in an 1880s building that features an old-school brown wooden floor, the original tin-plate ceiling, and long ago tales from a tailor shop.  You may hear the clinking of glasses from the back room that come from the Daisy Lounge.  The soft classical music playing in the background pairs nicely with the dark brown bookshelves and when you’re not browsing the books you can enjoy the stuffed wildlife positioned around the store as well as other artifacts and framed pictures.  It was the best feeling of a bookstore and a museum, maybe a bit atypical for Wisconsin, but very comfortable.  Owner Kristin C. even said that a customer told her it reminded him of being in New York City.  Bottom line?  An absolutely fabulous experience that will never be duplicated by clicking a button online.  

Sojourn Booksellers carries all new books along with a few sidelines.  I thought the inventory of books was excellent and I think Kristin has done an outstanding job of curating the selections.  She is able to offer more titles in the smallish space by rarely having more than two or three of any specific book on hand.  Additionally, the genre signs indicating the book locations are unique and quite attractive, very complementary with the store’s interior.  The store has only been open for a year and a half and doesn’t offer online book sales but this may be something Kristin considers in the future.  There is a beautiful outdoor patio behind the store, the perfect location for their Silent Book Club.  This is a one-hour event where you bring your book and read, a gathering of kindred spirits.  Enhance the event further by enjoying a drink from the Daisy Lounge as you read.  

Sojourn Booksellers is a part of Guild Designs, a collection of five businesses located in this historic building in downtown Stevens Point.  A great set-up and excellent way for all five to support each other and share customers.  If you’re in Stevens Point take a sojourn into Sojourn Booksellers and enjoy this terrific new bookstore.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Devil In The White City, Erik Larson.  Mean Spirit, Linda Hogan. 


The historic building that is home to Sojourn Booksellers.  The 2nd floor is the home of the Daisy Lounge.  There is an entrance on the left that will take you straight upstairs to the Daisy Lounge. 

Attractive display windows. 


View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

These are the attractive bookshelves on the right side of the store.  Excellent woodwork and designs and artistic lighting. 

A nice area to sit and try out a book in the front of the store. 

One of the several mounted wildlife items. 

On the left side of the store you'll find stationery items provided by Centralia Stationery Co, part of Guild Designs.  


Just a few of the items of local and regional interest. 


Partial seating area in the upstairs Daisy Lounge. 

Other bookstores host Silent Book Club events, a great idea. 

This is what helps give the bookstore the museum-like feel. 

A very cute little reading nook. 

It is my understanding that there are no feral pigs in Wisconsin.  Except for this one. 

Winter's coming Wisconsin, stock up on puzzles AND books. 

Back half of the store on the right side.  Notice the signs designating genre locations.  Very nice. 


A close-up of the unique and attractive genre signs. 


Look for this red cart for some super deals. 


Partial overview of the children's area. 

An antiquity from long ago. 
This is behind the back of the store that leads to a very nice outdoor patio area. 

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



With Kristin, the fine owner at Soujourn Booksellers.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Monday, September 30, 2024

Books On Main - Friendship, WI

Books On Main, Friendship, WI

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Even now, over 600 bookstores into my journey, I continue to enjoy new experiences with the owners I meet.  They come to their ownership with a wide range of backgrounds and talents.  Jean B, the owner here at Books On Main has a talent and interest in an activity that I know nothing about.  She has pigeons and is as knowledgeable about them as she is about books.  I also learned that people can even foster pigeons (like Jean and her family) until they can find them a home.  Whether you’re a pigeon lover or a book customer, you need to visit this indie for a fun and educational experience. 

I have been following this bookstore since they opened about a year ago.  My attraction was due to the wonderful name of the town, Friendship.  Jean and her husband filled the void in this aptly named town that would obviously deserve a bookstore.  Books On Main offers mostly used books along with some new books that include recent releases, best sellers, and some of Jean’s favorites.  The offerings in fiction are especially strong.  For now, the store accepts used books as donations but might offer something in exchange in the future.  And the used books are listed on a store inventory so Jean knows exactly what’s here.  There are a variety of sidelines and so far the bookmarks and zodiac pens have done reasonably well.  Jean added that the stickers have dropped off a bit which differs from my many recent bookstores visited.  The store’s space sat empty for many years and the transformation of the interior is outstanding, turning it into a very attractive bookstore.  Nicely done, Jean. 

The store’s location in downtown Friendship is perfect for all who visit.  These visitors can be regulars who can now take advantage of a store loyalty program or the MANY tourists who come here for boating, fishing, and golf.  Friendship is located adjacent to the town of Adams and the combined population gives Books On Main 2000+ customers to draw from.  Experience tells me not everyone has discovered this wonderful new bookstore.  Hey regulars, be a FRIEND and bring a FRIEND to experience this independent bookstore and its terrific owner in FRIENDSHIP, WI.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  Path Lit By Lightning, David Maraniss.  As thorough of a Jim Thorpe biography as you'll find.  Very thorough with extreme detail that sometimes made it slow going.  In addition to all of his athletic success, it offers a closer look at the 1912 Olympics and the challenges and discrimination of Native Americans from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century.  Also, much attention given to his troubled life off the playing field.  Recommended if you're interested in the subject but it is one big book. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Lion Women of Tehran, Marjan Kamali. 

 

Well said. 

This unassuming storefront masks a unique and beautiful interior. 


Looking straight into the store from the front entrance. 

View looking to the left and through the bookstore from the front entrance.  The leafy/ivy ceiling with twinkling lights is really nice. 

Preach. 

Many of the new books offered can be found on this display just inside the front door. 

The banned book display sarcastically wrapped in caution tape. 

Here's your bargains, just inside the front door. 

I love what Jean has done with the ceiling but this picture doesn't begin to do it justice.  Go to the store and see it in person!

The long book shelf in the middle of the store. 

A fun activity packet for those who enjoy crafting. 

A variety of sidelines can be found on this table display in the center of the store. 

Take a chance on a grab bag. 

The perfect place to sample a book. 

I love this t-shirt. 

For those who are regulars to the bookstore and live in the area, this is a great cause. 

The perfect reading nook. 

Visual confirmation, there is a bathroom. 

Looking across the back of the store.  Take note Packer fans, a Vince Lombardi book on the near shelf. 


Just a few of the books available by local authors. 

An overview of the store from back to front. 

Yes, get this tote bag and bring it back every time you shop. 

The perfect impulse buy at the check out counter.  A variety of chocolates. 


With Jean, the fine owner at Books On Main.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Friday, September 20, 2024

Words Worth Books - Waterloo, ON Canada

Words Worth Books, Waterloo, ON Canada

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Before Words Worth Books, co-owner David W.’s background was in a used book store.  If he wants to venture beyond the bookstore business he might have a future in comedy.  A really funny and fun guy and the type of person you’d want to go have a beer with at the end of the day.  And I can say that with so many more people I’ve met along this journey.  Besides this, he’s a very knowledgeable owner and can talk books with the best (unless you’re an enthusiastic sci-fi reader and then you need to talk to John, one of the Words Worth booksellers).

As David and John both told me, this is pretty much a straight-forward and general fiction bookstore.  As John said, they don't carry a lot of the fluff-fluff foo-foo stuff.  However, they do have a few sidelines including greeting cards, journals, calendars, and book tote bags to name a few.  They also had a fine assortment of magazines and periodicals.  As with many other indies, if you can’t visit in-person and want to support them consider going to their website and placing an order online.  I was happy to hear that the business was going well despite the challenging rent. 

This bookstore has been around for 40 years and needs to be recognized for its success over the years.  In those 40 years, David and wife Molly are the 2nd owners of the business with its super location in uptown Waterloo.  There is also a public transportation line that goes right by the store and should help people looking to snag that and visit Words Worth.  Recognition of the store’s success involves visiting, browsing, and maybe find something for yourself or a friend.  In this largely populated region, I’m sure there are many who’ve yet to discover this gem.  CanLit is strong here as are books published by small presses, something I could tell David takes pride in.  

This is why I visit bookstores.  To share, promote, and selfishly meet the infinite number of wonderful people who all make your experience worth it.  Or maybe I should say, Words WORTH it.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  Path Lit By Lightning, David Maraniss. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Rasmussen Papers, Connie Gault.  

 

Browse the table on the sidewalk and browse the terrific window display. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Just inside the store and looking to the left. 

I love this mural just inside the front door. 

Follow ALL of your favorite bookstores on whatever social media they use. 

Attractive display of popular Canadian novelist and poet, Jane Urquhart. 

View looking toward the left and front of the store. 


I strongly urge you to get one of these hip tote bags for the books you'll be buying. 

A variety of journals are offered. 

I think I would recommend this book even if you're not in a craft club. 

The left side of the store and a wall of books await your adventure. 

Just a few of the books offered by Canadian authors. 

Nice display of new releases toward the center of the store. 

A great YA section. 


Just a few of the staff picks. 

A good assortment of magazines. 


I love it when I see music instruction offered in a bookstore. 

An impressive display of cookbooks. 

Partial view of the children's area. 

Partial overview of the children's area. 

A wonderful quote beautifully displayed. 

A perfect fort underneath the tree mural for any little reader. 

Great picture of the impressive tree mural.  Congrats to the artist who created this. 

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


With John on the left and David in the center, two of the fine people you'll meet at Words Worth Books.  Thanks for a great visit.