Nos Books - Des Moines, IA

Nos Books, Des Moines, IA 

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The Des Moines metropolitan area is a major urban center that for many years was lacking in independent bookstores.  Beaverdale Books was the only indie of note for approximately 15 years but since 2020 there’s been an explosion of new bookstores including Nos Books, located in the historic Dogtown district and adjacent to Drake University.  The bookstore occupies a space in an 1890s building that was originally a firehouse.  Nos is Spanish for “us,” and is a perfect fit in this multi-cultural community, home to many diverse ethnicities and businesses.  But Nos Books is MUCH more than a bi-lingual bookstore.

As owner Luis L. told me, yes, they do offer books in Spanish but he thinks of the bookstore as more of a multi-cultural store.  This makes perfect sense when you learn about the make-up of the community.  The store offers books by authors from around the world as well as books written by authors of under-represented communities, books not always easily found in other indies or chain bookstores.  When you meet Luis and hear about his background as a literature major, you’ll understand why the bookstore is so well curated.  Well done Luis.

The store offers all new books that can be purchased in-person (always the best way) or online.  Luis may transition the store business model by also offering used books sometime in the future.  I thought that the books in translation were especially good and since they’re showing growth in sales Luis plans to expand this genre.  They have a nice assortment of sidelines including greeting cards, candles, quirky socks, puzzles, candles, and stickers to name a few.  They have a great set-up to host events with the xBk Annex located next door and can offer beverages and snacks.  If you’re new to the neighborhood consider joining the store’s book club and enjoy the company of kindred spirits.  

As with most of my bookstore visits, meeting and talking with Luis was the best.  Personable, knowledgeable, and a darn nice person.  But you regulars already know this.  I enjoyed hearing about his beginnings as a pop-up bookstore at various festivals and then evolving into a brick and mortar.  Nos Books has only been in business a little over a year so the word is still getting out about this cute little bookstore.  Spread the word about this terrific new indie where a 5-star bookstore experience awaits your arrival.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:   The Traitors Circle, Jonathan Freedland.  Narrative non-fiction about a group of Germans in 1930s Berlin who defy the Nazis as best they can.  Until they are betrayed by one in the group. A gripping account of that era.  Highly recommended.    

The Boys In The Light, Nina Willner.  Another excellent narrative non-fiction from the WWII era.  A Norwegian boy from Minnesota, an Italian boy from Boston, and a German Jewish boy from northern Germany begin the war on separate journeys but their paths cross in the most unbelievable way.  This book will leave you wanting to know more about their remarkable lives, written by the daughter of the German Jewish boy.  Highly recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Barn, Wright Thompson.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Hummingbird’s Daughter, Luis Alberto Urrea. 

The bookstores' archway entrance was originally the entrance for the firehouse.  This is how the horses pulling the fire wagon entered and exited.  The stables were in back.  The little friend in the front is Rosey from around the corner. 😊

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Proceed to the shelves on the right side and let the browsing begin.  

Variety of bookstore candles offered at the checkout desk.  

Beautiful wall behind the checkout desk.  This wall will someday become an art gallery display.  Nos means "us" in English.  

Most bookstores agree.  

Drake University is very close to the bookstore.  

A few of the greeting cards and book totes available.  

Check-out counter and an assortment of unique book totes for all you'll be getting.  Luis's wife created some of these wonderful totes.  

Your souvenir shirt will look great with the tote over your shoulder.  

Partial view of the children's area, left side of the store toward the back.  

Display of various sidelines and books.  

Another partial view of the children's area and a couple of great places to sit and sample a book.  

Just a few of the unique and quirky socks offered.  

One of the store's book nooks, in the rear right side of the store.  

A few of the puzzles available.  

And we can use all the therapy we can get.  

The stickers are hot here and these are just some of them.  

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

ALWAYS, consider this when visiting any bookstore.  

Right next to the bookstore in the same building but with its own entrance, a perfect location and space for the bookstore events.  

With Luis on the right, the fine owner at Nos Books.  Thanks for a great visit.  

Leviathan Books - St. Louis, MO

Leviathan Bookstore, St. Louis, MO

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Believe it or not, I have not seen the movie “You’ve Got Mail,” but I understand the general premise involving a couple and a bookstore.  Similarly, this bookstore was conceived by two people who were fated to meet.  Co-owner James was living in Seattle and already experienced in the bookstore business.  Co-owner Amanda was living in St. Louis and also experienced in the bookstore business.  Mr. Seattle and Miss St. Louis met at a conference in New York City and commenced a long distance relationship between their respective cities.  Fast forward to 2024 and James has moved to St. Louis, the relationship is solid, and Leviathan Books is open for business as a pop-up in a corner inside Dunaway Books, a used book store.  And now in March 2026, Leviathan will celebrate a one-year anniversary in their very own brick and mortar.  This story of James, Amanda, and their independent bookstore journey is worthy of its own recognition.  Congratulations to them both.

It is obvious when you visit here that James and Amanda have put a lot of makeover time into the building interior and exterior.  Most striking of all is the Missouri Leviathan mural, depicted on the right wall behind the checkout counter.  The bookstore was named after this creature, a fictional Missouri pre-historic beast slapped together with odd fossils, bones, and parts to create the Leviathan. 

I’m very encouraged to hear from James that things are going great, especially since the only sidelines of note are some postcards, greeting cards, and store t-shirts and tote bags.  The store is highly visible and located on very busy Grand Boulevard.  They offer a well-curated inventory of all new books, neatly displayed throughout the store.  As James told me, he wanted to offer books that not only he liked, but wanted to share with others to help educate and inform people about today’s issues.  These genres are something that resonates with the community that surrounds the store.  Remember, if you can’t make it to the store you can always support them by ordering online.  

I haven’t met Amanda, but this is the second time I’ve met James.  Like every other owner and manager I meet, I could’ve talked to him all day.  If you’re in the St. Louis area and haven’t discovered Leviathan yet, get with it.  Pay James and Amanda a visit and enjoy this rising star in the St. Louis book store scene.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Final Score, Don Winslow.  Collection of six short stories (not related) of crime fiction that I found to be very good.  I enjoyed them all but if you want to try out just one, my favorite was the last one, "Collision," about how our well-intended choices can spiral into a downward chain of events even for the nicest of people.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Traitors Circle, Jonathan Freedland.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Unworthy, Roy Jacobsen. The Unseen, Roy Jacobsen.  In The Country of Baseball, Donald Hall with Dock Ellis.  Football, Chuck Klosterman.  On Bullshit, Harry G. Frankfurt.  

 

Beautiful storefront.  

Large display window for window-shopping.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

View looking to the right from the front entrance.  

This is the outstanding depiction of the leviathan seen on the wall behind the checkout counter.  You really need to visit in-person to see this and appreciate all the detail created by the artist.  

Impressive work by this artist who I am sure could create something equally fantastic for your bookstore.  

One of my favorite bookstore shirts.  

Selection of postcards just inside the front door.  

A very attractive wall of books on the left side of the store.  

Table display of recent releases.  

Just a few of the books of local interest.  

After you get done browsing the left wall, go over to the right side of the store and browse this wall.  

Every table display in the store was attractive and neatly arranged.  

A few of the store recommendations.  

Consider getting an edition autographed by the author.  

I don't know a thing about this book except its interesting title.  Only in an independent bookstore.  

Looking into the children's area located in the back of the store.  

Another view of the children's area.  

The perfect little table and chairs for little readers.  

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

I LOVE being at the bookstores when the new books arrive.  

The original store logo created by James' daughter.  

With James, the fine co-owner at Leviathan Books on the right and me with one of my favorite bookstore t-shirts.  Thanks for a great visit.  

Read A Book STL - St. Louis, MO

Read A Book STL, St. Louis, MO

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When I began this journey over 600 bookstores ago, I thought St. Louis was a little light on independent bookstores.  That observation has dissipated over time and the bookstore scene has greatly improved.  This resurgence is due in part to newer bookstores like Read A Book STL, located in the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis.  Read A Book has been open for about 2 1/2 years and I was happy to hear that things are going very well.  Congratulations to husband/wife owners Brian and Ellen C.

When Brian and Ellen opened Read A Book it was originally as a used book store.  They have since expanded to include a limited number of new books.  The store has a nice corner location surrounded by some retail but a lot of residential neighborhoods.  Many of their regular customers come as walk-in foot traffic from the surrounding houses, a true neighborhood bookstore.  Their used books are acquired through donations or recovered from places where they are freely discarded.  They also have some vintage and collectible editions but that is not a part of the business that Brian actively pursues.  Best of all, I love that they have their used book inventory on a data base so they know exactly what they have.  This also means you can purchase books online if you can’t make it to the store.  

Read A Book offers numerous book clubs for you to participate in.  If you have an idea for a book club, contact the store and ask if they would help you start it.

Every indie I visit has their own unique business model that works for the owners and their community.  Here at Read A Book, the ability to access inventory freely has made a huge difference in revenue.  Their success is made all the more remarkable because there are few to no sidelines making their reliance on book sales critical.  But what is NOT unique here is getting to meet two wonderful owners and bookseller Misaei.  The highlight of this trip and so many others are meeting these terrific people and enjoying a bookstore experience that will never be duplicated online.  When in St. Louis, be sure to check this one out for a great experience.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED: Operation Napoleon, Arnaldur Indriðason.  Excellent historical fiction about a WWII plane that crashed into an Icelandic glacier at the end of the war.  The small crew aboard included Germans and Americans.  Fast forward to present time and a covert operation commences to recover the plane and the secrets it holds.  Highly classified and innocent people lose their lives trying to get to the bottom of the secrets.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Final Score, Don Winslow.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  White Rage, Carol Anderson.  Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison.  

Excellent corner location in the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis.  

This is the beautiful mural on the side of the building where the bookstore is located.  Incredible.  

Now this is what I call a bargain.  Brian and Ellen do everything they can to get books into the hands of readers.  

Expansive front window with lots of natural light for the inside.  

View looking across the front of the store from the front entrance.  

Looking to the left from the front entrance and through the remainder of the store.  

Attractive display with relevant topics.  

Display in the front of the store and facing the street. 

Just inside the front entrance two perfect seats to sample a book.  

These books are So Fine!

Find these shelves to browse some of the new books.  

Essential.  

I love this map of all the St. Louis neighborhoods.  

Join one of the store's many book clubs or start one of your own.  

One of the store book nooks.  

This is actually very tiny and visitors to the store may not see it.  I like it.  

Cross section of the main room in the back of the store.  

Overview of the smaller room at the back of the store.  

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

Essential.  

I loved seeing the beautiful church located diagonally across from the bookstore.  This convenient location makes it easy for many of the congregates to visit the bookstore.  

 

With Ellen on the left and Brian in the center, the two fine co-owners at Read A Book STL.  Thanks for a great visit.