Reading Rock Books - Dickson, TN

Reading Rock Books, Dickson, TN

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There are some bookstores I visit that make me wonder how they ever came up with their name.  How the heck is Reading Rock Books relevant to the owners or the town?  It's really a simple story.  Laura H., one of the co-owners along with her sister Amy, came up with the name recalling the days when she was a child and enjoyed sitting and reading on a large rock.  A great name for a bookstore to honor a life's passion for reading and now reflected in a store title.

Reading Rock Books is a one-level store in downtown Dickson.  They've been in business for just under ten years and over that time have seen the emergence of other complimentary small businesses in the downtown which is a plus.  I think their modest longevity is all the more impressive in a town of approximately 15,000.  When the store opened it filled a void in the town due to a bookstore that closed and then the closing of a Christian bookstore.  In this case, timing was everything for Reading Rock.

The store offers a good assortment of new and used books as well as a variety of sidelines including greeting cards, journals, jigsaw puzzles, t-shirts, and lots of kid's items.  They have a nice children's section which includes a line of the popular Melissa and Doug items.  There is a large room in the back where you'll find all the used books and many comfortable places to sit and try them out.  They also hold occasional author events in this area.  Customers who bring in used books are given store credit that they can use to purchase used books.  After you're done shopping, stop in next door at House Blend Coffee and start reading your books.  Another reason Reading Rock Books has a great location.

I didn't get to meet Laura or Amy during my visit but I did meet Mary P. who was very kind to visit with me about the store and all kinds of books.  People like this make it easy for me to put these write-ups together and I'm always so appreciative of our conversations.  

So it's all systems 'go' at Reading Rock Books.  Full steam ahead with a core of regular customers along with out-of-towners and tourists.  And the free parking on the street couldn't make this place any easier to visit.  If you're in the Dickson area, take advantage of a local gem where all the regulars understand the importance of "buy local, shop local."  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Highway, C. J. Box.  Probably one of the creepiest books I have ever read.  It will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way to the end.  Two young girls disappear without a trace and a long haul trucker is the suspect.  But he has help from a corrupt law enforcement officer.  I  haven't read this author before and discovered him thanks to a bookseller in Wyoming.  I'll be reading more of his stuff.  If this is your kind of genre, I would highly recommend this one.  

CURRENTLY READING:  See What I Have Done, Sarah Schmidt.

Exterior storefront.  

One of the display windows with a seasonal theme.  

The store has great window display space.

View looking into the store from the front entrance.

Looking to the right from the front entrance.  

Looking to the left from the front entrance.  Alert readers may recognize the celebrity browsing for a purchase.  Yes, that's my mom.  

Nice assortment of literary-themed t-shirts inside the front entrance.  

A nice display with a variety of sidelines.  

Shelves to the immediate right of the front entrance.  

Kids will like items from Mudpuppy.  

A portion of the children's section.  

A nice place to sit and sample a few books.  

The store has several "nooks" like this one.  

Look for these shelf-talkers throughout the store for staff recommendations.  

Seasonal table display.  

If you don't live in Dickson and want to support this indie, visit their website and place an order there.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

View looking into the back room where you can find all the used books.  This is also the area they use for events.  Lots of space and lots of places to sit and get comfy.  I love this room.  

Just a couple of the seats you can find in the used book room.  

Or you can get serious about your book sampling on this couch.  

Kids will find lots of fun things here.  

Shop local, buy local.  

Can't remember if I've seen this anywhere.  A wooden stand for your book, including wooden tabs at the bottom of the stand to hold the pages.  

With Mary, one of the fine booksellers at Reading Rock Books.  Thanks for a great visit.