River City Books - Soldotna, AK

River City Books, Soldotna, AK

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When you visit Alaska, towns of any size can be few and far between.  You can literally drive for hours without seeing so much as a gas station or convenience store.  So when you see a gas station, you better fill it up.  When you see a convenience store, you better grab your beef jerky.  And when you see a bookstore, you better buy a book.

Such is the case for River City Books in Soldotna.  You'll have to drive awhile to find another bookstore so make this your bookstore destination.  The one-level store shares retail space with three other small businesses and the arrangement allows for lots of sharing of customers, a nice set-up for everyone.  The store was founded by its current and only owner, Peggy M.  The business began in about 1997 and is now in its 2nd location.  It has a high visibly location on the very busy Sterling Highway through town.

This indie offers all new books and I think they have a great inventory within their space.  I thought their books about Alaska and books by Alaskan authors were especially good.  Tourists will particularly enjoy seeing these.  Of course, the store couldn't have made it this long without a dedicated local customer base.  They have a few sidelines including greeting cards, journals, calendars, and magazines that will be very interesting for visitors in the area.  River City hosts events off-site at different venues and partners with these sites to provide the books.  

I didn't get to meet Peggy on this visit but I did meet the bookseller who was there and she told me a bit about the store and business.

When you go on your Alaskan tour, be advised that bookstores can be separated by great distances.  When you hit Soldotna, make River City Books one of your stops.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Unchangeable Spot Of Leopards, Kristopher Jansma.  The narrator wants to be a writer and his best friend is the better writer creating a rivalry between the two.  I thought the story meandered and the plot lost tempo (or I lost interest) as I got further along.  Meh.   

CURRENTLY READING:  Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman.  

The store shares space with three other small businesses, a great arrangement for the businesses and the customers.  

Enter the building's main entrance and turn left to the bookstore.  

View looking into the bookstore from its entrance.  

Alaska themed and regional books can be found here for all readers.  

View looking into the Fine Thyme Cafe right next to the bookstore.  

Tourists will enjoy many displays of books about Alaska.  

Magazines of regional interest.  

These magnetic finger puppets are popular at many indies.  

Recent and popular releases.  

Where else can you find a great, local Alaska cookbook?  Right here!

The long wall of books.  

A portion of the children's section.  

Another view of the children's section.  

Just about any kid could follow these directions.  

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

Where were these when I was in school?!

A nice section of books of local and regional interest.