Paperbacks Plus - North St. Paul, MN

Paperbacks Plus, North St. Paul, MN

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Ok readers, brace yourselves.  Your visit to Paperbacks Plus in North St. Paul will be an energy-packed whirlwind of excitement.  When I left here, I felt like I needed to catch my breath and lie down.  Kathryn H., the owner, has an undeniable, contagious energy that you will thoroughly enjoy when you visit her store.  You'll be able to talk about books, bookstores, and current events for as long as you're able to keep up with her.  This is a wonderful bookstore, but for me as a customer, Kathryn is the star of the show along with her two store dogs, Mario and Flash.  She's a self-admitted eccentric with attention deficit which which gives her an advantage as an all-star level bookseller.

As for the bookstore, if you want to visit a no-nonsense, but-kickin' bookstore, this is it.  It's all about the books here and Kathryn has the store meticulously organized, being extremely conscientious of genres and the importance of alphabetical arrangement.  She offers customers store credit for used books and takes in just about everything but admits she also has to recycle a lot, a sad reality for many used book bookstores.  No sidelines here except for one greeting card.  Really!  And it's a beautiful reproduction of an artist's rendition of the bookstore's exterior.  The store hosts occasional events throughout the year with many local authors and you'll find their books here.  You can also be reassured that the store doesn't offer just paperbacks as you'll also find an extensive inventory of popular hardbacks.

Kathyrn took the business over in 1992 from an owner who stayed on in the store and ultimately had a profound impact on her life.  In 2002, the store moved to its current location and Kathryn owns the historical building the store occupies.  The rent she receives from an upstairs apartment tenant and another small business on the main floor helps her to sustain the bookstore.

Paperbacks Plus has been around for a long time and flew under my radar, but not anymore.  Join all of the loyal regulars who visit here and find out what they know and what I learned.  A well-maintained used bookstore with an owner full of an energy and a passion for what she does.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Behind Closed Doors, B. A. Paris.  Block out some time for this one because once you start it you will not be able to put it down. Psychological thriller about a couple who seemingly have the perfect marriage to those who see it from the outside.  But inside the marriage it's a totally different picture and the story is unbelievable yet somewhat plausible.  If you like gripping page-turners, this needs to be on your list of books to read.  Highly recommended.

CURRENTLY READING:  Where The Watermelons Grow, Cindy Baldwin.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Live Wire, Harlan Coben.  Don't Let Go, Harlan Coben.  The Big Over Easy, Jasper Fforde.

Another exterior view.  

Lots of display window space.  

Your doorway to adventure!

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  

If you slide 6 steps to the left after you enter the store, this is your view.  

Or watch this sign.  

After entering the store, you'll see some vintage comic books just inside the entrance.  

You know that friend you have who has a nickname that is really the opposite?  Like a guy nicknamed Tiny but he really isn't.  Use this logic when thinking of Flash.  

Mario, a happy greeter for customers!  

A wall of bookshelves all the way to the back of the store.  

Lots of comic books and many are vintage.  Sheldon Cooper would love this place.   

One of the book nooks.  

Have a seat and try out a book.  

This is the employee cafeteria.  Flash and Mario can often be found here on their breaks.  

One of the long book aisles.  

A most comfortable seat for trying a book.  

There are several collectible Barbie's in the store still in the original packaging.  Inquire with Kathryn if interested.  

Find this display case to see the vintage and collectible editions.  

You can find these deals toward the back of the store.  

Entrance into the back of the store, convenient to a parking lot across the street.  

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

This will come in handy because the book you always want will be out of reach (or on the bottom shelf!).  

Nancy Drew fans should definitely visit here.  

An excellent artistic work of the store's front.  This is the likeness that is on the store's greeting card.  

With Kathryn and Mario, the fine owner at Paperbacks Plus.  Thanks for a great visit.