The Indie Bob Spot: Bookstore1 Sarasota

Bookstore1 Sarasota, Sarasota, FL

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If you're a follower of this blog and you happen to be a bookseller or indie owner, there's a chance I might visit you at your bookstore. That's exactly how I found my way to Bookstore1 Sarasota. Andrea G., one of the store booksellers, became known to me as a follower of this blog on social media. Luckily, her profile included her information as bookseller and media person here at Bookstore1 Sarasota. And now I can happily say that I've met Andrea, Kate T., the store manager, and Georgia C., the store owner. On top of that, I got to visit an incredible and beautiful bookstore in an attractive area of downtown Sarasota (FYI, I look forward to meeting all of you who work at bookstores and have viewed this blog).

This bookstore sparkles from the minute you walk in. Bookstore1 Sarasota is a medium-sized, one-level store offering all new books and a good variety of sidelines. This is a new location for the store having only occupied this space for the last two years. They moved here from a nearby building, the original location when the store opened 8 years ago. Kate told me that things are going well for the business and Andrea added that things go well here in the winter months, which can be a far cry for bookstores in the midwest or eastern regions of the country.

I thought two of the best things here were the staff pick displays and their busy author events schedule. You cannot turn around in here without bumping into a display of staff picks in several genres. If that isn't enough, you'll find "shelf-talkers" posted throughout the store in all genres and on all shelves. Outstanding. As for events, they stay busy hosting on-site or Andrea can hook the store up with her contacts in the libraries to use those spaces for large events.

But as usual, the BEST part of my visits are the wonderful people I meet. Andrea, Kate, and Georgia are only three of the rock stars who work here. My only regret is that I didn't get to meet the rest of the Bookstore1 Sarasota cast!

So whether you're a tourist or a nearby resident, don't make the mistake of missing this bookstore and the terrific people who work there. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good, Helene Tursten. Collection of stories, all related, about 88-year old Maud who lives in an apartment by herself. Some people just really tick her off and she has to take justice into her own hands. Who knew a walker could be so lethal? This is a very quick read and enjoyable, something maybe a little different and a nice change of pace by a Swedish author. Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING: The Friend, Sigrid Nunez.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: The Pride Of The Yankees, Richard Sandomir. A Meal In Winter, Hubert Mingarelli. Not purchased but gifted, because I guess Kate really did think I have nothing to read! Notes On A Nervous Planet, Matt Haig. The Italian Teacher, Tom Rachman. Thanks Kate.

From across the street, this is the view you'll get of the store located on ground level. Notice tropical trees and lack of snow.

Enter here, right at the corner.

Make sure you check into the store's active events schedule.

Looking into the store from the front entrance.

Display of 2018 top-sellers. How many have you read?

One of my favorite things when I visit a store is seeing the staff picks and reading their reviews. This display is one of several at Bookstore1 Sarasota.

Timely display of new fiction.

Right next to the new fiction you'll find this display of new non-fiction.

Most Florida bookstores will have really good travel sections.

Lots of bookclubs make this their home.

If you have a Harry Potter fan in the family and they don't have Harry Potter socks yet, this store has you covered. And they have more than just this pair!

More staff picks.

A nice section of classics.

A very representative poetry section.

Here's a display of nonfiction staff picks.

I liked this picture not so much for what it displayed, but what it was displayed ON! Not your everyday table display!

A really nice assortment of reading glasses. For those of us who lose ours or break them, this is a welcomed sideline.

A nice place to sit and try a book or decide what magazines you want to get.

More than just books.

Partial view of the children's section.

A great "fort" for a kid to hideout with a book.

If you're a regular customer, this is a no-brainer. SIGN UP!

Very creative window display done by one of the booksellers using an old ice box for the base, adding books, and making this Japanese themed structure. I've found booksellers to be some of the most creative people anywhere.