The Bluestocking Bookshop - Holland, MI

The Bluestocking Bookshop, Holland, MI

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Holland, MI, population of approximately 33,000, is a really good bookstore town.  This is my second tour of Holland and I've already visited two wonderful bookstores.  It's just not fair though because now there's a third indie in Holland that's only a few months old.  There are so many towns  of similar size and larger with nothing and yet this town of 33,000 has three.   If only Holland could spread the bookstore wealth around!

The Bluestocking Bookshop offers all used books along with some collectible and vintage editions as well.  Collectors would be wise to keep an eye on the store's inventory since they just sold a multi-volume set of Harvard Classics to the Smithsonian.  Even though the store doesn't offer new books at this time, they can easily place an order for those at your request.  And if you can't visit the store you can always visit online and order there.  Bluestocking will offer customers store credit in exchange for the books they bring in.  In the store's brief history, owner Aimee C. is already very active with store and author events.  On the day of my visit she was hosting her weekly story time for kids.  The store offers only locally sourced sidelines and the line of Bloom products including lip balm and sanitizer is selling especially well.

I'm so happy to hear from Aimee that so far things are going very well.  And best of all, she's happy with this episode in life.  But here's the defining moment for this store's beginning.  Aimee had to be gone over the holidays and was prepared to close the store for a week (she's a one-person operation).  In true independent bookstore spirit, her circle of people wouldn't allow it so they told her not to close and they volunteered their time in order to keep Bluestocking open.  These are the kind of people that support indies nationwide.  Well done, Holland, well done.

Back in Victorian era England, there was a women's book club known as the Bluestockings.  Women who are literate and knowledgeable were the members.  Amiee's bookstore gives a nod to that history but the Bluestocking title for this store applies to all customers.  I don't think she'll be able to keep them away.  If you haven't visited here yet and you're in Holland, get with it.  Embrace this new indie and its wonderful owner for a terrific bookstore experience.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  Author In Chief, Craig Fehrman.  A fascinating historical look at our country's presidents, the books they read, and their many authorial aspirations through their writings.  The book also looks at the history of printing, the history of books, and even touches on the history of some of the country's early bookstores and places the presidents would frequent.  The information in this book is stuff you won't easily find in many of the presidential biographies.  The author's research is thoroughly comprehensive and if you're a history and/or president wonk, this is a must read.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Run Away, Harlan Coben.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Bridge Of Sighs, Richard Russo.  Waiting For Tom Hanks, Kerry Winfrey.  Everyone Brave Is Forgiven, Chris Cleave.

Beautiful storefront.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  Alert readers will undoubtedly recognize the celebrity browsing the books.  Yes, that's my mom.  

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  

Wow!  Yes!  Right by the check-out counter.  

The locally produced Bloom products are selling very well.  

A very nice area to lounge and sample a book.  

You'll find this beautiful wall of books on the right side of the store.  

How many of you are old enough to remember sitting in a desk like this (possibly with some vulgarity and profanity carved into the desktop)?  Classic.  

Find these shelves for some affordable bargains.  

Pick a game, grab a hot drink, and hang out.  

Visual confirmed.  Unavailable on Amazon.  

I love that this store has lots of great places to sit.  

The store offers several items produced locally by the Well Read Nerd.  

Partial view of the children's section.  

The book art I see displayed in indies around the country is outstanding.  

A book re-fashioned into a piece of art.  

Even the outlets are treated creatively.  

An example of some of the fabulous art displayed throughout the store.  Some of these works are available for purchase.  

Stuart Woods fans need to pay this store a visit.  

It's lamps like these that give bookstores character.  

Some real gems shelved in the back of the store.  

The exact words running through the heads of every reader who visits this blog!

With Aimee, the fine owner at The Bluestocking Bookshop.  Thanks for a great visit.