Hooked On Books - Springfield, MO

Hooked On Books, Springfield, MO

(Like The Indie Bob Spot on Facebook and follow The Indie Bob Spot on Twitter)

Readers, if you find yourself in a bookstore searching for a book but become distracted by a forest of greeting cards, puzzles, socks, fake mustaches, doggie toys, and pet rocks, take heart.  In Springfield, MO you can visit a no frills, all business, floor to ceiling in every aisle books, bookstore.  If you're a fan of bookstores and books this is your place.  As owner Tom told me, customers come from Springfield and all over the surrounding area.  If you're in this region looking for a good used book store with good prices and HAVEN'T been here yet, get with it.  This place has your name all over it.

Tom has been the owner here for 15 years but the store has been here for approximately 35 years, a remarkable achievement.  I'm even more impressed when he told me the past year has been very successful despite the pandemic.  The store sells all used books along with a few vintage and collectibles, but they don't really focus on that part of the business.  Customers are offered store credit or cash for the books they bring in, which can sometimes number in 100s/day.  Equally impressive is the fact that Tom has everything in the store on inventory.  The extremes of books acquired runs from the occassional donations to picking up 2000 well-cared for books at a house.  And keep in mind one more impressive nugget, no sidelines.  BOOKS.    

The store is located on the very busy Campbell Ave in The Villages shopping area.  I think this is a pretty good location but Tom wishes the store were placed a little further forward in the strip for visibility.  Don't worry Tom, the regulars know where you are and the people looking for bookstores will find you!

If you're passing through Springfield, vacationing in the Ozarks, or visiting one of the colleges, put this on your list of places to visit.  And all my regular followers know how much I enjoy easy parking.  Say it with me, "free and ample parking!"  Thanks to that, spend as long as you like at Hooked On Books.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  American Dirt, Jeanine Cummins.  Incredible story of a Mexican woman and her son who escape a mass shooting and begin a journey to el norte and America.  The people they encounter and the problems they face are numerous and their fear is constant.  Book of fiction but certainly threads of truth for many trying to escape escalating crime and the drug cartels in Mexico and Central America.  Be careful, parts of this very readable story will leave you breathless with sorrow.  Highly recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Baby, You're Gonna Be Mine, Kevin Wilson. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Cimarron, Edna Ferber.  The Man In My Basement, Walter Mosley. 

When you see this large sign along Campbell Ave, pull in.  You just found Hooked On 

Books

You can start browsing before you enter the store but I warn you, this doesn't even equal a fraction of what you'll find inside. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  Get started!

Display of current releases directly to the left in the store. 

Great prices on Harry Potter. 

Not sure these shopping baskets are big enough but they will have to do!

On the far right wall in the front of the store you'll find a portion of the collectibles offered. 

An overview of the front of the store and the check-out counter. 

If I duplicated this picture several times, you would see similar aisles across the width of the store. 

If you know any Tom Swift fans, send them here. 

A splendid area to sit and test drive a few books. 

Display of store recommendations. 

This is George.  Look for him in one of the aisles to reach an upper shelf.

A great collection of Zane Grey editions. 

Find this wonderful nook in the left rear corner of the store. 

Floor to ceiling books mean you might need George's help. 

Dorothy Gilman fans will enjoy these. 

Are you kidding me?  .25 books?  If you're on a budget find this rack near the check-out counter. 

This is George's friend (sister? cousin? I wasn't clear on the relationship) Big Rhonda.  She has the same talent as George and helps you reach those upper shelves. 

With Tom on the left, the fine owner at Hooked On Books.  Thanks for a great visit.