Best of Books - Edmond, OK

Best of Books, Edmond, OK

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Congratulations to Best of Books, celebrating 40 years of bookselling in a community where they’ve fostered deep ties and relationships over the years, something all indies strive for.  Success like this deserves broader recognition than city and state and is worthy of national attention.  Best of Books is still in its original location (a rarity considering their longevity) and only in its 3rd ownership.  Current owners are husband and wife Joe and Nan along with their adult daughter Elena.  In the beginning of their ownership, Nan told me they put in some VERY long hours but are now very experienced and clicking on all cylinders.  And as you would expect with a 40-year old bookstore, this one can check all the boxes.  

The store has two large, adjacent rooms that have a general organization of children’s items in the left room and adult items in the right room.  Each room has its own outside entrance but are also connected on the inside.  Best of Books offers all new books and a wide variety of sidelines that has something for everyone.  Lots of games, puzzles, greeting cards, Peepers reading glasses, stickers, and a line of items from the Naked Bee that includes lotions and balms.  The store offers a weekly story time and kids will love this place.  In addition to the books there are a variety of stuffed animals, toy dinosaurs, princess costumes, and cowboy costumes to name just a few.  Honestly, this should be your one-stop shopping for the holiday season.  Best of Books doesn’t have a cafe but they do offer free coffee to enjoy while you browse.  Can’t visit in person?  Consider placing an order online, a part of the business that has exploded and ships internationally.

The bookstore is so fortunate to have a great relationship with the local schools, something all indies would welcome.  They also maintain a very busy events schedule including an adult book fair at a local brewery.

Indeed, they check all the boxes including the one next to “great staff.”  Co-owner Nan was wonderful to talk to and on the day of my visit Shelby (business background) and Jenny (English Lit major) would seem to be the perfect talent combination at any bookstore.  

If you’re in the Edmond area and never been to Best of Books, what gives?  You’ve had 40 years but all will be forgiven when you discover this wonderful bookstore that is deserving of national recognition.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.   

JUST FINISHED:  Miracle Of The Music Man: The Classic American Story of Meredith Willson.  This book certainly includes biographical information about Meredith Willson but the primary focus is everything it took to get the iconic Broadway musical, The Music Man, created, evolved, and finally to Broadway for an incredible run.  With this musical, Willson never forgot his Iowa roots and thankfully his “Iowa stubborn” and years of perseverance were rewarded.  This book also details his following attempts at creating another successful musical and looks at the explosion of popular Broadway musicals in the 40s and 50s.  I appreciate his remarkable talent even more after reading this book.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Lion Women of Tehran, Marjan Kamali. 

Designated customer parking right in front of the store. 

The store has two entrances.  One that enters into the adult side and the other into the children's side.  This is the adult side, the entrance on the right. 

Watch for upcoming events. 

View looking into the store from the right side entrance. 

Looking immediately to the left after entering the right side of the store you'll see the connected entrance over to the children's side. 

Relevant display on the right side of the store after entering. 

If you lose your readers like I do, they've got you covered. 

An overview looking into the left side of the store. 

Unique Christmas greeting cards in the front of the store. 

Looking immediately to the right after entering the right side of the store and you'll see the attractive display of new arrivals. 

You're going to need this tote bag for all the books you buy. 

Check out what the book clubs are reading. 

Just a few of the stickers available. 

Best of Books is an award-winning store. 

I always enjoy seeing the "Blind date with a book" promotions. 

There are quotes from books along the tops of the shelves on the right side of the store...

...to see what book the quote is from, walk over and look underneath the sign with the quote.  Very creative designing. 

Head over to the right side of the store and start browsing. 

These True Genius puzzles have been popular. 

A line of Naked Bee lotions and scents. 

A wonderful seating area at the back of the adult side of the store.  Naturally, I love the BoB in the background. 

Another overview of the back of the store on the adult side. 

View looking from the back of the store toward the front entrance on the adult side of the store. 

An overview of the children's room looking from the back of the store toward the front entrance. 

The long wall of books from the back of the children's room looking toward the front. 

An elevated portion of the children's room in the back corner of the store. 

View looking from the back toward the front entrance of the children's area. 

If you have a little princess or a little cowboy at home, this might be a good gift idea. 

Partial overview of the children's room. 

Kids will love this bookstore. 

With Nan H., the fine co-owner at Best of Books.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Red Fern Booksellers - Salina, KS

Red Fern Booksellers, Salina, KS

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Regular followers know that I can be swept away in any bookstore and perhaps inclined to exaggeration.  Trust me when I say that Red Fern Booksellers is not beautiful, it is truly gorgeous.  The work that owner Harley H. and his team put into this space is impressive.  As he told me, they were trying to match the interior with the 1800s era of the building.  The long, medium-wide space is lined with bookshelves, front to back with table displays evenly spaced throughout.  The ceiling has been returned to its original beauty.  The craftsmanship of the dark brown book shelves is captured nicely by the accent lighting and the overhead lighting is just right.  The shelves are highlighted by the brass genre sign tags.  Simply beautiful.  If there are awards for interior bookstore design, Red Fern should be a nominee. 

Yet, there is so much more.  Red Fern offers a generous inventory of all new books in a town of approximately 50,000.  This indie could hold its own in a city of any size.  If you can’t visit in person, consider placing an order online which has been a busy portion of the store’s business.  The sidelines are numerous and are dominated by works of original art in greeting cards and other items.  I especially enjoyed seeing the table of spirit tiles (Spiritiles) created by artist Houston Llew.  Everyone of these unique tiles features a work of art on a copper canvas and colorful glass.  On the spine you’ll see an author’s name and another spine will feature a quote from a book.  Again, my pictures won’t do these justice so you’ll have to see these in person.  

I was happy to hear that things are going well here.  One of the huge factors for Red Fern’s success are frequent events that draw large crowds.  They’re fortunate to have some accommodating options to host these events off-site.

And yet there’s more.  A terrific owner is surrounded by the terrific people at Red Fern, Paula and Christi are the best.  People like this will make your visit to this indie an enjoyable experience.  

You will not be able to resist the Ollie charm. 

But, I cannot forget to mention my favorite staffer, dear, dear Ollie the shop dog.  What a charmer and what a happy soul.  I know there are some who stop in just to see Ollie.  Come for the books, but stay for Ollie. 

Red Fern has only been open for about 18 months but I’m sure there are people in the area that haven’t been here yet.  Hey regulars, find a friend to bring and introduce them to the all-star cast that will give you a fantastic bookstore experience.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  A Fever In The Heartland, Timothy Egan.  If you want to find the seeds of MAGA, this historical non-fiction work may give you hope that we will overcome.  100 years ago, a charismatic con-man, rapist, alcoholic ascended to power in Indiana as the leader of the 2nd wave of the Ku Klux Klan (sound familiar?).  The state was full of corruption, pay-offs, grift, and Kluxers but eventually collapsed and failed.  Incredible story that gives us hope that goodness will prevail over hate.  If you like Erik Larson, you'll love this.  Highly recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Miracle Of The Music Man: The Classic American Story of Meredith Willson, Mark Cabaniss.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Fresh Water For Flowers, Valérie Perrin.  Trials Of The Earth, Mary Mann Hamilton. 

 

Events are a big deal at Red Fern and many are an important revenue source. 

Historic storefront. 

Another angle of the storefront. 

Historic entrance with festive trim.  Outstanding. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  Just look at those endless, long shelves of books on both sides of the store. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance and you'll find some of the greeting cards available. 

After you get your greeting card and your book, go to the right side of the store and select the perfect gift wrap. 

Many options for gift wrap including reversible gift wrap. 

Attractive table display of bestsellers. 

Variety of candles offered. 

On the left side of the store find this display of new and notable releases.  Notice table displays parallel to the bookshelves with spacing to the back of the store. 

Notice the attractive brass genre sign and the perfect lighting. 

Red Fern merch includes tote bags and t-shirts. 

Have any of your book clubs read these? 

I love these and you won't find them in another bookstore.  These are uniquely created with a limited number for each design by artist Houston Llew.  Called Spiritiles (spirit tiles), glass on copper enameled art.  The artistry in creating these is magnificent. 

Reach out to this artist for a most unique gift idea. 

I'm sorry Ollie, I did not bring any treats. 

Close-up of a Spritile.  Notice author names on top spine. 

You'll find a quote on another one of the spines.  These pictures do not do them justice. 

A few of the puzzles available. 

I love the Red Fern logo and you can get on this journal. 

You'll need plenty of time for browsing. 

A book about the owner's great-great-grandmother. 

Beautiful seating area in the back right side of the store.  Try out a book and get comfy.

Overview of the children's area. 

Ready for the holidays. 

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

Ollie coming to assist me with my browsing. 

Some stores have a token bathroom, at Red Fern it is artistry. 

Alice In Wonderland themed bathroom. 

This is Ollie's break space.  None of the other booksellers have this. 

With Harley on the right and Ollie in the front, two of the fine staff you'll meet at Red Fern Booksellers.  Thanks for a great visit.