Butterfat Books - Ferndale, CA

Butterfat Book, Ferndale, CA

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Ferndale, CA is one of those places you would want to visit as a tourist destination but may have never heard of.  Main St. is the place to be in this small town of approximately 1300.  Small local businesses along a 4-5 block section of Main. St, all in historical buildings.  And I’m very happy to share that this touristy area finally gave birth to a bookstore in 2023, a little over a year ago.  The cherry on top to complement all the others in this very walkable downtown area.

Owner Jessica B is the one-person staff in this terrific indie.  But she does get occasional help when needed from a son and a daughter who both have examples of their talents displayed in the store.  Butterfat Books offers both new and used books in a very clean and neat setting.  Jessica is able to reduce overhead by only taking in used books as donations, a great benefit for any indie that stocks used books.  The used books aren’t on a data base but she knows where to find them if they’re in the store.  Butterfat has some sidelines available including journals, art supplies, post cards, puzzles, and candles to name just a few.  My favorite sideline here is the literary flowers created by Jessica’s daughter.  Unique, creative, and one of a kind.  Jessica also offers some books online, especially those that cost a little more, possibly vintage or collectible editions.  The prices on the used books are very reasonable, $5 for hardcovers and $3 for paperbacks.  The display in the front window are book bundles, books that are bundled and sold together that all have the same author.  Great idea.

Butterfat Books is very dependent on tourists for their success.  This is huge during the summers and December and is critical not only for Butterfat, but for all the other small businesses in Ferndale.  That means the fine people of Ferndale and the surrounding area need to step up their support and discover this great bookstore.  Many communities of readers without a Butterfat Books would LOVE to have one.  Help sustain this super business and shop local, buy local, to keep this important bookstore in the community.  Go to a bookstore and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Trees, Percival Everett.  A caricature of southern buffoonery but also the mysterious deaths of White men who are descendants of men who lynched Black men in the south.  Is it some kind of payback?  Revenge from the graves?  The killings lead all the way to the White House and a somewhat comical reaction from the current president.  I enjoyed this one by the same author who wrote James.  Recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Terminal List, Jack Carr.     

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Fierce Pajamas, edited by David Remnick and Henry Finder.  An anthology of humor writing from The New Yorker.   

  

Beautiful storefront in a historical building. 

Don't pass up a bargain like this one outside of the store. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance. 

Directly to the right after entering.  Each bundle of books are books by the same author.  I think this is a great idea. 

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

This Independence Day sale features library books for $1. 

Assortment of book totes at the checkout counter. 

You won't be able to judge these books by their cover but you will know the genre and a brief description. 

Jessica's son got his first deer, now displayed in the bookstore. 

Distinctive light fixtures and windows in the front of the store. 

These literary flowers were made by Jessica's daughter.  Creative, unique and reasonably priced. 

Bookstore candles are popular at many indies. 

Assorted art supplies available here. 

Independent bookstores often support community and social causes. 

Some fabulous book art. 

Just a few of the books by local authors or of local interest. 

Very reasonable. 

After you get done browsing the right side of the store come over here to the left side. 

Overview of the children's area. 

The store also offers puzzles. 

Another overview of the children's area. 

I LOVE the neat decor found in every bookstore. 

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

With Jessica, the fine owner at Butterfat Books.  Thanks for a great visit.