The Indie Bob Spot: The Whispering Shelf

The Whispering Shelf, Indianapolis, IN

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The experiences you can enjoy at an independent bookstore far exceed your “click and submit” for a book online. Owner Lena B. was as nice as any I meet at any bookstore. But on this day it was my good fortune to also meet Mark F., a publishers representative from Fujii Associates. Both these people were the absolute highlight of my visit and I could’ve talked with them about books all day. And with Mark, not only does he know books but he also knows bookstores, owners, and bookstore history. Any bookstore customer would be lucky to bump into him at any indie. Other bookstore owners reading this blurb may know Mark as well.

When I began this journey years ago, I thought Indianapolis was a little light for independent bookstores. That has changed dramatically since the pandemic and this indie is an example of that. A very attractive interior in a 100-year old building that was once an automobile radiator repair shop (be sure to notice the garage door). Located near downtown Indy, it truly is a neighborhood bookstore, attracting regular customers via foot traffic from the surrounding residential area. They also attract business from the many downtown hotels, conventions, and conferences. The store has only been open for a little less than a year and a half but its visibility and reknown is on the climb.

Whispering Shelf offered mostly new books with a handful of used. But don’t bring in any hardbacks for trade. If you can’t visit in person, always consider ordering online through bookshop.org. I especially like that they have an assortment of books available for free. That’s what I call a budget buster! Sidelines include greeting cards, lots of stickers, journals, and store merch to name a few. The hot sellers here are the leather bookmarks, made in London and exclusive to this store. If you see it in a bookstore and you like it, GET IT. You probably won’t see it elsewhere.

Unsolicited, Mark told me that it was bonkers here on independent bookstore day with a long line out the door. If you’re in Indianapolis, you need to visit this bookstore pronto and see what is a rapidly rising star in the bookstore world. Go to Indy and buy a book. Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING: Mean Spirit, Linda Hogan.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: The Many Daughters of Afong May, Jamie Ford. The Summer Book, Tove Jannsson.

Another view of the storefront and the beautiful landscaping and patio. This is the entrance I used but keep in mind there is another entrance around on the left side of the building. I didn't discover this until I was inside.

What a beautiful setting for reading a book and chatting.

I was drawn to this sign that said Free Books.

View looking to the right from the front entrance.

View looking to the left from the front entrance. This is a rectangular shaped front room. Proceed through here to the much larger main part of the store.

If you're a local regular, I would strongly encourage this.

Find this spinner display in the front left corner of the store and you can score some free books. I looked through some of these and they're pretty good.

An overview looking side to side in the front rectangular room.

Just a few of the LGBTQ fiction offered. Find these shelves in the front room of the store.

Looking into the remainder of the bookstore from the front rectangular room. You can see the other store entrance on the left.

Looking to the right in the big room.

Attractive table display.

Some great store merch for your toddler.

Looking to the left from the rectangular room.

Just a few of the store's staff picks.

This display of various sidelines is just inside the entrance on the side of the building.

Bookstore candles available below the checkout counter.

Consider a donation for the store's social advocacy.

Indianapolis is home to the WNBA Fever so of course they have Caitlin Clark books.

A very comfortable area in the back of the store. The building was once an automobile radiator repair shop. You can see the garage door on the left.

Just a few of the stickers available.

If I were a regular, this would be my spot.

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

I took this picture because it was a curiosity. Not because of the books, but because of the tiny little duck on top. Ask Lena about this when you see her. The uniqueness of independent bookstores knows no bounds.