Denver Book Society - Denver, CO

 Denver Book Society, Denver, CO    

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Denver has a pretty good bookstore scene and there are new indies joining the party since I’ve been here.  One of those is the Denver Book Society, only 5 months old and already checking all the boxes just like any long-running bookstore.  I knew from seeing pictures online that this was going to be an attractive bookstore but those pictures and mine below just don’t do it justice.  A beautiful and neatly organized space from head to toe make it impossible NOT to browse.  Check out the impressive murals in the main room and in the children’s area.  Also check out the atrium room outside and next to the children’s area.  A perfect place for groups and book clubs to gather (ask about renting this space) and also an area to enjoy games like mahjong, chess, and more.  The Denver Book Society team has done a terrific job remodeling this interior and offering a true 3rd space, a place of comfort and kindredship.  In other words, a society.  Well done Denver Book Society.

You’ll find all new books throughout the store and a healthy assortment of sidelines.  I thought the books of local and regional interest were particularly good.  Greeting cards, puzzles, reading glasses, journals, and art supplies are some of the sidelines of note.  Check out the pigeon cards on a table outside of the atrium.  These are selling very well.  I would add however, one of the best sidelines just inside the front door was a freezer of various ice cream flavors.  Not sure I’ve seen this elsewhere but after 658 bookstore visits I can’t say for sure!  The cafe area in the front of the store is striking in design and you can enjoy something to eat or drink during your visit.

Cooper is happy and friendly and waiting for you!

There are many things going on here for local customers to take advantage of.  For example, consider getting a very reasonably priced annual membership.  This offers many perks that you might not be able to access otherwise.  Definitely participate in the loyalty program, always a benefit for regular customers.  And numerous events and activities accommodating many interests, too plentiful to mention.  

Best of all?  People you meet like owner Rich G. and store manager Becca H.  But I REALLY hope you get to meet shop dog Cooper, a gentle soul who makes a perfect bookstore ambassador.

Denver readers and tourists, don't miss this new indie that makes a bookstore city even better.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir. 

 JUST FINISHED: Dock Ellis In The Country of Baseball, Donald Hall & Dock Ellis.  Former Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher in the 1970s who lived a wild life and still had a successful career.  You'll learn that his social advocacy for others was less publicized than his controversial career and lifestyle.  Baseball fans will like this.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Signs: The Secret Language of The Universe, Laura Lynne Jackson.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Covenant of Water,  Abraham Verghese.  

Beautiful storefront on a corner location.  

Great seating outside on a beautiful day.  

Twist my arm.  

Regular customers should definitely participate.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Curl around to the left of the entrance for this great place to sit, sip, and read.  

Just inside the entrance and slightly left is the cafe.  I love the design of books wrapped around up top.  

Attractive table display of recent releases just inside the store.  

View looking at the right side of the store from the front entrance.  

A freezer full of hand-scooped ice cream?  Yes please!

Comfy seats to sample some books.  

The store offers many activities including bingo for kids or adults.  

This is an adult bingo card.  

This is the "Wish for America" tree.  Check it out when you visit the store.  

The James Baldwin bathroom.  Clever.  

Find this table for an assortment of classics.  

I love this small mural above the store entrance.  

Cooper welcomes you.  

I love it!

A few of the greeting cards available.  

An inviting nook to browse in the far right rear of the store.  

 

Head to the back of the store for a long browse along these shelves.  

Incredible mural on the long wall at the back of the store.  Congratulations to the talented artist who created this.  

Always be sure to check out the staff picks at any bookstore. 

 

For those of us who lose or break our reading glasses, you're covered,  

View looking into the children's area, located in the rear left side of the store.  

Another one of the store's wonderful murals, this one located in the children's area.  

Something comfy for kids to stretch out on with their book in the children's area.  

Partial view of the children's area.  

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

Along the side of the building and outside the children's area, the long, bright atrium.  

You'll find art supplies in the atrium.  

Another view of the atrium and a chess board awaiting your arrival.  

Plan ahead for your visit.  

With Rich in the center, Becca on the right, and the star of the show Cooper in front.  Two of the fine people and one awesome ambassador you'll meet at The Denver Book Society.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Rooted Books & Gifts - Grand Island, NE

Rooted Books & Gifts, Grand Island, NE

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For most people, Grand Island, NE is not a destination.  Located in the middle of rural Nebraska on Interstate 80 with a population of approximately 50,000 makes it a giant among its neighboring communities.  So Grand Island is simply a town you drive by when traveling east or west through the Midwest.  However, I suggest you consider making it a destination or make it a stop on your way elsewhere.  Excellent coffee shops, restaurants and cafes, a vibrant Hispanic community, and an outstanding independent bookstore with a very engaging and spunky owner that will guarantee a memorable bookstore experience.  

Rooted Books & Gifts has been open for about two years, located just off 3rd St. in downtown Grand Island.  This excellent location allows for easy foot traffic and easy on-street parking as well as nearby free public parking lots.  The store offers all new books and a wide variety of sidelines which are an important part of their business margin.  But I was happy to hear from owner Danielle that the books do extremely well on their own.  You’ll find many unique greeting cards, socks, candles, and stickers but the fidget/clicker gadgets (ask a kid) are selling very well.  If you can't visit the store in person, you can always support it by purchasing online through bookshop.org.  Already in two short years, the store has a very devoted core of regulars and as one of them told Danielle, she comes in once a week and buys something because they want to keep them in the community.  If you’re a regular, be sure to join the loyalty program.  Given their short existence, I’m happy to hear that things are going very well.  

Danielle has done a great job of offering off-site and pop-up events to expand the store’s outreach and generate additional revenue.  The night of my visit the store was offering a “boozy book fair.”  Previously, these have been a huge success.  They have a story time for children and every other one is held in Spanish to support the strong Hispanic community.  Inclusiveness is a hallmark of most independent bookstores, way to go Danielle.  Additionally, the store offers books in Spanish for these Grand Islanders.

Danielle and Rooted Books are hitting it out of the park in every way.  If you’re in the Grand Island area, don’t walk, RUN to this fantastic bookstore and enjoy a unique independent bookstore experience.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Up In The Old Hotel, Joseph Mitchell.  The author was a frequent contributor to the New Yorker in the mid 1900s and this is a collection of his stories about characters, misfits, oddballs, and savants living on the fringe in NYC in the 1930s-1940s.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Dock Ellis in The Country of Baseball, Donald Hall with Dock Ellis.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Emperor of Gladness, Ocean Vuong.  HR-Approved Ways to Tell  Coworkers They're Dumb, Jaycob Paldro.

Don't let this unassuming storefront fool you.

Buy your book, go outside, enjoy a nice day, and read.  

View looking to the right from the front entrance.  

You can find the most unique socks in many bookstores.  If you see it and you like it, GET IT.  It will be hard to find anywhere else.  

Bella on guard at the front door and waiting to welcome the next customer.  Precious as the picture.  

Bella is the best bookstore ambassador and will enthusiastically welcome you.  As Danielle told me, some people stop in just to see Bella.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

The perfect birthday card.  I love independent bookstores.  

Attractive table display of sidelines on the right side of the store.  

Books of local and regional interest and books in Spanish.  

The bookend in this picture is a folded vinyl record.  Interesting.  

Bookstore candles can be found in many bookstores.  

A few of the staff picks available.  

This is where Bella takes her breaks but is still close to the front door to greet you.    

Find this shelf and pick out a blind date with a book.  A fun promotion at many bookstores.  

Always ask your bookstore about gift cards.  

Bring your cash and save some money.  

The very popular fidget/clicker (ask a kid).  

Is it just me or does this look like Jim and Dwight? 

The perfect place to sit and try-out a book.  

The ideal place for two little readers.  

Looking into the children's section.  

Another angle of the children's section.  

Find this section of non-fiction on the other side of the children's area.  

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

If you have friends who speak Spanish, tell them they can find books in Spanish here.  Also tell them about the story time for children held in Spanish.

Just a few of the sidelines at the checkout counter.  

My visit wore Bella out.  

With Danielle, the fine owner at Rooted Books & Gifts.  Thanks for a great visit.