Ken Sanders Rare Books - Salt Lake City, UT

Ken Sanders Rare Books - Salt Lake City, UT

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This is one of those bookstores that you'll like because of the volumes of books.  But it will be the kind of place you'll enjoy and want to return to because of the owner, Ken S.  My regret is that I didn't get to spend more time talking to him.  He's the kind of person that you can tell is quite knowledgeable about the business.  He's been involved with the PBS program, "Antiques Roadshow."  He was in charge of security for the Antiquarian Booksellers Association and even cracked a ring of book thieves by setting up a sting.  How cool is that?!  Who wouldn't enjoy talking with Ken for hours?!  Heck, someone should write a book about this.  Oh wait, they did.  The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, by Allison Bartlett.  One more to add to my pile.

Ken has been in the business for 40+ years and in his current location of downtown Salt Lake City for 20 years.  I think the inventory here is outstanding but you won't find everything.  You're not going to find romance, self-help, or business and there are very few westerns.  The store carries primarily used or rare books with a small handful of new.  The store is very long and you'll have several long aisles of book shelves to browse.  I'm not an expert on rare or collectable books but by all appearances I thought that there was an extensive collection here.

As for the vast amount of used books offered, Ken is very particular about what he takes and puts on the shelves.  He rejects approximately 95% of what customers bring in and only takes books that are in good condition.  I think most of the good used bookstore owners have a similar philosophy.  He offers the customers money or store credit and the store credit will be a better deal.  And in Ken's words, he doesn't put anything on the shelves by crappy authors.  You see why I want you to meet this guy?!  Ken is also the founder of Dream Garden Press but this is more of a business for decoration rather than practicality since he doesn't actively pursue manuscripts.

I had a great time meeting Ken and talking to him as well as James and Esther, two of the booksellers.  This trip was made all the easier since Ken has a free parking lot right on the side of the building.

So check your attic and your basement.  Check your grandparent's house.  You might have some books Ken will be interested in.  But even if you don't, you need to check out this top-notch used bookstore.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Sparrow, Mary Doria Russell.  I almost gave up on this one but it finally grabbed me.  Not my usual kind of book, but highly recommended by a bookseller who said it has crossover appeal.  She was right.  Sci-fi futuristic journey of 8 people to another planet, trying to find the source of the music received in a radio signal on Earth.  What did they find on that planet and what influence did they have on the life there?  Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING:  The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey.  Freddy And The Bean Home News, Walter R. Brooks.

Look at the picture of the store front at the top of this article and this is a close-up of what you see.  The picture makes it look like a mural but it's actually bookshelves with books built into the front of the store.  You can browse before you enter!

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  Through the doorway ahead is a vast warehouse of books.   Devout readers may recognize the out of focus celebrity.  Yes, that's my mom.  

Looking to the left from the front entrance.  This is where you'll find lots of the collectable and vintage books.  

View stepping into the remainder of the store.  Lots of bookshelves, lots of aisles.  

Some of the artwork available.  

A display of staff picks.  

One of the long book aisles.  

This section of books is shelved around a doorway to a room where there are more books waiting to be shelved.  

And here they are!

Another nice view of the store.  

There are a lot of books here of regional interests and by regional authors, these are just a few.  

This is only one of the several places you can sit in the store and sample a book.  

Find an interesting assortment of postcards available here.  

A nice section of leather-bound editions.  

With Ken S. on the right.  Thanks for a great visit.  

The King's English Bookshop - Salt Lake City, UT

The King's English Bookshop - Salt Lake City, UT

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This independent bookstore has that "wow" factor.  It has everything figured out from top to bottom and sideways.  And when I say top, I refer to the co-owners Betsy B. and Anne H.  Betsy has been here since the start in 1977.  A lot has happened in the bookstore industry since 1977 and Betsy told me with enthusiasm that the industry is enjoying a renaissance of new independents opening and established independents seeing positive growth.  As this is true in the industry, it is resoundingly true here at King's English.

This store is featured in Ron Rice's, My Bookstore, the inspiration for my journey.  After meeting the people here, seeing the store, and hearing their stories, you can go right down the list and click all the boxes.  I think this is what you would expect of an indie that's been around this long with the continuity of talented ownership like Betsy.  The store has frequent author events held both in the store and off-site; they offer a frequent reader incentive program for their strong local customer base (more indies should do this); they publish their own newsletter, The Inkslinger, (if you're a regular make sure you're receiving this); an outstanding children's department with a thrice weekly story time hosted by Rob E., who everyone tells me does a fantastic job (if you have a toddler and haven't been here yet, check it out); strong customer service; and of course, an outstanding selection of new books in all genres.  The authors who visit here reads like a who's who list of writers befitting an indie of this stature.  People like Richard Russo, Alan Furst, and Terry Tempest Williams, to name just a few.  I even had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer A. during my visit.  She's a children's author and also one of the booksellers at King's English.

The store is a split-level of multiple rooms, all very well thought out and organized.  There are a variety of sidelines which help the business margin, but as Betsy told me the books are the thing here.  Browsing and lingering are encouraged with lots of places to sit and try out a book.  The store's space has grown over the years to include the children's department in a former gas station and now built onto and connected to the main store.

But my enjoyable visit here was times 10 on the fun scale thanks to Betsy, Rob, and Jennifer.  These people have a passion for their store and books.  Betsy is as strong as they come when it comes to advocating for local businesses.  Kudos to all at King's English for your work at one of our nation's finest.

If you're in the Salt Lake City area and haven't been to this bookstore yet, you are really missing out. And to all my fine friends who enjoy traveling the country, you need to check this place out.  See for yourself why this is a nationally recognized independent bookstore.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Fall Of Princes, Robert Goolrick.  Story of NYC in the 1980s and a young man's rise to riches in the world of Wall St. trading and then his fall and crash from the heights of big money, sex, and drugs.  A culture most of us only read about in books like this.  Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING:  The Sparrow, Mary Doria Russell.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Norwegian By Night, Derek B. Miller.  And West Is West, Ron Childress.  Edgar Gets Ready For Bed, Jennifer Adams.  And a gift from Betsy and King's English, The King's English, Betsy Burton.

This used to be a gas station but now it's the wonderful children's department at King's English.  

Another exterior view.  I think the sun is always shining on the store!

View looking into the store.  There are lots of rooms to visit here.  

A spinner display of staff favorites.  

Some of the sidelines, including greeting cards, can be found in this room just steps away from the front entrance.  

You'll find staff recommendations throughout the store.  

Behind me in this picture is the room of mysteries, and I'm looking straight ahead into the former gas station, now a children's section.  

This is a portion of the room where you'll find a very strong mystery section.  

Perfect!  A chair to sit in and a table for your book!

A few of the sidelines available.  

Right this way to the children's section, from the inside of the main store.  

View looking into the children's department.  

Little table and little chairs for little readers.  

When you visit the children's department, look up at the ceiling and you'll see this very cool tree house.  

If you need some hip glasses, look for this display.  

I love this promotion.  Make a donation and pick out a book that is wrapped, a blind date!  

The first room on the right from the entrance.  

After that first room on the right, keep going and you'll see a terrific room filled with fiction

You need to visit an indie because Amazon doesn't have these.  

With Betsy in the middle and Rob on the right.  Thanks for a great visit.  

Dolly's Bookstore - Park City, UT

Dolly's Bookstore - Park City, UT

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I've often said that this independent bookstore journey I'm on could easily morph into a travel blog.  My visit to Park City, UT reinforced that feeling.  Park City is a wonderful little mountain resort town and tourist destination located near Salt Lake City.  It reminds me quite a bit of Aspen or Vail.  And located on Main St. among all the other local businesses of t-shirts, jewelry, artwork, and countless bars and eateries is a bookstore that is perfect for this town, ideally suited for tourists and locals alike.  Dolly's has been here since the 1970s, way before everyone else found out about Park City.  From everything I observed it has a legendary past and a bright future.

Dolly's is a medium-sized one level bookstore, offering all new books and a variety of very tasteful sidelines for adults and children.  In the words of Liza, one of the booksellers, Kathy P., the owner, does an excellent job of curating sidelines that appeal to the ethos of Park City locals and tourists.  Designer bags, jewelry, women's accessories, picture frames, and a great section of greeting cards are just a few of the sidelines here.  As with other indies, this is an important part of the store's business and when you visit here this makes sense.

The long-running success here though is rooted in a dedicated local community with a well-educated populace.  The store enjoys ties in the town with a strong counmmnunity book reading program involving all the local schools.  Kathy P. is only the 3rd owner since the 70s providing good continuity and she also owns the bookstore building which is a huge benefit since property is so expensive in Park City.  And as if you need any additional incentive to visit, the store is connected on the inside to an adjoining business of chocolate and ice cream.  Readers, this is a resounding YES!

But the best part of all was meeting and talking to Liza and Tina.  I didn't get to meet Kathy, but these two were the greatest.  Liza is one feisty and energetic bookseller and I mean that in the most complimentary of terms.  I could've stayed and talked to these two all day.

So, when someone asks you what Park City, UT is famous for, do not respond the 2002 Winter Olympics.  The correct answer is Dolly's Bookstore.  A perfect fit in a way cool mountain town.  Check this place out, you won't be disappointed.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Memoirs Of An Imaginary Friend, Matthew Dicks.  Probably the best book I've read all summer as well as the recent several months.  Narrated in the voice of an imaginary friend of an autistic grade-schooler.  Max is a special needs student with an imaginary friend who helps him with teachers and bullies.  I think everyone will enjoy this book but teachers and former teachers should be required to read this as a reminder of those students who have so much hidden inside.  This book is 5 stars and I can't recommend it highly enough.

CURRENTLY READING:  The Fall Of Princes, Robert Goolrick.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Once Upon A Time In Russia, Ben Mezrich.  Bonk, Mary Roach.

This sign is incorrect.  There isn't one cat, there are three!

View looking into the store from the Main St. entrance.  Intelligent readers may recognize the elusive celebrity in the foreground.  Yes, that's my mom.  

Just inside the Main St. entrance is this doorway to the right which will take you next door to chocolate and ice cream, among other things.  You're welcome.  

Check the board behind the check-out counter and see what Dolly's booksellers are reading.  That's Liza on the right.  

Some of the sidelines available including hats that you might not find in other regions of the country.  

A great place to sit and take a book for a test drive.  

An extensive section of greeting cards.  

I love the mural behind the check-out counter.  

A nice display of staff picks.  

Find some literary quotes throughout the store.  

One of the walls of books.  

There are several places in the store to sit down and try out a book.  

I had a hard time trying to get these cats to sit still for the photo shoot.  

A portion of the children's section.  

Lots of great sidelines for kids.  

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

Look at this picture closely.  One of the animals is actually alive.  

This is the book chosen for the community book read programs.  By the way, I thought this book, Orphan Train, was fantastic.  

Be one of the cool people and buy one of these bags.  

You'll need that bag for your crazy socks and Skullcandy headphones.  

With Liza on the left.  Thanks for a great visit.