Pass Christian Books - Pass Christian, MS

Pass Christian Book, Pass Christian, MS

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This bookstore visit was a reminder to me that Hurricane Katrina did a lot more damage than just New Orleans.  Pass Christian, MS along with many other communities on the gulf were hit every bit as hard.  But from that disaster in Pass Christian has bloomed a resurgence of business and economic growth, including this terrific 8+ year old bookstore and coffee shop.  Under this roof you'll find Pass Christian Books AND Cat Island Coffeehouse, two different names that are under the same umbrella of one business.  (Fun fact:  Named Cat Island Coffeehouse because of the nearby island originally thought to be inhabited by cats but were mistakenly discovered to actually be raccoons.  Insert shoulder shrug!)  

This is probably one of the most unique bookstore spaces I've visited.  The architectural design is outstanding and what this bookstore lacks in space it makes up for in beauty, charm, and scenery.  I'm no expert on lighthouses but it has that kind of vibe with the tight, winding staircase to the 2nd level and the view to the gulf.  For its small space, it is very accommodating for coffee customers with seating on the main level, upstairs, and on a deck outside.  If you want gorgeous scenery, there's not a bad seat in the house.

Pass Christian offers all new books and I thought the store was very well curated.  A great selection of recent releases, national best-sellers, and southern and Mississippi themed books and authors.  I enjoy stores like this for books I can't find in other parts of the country.  They don't have sidelines but Cat Island Coffeehouse is very popular, offering a nice menu of coffee drinks and breakfast and lunch items.  All created in a tiny kitchen that they hope to expand soon.  The location is fantastic drawing tourists as well as lots of regulars which include many retirees in the community.  The view from the store looking onto the gulf is second to none.  The store is active with author signings and is also involved in local events.  Great work.

I didn't get to meet co-owners Scott and Sean on this day but they had great people taking care of things.  RJ, Matt, and the whole crew couldn't have been nicer or more welcoming.

I heard about this indie a few years ago by word of mouth.  A sales rep I met in Iowa tipped me off about this great bookstore in Mississippi.  She gave it a hearty endorsement and I can certainly see why.  If you ever vacay on the Gulf Shores, this is an easy destination and one you shouldn't miss.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Cat Who Saved Books, Sosuke Natsukawa.  The story of a bookstore owned by a grandfather and his high school aged grandson.  When the grandfather dies, the grandson is left alone to decide the fate of the store and the fate of books.  This very ordinary young adult gets just the help he needs from a talking cat.  Part fiction, part fantasy.  A quick read. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Finley Donovan Is Killing It, Elle Cosimano. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  How I Found The Strong, Margaret McMullan.  Memorial Drive, Natasha Trethewey.  Some Go Home, Odie Lindsey.  No Names To Be Given, Julia Brewer Daily. 

View of the bookstore from the inland. 

There is a great parking lot right across the street. 

History and music buffs will enjoy visiting here. 

From the bookstore looking across the highway and out to the gulf. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Go directly to the right after entering and take these stairs to the room upstairs.

A few of the children's books available just inside the front entrance. 

Attractive table display front and center. 

Proceed to the left after entering and browse the non-fiction. 

Partial view of the Cat Island Coffeehouse counter. 

The indoor seating area on the main floor for the Cat Island Coffeehouse.  I love the large windows and all the natural light. 

A few of the poster-sized book covers displayed around the store. 

Lots of southern cookbooks. 

Outdoor deck seating.  Perfect. 

Overview of the 2nd floor from the top of the stairway. 

Upstairs table display. 

I can't get enough of this view.  Pictures like this in February make midwesterners drool.  This was taken from the 2nd floor space. 

An overhead view looking down into the bookstore from the 2nd floor. 

Overview looking toward the front entrance. 

Shouldn't this book be a must-have?

With RJ on the right, one of the fine staffers you'll meet at Pass Christian Books.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Your Brother's Bookstore - Evansville, IN

Your Brother's Bookstore, Evansville, IN

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These are exciting times for Evansville.  The downtown area is slowly seeing economic business growth and part of that growth includes Your Brother's Bookstore, a newbie only a few months old.  Half a block away the city's tallest building was demolished (it has sat empty for years) and the property will be developed for multi-use.  This growth and development bodes well for a brand new independent bookstore in a town that had been without an indie for many years.  And yes, it's actually owned by two brothers.  

Adam and Sam M. are the brothers who decided the time was right to open a bookstore in downtown Evansville.  They had some good help from the Evansville downtown association which was anxious to have a bookstore downtown so this helped make their decision easier.  They've been open 4 months now and so far so good.  They did a terrific job of renovating this historic space into a warm and cozy bookstore.  The store offers all new books and is especially well-stocked with new games, one of Adam's strengths.  At some point, they'll add used books to the inventory and plan to shelve them right along with the new ones.  They also have big plans for their 2nd floor space which they hope to turn into an area for playing games, hanging out, and events. 

Linda H. was the bookseller I met on this visit and she told me the brother's skills were very complementary.  After seeing the store and talking to Adam I could definitely see it.  Adam is a former book buyer at Barnes & Noble so he's the book guy.  Sam is the game guy for the store and has a background in cyber tech.  A perfect ownership for this new indie.  

I didn't meet Sam on this trip but am sure glad I had a chance to meet Adam.  The brothers and this bookstore are positioned for a great future and Adam is very enthusiastic about all of it.  This is a fun store to visit and if you're in the Evansville area, this is the kind of experience you can't get online.  Check it out Evansville and you'll see what all the excitement is about.  Congrats on the new store, Your Brother's Bookstore.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  The Stranger In The Lifeboat, Mitch Albom.  A pleasure yacht explodes and the aftermath follows a lifeboat of the survivors and their encounter with a stranger who was simply floating in the ocean and came upon their boat.  His identity challenges their faith for the remainder of the story.  A good book that will make everyone consider how strong their faith really is.  Recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Cat Who Saved Books, Sosuke Natsukawa. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Southern Book Club's Guide To Slaying Vampires, Grady Hendrix.  Mycroft Holmes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Anna Waterhouse.  A Your Brother's t-shirt.  Not purchased but gifted, The Sorrows of Young Werther, Johann Goethe. 

Beautiful storefront. 

Uh, yes please. 

The straight-on view. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance and the smiling bookseller Linda ready to help you find a book. 

Looking to the right from the front entrance and you'll find a few of the books of local and regional interest.  I love the old time radio on the very top. 

Now THIS is a chair I could get comfy in with a book. 

Game accessories right at the front counter. 

 Indie Bob likes these shirts.  Be like Indie Bob and get one. 

Go to the left side of the store and enjoy the browse along this wall of fiction. 

Special edition for Dune fans. 

A wonderful place in the store to sit and talk about books. 

Just behind that sitting area is one very creative mural by a local artist.  Nicely done. 

Table display of popular and recent releases. 

Regular readers of this blog are probably tired of hearing me trumpet my approval for the blind date with a books promotion offered in many indies. 

Another excellent table display.  I stretched tall, extended my arms high over head, and went for the aerial view. 

People who are fans of games are going to love this store. 

Healthy books table display. 

The pictures I'm showing of games are only a fraction of what they offer. 

Another outlet for your talents here at this indie. 

You don't have to be from Evansville to enjoy one of these creative prints. 

Lots of good non-fiction to choose from. 

Even the children's section features a display of books. 

Overview of the children's section in the back of the store. 

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

Rare behind the scenes look at an Indie Bob Spot photoshoot.  How many book people does it take to take a picture? 

I was pointing out to Adam that I didn't have a clue how to do this. 

And finally the finished product.  With Adam on the left and Linda on the right, two of the fine people you'll meet at Your Brother's Bookstore.  Thanks for a great visit.