Birdie Books - Westerville, OH

Birdie's Books, Westerville, OH

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When I visit a new or recently opened bookstore it is always my hope that the write-up will help raise awareness within the community that they have a bookstore.  Birdie Books has only been here for about a year and a half but prior to its brick and mortar it was a pop-up and online store.  You might be surprised to know that I've been to communities that have had a bookstore for 4-5+ years and they were still welcoming customers who never knew about it.  Happily for Westerville, you now have a terrific new bookstore that is filling a void for your area.  Congratulations Birdie!

Birdie Books has a great location in the very busy Westerville business district.  They offer all new books and a nice variety of sidelines.  Bookseller Krista told me there's a possibility that they might offer a section of used books but that is probably a ways off and merely speculation for now.  Their sidelines include stickers, wacky socks, greeting cards, and a variety of stationery items to name a few.  I especially liked the Birdie swag they offered.

There were several things that stood out for me here.  First, the store was VERY busy on the weekday afternoon of my visit, a great sign.  When you visit, take time to enjoy the creative work they've done with the interior.  Miniature books strung on lines from the ceiling and across the top of the store space.  The ornate ceiling with art panels.  Also notice the subtle creative decorative touches throughout the store.  In the back room they have a love notes wall where customers can leave notes of encouragement and positivity that might just be the perfect message for the one who finds it.

Lastly, booksellers Krista and Ashley were wonderful to meet and talk to about the store.  I was especially appreciative since it was such a busy day for them.

So yes, it was busy today but there are MANY who don't know about Birdie yet.  Do your job regulars, bring your friends and relatives to enjoy this fantastic new Westerville bookstore.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Man In My Basement, Walter Mosley.  I like this author but this book is just weird.  A strange White man proposes to Charles Blakey, a Black man, that he wants to live in his basement and will pay him well to do so.  For Charles, the possibility of a healthy income is attractive  since he's always trying to survive.  But Charles ends up serving as a warden for a stranger who lives in a cage in his basement.  This has a "Twilight Zone" vibe. 

CURRENTLY READING:   Medicine Walk, Richard Wagamese. 

I love this storefront. 

The store lays to the right after you enter.  This is what you'll see. 

Bookish candles make great gifts. 

Wonderful display for nature lovers. 

Display of popular releases. 

Attractive table display near the front of the store. 

I really like the Birdie Books merchandise. 

A nice selection of sidelines right at the checkout counter. 

I always like when I see books arranged with covers facing out. 

Do you have a cat person in your life?  Here you go!

Variety of book-related t-shirts available. 

I think this is a great way to leave comments about the bookstore. 

Notice the string with the miniature books dangling.  I think this is really cool but the picture doesn't really do it justice. 

Check out the blind dates with a book!

A beautiful wall of bookshelves along the front of the store. 

Looking into the children's area on the left side of the store.

Another angle of the children's area. 

Looking into the back room.  This room includes a writing place with a typewriter, various works of art in different genres, and books, among other things. 

That novel you've been waiting to write?  Take a seat and have at it!

The perfect place to sit and proof-read your work. 

What's better than one chair?  Two of course!

Various works of art.  Just a sampling of what you'll see here. 

This sign-language display was created by the deaf artist Alientiful. 

A wall of compassion where you can leave notes of positivity and encouragement.  I think this is a fantastic idea. 

One of the panels artistically rendered in the store ceiling.  I'm really not sure what to call these but they are kind of like a unique version of skylights.

Yes, they have a Birdie Books tote and you'll need to get it for all the books you'll buy. 

Overview of the store looking toward the front entrance. 

A few of the greeting cards available. 

With Krista, holding a recommended read, one of the fine booksellers you'll meet at Birdie's Books.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Browse Awhile Books - Tipp City, OH

Browse Awhile Books, Tipp City, OH

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Readers, you know how I'm ALWAYS advocating for the experience you can enjoy visiting a bookstore rather than simply purchasing online?  Well let me tell you, when you visit Browse Awhile Books you will be in for an experience of a lifetime.  This fantastic indie has about 150,000 used books and approximately 1/3 of them can be found online.  They have NO sidelines whatsoever because they are doing perfectly fine with just the books.  Instead, they have a very healthy community of ghosts.  Really.  And not just a few but many.  In fact, they're so obvious and prevalent in this historical building from 1871 that the bookstore was the subject of a television show.  Ghost hunters from all over the world have visited to research the paranormal activity.  Owner Bill J. told me he experiences the activity daily but is not tuned into it as much as store manager Amanda.  There's nothing to be scared of though because as Bill put it, all the ghosts are benign.  They're friendly spirits.  This makes them kindred spirits to those of us who visit bookstores!

Browse Awhile Books has been in business since 1980 and in its current location on the main street through town since 1990, a remarkable run.  Much of their business is done through online sales, a critical portion of their revenue.  In fact, they were one of the first bookstores to set up online sales years ago.  Thanks to having that in place they successfully endured the pandemic.  Years before the pandemic they survived a devastating fire that closed them down for a year (Bill said the ghosts were REALLY rocking and rolling after the fire).  But like so many other communities, the people of Tipp City really supported them through that tough time.  

So did I experience any paranormal activity?  Possibly.  Did I imagine my arm hair standing on end or was it real?  What about my chills and the footsteps I heard when no one was around?  Bill told me about the little girl Erica who stays in one of the side rooms.  I said hello to her but Bill said she doesn't like men.  He also told me he saw a ghost in one of the side rooms on our walk through the store.

So when you visit this store you should definitely "browse awhile."  Enjoy meeting Bill, Amanda, Debbie and staff along with the "others" you may encounter.  Pay them a visit if you dare (insert creepy organ music).  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir. 

JUST FINISHED:  Benediction, Kent Haruf.  Dad Lewis is at the end of his journey, dying of cancer.  But an estranged relationship with an adult son, the dismissal of an employee and subsequent suicide, and the future of his hardware store business all need to be resolved in the small town of Holt, CO.  I absolutely love this author and I strongly recommend you try him, especially Our Souls At Night.  I've liked every one of his books.  Recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Man In My Basement, Walter Mosley.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Triton Brig, Dudley Pope.  Coyote Waits, Tony Hillerman.   

 

Beautiful storefront that dates back to 1871.  Home to books and ghosts. 

The perfect place to sit with your book after your purchase. 

Large display window. 

Tipp City was originally named Tippecanoe City. 

One of the display windows shows off the many "blind date" books.  This store offers many of these. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance. 

Looking to the right from the front entrance. 

Grab bags are everywhere throughout the store. 

Have some fun and take a chance. 

This checkout counter and many of the wooden beams that shelve some of the books along the walls were saved after the fire for just this purpose.  They counted the rings on these slabs and think they date back to the 1600s.  Remarkable. 

Overview of the front room. 

Proceeding through the store and looking into the second room. 

Looking toward the front entrance from near the back. 

The hallway beyond the second room and heading to the back of the store. 

The back room. 

This room is just off the back hallway.  Bill told me that a little girl named Erica stays in this room. 

Overview of the back room. 

The tip of the iceberg of the books waiting to be sorted. 

And now, descend, if you dare, to the basement. 

Looking into the basement from the bottom of the stairs.  I was glad that it was well lit. 

Looking around to the right from the stairway. 

Partial overview of the basement. 

One of the long book aisles in the basement, waiting for you to visit. 

With Bill on the left, the fine owner at Browse Awhile Books.  Thanks for a great visit.