Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. This week’s prompt is Favorite Bookstores OR Bookstores I’d Love to Visit (The UK celebrated National Bookshop Day on October 1, so I thought it would be a fun topic!)
Hello Readers! How is it already October?! I’m struggling to get caught up, which is typical for the end/start of the month for me, but especially since we just returned from a trip to Moab, Utah. It was beautiful! (I shared more about my trip in my September Wrap-Up.) But I thought today’s prompt was quite fitting since I always try to make a point and visit bookstores while traveling to new destinations. We did make it to a bookstore in Moab and I’ve included it in my list today.
Be sure to check out my Third Blogiversary Giveaway if you haven’t already. It will be ending on October 10th!
Let’s see some of the favorite bookstores I’ve visited!
1
Strand Bookstore in New York City
A few years ago we took a quick trip to New York City before Christmas, and of course I had to pop in the Strand! My one and only subscription box, The Book HookUp, is from the Strand, as well. (I’ll be sharing my September unboxing soon!)
2
Powell’s in Portland, Oregon
When we visited Portland, I had to stop in Powell’s. I was quite overwhelmed, but managed to find one book and picked up a t-shirt.
3
Once Upon A Time Books in Bentonville, Arkansas
I mentioned Once Upon A Time Books (and the books I purchased there) in my June Haul this year. There are two locations near Bentonville, Arkansas, and I visited both! This one (in Springdale) was the most fun with a giant book tree and rainbow wall of books.
4
Paragraph Books in South Padre, Texas
One of the cutest bookstores I’ve come across was Paragraph Books on South Padre Island in Texas. Sadly, it appears to have closed in March of 2020 when the owners decided to retire.
5
Gazebo Books in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Also quite charming was Gazebo Books in Eureka Springs, Arkansas!
6
The Brodsky Bookshop in Taos, New Mexico
We found several thrift stores in Taos and Santa Fe where I purchased used books, but I had so much fun perusing the variety of books in The Brodsky Bookshop in Taos. Unfortunately, it looks like this one didn’t survive the pandemic.
7
Second Story Books in Durango, Colorado
We visited Durango in early December last year and I stopped in at two bookstores (Second Story Books and Maria’s Bookshop), which I forgot to snap pictures of. I did purchase a Blind Date book at Second Story Books, which was a lot of fun to open!
8
Back of Beyond Bookstore in Moab, Utah
My most recent bookstore to visit was Back of Beyond Bookstore in Moab where my daughter and I—after much deliberation—finally decided on a copy of Babel by R.F. Kuang! (She’s currently reading and enjoying it. We’ll see if I find the time to pick it up sooner rather than later. 😉)
9
Half Price Books
Being in Texas, my favorite bookstore chain—where I’ve shopped for years—is Half Price Books. They have many locations, but I always have fun stopping in at the flagship store in Dallas. (pictured)
10
Thrift Stores
Not technically just a bookstore, but one of my favorite places to find books are thrift stores or resale shops. Especially on vacation. I love the hunt for a great bargain! This one was located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Have you visited any of these bookstores? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
A great list. It is a shame that some of the shops didn’t make it through the pandemic (or retired!)
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/10/04/top-ten-tuesday-favourite-bookstores-or-bookstores-id-love-to-visit/
Yeah, that’s always hard to see!
And indeed any shop. As I go through shopping centres it’s really sad, although it has been happening for a while
I’ve been to my local Half Price Books also, and enjoy shopping there. I think I might have been to Powell’s, way back in high school when the journalism class went to a yearbook convention in Portland, but I don’t remember for sure. I’ll just have to go back!
I went a different direction this week, and posted some more quotes about books: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2022/10/04/top-ten-tuesday-more-quotes-about-books/
I can always find something at HPB! Yes, we both need to go back to Powell’s. 😍
All I remember about (probably) Powell’s was getting overwhelmed with book selections and not wanting to get lost/separated from my classmates. So yeah! Definitely need to go back.
You have been so many places! I have actually been to the Strand (I mean, it’s in my backyard).
Haha! It is in your backyard. I was quite overwhelmed. I need a revisit.
You have been to so many wonderful book stores!! I love that you did this with just stores you’ve been to.
It took some digging in my photos, but I had fun with the trip down memory lane. 🙂
I’m sorry I missed my chance to visit Paragraphs Books. It looks like one I would have loved to visit!
It was so cute! And the owner waited on us. It was obvious he loved books. I was sad to see it’d closed.
You’ve been to a lot of very fun bookstores. I’d love to go to Powell’s someday.
I drag my husband to a new bookstore anytime we travel. 😃 Powell’s was a lot of fun. But overwhelming. I wanted to get so many books, but I didn’t have enough room in my luggage.
I used to wander in and out of every bookstore I saw when I was on vacation, but now that I read more on my tablet, I don’t do it as much. I love the blind date book idea. I have seen it at libraries as well. Lots of great bookstores on this post, too bad some of them are no longer in existence, Dedra. I not only blame the pandemic, but the rise in ebooks and audiobooks.
Very true! Ebooks and audiobooks have probably contributed, as well. Sometimes I’m too overwhelmed in bookstores to find a book, so I’ll just grab a shirt or bookmark. 😉