On Bookstores

When I travel, I love visiting bookstores, specifically the local independents and used bookstores. Each bookstore has it's own vibe--some may be more progressive, some may focus on more touristy selections like guide books or local authors; some may offer a wide variety and look like a mini Barnes & Noble inside. I love visiting these places and getting a feel for how the locals read.

Local, independent booksellers, I've found, are some of the friendliest and most helpful people around. Shopping and realized you Google maps has turned you around on back streets? The local bookseller can help you get back to the main road and tell you the best place to get lunch. Finished your book early that you packed, and none of the other books you packed are holding your interest? Your local bookseller will tell you what they are reading and let you know what's been most popular with area readers.

Walking into a local used or independent bookstore is like walking into an unfamiliar yet friendly environment- you don't know what you're going to find but everyone there loves reading possibly as much as you. The thing that always gives me pause is trying to understand the store's classification system. I walked into one bookstore recently and there were a series of shelves labeled "General Fiction". Not only were all different types of genres mixed into this section, nothing was in order. Spy thrillers were mixed in with literary fiction. Books were not even alphabetized by author. Romance did have it's own section, but they were all bodice-rippers (nothing wrong with that, if it's what you like...it's just not for me). With all the mixed up titles in the General Fiction section, the romances that I actually wanted were probably there between a stack of Jack Reacher novels. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

However, every now and then you can walk into something that makes your knees weak with delight. Like walking into 2nd & Charles in Matthews, North Carolina or our local Habitat ReStore in Georgetown. The shelves are lovingly tended and everything is in order, always. Those are the kind of stores you can spend hours browsing, and you know that you are going to find something to take home. The 2nd & Charles in Matthews is a chain used-bookstore, and I had never encountered one of those before. It was wonderful. The sections of the store were clearly marked, and non-book merchandise ran down the center aisle, which separated Children's Lit and YA from the rest of the store. The Habitat ReStore here in Georgetown has a smaller selection but is also immaculate and organized into clearly defined sections, I just know that someone who cares about organization takes care of the book section. I love speculating that it may even be a fellow reader!

Tell me...what are your favorite things about traveling to new bookstore? Or do you just stick to your local bookstore?

Let's take it to the comments section!