Underground Books -- Carrolton, GA

This weekend I went home to visit my folks and be the guest of honor at my baby shower. We are about 10 weeks away (give or take 2) from meeting Baby Sassy Peach, which is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. I hope he loves to read, because he got A LOT of books. I'll post on that later. 

My parents and I drove out to see my brother who is just north of Carrolton, and I had never been there. After eating at The Brown Dog Eatery, which was seriously out of this world -- I can't recommend it enough -- we wandered through the most adorable downtown area and came across two bookstores: Underground Books and Horton's Bookstore, which advertises itself as the oldest bookstore in Georgia. Horton's was closed on Sunday -- bummer -- but Underground was open, and I was in love. 

  

The store is underground, which made it all the cooler. It had used mass market trade paperbacks in the rafters, and I scored a John Grisham I haven't read yet. (Those are becoming few and far between.) It was a great selection of books, from the used to the new to the discounted to the antique. There was also a cute arch made out of old books. I bought the Grisham plus two Lisa Delpitt books I have been wanting to read. 

We also got a photo of Horton's even though it was closed. I told my mom and my brother they could be famous if I put a picture of them on my blog. 

 

Those cuties. 

We also passed by a Little Free Library downtown. This place is really quite lovely. 

 

The Tattered Cover -- Denver, Colorado

In my quest to enjoy myself in Denver, I was recommended to visit the downtown location of the Tattered Cover. I was not let down.

This is the location on East Colfax, and I fell madly in love with it. It was also amazing to have the boyfriend with me, as we haven't actually gone book shopping before. I was worried he may hate me afterward, but it was surprisingly fun and he didn't even flinch when I bought seven books. (You read that right -- seven books). The store has not just new books but also used books, and while they are in one section alone, they are also integrated amongst the shelves with the newer books. It made for some...collecting. 

There are SO MANY BOOKS in this store, and it was similar to what I imagine heaven will be like for me. I would have bought everything if I had the chance. I even bought new copies of three Ann Rule books. (Yes, I heard you gasp through the computer screen. NEW!) This is a place I would lose my entire fortune to if I lived in Denver. What a lovely, lovely place!

Innisfree Poetry Bookstore & Cafe -- Boulder, Colorado

Saturday nights are date night for the boyfriend and me, and since I picked him up from the airport Saturday afternoon, I decided that we were going to continue on to Boulder since it was only 45 minutes away. I am so thankful we did. It was stunning, and we had such an amazing time. 

After I pulled off the highway to check out the UC Boulder campus, I ran into this bookstore, Innisfree Poetry Bookstore and Cafe, and immediately parked the car. While I am not a big poetry fan, I am a fan of small bookstores and doing what I can to contribute. 

It was a lovely, lovely little place. The boyfriend and I sat in the cafe with some coffee, and I poked through the stack. I ended up not purchasing a book, but I did purchase the small coffee tumbler in the picture to the right. It's the PERFECT size for my morning coffee. I'm a recovering caffeine-oholic, and I've whittled it down to about one cup every morning.

I realized as well that there aren't very many pictures of me on this blog. It's nice to have the guy around to take pictures of me instead of selfies all the time. 

We had a lovely time at the cafe and in Boulder as a whole. I would highly recommend it, and we look forward to coming back and doing some hiking. Check out the mountain, below. It's Chataqua, and the chairs that are set up were for a wedding we just missed. It was really something else. 

Capitol Hill Books -- Denver, Colorado

This past weekend I was in Denver, Colorado for a dear friend's wedding. The wedding was gorgeous -- it was at Red Rocks Chapel, where the windows behind the altar opened up on Red Rocks, and the view was to die for. I am thrilled that she is happy and that they both had the day they so wanted. I couldn't be happier for them.

I was also there for a work convention, and on Saturday afternoon the boyfriend was flying in for the wedding. I had a few hours to kill, so I decided to hit up a consignment store downtown, and subsequently, since I was already parked, I opted to walk instead of move my car. On the way, I immediately spotted this:

I'm sure it will surprise you not in the least that I can spot a bookstore a mile away. This one was Capitol Hill Books. So of course I went in.

I have a particular affinity for used bookstores, just as I love finding great secondhand clothes. I love the idea that I am continuing to care for things that have already been loved -- at least enough for someone to try to give it new life -- and that I am supporting businesses that want to give these things new life in new owners. 

I poked around for a while and loved every second of it. The staff was so nice and there are SO MANY BOOKS! I picked up some John Grisham's and Ann Rule's that I haven't yet read. Working on beating those repertoires, you guys. I also got out of there for $21. Seriously. It was a steal. Go visit if you are in town.

Oh, and that secondhand clothing store? Act II is just a few blocks from Capitol Hill Books. I made out like a bandit there as well (three dresses and a cardigan for $30, no joke!). Visit both when you are in town. It's well worth the time!

Volumes -- Chicago, IL

Hi loves!

I have been in Chicago this past week for Book Expo America, and through an amazing, roundabout way, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Kimberly, the co-owner of Volumes, an independent bookstore in Wicker Park. She is friends with my lovely friend Valerie, and Val introduced us and stopped by to visit yesterday. I fell madly in love.

It also occurred to me that I should take the opportunity to post when I visit these amazing, indie bookstores. I do this a lot, especially when traveling, and I would like to encourage you all to do the same. So, my inaugural Indie Bookstore Visit post!

What a lovely storefront.

It only got better inside. Kimberly and her sister built this store by hand, and the care and beauty really shows. Industrial and cozy while still being big and warm.

Val an I got some coffee and pastries and visited with Kimberly before perusing the selection.

Even though I had just scored almost 45 tomes at BEA, I still purchased from Volumes because I like knowing where my money goes -- to lovely indies and the employees and owners in Wicker Park.

Thank you, Kimberly and the staff of Volumes for your hospitality! Chicagoans, take some time soon to visit this lovely enclave. Also, the Mexican restaurant (XOCO) across the street is to die for, and Jeni's ice cream is across the street. Just make a day of it!