I recently got to explore the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh, PA and had a wonderful time inside the Riverstone Books location there. This shop is much bigger on the inside than it looks from the street and is worth popping in.

My absolute favorite part were all of the Staff Recs. While there were a few titles that you run across just about every Staff Pick in just about every shop, these on the tree by the front door were an eclectic mix of topics and form. Such a celebration of why read books, just inside the door.

The shop has a lot of new books to choose from as well as lots of cool sidelines and gifts for folks who like to spend time with books. If you’re in the area, it’s worth a stop.

Riverstone Books – Squirrel Hill
5841 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 422-2220

The NewSouth Bookstore is located in the heart of downtown Montgomery, AL and is a wonderful way to spend an hour. The shop is a fantastic mix of used and new books. I love the mix. They have all the new books you’d expect to find, but with added bonus of stumbling across a book you’ve never heard or seen before. I thought the prices were very fair based on a book’s condition and rarity. Be sure to look for the bins and shelves of $1 books as well.

As soon as you walk in you’re greeted by Staff Picks and bookcases of classics. If you like good literature, it will take you a long while to work that room before you get back to the meeting room with all the non-fiction. Such a fun visit.

It’s worth following The NewSouth Bookstore’s Instagram feed as well just to keep up with all of their author events and book signings. Below are a few of the photos I took during my visit.

The NewSouth Bookstore
105 S. Court Street
Montgomery, AL 36104

I recently got to spend a few wonderfully misty days in New Orleans. Beckham’s BookShop is usually my first stop as they’ve always had a robust essays section, and as soon as I walked in, I could tell something was different… they’ve been sold! Fortunately, the new owners are the same kind souls who own Dauphine Street Books a few blocks away. So all will be good (phew!) and the prices are exactly what you want in a good used book store. While many shelves were in a state of transition and the upstairs closed, it was still a great visit. Hopefully, they’ll keep the essays section. The new owner was undecided when we spoke. Here are a few photos from my visit.

Beckham’s Bookshop
Address: 228 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Hours: 10am – 4pm; Seven days a week

While walking back to the hotel, I also stumbled upon a new-to-me bar with a literary bent called Backspace Bar & Kitchen. It was wonderfully dark and cozy on a rainy evening. I got to eat and drink in front of the working fireplace and read for a bit before heading back out. Backspace was a fun spot, and I’m looking forward to going there again.

I recently had the chance to visit a great bookstore in Minnesota – Black Garnet Books. The selection was so well done and it is as welcoming a place as any shop I’ve been to. Lots of color and unique titles.

They sell new books, but they have a Little Free Library right in the store! How cool is that? It’s right by the door by the kids’ section. You know you have found a good bookstore when they understand the LFL mission and participate like this. They have lots of events, discussions, reading times, a book club, etc.

They recently changed owners and it looks like a really good fit. I’m excited to see what 2025 looks like for Black Garnet. They shared the news about the new ownership over on their Instagram profile.

Anyway, here are a few photos I snapped (during a VERY frigid morning) while I was there. This one is worth visiting if you are in the St. Paul, MN area.

Black Garnet Books
1319 University Ave. W.
Saint Paul, MN 55104
11am-5pm Monday-Friday
NOTE: they are closed from 1:30pm-2:10pm each day for lunch.
12pm-5pm Saturday and Sunday