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