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Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Bookstore Spotlight: Books and Mortar


I recently discovered a wonderful indie bookstore- Books and Mortar- in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids. I found it purely by accident as I drove by, and of course I stopped. What a discovery! It's a wonderful area with lots of trendy little restaurants and boutique shops. And you can't go wrong with an indie bookstore. 

So when you walk in the store has wooden floors, tastefully curated book selections, and a nice childrens book section in the back. The store is unabashedly progressive and I really enjoyed that- I almost felt like I'd stepped into Ann Arbor. I made an impulse buy too- how can you discover a new indie store and not make a purchase?- I picked up the new book by Jeff VanderMeer and the bookseller (who I think is the owner) mentioned a spec fic book club they're organizing. As a book blogger, this was music to my ears. 

The atmosphere in this little store is phenomenal, and some bookshops just reflect their surrounding area so well. 

24 comments:

  1. I can't remember the last time I went into a bookstore! This one sounds so cool😁

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  2. It seems like you have found a new fave place of yours, Greg! It sounds charming for sure, and it looks like it has a lot to offer :D Wonderful discovery!

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  3. Oh, so that's where you picked up the VanderMeer! And they have a book club too? Sounds fancy 🤩

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  4. I get so excited when i find a new bookstore! Happy days -- this one ssounds sooo cool!

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  5. This place sounds awesome! I always try to buy something when I come across an independent bookstore.

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  6. What a great little bookstore! And the surrounding area sounds like a great place to wander and explore, too.

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  7. Lovely! There aren't many indie bookstores where I am so I usually have to settle with big corporations, but when I can get to one, I am so glad.

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  8. Oh, wow. Gorgeous place. I'm in loveeeeee

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  9. Wow, you lucked out! Our pickings are so slim around here when it comes to actual bookstores that I gave up searching and visiting them.

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  10. Lovely :D Our bookshop is really dull

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  11. I'm jealous. I wish there was a cool indie bookstore near me. :)

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  12. I always am jealous of people who can find book clubs that fit their tastes. That's awesome!

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  13. What a nice find! And of course, yes, you can't discover a new indie store and not make a purchase 😁.

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  14. It's so nice to be out and about and, what better than supporting bookstores and restaurants - cautiously optimistic here!

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  15. Very cool! It's always a treat to stumble upon a little bookstore. :)

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  16. aahhh that sounds like a wonderful place especially with a book club!! Been missing going to actual bookstores recently.

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  17. I miss going inside indie book stores!

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  18. Indie bookstores are the best! What a great find.

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  19. Sounds lovely and there's not much better than discovering a new book store. :)

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  20. That's awesome. We have LOADS of indie bookstores out here which is fun. We didn't have any in FL where I lived. I had planned on visiting but well you know - pandemic lol

    I did get to Powell's in Portland during one of the reopening phases and it was amazing. I want to go back once all the sections are open and I don't need to be as paranoid now that I'm vaccinated lol

    And I have my more local one with the bank vault section that I think you saw on my blog.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth
    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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  21. I have to wonder if the book club is going to have the same feelings on the book that you do bwhaha (and incidentally, most of Goodreads from the looks of it!). I really wish we had any indie bookstores here- the whole atmosphere sounds amazing! B&N is fine and all, but definitely not the same! Glad you found this gem!

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  22. I love that you reviewed the bookstore here! I love discovering indie bookstores in my travels. I should do that with ones I visit on vacation. There's a very nice one in Mendocino, California. I think I posted pics on one of my Sunday Posts.

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  23. Ahhhh I love bookstores! That one sounds really nice, and yes, of course you have to make a purchase!

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