Independent Bookstores of Detroit
Photos of Independent Bookstores
This eclectic bookstore holds inspiration from the great beat poets like William S. Burroughs to the many varied pieces of African art decorating it’s tight shelves. Filled to the brim with not only books but creativity I couldn’t help feel inspired to document it’s many wonders. To learn more about this Oak Park Michigan bookstore please visit their website here : https://www.thebookbeat.com/backroom/
Neatly written summaries and synopsis’s litter the shelves of Literati Bookstore and it’s wonderful. They provide careful guides on row after row of carefully curated books reflected in the gentle light permeating the shop.
There is a cafe upstairs with a nice cove of children’s books, the cafe is a cafe and has cafe stuff. Basement is all non-fiction, divided into subject (math, history, gender politics) and is nice, dark and moody. Like a basement in a bookstore aught to be. Middle floor is fiction with a simple yet dense layout that allows open discovery and exploration on the variety of book islands.
Known for it’s antique typewriters showcased in the shop, even better there’s usually at least one machine out for curious typers, random prose from has been collected from the public and distributed as printed literature and ‘graffiti’ on the outer walls.
This bookshop was a pleasure to shoot.
https://www.literatibookstore.com/
With a colorful focus on Romance novels, The Books Connection caters to it’s customers like no other bookstore I’ve seen. Offering rentals, curbside delivery and an extra willingness to know each customer’s preference. This small bookstore has been open for 34 years, surviving the likes of Borders and other big box stores. It continues to thrive with it’s connection to it’s community and other independent bookstores in Michigan. It was a pleasure to shoot here and I hope you enjoy.
For more information about this bookstore please visit their website.
I was very fortunate to hear about this bookstore from a family friend and I enjoyed my time there immensely. The store is laid out with passion and the book selection is varied and fun. The owner obviously loves books and her neighborhood in Armada, where she is very active.
You can find out more about this awesome bookstore here!
Hello!
I had the good fortune to find this bookstore in Kansas City a few weeks ago while visiting my brother and his wife. Three stories with an excellent selection of used and new books. Plenty of space in the top floor while the basement housed many unique art installations as well as some really cool old telephones.
You can find more about this bookstore at their website here.
The following is an interview that my brother Anthony completed while I took the pictures. You can find out more about him here.
Recently my wife and I were out in Philadelphia visiting some close friends when I had the opportunity to find and shoot a bookstore nearby. Even though the focus of this blog is on Detroit and it’s local bookstores I think this fits anyway, this bookstore is a part of an indie bookstore network and features many of the great qualities that the Detroit bookstores I’ve visited have, friendly staff, local authors and great books!
For more information on this bookstore (if you’re in Philly) please visit their website here.
Read It Again Books has been a mainstay in Novi Michigan for nearly twenty years. I was happy to find that the owner and staff were warm and open people who graciously allowed me to visit and take photos. The following is a two part interview (big thanks to Anthony Cojocari who edited them for me) I conducted with the owner as well as some photos. Enjoy!
Part 1:
Part 2:
