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Erica Robyn Reads

a horror book review blog

Recent Posts

Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond - book sitting on wooden flooring. Book cover of Black Out the Stars by Christopher Bond, cover illustrated by Todd Kiesling. The design showcases a dark, atmospheric pond and sky filled with swirling fog and scattered stars. The title is prominently displayed in bold, white, pink and purple lettering, contrasting against the deep purple and black hues of the background.

Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond | Book Review

Indie Bookstore Day 2025 | Book Event

A tablet lies on dry grass and surrounded by dandelions in a natural outdoor setting. The screen displays the cover of the book Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon. The cover features a colorful, fantastical illustration of a female figure with glowing eyes and curved horns, holding something mysterious in her hands. Stars and swirling cosmic elements fill the background, giving the cover a magical and otherworldly feel. The title text is in bold, colorful letters across the top and middle, with the author's name at the bottom.

Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon | Book Review

#BookBlogExpo Day 2: Favorite Section in the Bookstore

May 31, 2018      Erica Robyn      22 Comments

Book Blog Expo Day 2

Today is day two of the Book Blog Expo, hosted by the lovely Donna of Girl Who Reads. To learn more about this event, click here!

Today’s topic is Favorite Section in the Bookstore. Let’s dive in!

Book Blog Expo Day 2: Favorite Section in the Bookstore

Oh boy, I think my answer for this one really depends on which bookstore I’m going into.

If I’m going into a Barnes and Noble, I always head straight to the cafe to snag a cup of tea. With a tea in hand, I go to the new release section and then head over to the bargain area. Once I have perused those two areas, I tend to wander around the whole store until I a) find what I went in the store for originally, or b) decide to leave.

If I’m going to The Bookery, I always head straight for the bookish goodies section! I’m just a total sucker for bookish candles and I can’t wait to see if they’ve gotten new ones in. They also stock tote bags, bookmarks, socks, and other fun things that I like to check out! After that, I wander, hitting the table displays first before perusing the shelves.

Gibson’s Bookstore is another that I enter and head right toward the bookish goodies first. This one has wonderful t-shirts and other fun items. I have been able to hold back so far, but one of these shirts will find a home in my closet someday (probably after the wedding!).

If I’m in the area and able to stop into RiverRun Bookstore, I tend to make a loop around the store, starting to my left when walking in. I really couldn’t tell you why I do that, but I have each and every time I’ve gone in. This shop also has bins of bargain books scattered around, so I really take my time looking through everything.

Sheafe Street Books is another great location that I’m only able to visit when I happen to be in the area. In this shop, I start at the front of the store and slowly work my way toward the back. With the way this one is organized, I just love taking my time because I know there’s a treasure waiting for me somewhere in the stacks!

One shop that I have only been to once, but am just itching to go again, is the Book Barn. Now at this place, when I went the very first time, my friend and I made a loop of the entire area for each shop. This took most of a day because there are FOUR locations, one of which has amazing gardens and displays. When I go back, I think I will head straight to my favorite sections first.

Thanks for reading!
Phew, this post makes me really want to take a trip to visit some of these shops again! Perhaps this weekend! Do you have a favorite local shop? If so, what is your favorite section of the location?
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Here are a few more recent posts you might like:

  • Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond | Book Review
  • Indie Bookstore Day 2025 | Book Event
  • Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon | Book Review

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Donna H says

    May 31, 2018 at 11:42 am

    I'm glad I'm not the only one that heads to the bargain shelves first. I'm also like a moth for any display table with pretty covers – even if it isn't a genre I read! Check out my Day 2 post

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      May 31, 2018 at 10:58 pm

      Right?! Oh my goodness, I'm totally the same way! I almost never buy from the YA table, but I ALWAYS have to check it out because of the covers!

      Reply
  2. Shooting Stars Mag says

    May 31, 2018 at 11:55 am

    I love local bookstores! I tend to start with either the YA section or the discount/bargain area. You never know what you'll find! And I adore bookstores that have lots of fun bookish goodies.

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.net

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      May 31, 2018 at 10:59 pm

      Right?! It's like a treasure hunt! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  3. Lory says

    May 31, 2018 at 3:10 pm

    Ah, the Book Barn…I still dream about it.

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      May 31, 2018 at 10:59 pm

      We have to go back sometime soon! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups says

    May 31, 2018 at 3:16 pm

    I love wandering around bookstores. We have a local used bookstore that is my favorite.

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      May 31, 2018 at 11:00 pm

      <3

      Reply
  5. Jenny says

    May 31, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    At least you have tons of stores to choose from. I only have two. Itโ€™s so disappointing.

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      May 31, 2018 at 11:02 pm

      Aww, most of mine are semi-far away; definitely not just a quick trip. The Bookery is the closest, at only 15 minutes away and it JUST opened up! Gibson's is about 30 minutes, RiverRun and Sheafe Street Books are 50 minutes, but the Book Barn is two and a half hours! Phew! I hope more stores open up in your area!!

      Reply
  6. Nikki says

    May 31, 2018 at 7:48 pm

    I love the B&N cafรฉ too – if I am daring enough I will also get a slice of cheesecake!

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      May 31, 2018 at 11:02 pm

      YUM!

      Reply
  7. Angela Lawrence says

    June 1, 2018 at 12:27 am

    I don't really know of any small or independent bookstores near me, but sometimes I will go to Barnes and Noble. I always head for the bargain racks!

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      June 1, 2018 at 1:54 am

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  8. Greg says

    June 1, 2018 at 6:29 am

    Ooh sounds like you have some nice bookstores by you! We're lucky enough to have a nice indie store along with the local B&N, and a few used shops (although I haven't been to those in AGES). But yeah every store's different, and requires different strategies ha ha! When I'm at B&N I usually make time for the cafe as well. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      June 1, 2018 at 10:42 am

      ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  9. Barb says

    June 1, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    Wow, sounds like you have some awesome smaller bookstores. We only have a BAM! in our mall and a pretty decent used bookstore on the other side of town – although I do think they are a bit high. You made me want to go book shopping too!

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      June 1, 2018 at 10:40 pm

      <3

      Reply
  10. Tricia Schneider says

    June 1, 2018 at 4:36 pm

    It sounds lovely that you live in an area with such a selection of bookstores! Sadly, the only bookstore in my county closed and now the nearest is about an hour away. There was a small used bookstore that opened a little while ago in a nearby town, but it didn't stay open long.

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      June 1, 2018 at 10:40 pm

      Oh no! I hope another opens soon and stays open!!

      Reply
  11. Helena @ The Life of a BookNerd Addict says

    June 4, 2018 at 1:54 am

    You live by such amazing bookstores. I actually been to the Book Barn one, it was AMAZING and beautiful too. Though next time I'm definitely going on a cooler day. This was a great post, I really enjoyed it. I hope you have a lovely week ahead. ๐Ÿ’‹ xoxo
    Part thriller, part superhero fantasy, the Renegades

    Reply
    • Erica Hatch says

      June 4, 2018 at 10:36 am

      Yeah, I'm so lucky!! Most of them are a bit of a drive, but I can't complain too much! ๐Ÿ™‚ Oh my gosh, yeah. Next time I go to The Book Barn I need to go on a cooler day as well.

      Reply

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Welcome to Erica Robyn Reads!

Erica Robyn of Erica Robyn Reads
Hello! Iโ€™m Erica, a Mainer living in New Hampshire who runs on hot tea, good books, and loud music. Join me as I seek out amazing horror tales and help support the indie horror community!
 

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