Book Lovers Guide To Unique Bookstores In The USA

These days, many people prefer to skip bookstores and read Kindle versions of their favorite authors. Alternatively, they listen to audiobooks in the car or while relaxing at home. While these methods of storytelling are fine, many of us prefer the original, physical, printed paper books instead. For this reason, here are a couple of unique bookstores across the USA, guaranteed to make you happy. Watch this space for more!

John K. King Used & Rare Books, Detroit, Michigan

Imagine, if you will, a sprawling bookstore covering four floors and with more than a million books in stock. In fact, it is likely the largest bookstore in the world. Meanwhile, John K. King Bookstore is just such a wonderful place to visit, but make sure you have plenty of spare time on your hands. As you arrive at John K. King Bookstore, you will be handed a map by an employee. This is a necessary item while exploring a huge collection spread over four floors.

When he was still in high school, John King started collecting and selling rare and used books. Each week on a Friday, he would leave early to set up his table at antique shows in the city. Meanwhile, he went on to open his first bookstore in Dearborn, Michigan in 1971.

However, he then moved into the famous Michigan Theater Building in Detroit. Later, in 1983, King made another move by purchasing the massive Advance Glove factory, which is where his bookstore can be visited today.

Here, among the more than one million books any bookworm can find what they are looking for. In stock, you can find anything from autographed copies of Ernest Hemmingway novels to old magazines and phone books or even a copy of Mao Tse Tung’s Little Red Book. The choice is literally endless. Find out more on the bookstore’s website.

The Book Thing of Baltimore, Maryland

Small, free libraries are appearing in many places across America, but Baltimore took the idea a huge step forward. The Book Thing of Baltimore is a massive, completely free bookstore where everyone can visit and take books home.

The building is located close to the John Hopkins campus and is a bookstore where customers are prohibited from paying a single cent. The bookstore was opened in September 1999 by Russell Wattenberg, a former bartender. The idea came after hearing local teachers lamenting the fact that they couldn’t provide their poorer students with reading materials.

These days, The Book Thing has a staff of volunteers and offers an extensive range of books and magazines. Meanwhile, they are regularly replenished through a system of donations. The bookstore has a few rules, including the fact that visitors are forbidden from paying for any book.

Moreover, browsers can take whatever book they want, but there is another firm rule that reselling the books is banned. Once you’ve finished with the book, return it to The Book Thing to give another customer pleasure.

Currently, The Book Thing is only open for one day per month, so check their official website before heading out when visiting Baltimore.

Watch this space for more unique bookstores across the USA, perfect to pick up a good book while on vacation.