When the rumor of a Barnes and Noble coming to our town first started circulating, I was hopeful but not confident it was true.
Guess what? It was!
Our local Barnes and Noble—just a five-minute drive from my house!—opened the end of August, while we were away on vacation. Since then, I just haven’t had the opportunity to get up there. But Jeff and I remedied that this past Saturday.
As we were walking from our car to the store, I told my husband, “I really want this store to stay, so I’m committed to buying one thing every time I go in.” (Of course, this means ignoring the fact that I can get the titles cheaper on Amazon.)
He agreed.
It was nicely crowded inside, which was great! The space was laid out differently than I’d seen before, with these lovely curved walls where books are set up facing out. It was bigger than I expected, too. The cafe–which I was worried wouldn’t be there, because I’ve noticed a few locations throughout Dallas where they’ve taken the cafes out–was quite spacious, including not just tables but some booths as well. I’m looking forward to using it as a place to write.
I loved not only their selection of books but also of puzzles and games, toys for my grandkids, and gift items as well.
My biggest disappointment was the “Religion” section. It was quite small and not well organized (in my opinion). This also means the Christian fiction section within the Religion section is tiny! However, I did find a couple of my fellow Inspired by Life and Fiction authors with their covers facing out!
Along with shopping for books (and bookish items), I am looking forward to the events and authors they will host. We attended such things at a bookstore near us (an independent bookstore) when we lived in Austin, and I miss that!
Finally, we left the store, not with one thing, but five–the next book in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, a few board books for my great-nephew, and a family game that has needed replacing! I have a feeling that will be the way we roll. 😂
Do you frequent a bookstore in your community that you love? Give them a shoutout in the comments!
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Oh! Make sure you sign up for their rewards program (even the free one is great!). I try not to buy paper books from Amazon as they are notoriously bad at shipping them with care. The covers always wind up bent up when I receive them. That store looks wonderful inside. The B&N near-ish me is two stories and I always love walking in there! There’s nothing quite so calming as walking into a bookstore.
You are right about not being able to count on paperback books arriving in good condition from Amazon. In addition to covers being bent, I recently received a book with a stain on it that obviously was a used book, when I thought I was ordering a new one. I have found it all depends on the vender who grabs the order on Amazon. You must be as picky as me, Joy.
How disappointing, Betty! And yes, that’s kind of my plan—buy physical books from B&N in town and them of course I have my extensive kindle library from Amazon. 🙂
Yes, the calming joys of a bookstore! I’ve missed having one close by. I have their free rewards—and am holding my current $5 trying to decide what to get with it! 😂 How lovely to have a two story store near you!
Local bookstores are the best! 😁 We don’t have a B&N nearby anymore, but we have a Books a Million and a wonderful indie bookstore, Story on the Square (it’s one of the shops surrounding the courthouse square). They’re small and don’t have a designated Christian fiction section, but sometimes I find books by favorite authors mixed among the others. They have lots of events and are great to support local authors. And they can always order anything I might want! 😁
I love indie bookstores! How fun to have one near you. I always try to support those stores when we travel.
My go-to store for Christian fiction and more is Shepherd’s Fold, in Rock Hill, SC. It is an independent bookstore with beautiful displays of all kinds of Christian/religious related home decor items. I love walking through to see all the displays–before I head to the books section!
Wow! You are one of the few who still has a Christian bookstore near you! How lovely! I’m jealous. There is one in Dallas, but I’m just so rarely over that way. Enjoy that blessing!
Your loyalty to your local bookstore inspires me, D’Ann. Ken and I went to a Barnes & Noble while we were traveling and we were so pleased to see that they had a LARGE Christian fiction section. Two full lengths of shelves top-to-floor with so many author friends represented on those shelves. You make me want to be more intentional about supporting local stores who are struggling to stay in business—even if it costs a few extra dollars.
Wow! I think the only B&N I’ve seen with a large Christian fiction section is the two story one in the middle of Dallas. How fun for you to find that! Yes, we’ve gone so long without a bookstore nearby that we want this one to stay put!
We visited the very same Barnes & Noble on Sunday. I agree—it’s beautiful and overflowing with books, except in the Religion section. A letdown for sure. But still, it’s always exciting when a new bookstore comes to town!
Agreed! And just FYI, we need to schedule some writing time meet ups at the cafe, my friend!
I have long frequented my local Barnes and Noble and order books from my favorite authors which I pick up in the store so I can be assured of good condition. The Christian fiction section is extremely small. However, I often find books I have ordered are on the shelves later. I asked a B&N clerk about this once and was told that when a customer orders a book, they purchase two, and put one on the shelf. At least that is at my B&N. Don’t know if it is policy elsewhere. However, I do my bit to keep my local store open and always find other gifts there like you did.
That’s great to know, Betty! I’ll be sure to start doing that rather than necessarily choosing from what they have in stock!
I lost “my” B&N–the one nearest my neighborhood in Dallas. You’re so lucky to have received a new location!!
I’m so sorry you lost yours! What a bummer! But you aren’t too far from Interabang Books are you? I wish I had something like that nearby. We take what we can get, right?
How fun, D’Ann. We just open our first ever Barnes & Noble here in Abilene this summer. I agree that its a great store. I, too, came home with a book. 🙂 After losing two Christian bookstores and one regular bookstore over the last several years, I was thrilled to see a new one open. Now I have a hankering to visit again. 🙂
It’s so nice to have nearby access to a bookstore. I’ve missed it! Enjoy your B&N!
I’ve read articles about Barnes & Noble expanding locations throughout the country. We’ve got several here in the metro DC area, mainly located within malls. A few have closed over the years, they didn’t come back to the same location or at all.
The Barnes & Noble in my town has been reorganized a few times. Sadly some genre sections took a hit with inventory/offerings or not as much available on shelf. Same for the Music and Movies section. Sigh.
The “pick up in store” option is great! I signed up for the free rewards membership and have collected plenty of stamps from purchases.
Oh! I didn’t realize there was a pick up in store option! Good to know!
I was just at the College Station Barnes and Noble book store this morning. I bought 4 Christian fiction books. 3 Biblical fiction books and historical Christian fiction Christmas books by 3 authors. About a month ago I bought 2 Bibles, small Christian cards to give away and some Christian magnets. I do not order anything online. I to do believe in supporting book stores which unfortunately are become my a thing of the past. I also go to the public library here which has hardly any new Christian fiction. books. They do have quite a few old ones. I am an avid reader and I need new books. That is why I am very thankful for Barnes and Nobles book store in College Station.Pdslm 29:11 ” May the Lord give strength to His people! May the Lord bless His people with peace!”
I love that you frequent your B&N! And that they carry so many of the books you enjoy! I’m wondering if enough of us around here buy Christian fiction if they’d expand their stock. Worth a shot!
This is heavenly! My closest bookstore is a Books-a-Million an hour away. I’m lucky if I make it there once a year. The Christian section there is a nice size though. But as you said, unorganized. I can’t believe some bookstores are removing the cafes. So sad. I am so happy for you to have this lovely place to frequent. Thank you for sharing this. 📚☕️🤍
I’m so sorry you have to go so far for a bookstore! But I’ve always been impressed with Books-a-Million stores, so at least it’s there when you get desperate! 🙂
I’ve also been disappointed in the Christian Fiction selection at the Barnes and Noble stores I’ve visited.
My current go to independent bookstore is Neighbor Books in downtown McKinney. It’s a large store with a good selection of books and events. I’ve noticed quite a few non-fiction Religion books, but not so many Christian Fiction options. However, they will order books as requested. The owners are great and helpful in locating clean fiction options.
Glad you have a local bookstore you are enjoying!
I love that you have an indie bookstore close by and they are so helpful. I need to take a field trip and visit it!
i love going to a place called Midnight oil (Greeley CO) me and my friend went there and i found two Beverly Lewis books for $1 EACH and then she the found the Dakota treasures by Laurine Snelling. and you can denote your old books there I’ve found some really great finds there
I love the name of the bookstore, Makayla! That’s awesome! It’s always nice to find a bookstore you love.
Love B&N, D’Ann, and I appreciate them carrying that book. I appreciate the pic, too. Like Deb said, you’ve inspired me to head back there to shop and “live” my support.
I was excited to see your book there, too! It was interesting to me how many “older” titles they had sprinkled in with new releases all over the store.