Algorithms know what we buy, but they do not know what is in our hearts. Online shopping is so convenient. but it cannot duplicate the soul of a local, independent bookstore. Walking through the front door of a brick-and-mortar bookshop offers an irreplaceable feeling.
For me, there is one local sanctuary that perfectly captures this feeling: Highland Books in beautiful downtown Brevard, North Carolina.
So what is so great about a physical store? Several things come to mind. The smell of books. Who does not love that new book smell? It’s almost like the new car smell but a billion times better. Those pages have a scent that transports me every time.
The sounds of a bookstore are unique. At Highland Books there might be a slight creak from the floors and as someone ascends to the young adult area upstairs those same sounds may be heard. Pages turning, quiet chatter and the sounds of excited children permeate the space.
Seeing the beautifully decorated windows, cozy reading areas and artfully arranged displays of new offerings and more are the visual reminders that each visitor to the bookstore is in a special place.
A great service that I have been reminded of many times at Highland Books is their record keeping. If I have bought the book previously the book seller will make mention of that. This is very helpful when I sometimes forget what I have on my bookshelf.
There is nothing quite like chatty bookstore staff or a perfectly curated display to expand your reading horizons. I always find great books and recently I had a lovely gift certificate to use. One of the following was a Book of the Month selection but I would have purchased from Highland Books if I had not already gotten a copy with a subscription.
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett: The brilliant author of The Help returns with a powerhouse novel set in 1933 Mississippi. It follows a fierce, unforgettable sisterhood of unbreakable women fighting for their dignity and survival during the Great Depression. It is big-hearted, deeply moving, and absolutely worth the wait.
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson: If you are looking for the absolute platonic ideal of a summer beach read, this is it. It is a juicy, laugh-out-loud funny send-up of privilege, old friendships, and long-held secrets in a tight-knit coastal Massachusetts town. It is astutely observed and wildly entertaining.
The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett: This darkly comic and deeply tender road-trip novel completely stole my heart. It follows a 63-year-old lottery winner who sets off across the country to win back his high school crush—bringing along his adult daughter, two newly orphaned kids, and a quirky therapy cat named Pancakes who can predict death. It will make you sob, laugh out loud, and believe in second chances.
Highland Books is not only is a book store – it is a community hub that helps bring people together. Leslie, owner, is so good at connecting with her community and finds a myriad of ways to be in relationship with the area. Whether it is hosting a book drive for Sharing House or being a book seller at community events where authors are being featured, this has become one of the strengths of the store. The store itself is quite often a hub of activity with book clubs and a staff that engages with customers at a level that is phenomenal.
Buying a book online is a transaction, but buying from an indie shop is a memory. You remember the rainy afternoon in Brevard, the friendly greeting at the counter, and the excitement of carrying that book (and usually a free bookmark) out the door. These shops thrive because readers make the conscious choice to support them. Next time you need a new read, skip the digital cart, visit HighlandBooks, and find some magic. You won’t regret it. And when you travel, seek out that indie bookshop. You never know what you will discover.
