Why we love The Novel Neighbor in St. Louis: A look inside the independent bookstore
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Local, independent bookstores have never been more important than they are right now. With free and fair access to literature under political attack, independent bookstores are a bulwark against censorship and an asset to the communities they serve.
Of course, they do so much more than sell books. Independent bookstores are a community connector, hosting events, clubs and social events that keep local citizens engaged and informed. A local bookstore is also a great place to make friends.
Each week we'll be profiling an independent bookstore in the U.S., discovering what makes each one special and getting expert book recommendations from booksellers plugged into the pulse of their local readership. First up is The Novel Neighbor in St. Louis, MO.
What makes The Novel Neighbor unique?
We always say that The Novel Neighbor is more than a bookstore. Our women-owned-and-operated store is a beacon for community and hosts nine book clubs, including a Romance Book Club, grown-up book fairs, large scale author events, cocktail classes, stitch-club meetings and more. We love to joke that it's difficult to make adult friendships anywhere but here!
Our store spans multiple rooms and has a whimsical and colorful vibe with a wall cut out for posed pictures. We also have super special red blocks that line the wall which have touring authors' signatures and "keys to the store." In that way, our store feels like a living photo album or history book.
Want to know what to read next? See USA TODAY's Best-selling Booklist
We are also a home base for STL kids. In store, we host a monthly free story time for young readers, as well as summer camps. Our non-profit, The Noble Neighbor, brings free books and author visits to systemically underserved schools and students across the St. Louis region. The Noble Neighbor’s mission is deeply rooted in educational equity, with the belief ALL kids deserve access to books and the love of reading, no matter the income level of their families.
The Novel Neighbor is also known for its social media presence and curated book recommendations. Readers love our personalized Mystery Boxes, as well as our subscription service and TikTok/IG videos.
More than anything, we are proud to be a place where people from all backgrounds come together to celebrate their love of books and community.
What are some books you can't keep on the shelves?
"Fourth Wing," by Rebecca Yarros is a book we read months before it came out and knew it would be a hit. We ordered dozens of copies for release day and it still wasn’t enough. This dragon-riding, magic school, romantic fantasy took off on BookTok and the rest is history! Since its release week, we haven’t been able to keep even one copy on the shelves. And yes, we’re just as obsessed as everyone else.
"The Creative Act: A Way of Being," by Rick Rubin has flown off our shelves because our store owner, Holland Saltsman, absolutely loved the title. The Legendary music producer is obviously a master at connecting to the creativity in himself, but he’s also incredible at unlocking that creativity in others. This book encourages everyone to be artists –– so we worked with our local arts collective to host a workshop based on activities from this book. It was a huge hit and we’ve been selling the book in spades ever since!
What are some books that deserve more hype?
We read "Blackwater Falls" by Ausma Zehanat Khan for our mystery/thriller book club, and no one could believe this series opener hadn’t blown up yet. This crime series is both personal and political, centering on the disappearances of girls from immigrant communities which Detective Inaya Rahman must solve. We always love a new mystery series, and this one that has us deeply impatient for more. If you haven’t heard of it yet, definitely check it out!
"The Spear Cuts Through Water," by Simon Jimenez is a masterclass in storytelling. It's about two warriors shepherding an ancient god across a land ravaged by three evil rulers. What makes this story so special is that it’s told in both first, second and third person points of view. It’s entirely unique, we promise you’ve never read anything like it. This book needs to be everywhere.
"Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea," by Rita Chang-Eppig is a bold and brutal character study of a real-life Chinese pirate queen, Shek Yeung. Don’t go into this book expecting fast-paced swashbuckling adventures, but do go in looking for some fan-freaking-tastic historical fiction that paints the portrait of a complex woman and the price of holding power. None of us could not believe this book was a debut.
What new books coming out soon are you most excited about?
There are so many books and series we can't wait for in the coming months!
There’s a romance debut coming this September that has made all of us lose our collective mind: "You, Again," by Kate Goldbeck. This is a "When Harry Met Sally" retelling that spotlights two enemies-turned-friends-turned-lovers over the course of a decade in New York City. It’s raunchy and lovable and laugh-out-loud funny. We just know this is going to be a huge hit.
Like the rest of the world, we absolutely loved V.E. Schwab's "Shades of Magic" Trilogy, which we consider to be modern fantasy classics, so of course we can't wait for their continuation this September with "The Fragile Threads of Power." Our booksellers have already devoured this book whole!
Why do you think customers should shop local in your area?
When you buy from your local indie bookshop, you're giving your community more opportunities to do amazing things. When book lovers shop with us, they’re helping us bring more of their favorite authors to St. Louis and host more events in town.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Novel Neighbor in St. Louis: Go inside the independent bookstore
