Books & Mortar - Grand Rapids, MI

I was out of town this weekend for a bowling tournament, and when out of town with downtime, I don't have a choice but to visit at least one bookstore. I dropped into Books and Mortar in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Situated a little ways out of downtown, in a quieter neighborhood, this proudly progressive, independent bookstore is charming and inclusive.

Walking in, I was greeted by a beautiful display of fiction and non-fiction books geared toward Woman's History Month. For how small the space is, the range of books available was impressive. A full wall display of fiction novels bleeds into a corner bookshelf of memoir and essay books. The center bookshelves host cookbooks and chapbooks on one side and YA fiction on the other. The other wall is split between non-fiction and children's books. I could spot most popular books and quite a few new releases among the scattered table displays.

I did learn for a fact that they are willing and able to order in any books you may be looking for. The lovely lady who was working the day I came in helped me out by placing an order for The Complete Wreck which is the boxset of the thirteen book included in The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. Not only did she take the time to find the exact version of the books for me, but she also arranged for them to be delivered to my house!

Along side the kind and helpful staff, the vibes in this store are immaculate. Clean, white bookshelves are offset by warm wood tables used for displays. There is beautiful exposed brick on most of the walls, which are accented by art painted by local artists. (The pieces on display when I was visiting were painted on old ceiling tiles which was dope!) There are hanging lanterns and paper stars, high vaulted ceilings, and old typewriters speckled around. My personal favorite part of the decor was the upright piano in the front left corner window. It is open for anyone to play and a very adorable child went up and

played Mary had a Little Lamb while I was shopping. I loved seeing that the store openly supported social issues. At check-out they had bookmarks, pins, and patches for sale where all of the proceeds were being donated to a local trans youth support charity. And they practice what they preach. Pulled straight from their website:

"We stand as a steadfast advocate for justice, equality, and positive change. We actively engage in advocacy efforts related to literacy, education, and social justice issues. By using our platform to amplify important causes and champion authors and organizations that share our values, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the world beyond our bookstore's walls."

They also had sections in their mission dedicated to their thoughts and goals when it comes to diverse reading and encouraging critical thinking. You can read their full mission on their website. In this day and age, I appreciate businesses that are unafraid to take a stance for more than just a month or two. I want to support businesses that have morals and Books and Mortar definitely fits this bill. They are also dedicated to curating a community with two in-house book clubs (Booksellers favorites and Sci-Fi) and a host of book events from read-alongs and book craft nights to book signings and author events.

Besides the fundraising items, there is a very small selection of non-book items available in the store. It is mostly stationary (cards, notebooks, a few pens) with a few puzzles, a handful of stickers, and a couple of small word-based games. Oh and a candle or two. What they lack in non-book items though, they make up for in hang-out space. With arm chairs in corners and an entire L-shaped bench seat in the front window, people are welcomed to sit down and stay a while. If I hadn't had places to be, I would have pulled out my newly purchased book, cuddled in and started reading.

Final Score

Atmosphere: 5 - They curated a vibe and executed it beautifully. It doesn't get a full 6/6 but it was a close thing.

Book Selection: 3 - Despite the ability to order in any book you request, the actual selection in store is a bit lacking. If you are a browser and not a hunter, it would be harder to find something to buy.

Non-Book Book Lover Items: 2 - It is an almost non-existent section of the store. I do realize that it isn't the point of a book store, but it defiantly is a feature and sadly this store is lacking it.

Come Hang Out: 6 - If nothing else, this is a book store built for staying in. The options of seating and the open welcome from the staff says it all.

Bonus point: +1 - For the staff! People can make or break a space and I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the great staff bringing this place together.

Overall Score: 70%

If you have been to Book & Mortar, leave a comment of your opinion of the place! Feel free to drop the names of your favorite independent bookstores below as well and I might visit them in the future!

As always,

Keep wondering and stay wandering!