The word on the street is not true: Bookstores are still thriving. With the desire to read printed books still alive, bookstores across the state of Utah continue to sell, and often serve as community centers. The following 10 bookstores in Utah are top-notch stop-overs for any book worm.
Probably Utah’s most famous bookstore, The King’s English in Salt Lake City situated in a quaint neighborhood with stunning historical homes and discreet, gourmet restaurants. The space itself is tiny, but the owners do a great job of maximizing limited square footage. The King’s English is the kind of bookstore you’d relish for hours and trust me, you won’t be leaving emptyhanded.
Although Pioneer Book has been around for decades, it has recently reinvented itself at a new location on Provo’s Center Street. A magic land of used books, Pioneer Book is perfect for rainy day perusing. It is also extremely kid friendly and regularly holds events for regular customers.
Founded over 80 years ago as Zion Bookstore, Weller Book Works is now located in Salt Lake City shopping destination Trolley Square. Selling new, used, and rare books, Well Work Books is a versatile shopping destination with ample selection.
Located in downtown Park City, Dolly’s Bookstore is a cute shop for books as well as intellectually bent souvenirs. Although it sells toys, records, cards, and other fun doodads, its main draw is its in-store house cats who roam around and sleep on the store’s cozy furniture.
With over 60,000 items in its inventory, Central Book Exchange is a new and used bookstore with a great selection in almost any genre. If you’re looking for something that is out of print or otherwise rare, Central Book Exchange is your ideal shopping location. If interested, you can redeem your used books for points that allow you to buy used books from their inventory.
With multiple locations in Utah, Eborn Book’s specialty is Mormon and Utah-related titles. That said, this bookstore may not appeal to you as much if you are not Mormon, though it doesn’t exclusively sell Utah and Mormon related items. Out of its 500,000 new, used, and out-of-print books, you’re sure to find something you like.
Typically, the best part of a bookstore is being able to enjoy the ambience. If you’re interested in settling down with a good book and a cup of gourmet tea or coffee, you should try Atticus Coffee and Teahouse in Park City. Named for Atticus Finch of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the shop is a thrifty booklover’s paradise.
Located in the college town of Logan, The Book Table has received a face-lift of sorts over the past 10 years. In addition to selling books, it now sells instruments and is home to a concert hall. An intellectual center in Cache Valley, the independently-owned store serves a variety of community purposes.
There isn’t anything much better than a standard book store. The Book Garden in Bountiful is your go-to for everything from older best-sellers to used cookbooks and classics. Throughout the year, the shop even offers what it calls “Free Book Days,” meaning if you buy a book, you get one for free.
Utah is especially famous for its outdoor activities, which lends credence to Back of Beyond Books in Moab. Only a few minutes from Arches National Park, this book store specializes in natural history, southwestern guides/maps, environmental literature, Native American books, and other books focusing on Western history. Although the selection is especially pertinent in Moab’s cultural and environmental context, the store also sells “normal” books in case you’re in need of a quick vacation read.