Book Brothers is the kind of bookstore where you might enjoy being stranded some winter day. That’s because this store is packed from floor to ceiling with a huge collection of books to consider.
The bad news is that there’s almost too much to see.
They have a huge selection of classics, art, history, philosophy, contemporary fiction and more. Plus, there’s cool non-book stuff to see.
They take cash and plastic and are located in downtown Lakewood, Ohio. Check them out!
A few weeks ago I shared a story on why I don’t write about the places I dislike. You can read that here.
I was thinking about this over the weekend because on Friday I gave a second chance to one of those places that didn’t impress me.
I’m so glad I did.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has a retail book store called the Big Book Nook in Lancaster. We were there last year when they had moved into a new facility and were just getting up and going. Mind you, everyone had recommended I visit so we did and it was not the place for us.
But our return was glorious and successful.
They sell used books, puzzles, movies and music. Hardbacks are $2 and paperbacks a dollar, a bargain for a good cause. That’s because all the money benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters programming.
Everything is organized by genre including general fiction, mysteries, classics, westerns, romance, children’s, history, biography, cookbooks and more!
It’s a charming space in a remodeled school with plenty of books to choose from and some fun decor to inspire you to stay a while.
I’ll be honest, friends, the location is a little out of the way but your maps app will get you there if you put in 624 West Fifth Ave. Lancaster.
Want to donate? They have a list of things they do and don’t take on their website. Learn more here. Adam and I both left with a handful of books. There was a set of classics I badly wanted but have nowhere to put just because they were pretty. Since our totals were so low, we each rounded up a few bucks together efforts.
If you’re in Lancaster, stop by and see what treasures you find!!
Yesterday I gave you a glimpse into the public library in Piqua, Ohio. It’s a magnificent building that was hopping with people on the Saturday we visited for a look-see.
I’m a big fan of any institution that encourages people to expand their horizons. Libraries are wonderful resources for free programs, book clubs and things that you might not expect. Some libraries now loan items like bicycles, guitars, crock pots and power tools. I have seen a couple of libraries that allow you to borrow people to talk to. Some, including Piqua, have a maker’s space where you can access a 3D printer, sewing machine, photo editing equipment, and more.
They also have interesting things like local art and historic artifacts on display.
Step inside the library in Piqua and, if you’re like me, you’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. An imposing fireplace, columns, stained glass, marble and a beautiful glass ceiling give the eye plenty to devour. These elements create a tremendous big picture but there are so many details to appreciate too.
There is art from local residents and some plaster copies of famous sculptures to be found around the building.
Incidentally, there is enough to see that I didn’t realize until going through photos that I had missed that there’s a bookstore inside the library. Friends, I have never once in my life missed a bookstore, especially a used one. By golly, I missed this one!
Places like this are increasingly important as our economy worsens and as priorities shift in terms of funding things that enrich our lives. Places like libraries, museums and other things that brighten our day and help us learn but don’t make money are vital to many of us. If your budget is tight, check out your local library for events, things that are beautiful and materials you can take home and learn from at your own pace. If you’re close to Piqua, go check out their art!
Before traveling, I research local libraries at or near my destination. If there’s a Carnegie Library or if there’s something interesting to see, I’m nearly always willing to travel out of my way to visit.
A couple of months ago I found myself in Piqua, Ohio with a few hours for exploration. I had read about their spectacular library so we went for a look-see.
It is described as a Richardson Romanesque building that was constructed as the Piqua Plaza Hotel. At five stories, the 1891 building is a massive and imposing presence in the city’s downtown. I had to look up Richardson Romanesque because I wasn’t familiar with the name. It uses stone walls, round arches and contrasting colors to create a heavy appearance. This style was popular for public buildings between 1880 and 1900. While I recognized the style, I had no idea what it was called.
The hotel was built in 1891 with 100 rooms. Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, Woodrow Wilson and William Howard Taft are said to have visited here. Tragically, the hotel began to fail in the 1950s and was boarded up in the eighties. It was renovated in the early 2000’s.
We talked to a nice librarian who shared some interesting facts and stories about the place. He also shared some of the more recent history when the building was preserved to give three floors of space to library patrons, storage and a ballroom operated by the city. Each floor is accessible by an elevator that uses the hotel’s original elevator shaft.
Friends, this building is magnificent. I couldn’t believe the magnitude of the building from the outside and could only say “wow” when we went inside. A black and white tile floor, gorgeous woodwork, high ceilings, artwork everywhere, a backing, a restored skylight and so much more make this space feel special.
And when I say special, I mean truly special. If I lived closer, I would be there all the time. What a magnificent place to write, to discover new books and to explore unexpected ideas. It’s sad to think how close this building came to the brink when it was boarded up in the eighties.
It has the feel of an art museum with busts, reliefs, paintings and other pieces all throughout the building. You’ll find something interesting to study and enjoy in every nook and cranny of the public space. What a delightful place to explore on a rainy day! And all I could think is what a fun, exciting, intriguing place to be a little kid in search of adventure through books!
The Piqua Library is located at 116 West High Street in downtown Piqua. If you’re in town, swing by and have a look around!
I will write more about some of the artwork and historic pieces on display here so check back another day!
Downtown Tipp City, Ohio has a host of local shops and restaurants that look intriguing from the street.We recently visited and had time for just one so we, of course, chose the bookstore. Browse Awhile Books is packed from floor to ceiling on two floors that stretch over 4,000 square feet.
Friends, they have about 150,000 used books in a wide range of genres including books that are rare and out-of-print. History, classics, science, nature, mysteries, science fiction, cookbooks, romance, biography – you name it, they have more than you could probably browse in a day.
We gave it the old college try.
We each left with a few intriguing selections and a desire to return on another day. That’s when you know you had a good time, when you leave wanting more.
Lots of online sources claim this bookshop is haunted by at least fifteen ghosts. The building is more than 150 years old and has served many purposes including bakery, hardware store and grocer. So, if you go and encounter something otherworldly, I’ll expect you to report back!
Want to visit or learn more? Visit their website or stop by the shop at 118 East Main Street in Tipp City.
Who needs a giggle? I certainly do so I’ll laugh along while I tell you my funny story.
I abruptly awoke at 2:24 a.m. on Tuesday to feel something small walking on my arm. Ticks are bad here so I was convinced that it was one of those blood sucking little jerks traipsing across my forearm.
In my sleep haze, I fumbled to locate my cell phone on the nightstand, lit it up, and turned to examine the tick. Only it wasn’t a tick.
It was a spider.
Let’s stop here for a moment.
I don’t like spiders. Some of them are creepy and scary. Others seem pretty harmless but I simply don’t like them. They’re fine outside and from afar but unwelcome in my home.
If this incident happened at two in the afternoon, my reaction would have been much gentler. I probably would have carried the little guy outside, left him under a shrub, and explained to him that my home is not an appropriate place for him.
But I was sound asleep when this incident occurred and my reaction was not at all gentle. Instead, I did what every self respecting independent, brave and resourceful single gal would do in the face of a spider no bigger than a nickel.
I screamed like a little girl.
Then I used my left hand to knock the spider off my arm. Unfortunately, I was still holding my cell phone so when I flicked the spider I somehow sent my phone soaring across the bedroom and onto the floor.
This, friends, is why we invest in the shockproof case.
I jumped out of bed, turned on the light, and realized I had lost the spider.
By this point, Scout was sitting up in bed, blinking his tired little eyes in confusion while I pulled at the blankets in search of the spider that moments before I couldn’t get rid of quickly enough.
I did find the spider, the poor little soul. Without giving it a second thought, I grabbed a paperback copy of “Flowers For Algernon” off the nightstand and crushed him. Then I flushed the corpse for good measure
And I immediately felt guilty.
First of all, I try not to kill things and am happiest when I can save a life.
Plus, over the weekend, I reread E.B. White’s classic children’s tale “Charlotte’s Webb.” Remember Wilbur the pig and his little spider friend Charlotte?
All I could think of was Charlotte and how this little spider probably thought I was his roommate and friend or something. I just smashed him.
In case you’re wondering, I am aware that I sound like a lunatic. No need to tell me.
So ends the sad tale of the nameless spider who paid the ultimate price for trespassing on my arm. I never made it back to sleep that night and Scout still seems perplexed as to why I was waking us all up in the middle of the night for no reason at all.
That’s his job after all.