Listen to live music and go late-night book shopping at Neighborhood Books in Maine
Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.
Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.
This week we have owner Laura Hale of Neighborhood Books in Presque Isle, Maine.
What’s your store’s story?
Neighborhood Books is a woman-owned bookstore that opened in 2021 in a small space filled with books and bookish gifts. In the last four years, we have expanded to a larger location to fit the needs of our growing business. In our new space, we offer books in many genres for adults and children as well as fun book-themed events, book clubs, author signings and more.
What makes your independent bookstore unique?
Most of our customers know and love that our service is top-notch. Our employees are kind, caring and give fantastic book recommendations. We truly put our heart and soul into everything we do. Our customers also enjoy or events like themed book nights and our "Late & Live" nights that feature late-night shopping and live music.
What's your favorite section in your store?
I love to read mysteries, so that's my favorite section of our store. Many of our customers also love a good mystery and enjoy this section for thrilling reads.
What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?
I'll never stop recommending "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt. This delightful book is full of hope and love. I've never loved a character more than the octopus in this book, Marcellus!
What book do you think deserves more attention and why?
"The Name She Gave Me" by Betty Culley is a hidden gem. Culley is a Maine author, but I think booksellers across the country need to read this book. "The Name She Gave Me" is a young adult novel in verse about Rynn, a teen girl growing up in Maine who was adopted at birth. In her search for her biological mother, Rynn finds she has a biological sister. As she begins a relationship with the sister she never knew she had, her relationship with her adoptive parents begins to fracture. This is a beautiful book about family and the people we consider our family.
Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?
Wouldn't the world be so boring without local, independent bookstores? A local bookstore feels like the heart of a community, and the lives of book lovers would be a little more gray without them. There's nothing like the solitude of being in a store surrounded by books.
What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share?
We host a Summer Reading Challenge where kids earn free books and prizes for summer reading. Our monthly book clubs are always a great time and I'm excited for the fantastic books releasing this year that we get to read and discuss. Each September, we host a Literacy Tea where community volunteers host a book-themed table for attendees. Ticket sales go towards purchasing books for children in foster care in our county.