8 Magical Bookstores That Every St. Louis Book Lover Should Visit

By on Tue, Feb 16, 2016 at 1:07 pm

Few things are more magical than a book -- the stories between the pages can send you on far-off adventures, teach you mind-blowing facts, give you a glimpse of the world through the eyes of another, or take you to a universe that only exists within the realms of imagination. In a world overtaken by e-readers and tablets, these local bookstores keep that old-fashioned magic alive -- and every St. Louis bibliophile must visit them. Editor's note: This slideshow has been updated since its original publication to display Afterwords Books' new address.

Few things are more magical than a book -- the stories between the pages can send you on far-off adventures, teach you mind-blowing facts, give you a glimpse of the world through the eyes of another, or take you to a universe that only exists within the realms of imagination. In a world overtaken by e-readers and tablets, these local bookstores keep that old-fashioned magic alive -- and every St. Louis bibliophile must visit them.

Editor's note: This slideshow has been updated since its original publication to display Afterwords Books' new address.

Photos by Harlan McCarthy
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The Book House 7352 Manchester Rd. St. Louis, Mo. 63143 Rows upon rows of books (more than 350,000!) decorate this downtown Maplewood storefront.
Harlan McCarthy
The Book House
7352 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis, Mo. 63143

Rows upon rows of books (more than 350,000!) decorate this downtown Maplewood storefront.
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Terri Costley scans through the books at The Book House. You'll find new, used, rare and even out-of-print titles on practically any subject.
Harlan McCarthy
Terri Costley scans through the books at The Book House. You'll find new, used, rare and even out-of-print titles on practically any subject.
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They also offer professional appraisals, special orders and out-of-print book searches.
Harlan McCarthy
They also offer professional appraisals, special orders and out-of-print book searches.
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"Guru of of Bibliophages" Michelle Barron founded the store in 1986. It has been family owned and operated ever since.
Harlan McCarthy
"Guru of of Bibliophages" Michelle Barron founded the store in 1986. It has been family owned and operated ever since.
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Employee Mark Gould works at the desk. Both employees and regulars may remember the original location in a historic Victorian house. That location closed in 2013, and after some fundraising, the store has been in the current location ever since.
Harlan McCarthy
Employee Mark Gould works at the desk. Both employees and regulars may remember the original location in a historic Victorian house. That location closed in 2013, and after some fundraising, the store has been in the current location ever since.
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Chris Costley reads one of the shop's many books. Another bonus of The Book House, besides the variety? A portion of the Book House's profits benefit the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition and Second Chapter Life Center for young adults with special needs.
Harlan McCarthy
Chris Costley reads one of the shop's many books. Another bonus of The Book House, besides the variety? A portion of the Book House's profits benefit the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition and Second Chapter Life Center for young adults with special needs.
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Dunaway Books3111 South Grand St. Louis, Mo. 63118 From mezzanine to lower level, Dunaway Books is home to a maze of books that will satisfy any book lover.
Harlan McCarthy
Dunaway Books
3111 South Grand
St. Louis, Mo. 63118

From mezzanine to lower level, Dunaway Books is home to a maze of books that will satisfy any book lover.
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Both the front window and the counter areas are home to rare, antiquarian titles in addition to sets and collected works.
Harlan McCarthy
Both the front window and the counter areas are home to rare, antiquarian titles in addition to sets and collected works.
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You can find categories for everything from coin collecting to numismatics to Sherlockiana.
Harlan McCarthy
You can find categories for everything from coin collecting to numismatics to Sherlockiana.
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More than 100,000 volumes line the shelves. There's also a store map so you can navigate your way through the splendor.
Harlan McCarthy
More than 100,000 volumes line the shelves. There's also a store map so you can navigate your way through the splendor.
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New titles are always being added to their collection. With condition being of high priority, they are very selective about the books they buy.
Harlan McCarthy
New titles are always being added to their collection. With condition being of high priority, they are very selective about the books they buy.
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Afterwords Books 441 E. Vandalia St. Edwardsville, IL 62025 Both new and used books await you at Afterwords Books. The store recently moved, but we're sure the new location (listed above) is still as adorable as ever.
Harlan McCarthy
Afterwords Books
441 E. Vandalia St.
Edwardsville, IL 62025

Both new and used books await you at Afterwords Books. The store recently moved, but we're sure the new location (listed above) is still as adorable as ever.
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Free books sit on the front porch. Inside, you'll find a plethora of deals as well -- 60 percent off used hardcovers, 50 percent off used paperbacks and10% off new books and gifts. And this isn't some kind of holiday special -- those are the prices, all year round.
Harlan McCarthy
Free books sit on the front porch. Inside, you'll find a plethora of deals as well -- 60 percent off used hardcovers, 50 percent off used paperbacks and10% off new books and gifts. And this isn't some kind of holiday special -- those are the prices, all year round.
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Inside the family owned store you'll find comfy chairs that are perfect for extended reading.
Harlan McCarthy
Inside the family owned store you'll find comfy chairs that are perfect for extended reading.
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Afterwords hosts bi-weekly story times, Family Fun Nights, book clubs for all ages and even a documentary club for adults.
Harlan McCarthy
Afterwords hosts bi-weekly story times, Family Fun Nights, book clubs for all ages and even a documentary club for adults.
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Trade in your gently loved books at Afterwords, and you can build store credit. It's a win-win.
Harlan McCarthy
Trade in your gently loved books at Afterwords, and you can build store credit. It's a win-win.
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Left Bank Books 399 North Euclid St. Louis, Mo. 63108 Nestled on a corner of the Central West End, Left Bank Books has been a local favorite ever since some Washington University graduate students opened the store in 1969.
Harlan McCarthy
Left Bank Books
399 North Euclid
St. Louis, Mo. 63108

Nestled on a corner of the Central West End, Left Bank Books has been a local favorite ever since some Washington University graduate students opened the store in 1969.
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Left Bank Books has strong connections to the community. The store reinvests three times more of their revenue locally than non-local chain stores do. They also support a variety of non-profit and grass-roots organizations with gift certificates, book fairs, percent of sales, book fairs and free event programming.
Harlan McCarthy
Left Bank Books has strong connections to the community. The store reinvests three times more of their revenue locally than non-local chain stores do. They also support a variety of non-profit and grass-roots organizations with gift certificates, book fairs, percent of sales, book fairs and free event programming.
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The store cat, Spike, "enjoys long naps on the Special Orders desk, dancing for cat treats and shoplifting mouse-sized, furry covered children's books for his own pleasure."
Harlan McCarthy
The store cat, Spike, "enjoys long naps on the Special Orders desk, dancing for cat treats and shoplifting mouse-sized, furry covered children's books for his own pleasure."
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Co-owner Kris Kleindienst and staff strive to provide a diverse selection of books, including African American, GLBT and women's studies sections and children's books with strong female characters.
Harlan McCarthy
Co-owner Kris Kleindienst and staff strive to provide a diverse selection of books, including African American, GLBT and women's studies sections and children's books with strong female characters.
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