Hello friends! I’m trying something new! Once a month on the first Friday I want to share with you a review of a bookstore. I love bookstores: love the smell, love the vibe, love being amongst friends (books, of course). And I want to share the love!

Gibson’s Bookstore is the obvious choice for my first review. It is a well-loved favorite of mine, being only 15 minutes away in Concord, New Hampshire.

I recently left my library assistant position in Barnstead after four amazing years working with the love of my life, books, beside my very best friends. Those very same pals got me a very generous gift card to Gibson’s as my parting gift, which I happily took there this past week.

I’m obsessed with Gibson’s front tables. Every Tuesday they refill them with that week’s new releases in hardcover and paperback. They’re my first stop when I come in and inevitably the thing that hooks me after I’ve paid and supposed to be headed out. They do an incredible job with this selection and I love the effort to stay current.

And speaking of the selection, Gibson’s is amazing. The books available are carefully curated, thoughtful picks by a staff that reads a really wide range of genres. Each and every area of the store contains a great assortment of incredible books.

The Laydown Podcast is an awesome project by some staff at Gibson’s. While I’m not a consistent listener, I have loved listening to some of my favorite authors talk about their books and the stories behind them. Lyssa Kay Adams’ episode was incredible and I love recommending it when I recommend her books. It adds something special to the reading experience, and I think that has a lot to do with Gibson’s staff being readers themselves, and knowing just what readers want to know.

Lastly, while it’s not the store itself: Gibson’s website has improved leaps and bounds. I actually love to peruse their site now, organized by genre, and get some ideas of what’s new or popular. They’re super efficient with their online orders, and their website was a life saver during COVID. I was more than happy to spend my money locally, with a business as involved as Gibson’s is.

So during this trip to Gibson’s Bookstore, my book haul included: The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary, The Burning by Tim Madigan (adapted for young readers), It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey, and Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda. Stay tuned for those reviews. 😉

Have a lovely week! Check out Gibson’s Bookstore this weekend, in store or online!!