(WXYZ) — March is National Reading Month, and while it’s often celebrated in school, National Reading Month is not just for kids. Whether it's pressure at work or at chores home, you can always escape your worries with a good book.
Looking a steamy romance novel on a winter day; good "summer beach read" or something to spark your kid's imagination? We have you covered. Here are the top 7 local bookstores as selected by our 7 Action News viewers.
#7 Paper Trail Books - Royal Oak
The path for the Top 7 local book store in Metro Detroit starts off at "Paper Trail Books" in Royal Oak. They offer used books, new books by local authors and have a well stocked children's section.
#6 Literati - Ann Arbor
Number 6 is Literati bookstore in Ann Arbor. Literati opened in 2013. It's a place book lovers can gather and talk over a cup of coffee. Literati offers a fiction writers workshop, too.
#5 Another Look Books - Taylor
“Another Look Books" in Taylor lands in 5th. They're back open after a major remodel and say customer service keeps their 14-thousand book lovers coming back for their next good read.
#4 The Books Connection - Livonia
Want "the hook up" on your next page turner? Stop by “The Books Connection" in Livonia. It’s 4th on our list. They have great ideas for raising young readers on their website.
#3 John K. King Used & Rare Books
John K. King Used & Rare Books in Detroit has over a million books on hand. This store has rare, one of a kind books for high end collectors. But they also carry mass market books for the casual reader.
#2 Book Beat - Oak Park
Book Beat in Oak Park comes in second in our poll. Book Beat specializes in literature, the arts and children's books.
#1 Paper Back Outlet - Warren
The top spot goes to Paperback Outlet in Warren. Co-owner Gay Orr loves to read. And that love led Gay -- who was once a customer -- to buy paperback outlet with her partner 16 years ago.
“This is the best job in the world.”
Gay says helping customers explore the world through books is a dream come true, something she wrote in her back in high school: “It said that I wanted to travel and I wanted to own a bookstore. And that was when I was 18. I own a bookstore and I’ve traveled.”
Congratulations to Paperback Outlet for topping our poll. Competing with mega retailers like Amazon and Walmart is a real challenge for locally owned book stores. But these small store help connect you to a community of local readers and books clubs. And they give developing local authors a chance have their books in bookstores. And these books often have Michigan ties.
