The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore

A great gift for the bookish history lover, The Bookshop traces the history of bookstores in America, starting with Benjamin Franklin’s first shop in Philadelphia (“when the concept of a bookstore…was still embryonic”) through names you’ll likely recognize, like Barnes & Noble and Nashville's Parnassus Books. This isn’t just the story of a beloved institution, it’s also the story of literacy, politics, and community in our country. This is a great read for anyone interested in how bookstores have become blessedly familiar and in the challenges they face today.