Favorite Kansas Book Stores

My favorite bookstore in Kansas would have to be The Raven in Lawrence. At 6 East 7th Street, it is just off Mass and around the corner from a couple of good coffee shops. As you might surmise from the name it specializes in mystery offerings but carries a small eclectic mix of other interesting books as well. The staff is mystery-knowledgeable and helpful in suggesting authors and titles. The Raven started small and has stayed small. The new Borders in Lawrence is close enough to hit with a well-aimed Starbuck's brownie but I hope customer loyalty will keep the doors open at The Raven for many years. A steady stream of mystery writers come to The Raven for book signings. I saw Sue Grafton there a few years ago as did 75 or 80 others who gathered there that night. The Raven produces a free quarterly newsletter that features a couple of tight pages of forthcoming mystery titles.

Second, I will offer Watermark Books in Wichita as wonderful local bookstore worth a visit when you are visiting Wichita. Larger than The Raven, Watermark has more inventory and is more general in its offerings. A cozy cafe is tucked into a corner of the store and has a respectable menu. The store is located at 4701 East Douglas (corner of Douglas and Oliver Streets just a few blocks off of Kellogg.) Well worth our support.

Where else in Kansas are there book shops worth visiting? I'm not asking about the Borders or Barnes & Noble but locally rooted book shops hanging on by their fingernails since Amazon and the nationals have come on the scene. Drop in a Comment if you know of a shop or two.