GO! SEE! EXPLORE!: Novel Bookstore
Kids going back to school and need books and school supplies? Are you looking for a local gem that has literally any book you can possibly imagine AND more?! Do you love local bookstores, author talks, restaurants, and great people? Then Novel bookstore is your next Memphis must-stop.
Novel has really grown to be one of my favorite stores in the entire city of Memphis. I found my love for reading again after my first child was born in 2019 and after my second daughter was born in November 2024, I seem to have doubled the amounts of books I want to read.
Love sci-fi? No problem. Want to dive into some nonfiction? They absolutely have the best selection. Need a gift for someone who loves sports? Great! They have a huge variety of choices. Not so much of a reader? Also good- they have the best choices of candles, socks, notebooks, and more!
“My coworkers are great and they have a broad expertise in different sections of the store. We got somebody for everything” – Bookseller Gordon
The booksellers in the store are the absolute best. They are very knowledgable about different genres, and they love to recommend books to anyone who visits the store. You can literally ask who the best bookseller would be to recommend a book in that specific genre you like.
“I love that I can get a bite to eat and then look around the store for my next vacation read.” – Happy customer when asked what they loved most about the Novel bookstore.
Libro is the restaurant and bar inside of Novel. They have everything from sandwiches and coffee to fancy dinner dishes. You can have coffee (or cocktails) with a friend while chatting over books (or kids)- or choose to go on a date night with your hubby here!
“Novel has a wide range of book selections” – Bookseller Madeline
Some sections and special displays unique to Novel to check out would be “Local,” “Reads like Fiction” (but is actually non-fiction!), “Binge-worthy Bios,” “Weird, wild and wonderful,” “Remainders” (who doesn’t love discounted books?!), and huge speciality sections such as “History” (divided into smaller sub-sections), “African American Studies,” and “Media” (with books about music, tv etc.).
Some other popular non-book/miscellaneous items most frequently sold in the store are candles, puzzles, socks (you can find the craziest ones here), stickers, and kids toys. They even have specific sections in the store dedicated to these popular items.
Beware: I don’t think you can leave Novel bookstore without buying anything! Even though I tell myself I am not there to buy something on some particular days, I always leave with a gift, something cool I saw on display, or one of their free magazines (they have a bunch of local magazines to pick up for free right in their entrance way). They even have occasional free book tables up front (YES, really!).
“It’s really big and it’s got a lot of stuff” – Chatty book buyers
Customers love the variety at the store. I cannot state often enough that even though the store is huge and has something for everybody, each bookseller is so knowledgable in their own area. They truly can recommend something for any reader (or non-reader).
Novel bookstore also has plenty of Summer (Kids and Adult!) Fun. Extra Summer programs are bringing us to the store at least once a week during this Summer. My first daughter has been participating in their Jr. Bookseller program for the first time this year. This is a super cute program for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade (and once they pass 5th they can move up to their Bookseller Intern program) where kids get to learn what it is like to be a bookseller. They get to learn about different sections of the store, write “shelf talkers”, talk to customers/recommend books, learn about the registers, participate in activities like drawing contests and scavenger hunts in the store, engage with peers, and learn so much about all things books.
Did you know Novel bookstore had a basement?! One of the perks of special programs like these is that you get a backstage tour of the bookstore, where kids get to see where inventory is stored and where the offices of all the fun booksellers in the store are. You have to take an old freight elevator to get there.
Another reason to visit the store frequently is that there are regular book releases and author talks.
I recently went to one and it was fantastic! You can support the store AND the author by purchasing a book and getting it signed! Their event space is nice and can be closed off and rented out as well.
If this didn’t already give you enough reasons to come visit Novel bookstore, check out their rotating displays! They rotate their bookshelves and displays several times a week and switch books around. They get about 50 to 100 boxes of new books (new ones or restocks) every week! Their kids section currently has a back to school display (for your kids) and you may want to run for one of their bookseller picks for yourself!
“Our bookstore community and the people around the bookstore are my favorite. It truly is a melting pot of Memphians.” – Bookseller Katie
Look around you and you may find a familiar face in the store. Or have a chat with another mom about your love for a certain genre of books. Sometimes, I find myself talking about the books I recently read and see on display to another customer.
Whether you want to go to find someone a gift, find your newest read, nerd out with booksellers or authors, or just need an indoor place to go check out with your kids, your mom, your husband, or your out of town friend, Novel bookstore keeps you busy for hours, and is one of the best things for the city – it keeps the money local.
Novel Memphis
387 Perkins Ext.
Memphis TN 38117
(901) 922-5526
BOOKSTORE HOURS:
Mon-Sat: 9AM–8PM
Sun: 10AM–5PM
CAFE HOURS (LIBRO):
Tuesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
** Not a sponsored post but just a local fave. A special thank you goes out to the booksellers and customers who put up with my spontaneous Q&As about the store.
The unique learning environment at Lausanne Collegiate School includes small class sizes as well as inspiring and supportive faculty. Lausanne is located at 1381 W. Massey Rd, 38120. Learn more about what sets academics at Lausanne apart or call (901) 474-1000 to schedule a tour.
