BOOKSTORES

Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: September 6, 2007

Writers are drawn to Charlottesville. Edgar Allan Poe attended the University of Virginia, albeit, for an abbreviated time. William Faulkner taught here. Even today the town is home to Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times best-selling authors.

Rita Dove and John Grisham are just two of the many.

Local residents have reaped the rewards. In the 1990s, Charlottesville was ranked No. 1 in the nation for "avid book reading." Local bookshops have become a popular entertainment destination. You can shop, read, sip coffee, chat with authors or listen to stories at several of the area's book sellers.

Here are a few of the favorites:

Barnes & Noble. The area's largest bookshop with more than 100,000 books is a cornerstone of Barracks Road Shopping Center. It hosts readings, book signings, book groups and weekly children's story times. 1035-A Emmet St., 984-0461, www.barnesandnoble.com.

Blue Whale Books. This shop on the Downtown Mall specializes in buying and selling used tomes. It's also a good place to seek out rare books and first editions. 115 W. Main St., 296-4646.

Brillig Books. This shop has a wide selection of new, used and rare books at cheap prices. 7 Elliewood Ave., 296-9669.

Daedalus Bookshop. Nearly 100,000 books line the walls of this three-story building. It's a great place to hunt for out-of-print books and all things fiction. 123 Fourth St. NE, 293-7595.

Family Christian Stores. This shop has Christian products and church supplies including Bibles, books, music, gifts, children's items, apparel, software and cards. 204 Zan Road, 973-8287.

Hiner's Christian Bookstore. Family owned and operated, this bookstore has served the Charlottesville and UVA community and offer a variety of quality Christian books and church supplies such as Bibles, music, gifts and liturgical vestments. 1442 Seminole Trail, 973-5781, www.hinerschristianbookstore.spreadword.com

Heartwood Books. On the Corner across from UVa, this is a used bookstore in two locations. A large collection of scholarly and popular books are at 5 Elliewood Ave., while rare books are housed two doors down at 9 Elliewood Ave., 295-7083.

Ligmincha Institute Bookstore. This store promotes the teachings of the Tibetan Bon tradition. 313 Second St. SE, 220-0060.

New Dominion Bookshop. Established in 1924, this is the oldest booksellers in town. A general trade bookshop, with fiction, nonfiction and children's books, it also is a great place to find books by local authors. There is exhibit space for local artists, plus it hosts book discussions, readings and signings. 404 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall, 295-2552, www.newdominionbookshop.com.

Oakley's Gently Used Books. Tucked away in York Place on the Downtown Mall, this shop contains a collection of used books, including science fiction, fantasy, history, mystery and spirituality. 112 W. Main St., 977-3313.

Quest Bookshop. Another long-time member of the literary community, this bookstore specializes in books about human and spiritual development. It also hosts occasional workshops and discussions. 619 W. Main St., 295-3377.

Read It Again Sam. This quaint shop on the Downtown Mall houses thousands of used and rare books. It's a whodunit lover's paradise with a wall devoted to nothing but mysteries. 214 E. Main St., 977-9844.

Splintered Light Bookstore. In the Center for Christian Study, this is an ecumenically orthodox Christian bookstore specializing in theology, cultural criticism and the arts. 128 Chancellor St., 296-3977.

Student Book Store Inc. This store sells UVa textbooks, gifts, UVa apparel and hats. Located at 1515 University Ave., on the Corner, 293-5900, www.studentbook.com.

University of Virginia Bookstore. Located above the UVa Central Grounds Parking Garage, this bookshop is filled with new and used textbooks. You also can find the latest popular books and magazines, plus Cavalier collectables. 400 E. Emmet St., 924-3721, www.uvabookstores.com.

Waldenbooks. In Charlottesville Fashion Square mall, carries a selection of today's popular books and magazines. 1621 E. Rio Road, 973-1906.