Even with eLibraries, Kindles and Amazon at our fingertips, there’s something about rifling through a physical book that just can’t be replaced.
For all the bookworms out there, here’s a guide to bookstores in and around East Lansing.
Your guide to bookstores in the Greater Lansing area
Hooked
In a university town, students are always looking for great places to read, study and munch on baked goods. Hooked checks all of these boxes. A bookstore, coffee shop and wine bar rolled into one, this shop boasts modern furniture while still maintaining a cozy vibe.
Its books, also available for purchase on its website, span a wide selection of genres, from nonfiction to poetry.
“Some of our most popular sections are sci-fi, fantasy, poetry, a lot of people like the poetry section,” general manager Jaie Bemiss said.
Hooked also offers events like book discussions, book clubs, author meet-and-greets and coffee tastings.
“If you want to get a glass of wine, sit down, read a book, which, at the moment, I don't think there's anywhere else around here you can do something like that,” Bemiss said.
Hooked is located at 3142 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing and is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays.
Curious Book Shop
When you’re in the market for rare and antique books in East Lansing, Curious Book Shop is the place to go. With frosted glass windows and a classic red brick exterior, stepping into this shop feels like going back in time.
“I’d say it kind of gives off those academia vibes,” international relations sophomore Grace Cannon said. “It was kind of nostalgic in a sense because all of the books were pretty old. So it was very, like, academia old-timey.”
While sitting down and reading a vintage magazine, you can relax in the shop’s basement and soak up the bookstore’s history.
“It’s really charming, I think,” Cannon said. “They don’t have as many newer books, which I think is pretty cool. So they had old magazines and most of their books were a little bit older, so you could kind of find stuff I think you wouldn’t really be able to find in many bookstores. It was just very unique.”
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Curious Book Shop is located at 307 E Grand River Ave. and it is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Book Burrow
Nestled in the basement of the Downtown Lansing Library, Book Burrow houses thousands of used books, magazines, CDs and DVDs. This hidden gem is also a non-profit organization.
“This is all volunteer,” manager Patricia York said. “I mean, all (of the) donated books that we sell are to raise money for the libraries. We only carry secondhand books in very good condition so you can get a real deal down here. Right now, we’re the only operating bookstore in the downtown (Lansing).”
Book Burrow’s wide variety of texts makes it the kind of store that you can spend an entire day in, discovering titles that stir up nostalgia and others you’ve never come across.
Book Burrow is located at 401 S. Capitol Ave. in Lansing and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
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Deadtime Stories: True Crime and Other Books
If you’re into horror, gore or murder mysteries, this “grisly” bookstore is the one for you. The only one of its kind, Deadtime Stories' reads focus mainly on true crime. Gray walls, odd trinkets and accessories like pillows that say, “Talk murder to me” adorn the shop, allowing you to immerse yourself in its creepy and paranormal vibe.
You can find a variety of true crime books, including stories about cults and tales of disappearances. Even if you’re not a fan of reading, going to this bookstore will definitely be a unique experience.
Deadtime Stories is located at 1132 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, and is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Schuler Books
Operational since 1990, the Okemos location of Schuler Books is one of the largest in the area. The bookstore sells primarily new books but also has a robust used book section.
But what most separates Schuler Books from other bookstore chains is its history.
“One of the things that we’re so proud about is that we are an independent bookstore," operations manager Tim Smith said. "Now, we’ve been joined by several others as well in recent times. We’ve been able to outlast some of the larger bookstores. Our customers have a long history of supporting us in Lansing, and we’re super grateful for that.”
Schuler Books has a wonderful staff that offers great recommendations to readers.
“(Our staff is) a collection of people who read a variety of books and talk to nearly anyone about books,” Smith said.
Schuler Books is located at 1982 W, Grand River Road in Okemos at the Meridian Mall; it operates from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Student Bookstore
The Student Bookstore might be a go-to place for university textbooks, but it has more to offer than some may think. You can purchase Michigan State University merchandise, accessories, school supplies, home decor and sports equipment.
The Student Bookstore also has a renting system where you can check out a book for an allotted amount of time. Awarding its customers with flexibility, the Student Bookstore is a good option, whether you’re browsing for an educational guide or desperately searching for a last-minute course pack.
The Student Bookstore is located at 421 Grand River Ave. It's open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
