[BHE 388] Book Hunting In The US of A (Part 4): Indie Bookstores in San Francisco and Nashville

BHE

Myra here.

This will serve as my final post for all the book hunting I have done in the US. Naturally, I saved the best for last. Here are two of my favourite indie bookstores in Nashville and San Francisco.

Parnassus Books: Nashville

Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike #14, Nashville, TN 37215

When I found out that Parnassus Books was actually located in Nashville, I made it my life’s mission to find the bookstore. I initially learned about it via Reese Witherspoon when she interviewed Ann Patchett, multi-award-winning author and founder of the bookstore here:

It was only one bus ride from our AirBnB place (lucky!). The place is gorgeous, the space filled with warmth, and the books just lovingly curated as noted in the amazing conversation of the two women above.

I took my time just seeing the titles that are prominently displayed on the shelves. Not unexpectedly, Ann Patchett’s books welcome you as you enter the store.

I especially loved how they also highlighted local authors from Nashville – not to mention, Ann Patchett’s politics with the recommendation of books authored by Democratic candidates.

I also liked the central space afforded to visiting authors or storytelling or just booktalks. You can tell that it is a place that welcomes bibliophiles – or just simply people who like to talk about their reading.

The children’s book section is a gem. You just know that it is a place that enjoys seeing young people grow through books: so many comfortable lounging spaces and the curated picturebook selection delightfully diverse. What more can anyone ask for?

To say that I had so much fun browsing through the titles is an understatement. Add the fact that the booksellers were helpful, knowledgeable, and evidently very passionate about what they are doing.

Here are the books that I eventually ended up purchasing:

My Year Of Rest And Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (Amazon | Book Depository),

Southernmost by Silas House (Amazon | Book Depository).

As we were on our way back to San Francisco from Nashville, we naturally had to make a brief visit to the Parnassus branch found at the airport. How absolutely awesome is that!

Green Apple

Address: 506 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

This is not my first visit to San Francisco’s Green Apple. I have featured this amazing bookstore a few times over the years. In fact, I can not possibly do a visit to family in the Bay Area without doing a pilgrimage to this wonderful place. How fortunate I am to have beautiful friends who indulged me and accompanied me to this place yet again during our last USA trip.

This was a super-quickie visit since my husband and daughter were pretty hungry, and parking fees in San Francisco are ridiculous. Hence, it was a wham-bam-thankyoumam kind of thing. I knew exactly what I wanted to purchase and I got those! Easy-peasy.