Two Huge Nearby Bookstores Every Book Lover Should Experience at Least Once

When I was young, The Book Corner was my first destination when Owensboro's Lincoln Mall opened decades ago. Later, when Towne Square Mall began its life in my hometown, it was Waldenbooks.

These days, new bookstores are few and far between, with Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million sort of carrying the banner. What I see more of in the 2020s are used bookstores like Half-Price Books and 2nd and Charles.

But there are a couple of mega-booksellers that require your attention if you love bookstores like I do. One is McKay's Bookstore in Nashville; the other is Morgenstern Books & Café in Bloomington, Indiana.

McKay's Bookstore

You bring books, movies, puzzles, or whatever into McKay's. You fill up the baskets that are provided, and then the staff will let you know what they'll take, what they'll reject, and, ultimately, what amount of store credit you'll receive for your merchandise. My sister has racked up so much store credit at McKay's, she won't have to pay cash there for years to come. (If ever, if she plays her cards right.)

The store is massive and might put you in the mind of an airplane hangar once you're inside.

Book lovers must put this place on a to-do list.

Morgenstern Books & Café

Now, let's head north to Bloomington, Indiana, a vibrant college town where you'd expect to find an enormous bookstore. And you're expectations will be met at Morgenstern Books & Café. Four years ago, this 1990s-era bookseller reopened to rave reviews and heavy traffic.

So, the next time you're in or near Bloomington, and you're a book lover, stop by massive Morgenstern, grab a beverage, turn off your phone, and enjoy the kind of day you've been anticipating.