Well, it’s April, and 2017 just seems to be flying by. It officially feels like spring here in Northern Nevada, April showers and all. Before we know it, we'll be lying on the beach at Lake Tahoe with a cold drink in one hand and a book in the other.
Speaking of books (and whether or not you’re a reader like me), it’s never too early, or too late, to dive into the latest hit series, a new work of fiction from your favorite author or a classic piece of literature. I love the excitement that comes with every first page of a new story, but I stand by the opinion that searching and finding your next great read is half of the fun.
It may sound like an April fool’s joke to some, but Carson City is an incredible place to go book shopping. Locals (well, me at least) still lament the closure of the town’s Borders bookstore, but it turns out that Carson City’s independent bookstores hold more surprises, history and fun between those shelves. These small businesses are all about discovery — you might find a survey of Nevada’s ghost towns, for example, or an out-of-print edition of one of your favorite classic novels. Many secrets are waiting for you in the following stores. Make this weekend about visiting these shops and bringing home a few new or old reads to add to your collection.
The Carson City Library is one of the city’s best resources for books and media. It has thousands of books, music, movies and periodicals in its inventory. And the library holds events like movie nights, club meetings and family story time. If you’re on the hunt for information, the library’s text resources offer a comprehensive and trustworthy place to start.
Yet just across the street is Browser’s Corner Book Store, operated by Friends of the Carson City Library. It’s a small store, but its used selection spreads across every book genre and even includes vinyl and magazines, depending on what items have been donated recently. I’m a fan of looking through Browser’s Corner’s literature section, which always has gently used copies of Shakespeare and classics like Ulysses and The Catcher in the Rye. Many of them are older editions that you couldn’t find in any regular bookstore. Look closely for a collector’s edition of one of your favorite classics here and be sure to check out the extensive selection of children’s books as well.
Next, head over to Fairview Drive and step into Dog-Eared Books. As the name suggests, this cozy closet of a bookstore is stocked full of recycled books. My recommendation is to seek out a recent series you may have missed or have never gotten around to reading, maybe a young adult novel or a collection of short stories from an author you like. Dog-Eared Books has a mix of just about everything and the prices are low, so pick up an armful of contemporary classics to bring home.
One of my favorite spots in Downtown Carson City is Morley’s Books. Taking up the first floor of an old house on King Street, the place smells like an antique book as soon as you step in — an aroma book collectors love. You’ll want to move from room to room, taking in the serenity of the setting filled with decades-old novels, nonfiction books and collector’s pieces. You may stumble upon an interesting cover of an antique book you’ve never heard of before, maybe an old Western story by an unknown author, to add a touch of intrigue to your own bookshelf at home. It’s also where you should pick up a few Nevada-centric books. I personally love the books on haunted Nevada locations.
No bookstore excursion is complete without a stop at a comics store. Dreamwell Comics on the south end of town is Carson City's premier comics store and a collector's paradise. There's a selection of new, ongoing issues from comic front runners Marvel and DC, but unless you're keeping up every month, I suggest going straight to the classics. Pick up a few of the collectible issues from decades ago, with older stories starring Batman, Superman, Iron Man and other icons, many of which are in excellent condition. See what other collectibles catch your eye here and add some "super" to your increasing stack of books.
Last but not least, what’s a book tour of Carson City without a cup of hot coffee? Comma Coffee fits right in with the bookish aesthetic of these stores. Take stock of your new bookshelf additions with a cappuccino and relax in Comma Coffee’s eclectic atmosphere, usually with a live acoustic performance for background music. Comma Coffee has its own little bookshelf of surprises, so find something that looks interesting (I always seem to gravitate toward a mystery or an old sci-fi anthology for casual reading) and finish out your successful day of book hunting in that blissed-out peace that booklovers know so well.
As always, there is a lot of fun stuff going on around Carson City this week; check out it all out on our Daytime, Nightlife and Community events pages.
About the Author Bryan Akerley
Bryan was born and raised in Northern Nevada and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. When he’s not writing, he’s keeping up with pop culture as a lover of movies, TV, music and books or out exploring the area through its restaurants, bars and nightlife. Then he’ll unwind by playing the drums or piano or spending time with his corgi, Teddy. 
