Zenna Bowes, Special to The Denisonian—
Place Review: Readers’ Garden Book Store
All of my worries melted away as I walked through the door. The space is small and cozy, with books lining every wall; you are surrounded by numerous little worlds, waiting to draw you in. From the soft lighting to Noah Kahan playing through a speaker, the overall atmosphere is so calming and comfortable. Readers’ Garden Book Store has that effect on people. Located in Granville, this quaint little place offers new and used books, other associated goods, fun details sprinkled throughout the store, and a splash of local charm.
The store was first opened 27 years ago by Jo-Anne Geiger. The store was sold in April of 2019 to current owner Kim Keethler-Ball, keeping it independently owned and operated. Since it is only 35 minutes from downtown Columbus, it makes a great escape from the fast-paced city life. Additionally, the store sits at the bottom of the hill that Denison University sits on, so it is only about a five-minute walk for students.
Readers’ Garden offers a wide variety both within and between genres, all clearly labeled and organized. There is a wide selection of genres to choose from, including mystery, religion and philosophy, historical fiction, feminist, western, LGBTQ fiction, and much more. There really is something for everyone at this bookstore. Having so many options to choose from is also great for someone who is not sure exactly what they are looking for, and maybe just wants to browse. Additionally, there are many popular titles available, such as “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden, “Hunting Wives” by May Cobb, and the “Bridgerton” series by Julia Quinn. This is a big selling point for me because I love seeing books that I recognize. They even mention on their Instagram page that they can order any book that they do not have physically in store; that way, if you are looking for a book you really want but just are not finding it, they will get it for you.
Books aren’t the only things on the shelves at Readers’ Garden. There are many eye-catching and unique displays showcasing colorful stones and gems, flower vase magnets, stickers, mini duckies, colorful paper bookmarks, and handmade quilted bookmarks, among other things. Additionally, there is a wide array of greeting cards for many different occasions. One that particularly stood out to me was “Alice in Wonderland” themed and had such a beautiful design. There is also a children’s section in the store, not only for children’s books, but also a little play area to keep kids occupied while their parents shop. This area has a small table and chairs with a variety of toys next to a whimsical wall mural. Another fun detail is the fish tank with neon green pebbles, a treehouse decoration, a mushroom decoration, and, of course, a few tiny fish swimming around. All of this adds so much to the overall experience and gives customers fun options other than books.
Readers’ Garden promotes many local events and authors. For example, they promote events on their social media pages, such as open mic nights, a Literacy and Reading Club event, and various other events hosted by the store or by the Granville Arts Commission. They have even promoted one of Denison University’s own authors, Professor Margot Singer, and her book “Secret Agent Man.” In fact, they recently joined the Granville Center for the Arts in a book launch celebration and Q&A session for “Secret Agent Man,” offering signed copies. Also, when I visited, there was a poster on the door advertising a community event celebrating the 100th anniversary of “The Great Gatsby.” The store itself also has an enjoyable, personal touch, as there were sticky notes under some of the shelves giving fun facts such as, “This is the book Walter White keeps in his nightstand on ‘Breaking Bad.’” These are all such cool ways to get the community involved and interested in reading and books.
To be fair, the books are a bit pricey, so if you’re a book lover on a budget, I would stick to thrift stores or libraries. Also, it is just a bookstore, so if you are looking for action and excitement, this isn’t the place for you. Additionally, the store is small, so some may be underwhelmed or disappointed if they were expecting a Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million. But Readers’ Garden has something that chain bookstores don’t—local charm.
Overall, Readers’ Garden Book Store is a lovely and charming place to browse for your next read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quiet and cozy shopping experience. Whether you love books or just love the aesthetic of a bookstore, Readers’ Garden has so much to offer, from the books themselves to birthday cards, trinkets, and community events. Take a trip sometime and enter the warm, magical world inside Readers’ Garden.
Zenna Bowes ‘29 is a biology major from Montoursville, Pennsylvania.