Where Can I Find: Book Shops

As part of the Newcomers Issue, City Pulse compiled several lists under the title “Where Can I Find…” These lists are meant as a brief guide for people unfamiliar with Lansing.

Put your nose up to your computer screen. All you did was make a grease spot, right? Book shops are the place to rekindle your love for words you can see, feel and smell, and meet with other book lovers who can share your passion. Lansing has more than its share.

Curious Book Shop

307 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing

Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sun. Noon-5 p.m.

(517) 332-0112

Miraculously intact since the ’70s, dwarfed by the tall buildings going up on all sides, East Lansing’s Curious Books remains the classic browsing space book lovers adore. Fascinating collector’s items and scarce titles share the space with popular paperbacks, a generous aisle of fantasy and sci-fi titles, old magazines, foreign language books, comics and lots of surprises.

Archives Book Shop

519 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing

Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sun. 12 p.m-5 p.m.

(517) 332-8444

The sister shop to Curious, Archives specializes in high-end editions, literature, art, history, biographies, local history, ephemera and super-old, weird things you never thought you’d see, like a history of insect eating or an official program to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Everybody Reads Book & Stuff

2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing

Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Fri.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

(517) 346-9900

This east side community hub hosts local authors and poets regularly. The shelves in the main store feature new and used books on Michigan and Great Lakes themes, the environment, social justice and other progressive themes. Sharing the space is Triple Goddess Book store, specializing in books with wiccan and New Age topics.

Book Burrow, Downtown Capital Area District Library

401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing

Thurs. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Fri. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

(517) 367-6319

This is the bibliophile’s version of the Humane Society, where deaccessioned library books go to be adopted — and libraries are quicker and crueler than ever in getting rid of books nowadays. The Book Burrow is one of the best-kept secrets in the city — 2000 square feet of old books (some of them not so old) where you can easily get lost for the better part of an afternoon. Donations beef up the collection. The shop is run by the Friends of the Lansing Libraries, and the proceeds go to the South Cedar, Foster libraries and the downtown library.

Schuler Books - Meridian Mall

1982 Grand River Ave., Okemos

(517) 349-8840

Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Mon. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Lansing area’s flagship book store has frequent author appearances and book signings, knowledgeable staff, an ever-growing used book selection. In addition to the new titles, the venue hosts ongoing book groups, a cozy café and a panoply of book-related items.

Barnes & Noble Books - Lansing Mall

5132 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing

Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

(517) 327-0437

A spacious, well-stocked book store with a Chicago-sized magazine rack, all the latest paperback and softcover titles. Get lost in manga and graphic novels, DVDs and Blu-Rays, story time activities, book clubs and lots of sale tables.

Summit Comics & Games

216 Washington Square, Lansing

Mon.-Tues. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Wed. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Thurs.-Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sun. 12-5 p.m.

(517) 485-2369

A wall of new comics, another wall of hard cover omnibi and graphic novels fill this compact downtown Lasing location. Additionally, collectible figures, posters and assorted eye confetti electrify the space with Krypton-exploding colors.