Getting Lost in Lincoln’s Pages
PC: Levi Ventura
Sometimes when you just need an escape from school and everyday life, books can be the perfect solution. Lincoln has several locally-owned bookstores for those much-needed breaks.
Tucked among other downtown businesses, A Novel Idea seems deceptively small, but you’ll be surprised when you enter. Senior religious education major, Nathanael Mena Mijargos highly recommends this Lincoln bookstore, “The walls are lined with lots of books sorted by genre! It’s two floors with all the books that one can imagine!” he stated.
The shop’s large collection is always changing and is made up of a wide variety of used books, including rare and out-of-print copies. The “New Arrivals” section is updated weekly on the store’s Facebook page.
If you see a book you’d like, you can ask the bookstore to reserve it for you. The books aren’t the only attraction you’ll find during your visit. Eddy and Charlie are the two shop cats who spend their days wandering amongst the bookshelves and visiting with the store’s patrons.
Trade A Tape Comic Center is a great place to visit if you’re interested in comic books and graphic novels. Since 1975, the shop has provided the Lincoln community with countless comic books. They currently have over 200,000 past issues in stock and even more available online.
Whether you’re new to the world of comics or you’re a comic veteran, you’ll be sure to find something interesting in the shop. Also remember to visit on Free Comic Book Day, May 4, to add to your collection.
Francie and Finch is named after “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn’s” Francie Nolan and “To Kill a Mockingbird’s” Scout Finch. It’s one of the newer bookstores in Lincoln but it offers as many exciting books as the others and if you can’t find the book you’re looking for, the shopkeepers can order it for you.
The bookstore hosts many different events, including author readings, book signings, art displays and even live music. Times and dates for these events can be found on the Francie and Finch Facebook page and their website.
Indigo Bridge Books and Cafe is a fun bookstore to check out in the Haymarket area. The bookstore takes pride in its efforts to connect with the Lincoln community.
Indigo Community, its non-profit entity, supports education and literacy outreach. All of the proceeds from the bookstore cafe’s coffee goes toward their cause. It’s a great place to enjoy a specialty fall drink and find your new favorite book.
Amanda McCarter is a senior studying biomedical science.