Hometown Book Dragon
Bookshops & Besties: Hundred Acre Books
What better place to start a series on bookstores than in your hometown bookstore? And who better to take along than a long-time bestie who is not only a bookish friend but a ride-or-die adventure partner? So, for our first installment of Bookshops and Besties, I grabbed my friend Katie, and we popped into Hundred Acre Books on Davis Street in Culpeper.
The Bestie: Katie
Favorite Book: The Nightingale
Loves bookstores because: I love that bookstores open up a world beyond my everyday. I love that you will run into a stranger and leave with a new friend and a new book to add to your read list. I love all the extra little knickknacks that bookstores have because fun bookmarks are needed, even if I have several.
Hundred Acre Books is nestled in the between Poppy + Chalk and SCOOP on Davis in their shared store. The shared space does not detract from Hundred Acre’s great bookish vibes. It is clear the owners of the three stores have developed a unique friendship and working relationship.
The Bookshop Owner: Heather
Favorite Book: Little Women
Opened a bookstore because: Always loved books, and jumped at the chance to own a bookstore…to be a book dragon.
Favorite section of the store: the banned books section (she’s posing in front of it in the photo)
Hundred Acre offers a good selection of new and used books. According to Heather they will be stocking more new books in the future. There is also a large local author section. The store also offers all kinds of bookish gifts - bookmarks, stickers, mystery book packages, pins, Winnie the Pooh items (appropriately so), and more.
Make it stand out
Katie pointed this out to me, and said, “Yes! We need bookstores to do this. Show us the other great books authors have written.”
Heather is working hard on making Hundred Acre Books a true third space. “I love making a space where people can come hang out. A third space where people can come to spend no money or all of their money.” Hundred Acre hosts book clubs, writing groups, author events, and more throughout the year.
We ended our small hometown bookstore visit with ice cream at SCOOP and browsing the bookshelves. It was such a fun, bookish trip. Honestly, Katie and I would have stayed much longer if I hadn’t had to run to a book club meeting. Heather is fantastic, and she has carved out a safe, friendly space for book dragons to gather, hang out, and add to their own book hoard.
Bestie, bookshop haul & me — Katie & I at Hundred Acre Books, a Little Women retelling (I haven’t finished it yet) and a little reminder in the form of a bookmark, & me
