If you like reading, you probably know that the winter months are a perfect time to cozy up in your room with a good book. Bookshelf Shenanigans, a new bookstore in the central square of downtown Elizabethtown, is a great place to find some new favorites.
Upon entering, the shop’s calm and welcoming atmosphere is immediately evident. There are a series of smaller rooms separating books of varying genres, from nonfiction books on history to romance novels and collections of classic literature.
The space is maximized to fit a large selection, with shelves spanning across every wall. Though they’re all full, I didn’t feel overwhelmed looking at the stock. It was organized nicely and the shop felt inviting enough for me to spend as long as I wanted browsing each shelf individually, a feeling I don’t often get in stores like Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million.
There are also cards posted next to a few select books that give a brief synopsis and recommendation, branded with the shop’s leprechaun mascot. If you’re looking to make a quick purchase and be on your way, they may be a useful feature to see if there’s anything you might be interested in.
The room furthest from the entrance features shelves of children’s books, from young adult novels to picture books for very young kids. There is also a place to sit in the center of the room, inviting patrons to take a moment and find a book that speaks to them.
According to their website, Bookshelf Shenanigans also invites their customers to request an order for a book they want if they don’t see it on the shelves.
Alongside the books themselves, the store also offers a range of accessories to make your reading experiences more enjoyable. There are bookmarks, bookplates, colorful pens and tea for sipping with a blanket and a book.
I had only anticipated buying one or two books since I already have a few to read, but I ended up leaving with a collection of short stories, a set of five bookplates I intend to adhere to the inside of my journals and the Poet’s Pumpkin Spice flavor of the loose leaf tea, which I find to taste very nice. With my purchase, I also received two free bookmarks.
The book I bought will likely keep me busy for a while since I don’t make a lot of time for reading, but I do plan to return in the near future as there were a few others I thought looked interesting. Overall, I’d highly recommend a visit!
The shop is located at 2 N. Market Street, and is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 112 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
