Escape Winter Weather in Missoula's Bookstores
Winter refuses to relinquish its sloppy grip on our little mountain town. Last night Missoula received what seemed like about an inch of fresh snow that by noon had half melted into a slushy mess that splashed up in the wake of cars and trucks on the streets and caked everything near by in a brown layer of filthy sludge. The fresh white snow is now gone, although there were a few more flakes that fell around 5:00 p.m., just as I was walking to the grocery store with my wife, cursing the lack of sidewalks in our sorry excuse for a neighborhood as cars burned past us, splattering slush and mud. On gray days like these, it's easy to shrug off the idea of doing anything too adventurous in favor of grabbing a cup of coffee and hiding out in a used bookstore. This is my ideal rotten-weather activity--an escape from the grim truth that winter will drag on as long as it damn well pleases. Fortunately Missoula has a good number of bookstores to consider. Here are a few of my favorites:
Fact & Fiction
A staple of downtown shopping, this little shop is conveniently located at 220 N. Higgins. Last year, when I worked downtown, I would often find my way to Fact & Fiction to escape the drudgery of the office. The staff is exceptionally friendly and you can rest assured that you're buying local when you shop here. Fact & Fiction is an independent bookstore known for its wide selection of regional works. Check out their website at http://www.factandfictionbooks.com/
MoonCougar Books
This place is a local treasure located near the University of Montana. The first time I stumbled upon this store, there was a local bluegrass band using the space to practice. It happened that the owner was one of the band members and he invited me in to listen. The selection of books here is good and you can find some really excellent buys, but the real advantage of shopping here is the fact that there is an excellent coffee shop in the adjoining building. Moon Cougar is located at 1221 Helen Ave.
The Book Exchange
Located at 2335 Brooks St., at the intersection affectionately known as ‘Malfunction Junction', this is a great destination if you're serious about browsing a wide selection of new and used books. I frequent this store more than any other in town, partly because of their variety, but mainly because of their great prices and reasonable trade offers. I traded in Kerouac's Dr. Sax, which I found to be his most eccentric work, for $4.50 in store credit (not bad considering I paid only $6 for it when I bought it only slightly used). The Book Exchange offers an organized, well-maintained assortment of books that includes all major genres. I highly recommend checking it out.
Shakespeare & Company
I'm not sure if the owners of S&C knowingly ripped off the name of the famous Parisian bookstore that Hemingway often frequented in the1920's, but, regardless, they run a first-rate bookstore. It's not the largest store and it only sells new books, but it has other marketable qualities that make it a true gem. The atmosphere, for example, is warm and inviting. A French doorway offering fiction on one side and non-fiction on the other conveniently splits the space of the store. There are many regional works featured in the selection and the walls of the store are adorned with magnificent local art. This place is definitely worth a look. Check it out at 103 S. Third St. West.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the bookstores in Missoula. I only featured my favorites. Here are some places that I would advise you to stay clear of: Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, Hastings, and The UM Bookstore. These are over-priced and/or corporate money-suckers whose only concern seems to be the bottom line.
