Books on Every Block

Friends of the Marianna Black Library Used Book Store

Bryson City’s largest bookstore is full of surprises. “Because our inventory is entirely donated, the selections are constantly changing”, says Manager Gail Findlay. “You never know what you’ll find.”

Some of the store’s most popular books include mystery thrillers, Christian fiction, large print books, magazines, craft ideas and instruction books. There are vintage books, music CDs and vinyl, as well as movies on DVD.

A unique feature in the store is the early 1900’s Italian marble soda fountain with stained glass murals. It was originally located in Bennett’s Drug Store in Bryson City.

The bookstore is staffed entirely by volunteers, including high school students. All profits are donated to Bryson City’s Marianna Black Library for ongoing programs and operations.

32 Everett St
Bryson City NC
828-488-5655
Facebook.com/FoMBL

Appalachian Mercantile

Want to read more about the lure and lore of Bryson City and the surrounding area? A good place to start is the books section of the Appalachian Mercantile store, with its very comprehensive collection of books on local history, several written by the owner, Lance Holland.

Most are non-fiction books on local interests such as birds, gems, mushrooms and trees. You’ll find books on Cherokee Indian lore, plants of the Cherokee and Cherokee basketry. There are spooky stories, mountain ghost stories, legends, unsolved disappearances and ghost lore. There’s a section for kids and adults relating to the history of trains in the Smokies. The store also has a selection of raised relief and topo maps.

Lance Holland is a man of varied talents: backcountry guide, builder, author of ‘Fontana: A Pocket History of Appalachia,’ ‘The Nantahala River: A History and Guide’ and coauthor of ‘Hiking Trails of the Smokies.’ He worked twenty years as a location manager/scout for motion pictures including ‘The Last of the Mohicans’, ‘The Fugitive’ and ‘Nell’. Lance produced and directed the historic documentary films ‘Nantahala: Land of the Noonday Sun’ and ‘Hiking on Hazel Creek.’

Lance Holland, owner and author
158 Everett Street
828-488-2531
AppalachianMercantile.net

MRKT On the Square

One of Bryson City’s newest downtown stores, MRKT on the Square combines a varied retail experience with Sandra D’s coffee and sweet shop. The store offers everything from shoes, gardening tools, kitchen gadgets and pottery to a selection of homemade baked goods and fried pies. And there’s a large selection of books for all ages.

For kids, there are art activity books – how to draw, sticker books, trace and learn books, wipe clean books, coloring books, push-pull-slide books, scratch and sketch books. There are puzzle books and games to enjoy while traveling (even in the car) and a selection of 5-minute (and longer) bedtime storybooks.

Adults can find a nice selection of books on food and drink — canning, vegan recipes, keto diet, composting, campfire cooking, soul food, tailgating and BBQ. And guidebooks for foragers to identify, harvest and prepare eidble wild plants.

For entertaining, you’ll find such books as Craft Beer for Geeks, Whiskey Bible and Tropical Cocktails.

Ben King, co-owner
160 Main Street
828-788-2390
Facebook.com/SandraDsMRKT

One Twenty Main

In addition to her own creations — paintings, prints, note cards and designs — artist Ashley Hackshaw’s Main Street studio/shop has several displays of books hand-picked by the artist. Themes include:

— The beauty and diversity of national parks
— Thoughts about the world we live in, our planet
— Instructions on writing and life; writing techniques
— Personal favorites, primarily non-fiction|
— Creativity and invention
— Local authors

Ashley also sells several hand-picked books on art and creativity, including books to help budding artists nurture their creativity and explore their feelings through art. She has how-to books for art projects like rock painting, paint mixing books and journals to create your own books.

Ashley Hackshow, owner
120 Main Street
LilBlueBoo.com

Great Smoky Mountains Association Bookstore

Located in the Swain County Visitor Center, the store offers an assortment of books, maps, guides, games, and toys, all with a singular focus — enjoyment and preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

There are books recounting the history of the park, guides to its trails, wildlife, birds, and trees plus an assortment of educational children’s books that pair with stuffed plush animals. There are park-themed scavenger hunts, scrabble, and other games for the entire family. And there are cookbooks of traditional mountain recipes with jars of the honey and preserves to use as you cook.

GSMA is a non-profit organization that partners with the park to support scientific, historical and interpretive activities. In its more than 65 years of operation, the Association has contributed more than $46 million to the park.

Pictured – GSMA employee Mary Freitas in the children’s book section.

2 Everett Street
865-436-7318
SmokiesInformation.org