Mystery Lovers Bookshop has been catering to fans of twisty tales for more than 30 years
Local, independent bookstores have never been more important. With fair access to literature under political attack, bookstores are a bulwark against censorship and an asset to the communities they serve.
Each week we profile an independent bookstore, discovering what makes each one special and getting their expert book recommendations.
This week we have owners Tara Goldberg-DeLeo and Kristy Bodnar of Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, Pennsylvania!
What’s your store’s story?
Mystery Lovers Bookshop was founded in 1990 and has continued to carry on the founder's tradition of providing a mystery centric selection of books, in addition to popular fiction, nonfiction and children's books. We have also carried on the tradition of philanthropy and support for our community library, schools, PTOs, athletic teams, theater productions and more. Each year we host an annual 'ARC Fundraiser' soliciting donations for a selected organization with our most recent event raising over $1,000 for the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh.
Check out: USA TODAY's Independent Bookstores Map
What makes your independent bookstore unique?
Despite us being the fifth owners since 1990, we have continued to carry on the tradition that our customers have come to know and love. Two of our employees have been with the store for over 20 years and many of our loyal clients have been shopping with the store since its inception! We are proud of the support we bring to the community, our partnership with the Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, being a founding member of the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, and our monthly Mysterious Book Subscription that caters to fans of mystery books!
What's your favorite section in your store?
This is a tough call! Can we say the entire store? Our children's section is fantastic and we work hard to curate our selection to be inclusive and support national and local authors. Our wall of mystery is where you can find collections from store favorites like Louise Penny, Martin Walker, Jacqueline Winspear and Anna Lee Huber!
What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?
We love to recommend "Daisy Darker" by Alice Feeney. If you are looking for an exciting locked door mystery with some jaw dropping twists, this is the book for you. Richard Osman, author of "The Thursday Murder Club," launched a new series in September with the release of "We Solve Murders." Osman is a best-selling fan-favorite in our store and we know our readers will be delighted!
What book do you think deserves more attention and why?
This is so hard because we LOVE so many books. However, "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by T.J. Klune is a book everyone should read. It is a heartwarming tale of acceptance, unfettered love and faith in humanity as it chronicles the unexpected family unit of magical youth. You will fall in love with the characters and your heart will be full.
Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?
Shopping local is how we keep our local communities alive! Oakmont is a walking town full of local businesses. We support our library, our community athletic leagues, our schools. Huge discount corporate retailers are not sponsoring our High School Musical. We care about books and the success of our community, we are not trying to launch a fleet of commercial space travel.
What are some of your store's programs or partnerships coming up this quarter that you would like to share?
On Dec. 14, we are thrilled to welcome cartoonist, Joe Wos for the launch of his book "Exploding Kittens Activities and Puzzles."
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