Independent bookstores are the cornerstones of local communities. They bring together people who have a shared interest—but it’s one that could be isolating or lonely if not for book clubs or dedicated gathering spaces. Whenever I go on a trip, one of my favorite ways to get to know a new city is to stop by a beloved indie bookstore. It quickly gives you an introduction to the area and delivers a sense of place. That’s why I recommend that anyone who visits my hometown, Chattanooga, should add The Book & Cover to their itinerary.
About The Book & Cover
This bookstore had an unconventional beginning, but it laid the perfect foundation for this community hub. The Book & Cover was first an Instagram account that was run by a few friends who wanted to talk about their latest reads and connect with other book lovers online. As they gained a following, a new, bigger dream took shape. During the pandemic, Emily Lilley, Sarah Jackson, and Blaes Green got the idea to turn their shared passion into a brick-and-mortar shop.
When talking to other book sellers and store owners, they heard the same piece of advice repeated again and again: Do whatever you can to avoid accruing too much debt in your first year of business. So with this information in mind, the trio turned to their community and started a crowdfunding campaign. Thanks to the relationships they had built through their Instagram account, and helping hands throughout the Chattanooga area, they were able to open The Book & Cover’s doors in November 2021. The group effort it took to create this spot is one of the many reasons that it is the epitome of a community gathering space.
Cozy Corners
I’ve been in plenty of dreamy bookstores, but The Book & Cover is in its own category. Just a few miles from downtown Chattanooga, the store is housed in a converted 1920s bungalow in a tucked-away neighborhood. As with any good old home, the floorboards creak beneath your feet as you enter the shop. Passing through the threshold of this place feels like being welcomed into a reading retreat—it truly feels like a home away from home.
My favorite part of the shop is that, since it’s in a former home, there are little rooms you can duck into for private, uninterrupted browsing. Once you find your perfect book—and maybe grab a latte and a croissant from the coffee bar—you can settle into the reading nook that’s just large enough for a cafe table, two benches, and a large ornate window. And if you have kids, the children’s section is reason enough to visit. Dubbed The Storybook Forest, this corner of the shop is shaded under otherworldly trees designed by local mixed-media artist Ashley Folkner. A papier-mâché rendering of The Giving Tree fills out the space and stretches up to the ceiling, and the walls are adorned with colorful murals; it’s like jumping headfirst into the pages of your favorite picture book.
Outstanding Book Clubs
Okay, yes, I admit it: having great book clubs is kind of a given with most indie book shops. But The Book & Cover’s are next-level. My cousin, one of the store’s most loyal customers, equates getting a spot in your desired book club to landing Taylor Swift concert tickets. You have to be ready the moment sign-ups open up, or you’ll be relegated to the wait list. And they’re this popular for a reason. They are intimate, thoughtful, and well planned. There are 13 different themes (so 13 different clubs) available this month alone.
What makes them so special? A Book & Cover employee who also happens to be a graphic artist creates custom sticker designs for each club. And certain groups have extra gimmicks too. Those in the cocktail book club walk next door to a local bar and sip on a drink inspired by their book. The cookbook club makes and samples recipes from that month’s pick. In June, they flipped through one by Jessica B. Harris, who also happens to be a Southern Living Contributing Editor. So not only did they have delicious food to nibble on but powerful essays to debrief and learn from.
Exciting Events
The Book & Cover throws a variety of events—there’s at least one for every type of reader. I was thrilled to make the trip home to go to the 2024 Bookstore Romance Day. Most places would do one or two discounts and maybe have cutesy drinks or snacks, but The Book & Cover put out an over-the-top schedule to keep people occupied the whole day if they so chose. There was a morning barre class, a “puppy love” storytime featuring adoptable dogs from a local shelter, a tattoo artist offering on-site specials, and more. And as if that wasn’t enough, they sponsored an evening panel with LGBTQ+ authors Alexandria Bellefleur and Ashley Herring Blake at a nearby bar—with themed bespoke cocktails to boot.
Other fan-favorite happenings include a fall festival, weekly story times, and plenty of local author talks (occasionally starring my uncle, Chattanooga novelist B.T. Polcari, excuse the shameless plug). Their signature event, Ink Drink, is just as jam-packed as you’d expect. It starts with a group walk where everyone listens to their own audiobook and then includes readings from various writers, tons of kid-friendly activities like face painting or a costumed tea party, and usually some sort of boozy gathering for the grown-ups.
Where To Next?
There are actually quite a few literary highlights in Chattanooga. I’d even argue that it’s an ideal city for book lovers—with plenty of cozy coffee shops for enjoying your latest reads. While The Book & Cover is newer, it’s a much welcome addition to Chattanooga’s literary landscape. And once you fall in love with The Book & Cover, my next suggestion would be to head across town and spend an entire afternoon in Mckay’s, my favorite second-hand bookstore. It is a completely different experience from the curated atmosphere of The Book & Cover, but that’s a story for another time. McKay’s is where you go when you’re looking for a treasure hunt; The Book & Cover is where you go when you need a respite, one that’s filled with a sense of comfort and homecoming.