874 Route 43, Stephentown, NY

Formerly known as Down in Denver Books, this revived and redesigned shop in Stephentown, NY is as lively as a used bookshop can be. Owner Louise and Orson the bookshop cat do their best to ensure booklovers have a good time browsing, whether they leave with an armload of books or just a great experience and a story to tell. If you’re heading out to find the shop, look for the bright red building on the side of the road way out on Route 43. It’ll be hard to miss, and you’ll be glad you stopped.

On a sunny day, you’ll find books on display outside on the front porch, great deals on hardcovers and paperbacks alike, and always something different. Just inside the front door is a rotating seasonal display (this October’s selection was appropriately spooky) along with politics, sports, and women’s studies. Over by the front desk you’ll find free coffee, tea, and biscuits, along with candy and lollipops to keep you energized while browsing. There’s also an array of memoirs and biographies, Beat-era literature, art books, vintage and rare titles, and the children’s and YA shelves.

To the right inside you’ll find the bulk of the fiction along with nonfiction displays, mystery, a nook for horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, and a section for religious titles (more than I expected). There’s also a selection of vinyl and CDs back there too. I picked up a couple rare records over my visits and there’s always something unique in those boxes. You’ll also see a few local authors have displays throughput the shop, so be sure to support your local wordsmith!

Going up the stairs you’ll see the Great Scots wall of famous Scottish folks, both contemporary and wayback celebs. This primes you for the books at the very top of the stairs: vintage Hollywood memoirs, biographies, and historical examinations. Upstairs is where you’re going to find that kind of unique nonfiction, covering everything from counterculture journalism to psychology, cooking, history, true crime, literary studies, and animals, as well as poetry, noir, classic literature, and a tiny bit o’ erotica for saucier readers.

When you check out, be sure to sign the wall with your favorite book (you’ll spot mine up there, but you’ll have to go to see which title I added) and also pick up a pin and sticker to share your love for this fantastically fun bookshop. It’s rare I leave empty-handed, but even if I do, I’m always happy I made the drive out.

Atmosphere — A lively shop that looks small from the outside but has a great big heart on the inside, as well as loads of books!

Quality — The books are of excellent quality, and all are ready to read, even the rarer throwback vintage titles.

Quantity — There are more books in here than you’d think from the outside, with two floors and all manner of nooks to search through.

Diversity — An excellent cross-section of titles, with a little bit of everything.

Affordability — Very affordable, and you’ll typically find most books falling in the $4 to $8 range, some more and some less depending on what you’re in the market for, but the prices are more than fair.

Amenities — There are a couple chairs, candy, drinks, snacks, and free poems and quotes you can grab from various jars.

Location — It’s a bit of a drive out there but it’s worth it. The shop is right on Route 43 before you get down into Stephentown itself.

Customer Service — Louise does an excellent job of making everyone feel welcomes and excited to walk in. Be sure to say hi!

Overall — Braveheart Books is the small town bookstore everyone wishes they had right up the street. There’s always new stock coming in, great music playing, and snacks and drinks near at hand to keep you browsing and happy. This is a wonderful bookshop and is always worth the drive out. Highly recommended.