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…