Who would’ve thought a book lover’s dream existed in rural Virginia, just up the road from a Buc-ee’s? Certainly not me, so when my dad told me we’d be stopping at a bookstore on our road trip to the Smokies, I was a little hesitant about what we’d find. Reinforcing my doubts was a small sign that read, “Green Valley Book Fair and Auction,” followed by the sight of two farm-style buildings on the top of the hill. They were massive, but certainly nondescript.
After I got out of the car and started walking towards the building, a store employee was rounding up carts and asked if my family wanted one. I thought to myself, “What kind of bookstore do you need a cart at?”
My question was quickly answered the second I walked through the front door. I was immediately greeted by a giant room with shelves of books, paired with stacked bins storing even more books underneath. It was by far the largest independent bookstore I had ever been to, and I was only in the first room. A hallway connected a second building, which was slightly larger and contained two floors and a connecting landing. There were neat sections dedicated to every genre you could imagine. Needless to say, I was a little overwhelmed!
A Selection and Prices that Make You Feel Like the Main Character
Within the first five minutes of casually wandering, I found several titles that have been on my TBR for years. The best part? None of the books were more than $7! Once I got more focused and started shopping in a more organized fashion, I discovered everything from special editions with sprayed edges to travel-friendly classics. Imagine “Stuff your Kindle” day, but in real life, and you’re close to seeing the excitement.
In addition to the large selection of books, there were multiple sections dedicated to home goods, including decor, puzzles, stationery, and craft supplies. A Jurassic World crochet kit (under $10) quickly made its way into my cart. It even included a hook and enough yarn to make the t. rex and velociraptor! I’m just starting to learn to crochet, so it felt like a sign from the universe that this bookstore was the good place.
I filled up my cart, and the checkout staff were prepared. In addition to bags, they also had cardboard shipping boxes available. You guessed it, I learned this when they started putting all my books into a large shipping box. The fun wasn’t over yet, though! On the way out, I stopped at the free bookmark wall, which featured bookmarks designed by local kids in a variety of themes. Whether you’re a cozy reader, a fantasy reader, or something else entirely, there was an adorable bookmark designed to match your reads. Right outside the doors, there were two adorable photo ops designed for kids (or kids of all ages), featuring the giraffe and fox mascots.
Is the Green Valley Book Fair Worth Visiting?
If you ever find yourself near Harrisonburg, VA, perhaps to make a road trip pit stop at Buc-ee’s, it’s well worth the few-minute drive up the hill to the Green Valley Book Fair. It’s rare to say that a store has something for everyone, but this is a place that’s hard to walk out of empty-handed, even if you’re not a book lover!
Can’t make it to Virginia anytime soon? You’re still in luck. The Green Valley Book Fair website offers a selection available for shipping.
Of course I needed to stop for a picture with the giraffe mascot!
(Most of) my haul in the infamous cart. A few more snuck in on my walk back to the checkout.
