It’s fun to shop locally! You get to meet the small business owners who are living their dream, and you are supporting the great Adirondack local economy. It’s a personalized shopping experience you can’t get from anywhere else. These shopkeepers, like Bookstore Plus, can often help you find just the right gift or book and offer suggestions for hard-to-buy-for friends and family. We’ve all been there! Here are our top picks for the season.
Warming Fireplace Reads
Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille is a mystery set in a luxurious old lodge in the Adirondacks that will keep you spellbound. A gathering of influential men meets to discuss world issues, and when the recent event of 9/11 comes up, rage turns to a plan for retaliation. A dead body near the lodge sends Detective Corey to investigate, but will he be able to stop what’s been set in motion in time? Be ready to cozy in.
Illustrated in the most beautiful way, A Coming of Winter in the Adirondacks speaks of nature and winter’s transition in descriptive prose that will fascinate any child. Kids will learn about trees, animals, leaves, and weather and be introduced to some colorful new words, too.
The adorable owl, moose, and deer all celebrate the magic of Winter Solstice in this enchanting book, Winter: A Solstice Story, by Kelsey E. Gross. It’s a story and lesson about sharing and hope, something we all wish for.
Gather round the fire for Winter Tales, folktales from across the globe. The 18 stories, with glorious illustrations, tell of “The White Bear King,” “The Apple Tree Man,” and “The Nutcracker,” to name a few. Adults and children alike will enjoy the tales from Siberia to Scotland.
Winter Walks and Hikes
Bundling up for an outdoor adventure can be invigorating and show you a different side of nature. Lake Placid and Saranac Lake Winter Trail Map will guide you to places to hike, ski, and snowshoe. Explore Brewster Peninsula Trails, Moose Pond Trails, and the popular Jack Rabbit ski trail.
In his book, The Joy of Winter Hiking, local Adirondack author Derek Dellinger delivers many reasons why the winter is the perfect time to get outside. Besides the mental and physical benefits, wildlife is easier to spot, and the snow-capped views might just reset your outlook. Dellinger includes safety tips along with gear advice. His contagious enthusiasm will have you eagerly planning your winter weekends outdoors.
Shop for the Best Gifts for the Season
Books are always a great gift, but Bookstore Plus’ selection of artsy, unique, and Adirondack-themed items is not to be missed. Check out their totes that make a statement. Tuck a book into one and a set of pencils into another. Add a box of nature lover stationery featuring birds, fish, bears, foxes, and wildflowers. They have cards for kids, too. If there’s an artist in your circle, art supplies from sketch pads to watercolor pencils will spark creativity.
The Winter Wonderland Magic Painting Book will delight your kids. Dip the included brush in water. Paint the picture to make color magically appear and bring to life your unicorn or snow castle. It’s ingenious!
For a gift tailored to exactly your child, friend, or family’s interest, have Bookstore Plus prepare one of their Custom Bundles for you. Here’s how it works. You choose a category. Custom Kids Book Bundles, and specify the age range, likes, and favorite other books, and the staff will put together a bundle just for them. Not just for kids, the Adult Book Bundle works the same way, as well as the Art Bundle. The shop staff at Bookstore Plus are experts on books and dedicated to knowing their inventory. Besides that, this shop offers excellent customer service! Bundles can be shipped.
Discover Local Authors
Autographed books by local children’s author Maxwell Eaton III feature a series of fun facts about animals. He also writes little life instruction guides like surviving in the mountains, sugaring, and how to build a house. There’s always something to learn, and Eaton makes it interesting.
Woodswoman by Anne Labastille documents her pursuit of life on 20 acres in the Adirondacks, alone and in her middle years. It is not just a book about survival but also about her struggles and desires to combine solitude with companionship. Her adventures on Black Bear Lake will leave readers to ponder the pros and cons of wilderness living.
Edward Kanze is a naturalist and licensed Adirondack guide with far-reaching knowledge about the Adirondack wilderness and its inhabitants. His book, Adirondack Life and Wildlife in the Wild, Wild East, is an entertaining memoir. Recounting his and his wife Debbie’s adventure of a home restoration in the wilderness. In their desire to live with nature off the beaten path. Kanze’s writing rings poetic, and descriptions of people and nature are beautifully crafted. The Adirondack Center for Writing presented Kanze’s book as the winner of the 2015 Adirondack Literary Award for Best Memoir.
Lake Champlain artist and illustrator Amy Guglielmo loves inspiring budding artists. And does it beautifully in her series of What the Artist Saw books. Each book gives a history of the artist and their technique. Then encourages the student to try to make their own art. Who is your favorite artist? Explore Vincent Van Gogh, Cezanne’s Parrot, Claude Monet, and more. Discover your inner artist with Amy!
A Stronger Community: Shop Local Bookstores
Support your local businesses, book shop and make a few new friends. Personalized gifts always mean the most. Make sure to express gratitude to the shop owners who transform shopping into an enjoyable adventure and leave you feeling good about your community.