Inside Grand Valley Books in Grand Junction, I have listened to Colorado author Craig Childs tell lively stories of his adventures in the Southwest wilderness. Down the street at Out West Books, I thoroughly enjoyed a presentation that referenced Crested Butte author Briana Wiles’ books Mountain States Medicinal Plants and Mountain States Foraging. At Lithic Bookstore and Gallery in Fruita, I met author Amy Irvine and Ute Mountain Ute tribal member Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk, both there to discuss Irvine’s book Desert Cabal, plus Native rights and threats to public lands.

Free events like these helps make indie bookstores cultural hubs of their communities — and are one reason why independent brick and mortar bookstores are doing well during the Amazon era.

“Indie bookstores offer personal book recommendations, local and curated book selections and they host author events — all of which Amazon simply can’t offer,” says Heather Duncan, executive director of the Mountain Plains Booksellers Association (MPBA).

While some shops have turned to virtual author events during the pandemic, others have found outdoor venues for well-ventilated, socially distanced gatherings. When retail stores temporarily closed last spring during the statewide shutdown, owners found ways to continue serving customers.

“Stores have been able to pivot towards increased online sales, local delivery and pick-up orders, as well as appointment shopping,” explains Duncan. She says bookstore customers have really shown their support during this difficult time.

Grand Valley Books opened in downtown Grand Junction in 2010 during a recession, a snowstorm and a major Main Street construction project. The shop at 350 Main St. offers a well-rounded selection of both used and new books, while emphasizing regional history, Western Americana and topics of local interest. Margie Wilson manages the store, while her husband and co-owner, Frank Cooley, tends Twice Upon a Time Bookshop, a secondhand bookstore at 2885 N. Ave. the couple purchased in 2007.

The downtown store serves as a gallery for local artists, whose pottery, photography and paintings are for sale. During pre-COVID times, the shop hosted First Friday artist receptions, in addition to various author readings and book signings.

Grand Valley Books is the only shop where you’ll find “Bookish Purses” — upcycled books made into purses that are customized with charms and amulets related to the book. Bookish Purses was founded two years ago by two local women who loved getting together to talk about books. “We fell in love with them right away,” Wilson said. “People just love them. It’s a great girlfriend present.”

Wilson also offers appraisals of rare and antique books by appointment.

Grand Junction’s Main Street has often supported more than one indie bookstore. Out West Books owner Marya Johnston remembers coming to town to visit two independent bookstores on Main Street shops as a child. “I remember Rim Rock as a wonderland,” Johnston recalls. “I grew up in Gunnison where there was no bookstore. I’d come to Grand Junction and spend a whole morning at Rim Rock and Readmore.” Johnston opened Out West Books in May 2014 at 533 Main St.

Growing up in western Colorado and working as an adult in her mother’s eastern Utah bookstore for 20 years, Johnston has always been interested in Western culture, thus, her general bookstore emphasizes new books about the West, natural and local history and Western literature.

Working in her mother’s shop is how Johnston met Moab artist Serena Supplee, known worldwide for her bold and whimsical paintings of Colorado Plateau landscapes. The artist used to come into Johnston’s mother’s shop to sell her colorful greeting cards. Johnston now carries Supplee’s cards, calendars and books in Grand Junction.

Lithic Bookstore and Gallery is located in the upstairs of a 1904 former bank building at 138 S. Park Square in nearby Fruita. There’s an elevator for people who prefer not to take the stairs.

Before the pandemic, owner and poet Danny Rosen hosted events nearly every week with local scientists, musicians, poets and authors. The biggest change since COVID-19 is the increased number of books in the shop, he says. “We added a dozen new bookcases in the last few weeks,” Rosen explains. “Our business is doing the same or better since we reopened at the beginning of June.”

An astronomer and geologist in his previous career, Rosen carries a wide selection of natural history and science books, as well as poetry and literature. Hanging rocks and sticks, along with the works of local artists — which are for sale — add to the ambiance of this artistic shop. Couches and comfy chairs encourage people to stay and read for a while.

“One of the things we love to do and pride ourselves on is we curate books here,” Rosen says. “More and more people show appreciation for that — customers say, ‘I always find something here.’ It’s gratifying.”

Matt Lee and his family used to visit The Bookworm of Edwards when they’d visit the Rocky Mountains to ski. In August, Lee became The Bookworm’s new owner after moving to Edwards a year ago.

In addition to the shop’s collection of classics, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, history and politics, The Bookworm carries graphic novels, and “a great selection of kids’ books — both in English and Spanish,” says Lee. The store’s café sells coffee drinks and is known for its crêpes, smoothies and salads. There’s also a soup and rolls subscription service where items are delivered on a weekly basis.

In September, The Bookworm held its first live event since the pandemic limited such gatherings — by hosting it outdoors in the Riverwalk backyard — with prior Bookworm owner Nicole Magistro interviewing local author Heather Mateus Sappenfield.

between the covers.jpg — Film critic Leonard Maltin at Between the Covers in Telluride.

Explore Booksellers was founded 45 years ago in Aspen and is located in a Victorian house at 211 E. Main St. In 2012, the shop was purchased by Environment America, a nonprofit advocating for the environment and consumer safety. “We’re one of their projects,” explains longtime bookseller Mark Billingsley.

As of September, Explore Booksellers’ storefront remained closed to the public, although you can still order from its web site, pick up items at the curbside or get materials delivered. The shop expects to open its storefront to the public before the holiday season. In addition to literature, politics and history, there’s an entire room dedicated to children’s’ books.

“We’re the first stop for a lot of folks” traveling to Aspen from out-of-state and internationally, says Billingsley.

Between the Covers Bookstore opened in Telluride in 1974. Co-owner Daiva Chelsonis (who married the aforementioned Craig Childs in October) says she was “amazed” to find an indie bookstore in a tiny town set in a box canyon after moving to the mountain community in 1992. She eventually began working there as a bookseller. In 2010, she bought the business — along with fellow employee Bobbi T. Smith.

Between the Covers is a general bookstore known especially for its nonfiction, adventure books, active kids’ section and titles that correspond with Telluride’s many events, such as the Mountainfilm and Mushroom festivals.

In September, the shop hosted an event at the Telluride Transfer Warehouse, a 100-year-old roofless stone building, where Western Slope poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer recited from her new poetry collection, Hush, published in 2020. “It was so great to gather again to celebrate a beloved poet,” says Chelsonis. “It was a lovefest, without touching.”