About Us

We are Monroe, Michigan’s only locally-owned, independent bookstore.

We have thousands of new books squished into 800 square feet of space and thousands more used books in a separate room (240 square feet) that’s even more packed with books.

Our mission is provide you with the best customer service that we can and exceed your expectations.

We love books - touching them, smelling them, and especially reading them.

Store History

The Book Nook was established in 1969 by Mary Ackerman. Mary was the bookkeeper for Stadelman’s Furniture and was also the buyer for the their “Gift Loft” where she learned the books, music and gift business. When Stadelman’s closed, she used her experience to open a bookstore.

Many people told her that Monroe would not support it. Alas, they were wrong. She opened the store in downtown Monroe and it remains in the same location. The three-story building is over 125 years old and may have a ghost.

Mary, though she suffered with rheumatoid arthritis, ran the store until 1992. Helen Arnold was Mary’s weekday help and Janet Berns worked Saturdays. In 1994 Mary died. Her legacy carried on and in 1996 Janet Berns, the current owner, became owner.

Janet changed the layout of the store and added used books to the mix. The book business faced new challenges as technology changed and big chains and then the Internet put pressure on the small independent stores.

In 2003 the pressure proved too much and the store was going to close. But an outcry by the community and with loads of volunteer help the store was renovated and given new life.

In 2006 we went global selling our used books online all across the globe.

Now its 2011, the pressures and challenges still exist. We hope this new website with e-commerce capabilities will help us stay around for a long time.