Any time of year is a good time to stop by an independent bookstore in your community or visit one when you are travelling.

And with winter just around the corner, it's time to stock up on books to carry you through the cold months ahead. Books make great Christmas gifts, too!

Every bookstore has its specialties, from the ambiance of the setting to the shelves stocked with best sellers, local authors, outdoor guides, and more. Many carry other items like magazines, audiobooks, toys, greeting cards, calendars, and various gift items. Most have a chair or two where you can relax while you peruse a few volumes. It's easy to while away an hour or more in the friendly atmosphere of a bookstore!

Visit These Bookstores in the Lakes Region and Northern New Hampshire—and Get Reading!

White Birch Books - North Conway, NH

Address: 2568 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH 03860

Laura Cummings purchased White Birch Books in North Conway from the original owner, Donna Urey, 20 years ago. "Like most independent bookstores, we cater to our community," she says. "In addition to having all the hot books, best sellers, etc., we have local books, nature books, guide books for trails, and more. If you are visiting or are local, you can find Valley history, too."

Books, she notes, bring like-minded people together. "We have author events, and people join our book groups to get to know people. We try to be a real community hub, and our store is a place where people can meet other people with similar tastes. Very often they become friends. That's what we've been trying to do for more than 30 years, and we hope to be here for 30 more."

Little Village Toy & Book Shop - Littleton, NH

Address: 81 Main St., Littleton, NH 03561

The lure of a store combining books and toys makes the Little Village Toy & Book Shop in Littleton a winning destination for families with kids and anyone looking for a good book to read or a gift for a child or grandchild. The bookstore has been a fixture on Littleton's Main Street for 50 years, says owner Clare Brooks, who purchased it in 2014 and tweaked the name a bit to its current iteration.

"People feel very comfortable coming in here," she says. "They browse, they visit my dog Luna, who is small-town famous. We carry a lot of local authors and local interest books, along with current fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. We want your TBR (To Be Read) pile to be big! And, of course, lots of toys and gift items like games, puzzles, greeting cards, calendars, mugs. There's something for everyone. Best of all, we have a very knowledgeable staff."

Legacy Used Books - Bethlehem, NH

Address: 2019 Main St., Bethlehem, NH 03574

"Helping good books find new homes" is Legacy Used Books owner Juliet Born's goal. The cozy shop in downtown Bethlehem occupies space that once housed an apothecary, and the upper cabinets and tin ceiling are original to the space when it was built in 1928. "For me, saving books from the landfill and getting them into new hands is a joy."

Juliet describes the bookstore as "pretty special. Well curated and not very expensive." She especially wants to encourage young readers and has partnered with the Bethlehem Public Library's 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program to reward youngsters who have reached the 500 mark by presenting them with a $5 gift certificate to her store, which she says can usually buy at least two books. On School's Out Saturdays, children can select a free book with every one they purchase. She also donates $1 from every wrapped surprise book and other select books to the town's weekly Community Dinner.

A unique feature of the store is a writing nook where Juliet supplies paper, envelopes, and stamps for anyone wanting to take a few minutes to write a letter to family or friends and leave it for her to post.

The Country Bookseller - Wolfeboro, NH

Address: 23A N. Main St., Wolfeboro, NH 03894

The Country Bookseller in Wolfeboro has been in business for 31 years and is known as "The little town bookstore with the big town selection," says Jeanne Snowdon, a former librarian who purchased the bookstore in April. "The woman who started the bookstore left it to the woman who had it for the past 22 years, and she still works here," she says.

Along with a fantastic collection of books, "We have a book club and visiting authors. There are book signings for local authors pretty much every month. It's a great store and it's loved by people in the community and our summer visitors.

Innisfree Bookshop - Meredith, NH

Address: Mill Falls Marketplace, 312 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, NH 03253

"I think we do a decent job of catering to both locals and tourists," says Matt Forgues, store manager at Innisfree Bookshop in Meredith.

"People have called us their favorite bookstore, card store, and a place to stop for birthday parties as we carry activity toys and all the things kids are up to."

The store devotes three cases to New England books, kids through non-fiction for adults, along with travel books. Very popular are the postcards the store carries that are designed by two local artists. 

The Readery - Plymouth, NH

Address: 67 Main St., Plymouth, NH 03264

The Readery in Plymouth carries an outstanding selection of used paperbacks, says store manager Heidi Nichols. "I think our customers like shopping here, our prices are pretty good, and we carry many different things like hand warmers, mugs, pins, bookmarks, key chains, and unique gifts."

The Readery shines in another way as "we employ special needs folks who need jobs," says Nichols.

In case you need an excuse to pick up a couple of books, there's nothing like a good read accompanied by a sweet treat at the M'nM Scoops ice cream shop that is directly connected to the bookstore.

The Local BOOKie - Conway, NH

Address: 295 W. Main St., Conway, NH 03818

A former school teacher and now the owner of The Local BOOKie in Conway, Karen Lepore points to the online reviews her store receives as a testament to how much her customers enjoy shopping there. "They note that the bookstore is so well organized that I know where every book is, and I remember their names and what books they like."

The store has an extensive collection of both used paperback and hardcover books, including all genres of fiction and non-fiction, with a specialty in kids' books. "We are incredibly organized. That's our strong point, and I try to keep up with the current best sellers. People say we're the best for used books."

The Mountain Wanderer - Lincoln, NH

Address: 57 Main St., Lincoln, NH 03251

The Mountain Wanderer in Lincoln is under new ownership, with Forrest Chess at the helm following the retirement of well-known hiking enthusiast, author and owner Steve Smith who stewarded the store for years.

Forrest notes that The Mountain Wanderer "has been a staple within the hiking community for nearly 30 years with a wide selection of maps, trail guides and other outdoors and local history books. A recent expansion now features a variety of handmade crafts and other unique gifts rather than the typical souvenirs."

The store has long been a must-stop location for hikers tackling the Whites and other New England mountain trails and for anyone who enjoys outdoor pursuits like winter sports and White Mountains history.

White Mountain Café & Bookstore - Gorham, NH

Address: 212 Main St., Gorham, NH 03581

Jenna and Matt Bowman hit on a winning combo when they opened the White Mountain Café & Bookstore in Gorham. Sipping a mocha latte or an English Breakfast tea while browsing in the bookstore is a true pleasure, and soups, sandwiches and pastries hit the spot for anyone looking to fill up on a good meal in the comfortable cafe.

The bookstore stands out for its comprehensive collection of books, guides and trail maps on the White Mountains and local climbing trails, along with current and classic fiction and non-fiction, as well gifts and souvenirs. A wonderful selection of toys, books, games and puzzles for kids makes this a must-stop for gift giving.

Eileen Alexander, a New Hampshire native, made a short detour through North Carolina before returning to the Granite State. She has a yen for old homes with character, colorful flower gardens, and expansive mountain views. 

See this article and more in the winter edition of Journey Home, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty's magazine focusing on New Hampshire real estate and local living.