What's your favorite Wisconsin bookstore?

Hi, Cheeseheads.

I was just wondering what your favorite bookstore in Wisconsin is.

I have a few. Here in Milwaukee, I like Downtown Books on Wisconsin Ave. They have a lot of books and a great selection of comic books. A lot of people like Renaissance Books, but I kinda think they're too big and therefore fill their shelves with a lot of crap that you have to dig through to find good stuff.

When I was an undergrad at Madison, I frequented the small used book stores on State Street, like Paul's Books and Avol's (which I don't think exists any more).

Fear not - both Paul's and Avol's are still there!

I like The Attic Books and Coffee. Good coffee, good baristas, and plenty of books. I really liked Conkey's, but unfortunately, they closed up shop.

I grew up in DePere, and my parents still live there, but I've never been to the Attic. I'll have to check it out sometime when I go up to visit them.

How about any good bookstores in the Platteville/Dubuque area? I've just moved here and would love some tips.

The Little Read Book in Milwaukee is cool, but I'm biased because I'm an employee. It's a tiny little building that used to be a bank. We've got a really good children's room and can order almost anything that we don't already have in the store. I liked LRB even before I worked there.

I also love Downtown Books, for when I'm on the lookout for cheep comics (I prefer them to graphic novels usually) sadly they're breaking up into smaller stores and moving. Apparently they're turning the building into a hotel. The building they're in now kinda reminds me of the TARDIS from Doctor Who.

For comics (I'm not sure how many people here are interested) I usually go to Collector's Edge. They've got three locations. One in Bay View, one on the East Side off of Brady Street, and one further north on Burleigh(sp?).

These are all Milwaukee-area stores.

I do like Little Read Book. I've been there a few times.

I also frequent Downtown Books' comics room. I didn't know they were moving. Thanks for the info.

I've never been to collector's edge, but her in Menomonee Falls we have a little comics shop called Arcade Entertainment. He carries mostly the popular stuff (Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Image titles). Still, I stop in every now and then because I like supporting local businesses.

Yeah, I just found out they were moving when an employee told me yesterday.

I like supporting the local stores too. I think my family's getting annoyed with me poking fun at them for going to Barnes & Nobel.

Rosax, I used to love Conkeys too. In fact, My aunt's father was one of its founders. I have some of his books in my collection.

For children's books, Dragonwings Bookstore in Waupaca is the best. The selections are great and the staff will enjoy helping you find just the right item.

In Door County there are two great used bookstores - Peninsula Bookman in Fish Creek and William Caxton Ltd in Ellison Bay. Check them out!

I've been to the one in Ellison Bay, and it's really great. Next time I'm up that way I'll have to hit the Fish Creek one. There also used to be a neat bookstore/coffee shop called the Bridge, but I'm not sure it's there any more.

Can I add a plug for A Room of One's Own in Madison? It's been there forever and has weathered a lot of challenges/changes. It started as a feminist bookstore and still has the best stuff around in that topic area, plus allied studies like GLBT, diversity, environmentalism, progressive politics, etc. In recent years it's become more of a general small bookstore with a great selection of fiction of all kinds, nonfiction on all topics, kids' books and gifts, a big section of stationery/cards/paper goods up front, and they supply some UW textbooks in the back. Their coffee bar was short-lived, but in truth they really didn't have room for it, and it's not like there aren't half-a-dozen State St. coffee places within two blocks. Also they host speakers, readings, book groups, and other fun stuff, both throughout the year and in connection with the annual Wisconsin Book Festival. It's convenient if you're downtown, it's cozy and welcoming...what more can I say?

The Attic Books and Coffee will officially be truncating the name of the store. This doesn't change much, since we've always called it The Attic, anyway.

Well theres a Barnes & Noble superstore near me, which is pretty awesome. But my favorite locally owned bookstore is Boswell Books in Milwaukee.

I've heard of that one! I've never been there, I don't peruse Milwaukee unless I must, but I've heard of that bookstore. Must be good.

I live in the Milwaukee suburbs, but I've never been to Boswell. I'll have to check it out next time I go into the city.

The used book store in Plymouth, "Dear Old Books" is wonderful, well organized, full of surprises.