If you missed my interview with Celeste Ng over at Book Riot, maybe you're unaware that it's Independent Bookstore Day today. I mean, I guess you could still know that it's Independent Bookstore Day today without reading this Celeste Ng interview, but I wanted to start this blog post with a shameless plug, so roll with me here, okay? Okay.

So where was I? Oh yes. The last Saturday of April is always Independent Bookstore Day, which has got me thinking about what I love about independent bookstores and why they're so freaking awesome. So here is my informal ode to my favorite indie bookstores (featured above is Avid Bookshop in Athens, GA, btw--more bookstore shout outs to follow). 

The first time I walked through their doors during the Decatur Book Festival many years ago, I could see that this bookstore was doing more than selling Children's and Young Adult books. They were promoting a literary community in Decatur for children, adults, and even dogs (more on the dogs later). Little Shop of Stories is the type of bookstore that I walk into knowing I'm going to end up finding at least one or two things I have to buy. It's the type of place I recommend to friends whenever they're visiting from out of town and looking for something fun to do. Because, as corny as this might sound, it's more than a bookstore. It's a fun place to be.

This past weekend while I was in Atlanta visiting friends and family, I had an opportunity to sit down with Justin Colussy-Estes to talk more about Little Shop of Stories, what makes this store so awesome, and its connection to the Decatur community.