Author: Andie Freeman
Photo: Interior of Bookmarks bookshop. Image courtesy of Bookmarks and MJS Live Productions.
Step into this sun-warmed brick building, with its wall of gleaming windows, and you'll discover North Carolina's only nonprofit independent bookstore. Bookmarks, located in Winston-Salem, champions a bold mission: cultivating community by bringing people of all ages together with books and authors who educate, inspire, challenge, and entertain.
What began as an annual book festival has blossomed into a literary landmark. Now in its twentieth year, the festival draws 20,000 attendees from more than 20 states who come to hear from 50 to 60 authors. Here, literary veterans share wisdom with emerging writers, while passionate readers dive deep into their favorite works. The festival is a wonderful opportunity for readers to meet others with similar interests in books, as well as authors in all genres.
The bookstore spun off from the festival in 2017. Its dedicated staff will happily suggest a book for you, if you ask. There are many outstanding authors from North Carolina whose books the store carries and has helped to launch. Venture through the store's well-stocked shelves and you'll find yourself in a reader's paradise.
Bookmarks doesn't just sell books—it transforms lives through educational programming. The organization, which has 300 volunteers, annually brings authors to 70 schools, puts 20,000 books on library shelves and into children's hands, and runs vibrant after-school programs and story times. Great programming isn’t only for kids. The Bookmarks Presents series draws crowds of 500+ to hear from literary stars. Some of the authors recently appearing at Bookmarks Presents are Erik Larson, Anne Lamott, Stacey Abrams, Henry Winkler, and Chris Paul. For readers looking for smaller gatherings, Bookmarks offers such programs as Murder & Margaritas, thought-provoking book talks, and more than 90 book clubs.
Through all of these activities, Bookmarks has created a haven where bibliophiles share stories, perspectives, and the pure joy of getting lost in a great book. The vibrant exchange of ideas that Bookmarks engenders exemplifies how a bookstore can become more than a retail space—it can serve as a vital thread in a community's cultural fabric.
Learn more about Bookmarks at bookmarksnc.org.