If you want to visit the very best independent bookstores in the fair city of Albuquerque New Mexico you have lots of choices. My three favorites and the absolute best picks are, Menaul Book Exchange, Tittle Wave Books, and the world famous Page One and Page One Too. They all have lots of books but only the first two of them have personal service and only one, my favorite has audiobook rentals so that you can read even if you can’t see well or if you want to hear a good book while you are on the road.
Yes, Menaul Book Exchange at 9409 Menaul NE 82112 (see location picture above) is the best. They have new and used books and rent audiobooks. Owner Dorothy Scrivner gladly remembers and helps her customers. Of course like all used book stores there are exchange rules. I have bought more books there than I can count, without a calculator that is.
I have been exchanging and buying books at the Menaul Book Exchange since I was in High School. Yes that was back in the dark ages. Believe it or not we had electricity and even lights to read by back then.
The next book store on my list is Title Wave Books. It hasn’t been around as long as Menaul or at least I haven’t been going there. Maybe that is because it has moved at least three times that I can count. I first found it in a strip mall. Then it was gone. There is nothing sadder than pressing your nose against the door of a beloved store that is empty. Even if there is a sign telling you where they have moved,there is still a sad empty feeling. It is sort of like losing a dear friend.
The next time I found Title Wave Books it was in a building that used to be a dry cleaners. I thought ‘oh good maybe they will be there for a while like Menaul Book Exchange’ alas they were gone before I even got a chance to visit. Lucky for me I found them in another strip mall at 1408 Eubank a few weeks ago. (see picture) Unfortunately for me they were closed when I found them so I haven’t had a chance to visit them. I hope they still have my card on file.
The last bookstore on my list is the famous Page One and Page One Too. They used to be two different stores but economics has caused them to merge. Page One and Page One Too are the largest of all the local independent bookstores, at least I think it is still independent. Located at the corner of Jaun Tabo and Montgomery 11018 Montgomery NE it even has a coffee shop where you can drink coffee and read your books. Or you can also get a copy of just about any newspaper in the country, and magazines galore. Every time I go there I find a book I just have to have.
Of course that happens at Menaul Book Exchange too and I have credit there so I leave with more money still in my purse. Not only that they have a neat selection of specialty greeting cards by the door that you don’t find anywhere else.
So if you find yourself in Albuquerque and in need of a book fix drop by Menaul Book Exchange, Tittle Wave Books, or Page One. You will be glad you did.
