Baby Got Books

Travels

Last weekend, I was able to spend 24 hours in beautiful Asheville, NC. Asheville is a beautiful mountain town with lots to offer, but I was most excited about making my first trip to Malaprops Bookstore. It’s a terrific independent bookstore with a great vibe — a southern-mountain-hippie thing–good coffee, and a great selection. It’s a great place to spend some time browsing and hanging out. While wandering the aisles, we were commenting on what an odd, self-effacing name Malaprops is for a bookstore. I was familiar with the word “malaprop”, but I didn’t know the origin of the word until now.

In other bookish news, the beautiful Grove Park Inn sells a Great Gatsby Abbey ale. To the best of my knowledge, Gatsby didn’t make it down to the Blue Ridge. But he was a mysterious fellow. Great Gatsby Abbey is brewed by Asheville’s Highland Brewing Company, but it appears to be served only at the Inn.

I drove past another interesting bookstore several times - The Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar. Once there was even a woman out front playing the cello. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to stick my head in. Next time.

Books | Tim | August 3, 2010 8:02 am

6 Comments

By Dr J, August 3, 2010 @ 9:24 am

I’m glad you made it to Malaprop’s. I love that place.
Jay G. may not have made it to Asheville, but F. Scott spent a lot of time at the Grove Park Inn.
By Christina, August 3, 2010 @ 10:27 am

I adore Asheville and now I want to hop in my car and go!
By Tim, August 3, 2010 @ 3:05 pm

Dr J: I did not know that F. Scott was a regular. That explains a lot.
By Dr J, August 3, 2010 @ 3:46 pm

I do believe Zelda recuperated at a loony bin–er, recovery center–nearby, during which time he lived at the GPI.
By Tom B., August 6, 2010 @ 1:29 am

Malaprop’s is great, as is stuff from Highland Brewing. Asheville is one of the last true bastions of hippiedom. (One downside is that I’ve been panhandled more times in a shorter distance there than any other city I’ve visited…. But hey, man, go with the flow.)