Plymouth’s newest bookstore is expanding its presence at The Pinehills.
By Jennifer H. McInerney Photography by Kate Rogan
As a child growing up in metro Detroit, Katie Mannix spent her summers on the island of Nantucket—and as much time as possible inside Nantucket Bookworks. She spent countless hours browsing the store’s vast shelves, perusing books nestled in the nooks and crannies designed to invite readers to linger and turn another page.
“Nantucket Bookworks has forever been my favorite. I would walk in there and be overwhelmed with curiosity and excitement,” Mannix recalls.
For over a decade, Mannix has lived at The Pinehills in Plymouth, where she’s enjoyed the close-knit community vibe and the convenient walkability to shops, restaurants, trails and outdoor gathering spaces. Now with a family of her own, she noted the absence of a community bookstore and pondered the possibility of ultimately opening one there, if the right space became available.
Ideally, Mannix envisioned a store just like Nantucket Bookworks, but replicating the magic of her childhood haven seemed out of reach—until her husband arranged for her to have a breakfast meeting with Wendy Hudson, the owner of Nantucket Bookworks and Mitchell’s Book Corner, as well as a founding partner of Cisco Brewers/Triple Eight Distillery/Nantucket Vineyard, also on Nantucket.
“I thought I was just going to share my thoughts with her and see what she thought about the feasibility of bringing a bookshop to The Pinehills, but then she said, ‘Let’s write a business plan.’ That was a bit of a rockstar moment for me, having this person I hold in such high esteem become my business partner. She’s a phenomenal mentor and advisor. She’s opened every door, which has truly been a gift.”
Hudson has similarly high praise for Mannix, whom she jokes she’d like to clone. “She has stellar instincts. She’s one of the finest booksellers I’ve ever met, and she’s barely out of the gate.”
Several months after submitting the business plan to The Pinehills leasing agent, they learned that a potential spot would be opening up in a new apartment complex called Rowen at The Pinehills. Located beside The Village Green, and adjacent to several shops and restaurants, Rowen will feature 178 apartment units as well as mixed-use properties on the ground level. In one of those storefronts will be Book Love, a 1,500-square-foot general interest bookstore thoughtfully designed by Mannix and Hudson.
Once Upon a Time, There Was an Empty Shipping Container...
Plans for Book Love were well on their way, with the grand opening scheduled for July of 2023. But when the construction project hit unforeseen delays, The Pinehills management offered a temporary solution: Book Love could set up shop in an available shipping container on The Village Green, situated just in front of the Rowen site and strategically located across from Mayflower Brewing Company’s craft beer garden container.
The business partners figured that opening a pop-up-style book stand right in front of their future location could be a good way to introduce The Pinehills community to Book Love and generate enthusiasm for the forthcoming bookstore, which is now scheduled to open officially in January, 2024. They opened for business in the shipping container in March of 2023, stocking the shelves and moveable racks with a selection of books and other merchandise, such as cards and games.
“We’re grateful to have this opportunity to be open in the meantime, until the store is ready,” Mannix says of the temporary setup. “It’s been a great little beta test to see what people are interested in reading. And the beer garden on Sundays has been a great draw. We’ve had lots of foot traffic.”
Of course, as with any mostly outdoor business, inclement weather can put a damper on sales. Despite an unusually rainy summer, the Book Love container has been open for business every day since July 1st. “When the rain starts splashing on the books, we close the doors,” Mannix adds.
In the new store, the weather forecast and limited footprint will no longer be an issue and the larger space and prime location will provide the “community landing spot” Mannix and Hudson have envisioned. Tables indoors and outside will offer areas to gather, and the store will host talks with local authors, book clubs and other events for the community.
“It will be a space where people can come together and form connections, with books providing a means to conversation and sharing ideas,” Mannix explains.
The nearly 3,000 households in the immediate neighborhood coupled with Plymouth’s popularity as a destination bode well for the future of Book Love, Hudson points out.
“Independent bookstores can be an amazing force in a community, particularly with a young engaged staff with a mindset of community service and a will to gather people together,” she says. “The residential density of The Pinehills just screams ‘we need a bookstore!’ and the ease of getting to that location mere minutes off the highway should help it serve as an anchor for the whole South Shore.”
Book Love is located at 5 Village Green South in Plymouth, and will be opening permanently at 7 Village Green South in early 2024. For additional information, visit book-love.com.
Book Love’s Winter Read Recommendations
For Adults:
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
By Katherine May
From the bestselling author Katherine May comes an intimate, revelatory exploration of the ways we can care for and repair ourselves when life knocks us down. A moving personal narrative shot through with lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times offers instruction on the transformative power of rest and retreat.
The Book Club Hotel
By Sarah Morgan
Bestselling author Sarah Morgan returns with another heartfelt exploration of change, the power of books to heal, and the enduring strength of female friendship. The Book Club Hotel is perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Jennifer Weiner.
Christmas at the Restaurant
By Pamela Kelley
The second book in Plymouth author Pamela Kelley’s Nantucket Restaurant series, Christmas at the Restaurant is a sweet, feel-good holiday story.
Beartown
By Fredrik Backman
Author Fredrik Backman captivates readers with a dazzling, profound novel about a small town with a big dream—and the price required to make it come true.
Silent Night...Deadly Night
The second title in local author Judith Campbell’s Viridienne Green Mysteries, Silent Night...Deadly Night follows Viridienne Greene as she uncovers a series of murders in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Still Life
By Louise Penny
Bestselling author Louise Penny introduces Monsieur L’Inspecteur Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec, a modern Poirot who anchors this beloved traditional mystery series.
For Young Adults:
Wildwood
By Colin Meloy
This is the first book in the Wildwood Chronicles, a New York Times bestselling fantasy adventure series by Colin Meloy, lead singer of the Decemberists, with illustrations by Carson Ellis, acclaimed illustrator of The Mysterious Benedict Society. A fantasy/adventure for ages 7-12, Wildwood captivates readers with the wonder and thrill of a secret world within the landscape of a modern city.
White Out: A Novel
By Dhonielle Clayton
Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas, but the warmth of young love just might melt the ice in this novel of Black joy, and cozy, sparkling romance. From author Dhonielle Clayton comes a story of teen friendship and romance for readers aged 13-17.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By C.S. Lewis
Open the door and enter a new world! The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis’s classic fantasy series, which has been captivating readers of all ages with a magical land and unforgettable characters for more than 60 years.
A Winter’s Promise: Book One of The Mirror Visitor Quartet
By Christelle Dabos
Lose yourself in the fantastic world of the arks and in the company of unforgettable characters in this French runaway hit, Christelle Dabos’ A Winter’s Promise. This story offers an unforgettable heroine, a rich and bountiful universe, intrigue and suspense.
For Children:
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
By Mac Barnett
Whether it’s shape-shifting or impromptu laundry use, author Mac Barnett’s iconic talent for earnest deadpan humor and Jon Klassen’s irresistibly funny art honors the timeless question, How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? with answers both ridiculous and plausible. Channeling a child’s fanciful explanations (and begging for further speculation), this latest collaboration by a New York Times best-selling team will find a secure spot among family holiday traditions.
The Snow Man
By Jonah Winter
Meet the man living alone in the mountains whose hobby of measuring snowfall led to a global understanding of climate change. A nonfiction picture book, The Snow Man was penned by author Jonah Winter and illustrated by his mother, Jeanette Winter.
Dasher
By Matt Tavares
Written and illustrated by Matt Tavares, this is a story of a brave little doe who meets Santa and changes Christmas forever. Dasher is an adventurous young reindeer with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a traveling circus, but she longs for a different life — one where there is snow beneath her hooves and the North Star above her head. One day, when the opportunity arises, she seizes her destiny and takes off in pursuit of the life she wants to live.
Jan Brett’s Winter Collection
By Jan Brett
South Shore author and illustrator Jan Brett’s bestselling picture books, The Snowy Nap, The Hat, Cozy, and The Three Snow Bears, make up this box set collection that will warm young hearts.
