Wichita's Local Bookstores

Did you know that you can take a trip to Narnia, and visit a Hobbit Hole right here in Wichita?

Eighth Day Books has been operating in Wichita for 28 years, opening it's original location in Clifton Square in 1988. The store, which specializes in the disciplines of art, science, and the humanities, remained at the original location for 13 years before moving, is now located at 2838 E. Douglas, and has been for the past 15 years.

Many visitors have compared entering the store to stepping into C.S. Lewis's Narnia. The store's basement, filled with  children's books, is affectionately called the Hobbit Hole. According to store owner Warren Farha, Eighth Day eschews the trendy, and carries books based not on their saleability. Rather, the store offers an eccentric community of books based on this principle: "if a book—be it literary, scientific, historical, or theological—sheds light on ultimate questions in an excellent way, then it's a worthy candidate for inclusion in our catalog."

"Eighth Day Books is more than a bookshop. It is a place where people gather, where friendships are made and nurtured, where great conversations happen, and where community born in a love for great books, great people, and truth and beauty, flourish. Of course, at the core of it all are the books," said Matthew Ash of Eighth Day.

The store carries a large amount of religious icons, books, and texts in addition to classics in fiction, non-fiction, and literature. You'll find the catalog of Eastern Orthodox, Church Fathers, lives of the Saints, prayer books, liturgical books, and devotional items on the shelves, stained glass windows, and seating made from pews at Eighth Day, creating the feeling of an old church. Even the store's name offers a nod to it's religious nature. 

"The number eight was a significant number for the ancient Christians as it was the symbol of the Resurrection - Christ rose from his tomb on the day after the sabbath, which is called the "eighth day". There are seven days of the week that represent the present time we live in - then there is the eighth day which represents the final day, or eternity that is born of the Resurrection where we will find rest and eternal love and praise. I think St. Augustine says it better than I can: 'An eighth and eternal day, consecrated by the Resurrection of Christ - there we shall rest and see, see and love, love and praise...' - St. Augustine, City of God," Ash said.

Eighth Day Books feature a blend of new and used books, and host a variety of book groups that regularly meet in the store. The store has a devoted following of mail order customers worldwide. Stop by and check it out for yourself! Eighth Day Books is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

Watermark Books and Cafe, located in the Lincoln Heights Village shopping at Douglas and Oliver brings Wichitans a unique place to read, relax, and have a bite to eat. As its name indicates, the bookstore is equipped with a cafe inside, where guests can order fresh, made from scratch baked goods like scones, cakes, muffins, cookies, soups and more.  

The homegrown, independent literary bookstore hosts several signing events, book clubs, author talks and luncheons with authors like Nicholas Sparks, Loren Long, Karin Slaughter and more. 

The stores basement features a unique autograph gallery, where visiting authors have signed the walls, leaving encouraging notes and drawings behind. 

Watermark Books and Cafe offers a quiet environment where guests can sit and read books from any of the sections of the store, including areas for books on cooking, health, science and more. A children's section offers a variety of fun 8books for young readers.

Watermark Books and Cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the Cafe opening at 7 a.m. on Mondays through Fridays. The store closes at 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays.

Originally called Drawer's Books, Al's Old and New Books gained its name in 1957,  when the store was purchased by Helen Woodward. She chose to name her store after her husband, Al. Al's Old Books. Anita Siemer purchased the store in 2005, and opted to keep the name and retain the historical value that the store had garnered among local book-lovers. 

In a new space for the last two years, the store now continues it's 99 year history (58 years as Al's) at 360 E William in suite 102. 

Though the store has been around so long, it still manages to stay up to date with modern technology, with active social media channels, a website and books available for sale on Amazon!

If you're looking for a great read in the downtown area, Al's Old and New Books offers a great selection, including such genres as mystery, science fiction, history, fantasy, philosophy, classics, religion and more. 

Al's Old and New Books is open from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays and id closed on Sundays and Mondays. 

The store holds signings and events from time to time, and features a total of about 40,000 books!

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