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2.12.2013

A Post: Bookstores in Other States - Nashville, Tennessee & A Giveaway

My weekend, which had been planned for at least 4 months, was cancelled because of an unexpected change in the weather and a few feet of snow. I wished and wished for snow, and Portland got it, but I wasn't there to see. J, the always amazing super sidekick, surprised me many months ago with tickets to see my favorite singer/songwriter, Jeff Mangum (former Neutral Milk Hotel frontman), in Portland, Maine. He thought it would be a good opportunity to explore an area we sort of neglected during our northeast tour this past summer, and enjoy a nice 3 day weekend. Thankfully my mother contacted us that morning to make sure that we brought tons of layers if we were, in fact, planning to brave the historical blizzard.

After much googling, we realized if we went, we'd be staring at a tv in some hotel suite and couldn't even see Mangum if we had braved it because the show had been cancelled. We could have been stuck in Maine or Massachusetts or on a highway somewhere. So. We did a little brainstorming and decided that a short drive to Nashville would grant us the opportunity to get away from the A for a bit, and give us a chance to explore a city that we often only drive through.

It was wonderful. Top ten vacation material there.

We visited a nice French-inspired spot for some brunch (hello, croissant french toast), and even got a little taste of the high life at a speakeasy. The Patterson House is an unassuming little building that doesn't promise much; however, when you're inside, you'll find fancy cocktails served by handsome fellas in suspenders, while oldies play softly in the background, and striking chandeliers provide a dim light for complete intimacy. We cancelled our dinner reservations and spent the night toasting one another and laughing into each other's ears. If you're in Nashville, find it, consume cocktails, and quote your favorite Fitzgerald lines.

We also made it a priority to to visit Parnassus Books, you know, the bookshop owned by Ann Patchett. It was beautiful and perfectly arranged and made me want to spend all of my money on the shiny books that I often lust over on goodreads. I'm definitely going all in and naming it one of the best independent stores I've visited yet!

Here are some photos that should convince you to visit:























This a top secret space that's just big enough for the kiddos. Look at that treasure trove of books! Seriously, I would have died of delight if I had stumbled upon this when I was a wee gal.


And, of course, the damage. You had to know it was coming. How could I not splurge and get myself some new books?

Last one, I swear. I snagged this beauty for my niece because she's learning numbers and because it was so darn awesome. Check out the Babylit site for more options! 


I enjoyed State of Wonder so much, you can read the review here, that I've decided to host a giveaway to celebrate finally visiting the shop and to simply share a good read!


You can enter to win a signed copy of Ann Patchett's State of Wonder below!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

26 comments:

  1. Oooh, what a great stack of books. State of Wonder was one of my favorite reads last year, and I've already started buying that P&P board book as a baby gift for everyone I know - cannot get over how cute it is. And now I'm extra inspired to get on that trip to Nashville my husband & I have been considering, so I can visit this store!

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  2. Delicious photos! Love the top secret place in the bookstore :)

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  3. Ooh, I've been wanting to read State of Wonder ever since I fell in LOVE with Bel Canto!!! And I think that book is adorable. #10 (thousand) makes me laugh. That reminds me, I have a brand new niece that I haven't bought a single book for yet... :]

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  4. I also have a giveaway going on! Be sure to participate, Beth :)

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  5. Love it! Nashville is a really fun town, and how cool that you got to visit Ann Patchett's bookshop. She's one of my favorites, so thanks for the chance to win a signed book of hers.

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  6. Beth, I am green with envy - Parnassus Books! I've been wanting to go there ever since I read about it. I loved the pics you shared - makes me want to go even more now :) And what a great giveaway - State of Wonder is an awesome book! Its one of my favorites. I still need to read more of Patchett's works - I have Run and Bel Canto on my shelves, but for some reason they haven't made their way to my TBR pile just yet. Oh well, they will soon enough. As for the speakeasy you went to - sounds amazing! I love to read about your trips - they always sound fantastic - thanks for sharing!

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  7. Would love to visit this special bookstore.loved your pica.

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  8. Bookstore sounds fantastic. Hope to visit one day!

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  9. What a beautiful bookstore. I've heard so many wonderful things and it's great to see that Patchett loves books so much that she will write them and then share them with everyone!

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  10. That's one gorgeous bookstore! Just to let you know I'm following back (by RSS like a secret squirrel). I would normally add myself to GFC but I seem to have broken it somehow (it's me not you, happens on every blog).

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  11. I have been wanting to visit this bookstore for awhile now because I'm a Patchett fan. Thanks for sharing the gorgeous photos of it!

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  12. I love that even thought you had to rearrange your weekend plans, you still had a great time! The speakeasy you visited sounds awesome and Parnassus Books looks lovely. This post also reminds me that I still have State of Wonder sitting on my TBR unread. I need to change that!

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  13. Oh also I forgot to add I bought This is a Call for Ryan for Christmas or his birthday, I can't remember which, and he really liked it.

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  14. The bookstore looks amazing! Maybe not such a bad change of plans after all.

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  15. I love traveling, but finding bookstores along the way is always a great pleasure!

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  16. I live in Memphis... Sounds like it's time for a road trip!

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  17. I loved Nashville when we visited on our honeymoon, shame I didn't know about this incredible bookshop! I agree that the children's section sounds wonderful, I would have loved it as a child :)

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  18. Oh wow I LOVE those babylit books. I had never heard of them before. So thanks for sharing!

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  19. I want to thank everyone for all the sweet comments!! & Good luck! A winner will be announced on Wednesday!

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  20. I love Ann Patchett and I love your blog.

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  21. That hideaway for the children's section is a dream. I am definitely going to have to make Parnassus a priority the next trip through Nashville. Thanks!

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  22. Sounds like a wonderful spur of the moment mini-vacation... Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Don't you just LOVE discovering new bookstores? I still remember finding City Lights while on vacation in San Fransisco when I was still in my beat phase. The wallet definitely took a hit! I've been thinking about State of Wonder for a while, so fingers crossed!

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  24. I love Nashville so much I got married there:-) It's one of my favorite places in the world. I get to go back for the first time since our wedding in May, and I cannot wait. I hope you can make it to Portland sometime soon too!

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  25. Lovely pictures! And I would love to visit this store!

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  26. I really enjoyed State of Wonder also. If I ever find myself in the area, I will definitely try to visit Parnassus. The kids section is brilliant!

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