Red Stick Reads :: A Local Bookstore Worth Visiting
In a world of instant gratification and digital media, my heart still longs to curl up on the sofa with a real old-fashioned book, a cup of tea and escape into the world of imagination that a new writer has created.
I thought most of the local boutique bookstores were a staple of the past, until one of my fellow book club members in “Red Stick Book Club” walked into “Red Stick Reads” and was recommended a new book by a local Louisiana author for our next read. The owner even arranged to have the author sign copies of the book for us and treated us with a special themed bookmark with our purchase of the book. Oh, how I have missed this personal service of the bookstores of my past.
When I went to go pick up my book, I walked into this hidden gem in Mid-City. How have I missed this place? How has this place not been on my radar? I’m first greeted with my favorite new book smell upon entrance, the colorful books lined up from floor to wall among a traditional library ladder. There is vibrant local art on the walls, a special kid corner for kids to get comfy and browse the many children’s books. On the shelves among the books are the cutest plush coffee cups and books with smiling faces and cute quotes. There is a bin by the register that has the cutest stickers you can collect. Collecting stickers in an album was one of my favorite pastimes as a child, and I have to admit I still love buying the occasional sticker and adding it to my collection.
There is a section for a “Blind Date” with a book, where you purchase a certain genre of a book that is wrapped up in brown paper and
decorated with stickers to take home and unwrap for a surprise to delve into. I absolutely love this idea.
There is a section for “MidCity Book Club picks” where employees and book club members showcase what they are currently reading. There are fun pens, pencils, bookmarks, greeting cards, coloring books, bookbags, local original art and more.
Red Stick Reads Bookstore has books for all ages, but they specialize in children’s books and local authors.
If you can’t find what you are looking for, you can reach out to them to order your request for you. I love this intimate personalized service that so many bigger retail stores have long forgot. 
There are Book Clubs offered at this Boutique Book club, such as a Kiddos Bookclub, StoryTime, Silent Book Club, Boozy Book Fair and a Reading Era Bookclub (where a book is paired up with a Taylor Swift song or album each month. You can find out times and dates of these events on their website or sign up for their newsletter.
While they are currently located on S. Eugene Street in Mid City, there are plans for a new location in motion, but no exact move in date is mentioned at this time. I can’t wait to see what the new location will have in store, but I know it will be just as cozy and inviting as the current location. 
