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Brain Lair Books

4.6 (11 reviews)
Open 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

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One of the many bookmarks, and some of the stickers
Sophie T.

Love seeing an independent book store that celebrates diversity in Northern Indiana! Store motto is come for the books, stay for the sarcasm, and you've really gotta love it! They have many stickers, cards, mugs, bookmarks, bags, candles, and more with much personality, flare, and advocacy. I love all of the little gifts that pair perfectly with bookish personalities. As for the book selection, they have a large range of popular best sellers, as well as some local books, with some particular books of interest focusing on African American history in the area. There were a couple of books featuring Palestinian experiences that were also highlighted. I purchased a book on sundown towns (there were many in the Midwest) and noted some reads on my TBR: The Color of Law, The 1619 Project, and A Fever in the Heartland. The store was organized by typical genres, as well as some store picks, LGBTQ reads, etc. The bookseller welcomed me warmly, and I very much enjoyed the whole experience. Highly recommend checking this place out, especially if you have lived in the area and never stopped by!

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5 months ago

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Kathy B.

Mallory, thank you so much!

Helpful 78
Thanks 27
Love this 64
Oh no 0

11 months ago

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Kathy B.

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1 month ago

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2 years ago

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5 months ago

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Kathy B.

Wow! Thank you, Kristen!

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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6 years ago

Helpful 2
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5 years ago

Great prices. Great selection. Very friendly proprietor. We are a family of six. All book lovers. Do yourself a favor and stop by.

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7 years ago

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6 years ago

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Review Highlights - Brain Lair Books

The bookseller welcomed me warmly, and I very much enjoyed the whole experience.

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The Bookworm - Bookshelves in the front of the store.

The Bookworm

3.9(9 reviews)
15.0 mi

THIS is one fantastic bookstore. In fact, it is *the quintessential* small town bookstore, the one…read moreyou actually read about in books and wish you had one yourself. If you're anywhere near Elkhart, YOU DO. Lucky us!! Things we love: The work in progress Harry Potter closet under the stairs. YEP!!! The amazing staff! The owners are SO community-minded. It's remarkable. Of course, excellent selection of books THE CUTEST kids area Rolling bookshelves for event space (!) Events! (such as poetry open mic, or local authors) Local authors are featured Knowledgeable staff FANTASTIC sitting clever signs Things that make me sad: We live an hour away. Go! And, perhaps, you'll write your OWN novel, about a bookstore, and this will be your model. LOVE!

This place was a huge disappointment. I took my 3-year old granddaughter on an outing and chose…read morethis local bookstore as part of it. She LOVES reading, and I thought it would be fun to visit a local, independent bookstore. It is a used bookstore, which was not clear from website description. The book choices for preschool children were minimal - a single small bookcase of books - most of which were ancient. (There was a Dick and Jane book there if you want to gauge age of the books). The books were poorly organized and many were very worn. As my granddaughter said, "This bookstore is boring." It was a shame as small communities need good bookstores. This wasn't it. I've been to some GREAT small independent bookstores; I know they can be amazing. This was just depressing.

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The Bookworm - Super cute kids area!

Super cute kids area!

The Bookworm
The Bookworm - Books from the store.

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Books from the store.

Brain Lair Books - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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