I just called the Singing Wind Bookshop and sadly learned it is permanently closed. With that in mind I thought I would write and rave about my visit, many years ago. We stopped on a whim and because I love books and bookshops. We spent 3+ hours conversing with Winifred, who had an amazing knowledge of every book in her shop. I ended up buying many books, that I had to ship back east. Winifred and Singing Wind Bookshop are one of the reasons I fell in love with Arizona. Godspeed, Winifred, wherever you are, and thank you for 3+ hours that became a life long memory. read more

What's truly shocking to me is that there is just one review before this one. Everything Abu says is true. Turn right at the sign that says Singing Wind Road, turn left at the donkey. Or is it a burro? Watch out, she doesn't take kindly to paparazzi. I fell in love on the spot. Shelf after shelf chock full of the good stuff, a reader's paradise, a book lover's ideal mate. All within the setting of this wee, desert rambler. I could have stayed for hours but only had two. I wanted to buy a dozen books but only bought three. Next time I visit (please, September?) I come prepared with rations, my checkbook and a list of must-haves. And if Winn is here I may never leave.. read more

I had heard about this bookshop ever since I was in college. I finally had a chance to visit it, years later! And it didn't disappoint. It is a cool little store with a variety of books available. Many of them you can't find anywhere else. The bookshop is the front rooms of a house. And to get to it, you travel along a 0.5 mile dirt road. There is a sign as you turn off the main road onto the dirt road. So, trust your instincts. You are on the right path. Keep going and you will pull right up to the house. If you are a fan of books, then you need to visit this place! read more

Excellent place worth the time off the beaten path. All Kinds kinds of books and knowledge about the area. Small, crowded, and difficult to find so do your research first. This is the best map I could find, there are others. http://www.bensonvisitorcenter.com/images/Singing%20Wind%20Directions.pdf read more

Singing Winds is an Indie bookstore legend. For decades people have come from all over the world to visit this store that started with one room on a ranch outside Benson Arizona. My first visit there were no street signs. You had to watch your odometer to know which ranch road to enter. Back then Winn Bundy would meet you at the door and give you a quick tour. The ranch continues to be active and Winn has help. It's a destination for book lovers. The Sunday before Thanksgiving they host authors for an afternoon of talks, meet and greet and buy books. It's easy to find now! Take the Ocotillo exit and head North. You will see the blue Singing Winds sign. Don't forget to close the ranch gate!! While you're there, take a few minutes to absorb the beauty of the mountains and the land. read more

I used to go here as a girl with my mom. I have wanted to go back for years. Saturday I finally did. 1. There are Donkeys. I don't know about you, but Donkeys are adorable. 2. I was greeted by a pupper. Who acted like it knew me, so much so that other customers took notice. I later sat down on the window seat with said pupper and rubbed it's belly as I inquired it's name. 3. Was never greeted by a human. Saw a woman, not the owner, who looked as if she worked there, but she did not speak to me. 4. Did not buy anything. 4.5. Prices were not clear. 5. selection was very nitch. Yes they specialize in books about the Southwest. But they had other sections, such as travel, children's ect. read more

Full disclosure, Winn is my grandmother, and I grew up in the bookstore, and the ranch. That said, if you are a book lover, who wants a real adventure on what until recently was an actual working cattle ranch, Singing Wind is absolutely worth the trip. My grandmother, who slowly transformed what was once my bedroom into one of the main parts of the bookshop, is a business pioneer. She did what seemed impossible, started a business completely off the beaten path over 30 years ago, and has had incredible success. My grandparents relocated to Arizona in the 50s, when my grandfather began working at Hughes, They balanced ranching, raising a family and work, and somehow my grandmother never let go of her dream to open her own bookshop. When you meet her, you will understand why. My grandmother is unstoppable, she looks at problems and steps right past them without a worry. If you time it right, she will invite you to stay for lunch. The bookstore, is really amazing, she has titles you cant find in big box stores, and not just on regional topics. I still dont understand the way the books are organized, her logic is beyond me, but Ive found that rather than questioning her organizational skill I just ask where I can find what im looking for. She knows right where everything is. There are treasures here, and yes, I am of course biased, Im proud to call this fantastic woman my grandmother and the bookshop and ranch part of my history. This is a great place to bring visitors from anywhere, of any age, Its a real Arizona adventure, and you will walk away with reading for your travels home, gifts for anyone and a little insight into the mind of a pioneer. read more

Amazing setting. Drive out to the middle of nowhere, down a dirt road, past some trailers. It looks like you are going to end up in a dusty field with Walter White, but instead you end up at a small bookstore in the back of a house. Great selection, considering how small it is. The owner has kept up with the newest titles, including a large selection of books related to AZ and the SW region. read more

This was such a wonderful experience. Wynn is an amazing woman and I could have spent hours more talking with her. Anyone who devotes their life and their home to books is a special human, and Wynn is full of great stories and ideas. Do not walk in expecting a typical book shop experience, not even close. It is far better than that. read more

I love the Singing Wind Bookshop and always stop there when my husband and I go through Benson on our various travels around the state of Arizona. It is easy to spend hours going through Winn Bundy's wide selection of Arizona and Southwest books. I'm thrilled that she is now stocking a book I co-edited and co-wrote: Arizona Press Women's award-winning anthology "Skirting Traditions: Arizona Women Writers and Journalists 1912-2012." The book is an official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project and just received a review in The Arizona Journal of History (Spring 2013) that calls it "captivating and informative." We're on Facebook under Skirting Traditions and also at www.skirtingtraditions.com. Thanks to Singing Wind Bookshop for its interest in our book, and I look forward to visiting the bookshop again soon. Brenda Warneka read more

I made the short drive from Tucson to Benson yesterday and I wasn't disappointed. I love books and bookstores and this one has so much charm and such an incredible selection of southwest inventory for all ages. Winn the owner was there to greet me when I walked in. Loved the tour she gave me and just soaking in everything. It's worth the detour if you are traveling on I-10 between Tucson/El Paso (it's not that far off the freeway and easy to find if you follow directions). From one booklover to another! read more

We went to the book store it was a gem not to be missed off the beaten path bring a ton of cash

If you want books by Arizona authors - this is the place to go. If you are lucky enough to show up during one of Winn's author events you are in for a real treat! read more

what a joy to find Winn's jewel of a bookstore on a rural ranch in Benson. Winn warmly welcomes you into the front rooms of her home which are chock full of fascinating and eclectic reads on lovely hand crafted wood shelves. Winn is a seasoned librarian who knows every book in the place, I've arrived with some pretty obscure requests over the years and she's always got just the right book on hand. Italian costumes of the 1400s? Mongolian warriors? postmodern architecture? a how to book on Hawaiian style quilting? cowboy or obscure mystery novels? No problem, Winn has found me all of these things and more over the years. No visit would be complete without Winn's humorous guided tour through the shop, Winn navigates around the shelves with a flourish through categories like the Tall Californians ( that don't fit on the shelf with the shorter books). I am most impressed with her history offerings and there is a good childrens book section as well. Winn occasionally hosts author readings at her place and all are welcome to sit and listen indoors, or outdoors under the shady trees with a snack or some lemonade. True western hospitality from a woman who knows and loves her books and is most pleased to share them with you. read more

A unique and charming bookshop with many hard-to-find titles about the Southwest and far beyond. I always seek out independent book stores when I travel, and Singing Wind is well worth the trip. There really is no other bookstore like it anywhere. The owner, Winn Bundy is so welcoming and very knowledgeable, and she supports local writers, poets, and musicians. read more

If you are in Benson and you miss Singing Wind Bookshop, and the wonderful stories of Winn, you are missing an Arizona landmark and treasure. Spend a few hours researching one of the most unique collections of books of every genre, especially history of Arizona and the Southwest, available. Keep up the great work, Winn! read more

Paradise. Hard to find, out in the sticks, but worth it. Bookstores are totally oldschool now and this is about as old school as it gets. Go before its no more. read more

All true! If you love books and are anywhere near Benson, AZ-a side trip to Singing Wind Bookshop (and ranch) is well worth it!

We were enjoying a January 2014 week in southeastern Arizona, when we found Singing Wind Bookshop via the Internet. On a whim, we made time to visit. Mrs. Bundy and Singing Wind Ranch Bookshop truly delighted us the moment we walked through the door. As native westerners from another state and now Arizona residents for several years, we absolutely loved that the bookshop was on a Benson-area cattle ranch that's off the beaten path (4 miles outside of Benson). Mrs. Bundy greeted us warmly and then gave us a "tour" of every bookshelf and every section of each. She knows where every book is by memory. As book lovers, book store fans, and Old West history buffs, we knew we had come "home"! Our only regret is we live in northern Arizona, and have to plan another week off so we can spend more time inside Singing Wind. Yes, only cash or checks (with ID) are accepted for payment, but we had read that online and came prepared. It was around noon, and Mrs. Bundy let us have our picnic lunch that we brought on some tables in her yard, and let our dog join us outside. We had an expansive view of the ranch, and watched a couple of horses and burros graze. So quiet and peaceful! We also saw a family of coyotes (with 2 pups) saunter across one of her pastures. Another customer was a rancher from New Mexico who knew Mrs. Bundy. We enjoyed listening to them swap stories. This bookshop and Mrs. Winn Bundy are Arizona treasures, and we hope to return as soon as we can. April 6, 2014, Singing Wind Ranch Bookshop celebrates 40 years of book selling. Congratulations, and thank you for the invitation to your celebration! http://cronkitezine.asu.edu/fall2007/singingwind.html read more

The Singing Wind Bookshop is truly a hidden treasure. It is worth the hunt and what a surprise on a cattle ranch in Az. Best selection of western history, eclectic to say the least. Be prepared to stay awhile, at least two hours and pay in cash. Winn doesn't take credit cards. read more

What a place!! Winn is charming, the location borders on exotic. We walked in, she grabbed us and said I'll tell you the layout...and we were off on a fantastical (!) trip. "If you want popular paperbacks," she told us," go to the grocery store." And the selection is as eclectic as any store I have ever been in, including a wonderful selection on Alaska, where I first went to in 1957 and where I commercially fished for my whole career. When I wasn't sure if I had my checkbook (she doesn't take credit cards....too much paperwork she said) she told me "no problem, just mail me a check when you get home." Who does business like that anymore? She is a wonderfully warm, creative, energetic person who will brighten your day. read more