You're immersed in the sweet perfume of books as soon as you walk in. There are piles upon piles, an improbably large number crammed into this small bookstore, the cacophony recalling a wild, lushly overgrown garden -- or perhaps a cheerier version of the bookstore in "The Neverending Story."
It's just (dis)organized enough to maximize your browsing enjoyment. You stumble across unexpected delights in the many nooks and crannies! But if you're looking for a specific something, the kind owners are immediately there to assist... and expound upon similar reads you might enjoy. They're like living, breathing Spotify playlist curators for books. Good ones.
Tempest also carries puzzles and a massive selection of movies on DVD. What's on display in the store is only the tip of the iceberg. The rest of the iceberg lives in the owners' garage, we're told -- but they're happy to dig out whatever you request.
Sadly, we're only in the area for a few weeks of the year. Most of our time is devoted to skiing and on the days when skiing isn't ideal, seeing friends. But next December, I vow to (1) set aside a full day for a proper browse and chat with the fascinating, brilliant, and well-read owners; and (2) do all our holiday shopping here. This store is a true treasure, clearly a labor of love. read more
