Best Book Store winner

Best Book Store

Murder by the Book

Story and photos by Atirikta Kumar

Bookstores can be the best place to hang out, whether you’re there to buy a book, check out a cool place, exploring a new date idea, or just need a big book hug. Murder by the Book is just that, and that may be why it was voted Best Bookstore by UH students for Coogs Choose 2021.

John McDougall, the event coordinator at MBTB, was excited to learn that the family owned store was voted Best Bookstore. “One of things we’ve been trying really hard to do is bring new and younger readers into the store,” McDougall said. “So, hearing that it’s resonating with the cougars is fantastic.”

Murder by the Book is located only 10 minutes from campus and was named after a mystery

by Rex Stout. Murder by the Book is known for selling mystery centered novels, although mystery runs through many genres if you think straight up crime is not for you.

In contrast to the blood-chilling mysteries that the bookstore is best known for, the place can be best described as a cozy blanket filled with books. Shelves are filled to the brim with novels, walls are covered in different posters and pictures and quotes from the bookstore give off an enteric cozy vibe.

The staff are experienced in helping customers find a book to their liking and are always open to sharing their recommendations.

“One of the things we try to do is make every customer feel like family at Murder by the Book.” said McDougall. The little neon notes filled with book recommendations by the staff add a sense of familiarity and make the customers feel like family.

With its own uniqueness and quirks, MBTB is the place to check out.

Whether you are wanting to check out the crime or mystery genre and are looking for recommendations, or are a seasoned reader in that genre, MBTB is the perfect place for you.

If you are looking for a place that is cozy and filled with awesome people, both real and fiction, MBTB is the place to be.