Buying books in Milwaukee

Thanks to a number of factors, Milwaukee has a wide range of trade book shops for a city its size. First off, there has been a grand tradition of independent booksellers in the city, going back more than 100 years. We've also been lucky in that, up until a few years ago, the chains rarely set up shop outside area malls, helping independents remain viable. The fact that Barnes & Noble and Borders came later to Milwaukee than other markets (like Minneapolis/St. Paul), also gave area shops time to prepare for the onslaught.

The result is that there's a great selection of general trade and specialty bookshops in the city, although a few areas, like imported and foreign language books, remain under served. With such a wealth of book outlets, it seems odd that Milwaukee continually lags at the bottom of the list of top 50 book markets in the country -- a dismal showing considering we're among the top 25 largest American cities. So, get out there and buy a book. It'll make us look smarter (just like those dorky glasses did for Hollywood bigwigs like Sly Stallone a few years back).

General trade bookshops

- Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops' four metro area locations (a fifth opens on Main St. in Racine in September) serve almost all areas of the city with large, well-staffed shops. Each of the stores does its best to represent its neighborhood: Shorewood's café draws the Oakland Ave. strollers, Mequon's romance section flourishes, Downer's art and architecture section are perfect for its east side location, and Brookfield does a wonderful job of bringing great literature to the western suburbs. All shops host author appearances, reading groups and other events. They also have made clear their commitment to the city with the Schwartz Gives Back program, which donates one percent of customer purchases to area service and arts organizations.

4093 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood (414-963-3111); 2559 N. Downer Ave. (414-332-1181); 17145 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield (262-797-6140); 10976 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon (262-241-6220)

- If book lovers weren't waiting anxiously for the opening of the area's first Borders Books & Music, CD buyers likely were. But while some of the chain's locations are music-rich, this north shore shop disappoints in that area. Well-stocked book shelves and magazine racks turn up some gems and the store is well-lighted and has a nice open feel.

8705 N. Port Washington Rd., Bayside (414-540-1427)

- Barnes & Noble. Four locations are anchored by the latest shop, located in Mayfair Mall and built around an airy atrium that houses a café with regular music. All shops have lots of books, magazines, and music, but could use a customer service boost. Brookfield and Greenfield locations have music sections of varying depth, while Bayshore replaces CDs with computer software.

4935 S. 76th St., Greenfield (414-281-8222); 16220 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield (262-782-1514); Bayshore Mall (414-967-0007); Mayfair Mall (414-475-6070)

- The Little Read Book is a gem of a shop on State St. in Wauwatosa's charming downtown district. Not very big, but with a nice, helpful staff and a family-owned feel, The Little Read Book is one of the city's most relaxing shopping experiences.

7603 W. State St., Wauwatosa (414-774-2665)

- West of Milwaukee, in Oconomowoc, is Books & Co., another wonderfully-run independent with a great selection of fiction and an atmosphere in which everybody -- staff and customers -- looks happy and excited to be around a shop full of books. Even if you don't live nearby, this is a place to visit.

1039 Summit Ave., Oconomowoc (262-567-0106)

-Martha Merrell's, in downtown Waukesha, is another independent general trade bookshop serving the western communities of the metro area.

300 W. Main St., Waukesha (262-547-1060)

- Many probably overlook it when thinking about buying books, but the UWM Bookstore is a great shop with lots of great literature, nonfiction and text books on two levels. There are also gifts, art supplies, calendars, magazines, greeting cards and more. Parking isn't as hard as you think. The lot beneath the student union, where the shop is located, offers inexpensive rates.

Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd. (414-229-4201)

Specialty shops

- Opened by a former manager of Webster's (located on Downer, where the Schwartz now stands), Afterwords is Milwaukee's premier gay/lesbian bookstore. A wide selection of books and cards is augmented by an intimate café.

2710 N. Murray Ave. (414-963-9089(

- Mystery One serves the needs of Milwaukee's whodunnit fans from its wee shop on Prospect Ave. and even manages to squeeze regular author appearances into the space, with some of the genres biggest names. New and collectible books share space on the shelf. Get owner Richard Katz talking about mysteries and be prepared to stay around a while. This is a guy who loves books.

2109 N. Prospect Ave. (414-347-4077)

- Frances Utsey's Cultural Connection is one of the city's two biggest bookshops serving the African-American community. The upstairs shop has a deep selection of history, fiction, books for kids and more. They often sponsor author appearances in town, sometimes in conjunction with Schwartz.

3424 W. Villard Ave. (414-461-6160)

- The other African-American-focused shop is Reader's Choice, which also hosts author events with folks like E. Lynn Harris. Again, you'll find a wide variety of African-American books, from fiction to history to politics and more.

1950 N. Martin Luther King Dr. (414-265-2003)

- It's moved a few times over the years, but Peoples Books is, thankfully, still around, stocking books you'll find almost nowhere else in town. Great history and politics sections lean leftward and are complemented by fiction, cultural and social studies, and books on music, art, lifestyle, and more.

2122 E. Locust Ave. (414-962-0575)

- Formerly located on Downer Ave., Book Bay is now in the former Schwartz space on Silver Spring Dr. in Whitefish Bay, stocking a all kinds of books and gifts for Milwaukee's young readers.

407 E. Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay (414-962-3444)

- High Wind is the city's new age book source, with all kinds of books and related items on spirituality and beyond.

4314 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood (414-332-8288)

- Poetry more your cup of tea? Don't miss Woodland Pattern, the city's most literary shop. With writing classes, author appearances and seminars, an impressive selection of small press and independent publications, Woodland Pattern is an invaluable asset to the city arts scene. Performances by the some of the world's most vibrant musicians also take place here regularly.

720 E. Locust St. (414-263-5001)