The answer was the Book Nook, which she opened up in Saranac Lake nearly eight years ago. Everything about opening the bookstore has been an experience — she learned how to install flooring, sand and plane wood. On the business side, the biggest lesson she’s learned has been to listen to what the community wants. Over the years, she’s been able to see familiar faces that return again and again, and watch kids move from children’s books to young adult novels.

Local bookstores will be celebrating the 12th annual Independent Bookstore Day, organized by the American Booksellers Association, on Saturday. Over 1,200 stores are participating across the country, including both The Bookstore Plus and the Book Nook.

The Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid will open at 9 a.m. Any purchase will be entered in a raffle to earn a tote bag full of books and other surprises. At 11 a.m. there will be a guest appearance from local children’s book author and illustrator, Maxwell Eaton. At 1 p.m. there will be a book edge painting workshop and at 3 p.m. another local author, Loree Griffin Burns, will be there.

The Book Nook will also hold a few raffles — a purchase of any amount will be entered into a raffle to win one of a few bags of books, which will include an adult and children’s category. There will be a scavenger hunt for a golden ticket, cookies from Early Dawn Confections and a visit from Mark Manske from Adirondack Raptors from 1 to 3 p.m.

Katie Smith, left, and Elisa McIntosh pose at the Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid on Wednesday. (Enterprise photo — Grace McIntyre)

Why read local?

Elisa McIntosh began her career in education, teaching fourth grade and sixth grade science. She resigned in the winter of 2021, as the pandemic dragged on and the work became more difficult. She was drawn to The Bookstore Plus as an alternative place to work, somewhere she felt she was contributing to something bigger than herself.

“The Bookstore Plus has always been like such a cozy, welcoming place,” she said. “I was like, ‘That’s where I could see myself.'”

In a way, working at a bookstore isn’t so different from teaching. She’s still connecting children to books. Even as a science teacher, she often incorporated books into her lessons as a starting point for conversations and projects. Once she was brought on full time at the store, she started helping organize storytimes and author visits.

“I’m still lesson planning, in a way,” she said.

Katie Smith also came to The Bookstore Plus from teaching. She studied music education, but instead ended up teaching kindergarten and worked as a substitute. She switched jobs to pursue something she was also passionate about — reading.

“Reading is such an important way to expand your horizon and your viewpoints,” she said. “You have a better understanding of the world and people around you.”

She loves when she has the opportunity to recommend niche books to people, like the eco-horror, sci-fi and speculative fiction she likes best. Some people come into the bookstore looking for something particular, but sometimes people ask for recommendations.

For Fischer, the small space at the Book Nook presents an extra challenge when it comes to curating a collection. She spends several hours each day researching books, calling publishers and reading reviews for books. From The New York Times best sellers to local authors nervous about putting their book out on the shelf, she tries to make space for all of it.

When people come looking for recommendations, Fischer gets to ask them about themselves and what they’re reading, what books they’ve loved or hated.

“I think that’s what independent bookstores are known for,” she said. “You’re gonna get that personal experience.”

Owners and employees of local bookstores say that when you support them, it’s a trickle effect that then supports the community. Local bookstores pay local taxes and build relationships within the community.

For example, The Bookstore Plus works with schools and also makes a point to support local authors. They claim the largest selection of Adirondack literature, anywhere. They also have a consignment program for self-published authors who get a “trial period” to have their books on the shelves for six months.

“It’s just nice to know that when you give your money to a local business, that you know that it’s going to then help your community, rather than giving it to an unknown,” McIntosh said.

Plus, “The people behind the desk also are your neighbors,” Fischer added.