This is my favorite book shop in the area and the only book shop in Harbor Springs. Located on the main street in one of the cutest downtowns you'll ever see, this book shop is small, yet mighty. They always have new book releases, as well as classics, kid's books, biographies, history books and more. They also have some cool greeting cards and mini gifts. During COVID19, the book shop is only letting people in who have appointments, but will happily let you call in and order any books for pick up. You can pay over the phone, and they have a cute rack outside the shop with books labeled by the names of those who purchased them to pick up. I checked their Facebook page to see a few of the new books they'd gotten in recently, emailed them with my phone number, and they called back within the hour. I paid over the phone, stopped by 30 minutes later, and grabbed the book with my name from their outdoor rack. Super easy and cute! I'm so in love with the book I got and was so happy I found this place, as I'd run out of books for vacation! read more

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I can only reiterate what others have said. This bookstore is fantastic!! Despite being a small sized store, it's packed with any type of book you'd like. Local authors, newly released, sci fi, fiction, current events, children's books. You name it, they have it! They also had a nice selection of stationary and gift items. As others mentioned, the staff are friendly and extremely informative! I purchased two books and can't wait to start them! I highly recommend this bookstore! read more

New owner, new location, same beautifully curated bookstore with excellent service and bright, knowledgable, discerning staff. The shockingly young and incredibly bright new owner, Katie, has made what was an excellent little bookstore thoroughly world-class. Even the classics section is well curated and meticulously thought out. She has excellent taste, and balances the more commercial books with smart, obscure titles for those of us who may be too critical of what everyone else is reading. If you're traveling up north, it's worth the trip to Harbor Springs just to check out this unbelievable gem of a bookstore. This is a destination of its own. read more

Katie was extremely helpful and very pleasant when I ordered 3 copies of the Tunnel of Trees cookbook. She was recommended to me and I understand why. read more

This is our favorite bookstore ANYWHERE. (And as a family of bookstore junkies, we have been to many, many bookstores.) It is not because they have the largest selection -- this is a small store, so if you have your heart set on a particular book you might not find it. What you WILL find is a welcoming atmosphere with warm, friendly staff who carefully choose and curate their inventory. They encourage you to browse and enjoy and are just as warm and friendly to children, hosting all manner of free activities for them. We come back to this beautiful, adorable town every summer and Between the Covers is at the top of our list. read more

As an academic, I have too many graduate degrees and stratospheric bookstore standards. But Between the Covers is a gem. The selection is amazing given the shop's size. And it's the size that makes this store precious. There is little space for the latest serial from book-making algorithms posing as authors (I'm looking at you, James Patterson), but there is space for children, for contemporary literature, for classics, for local book club picks, and for conversation. The staff are not clerks; they are literary sommeliers. Don't just go to browse; go to discuss and to learn. Don't go with your list; go to create a list filled with the recommendations of BTC's staff. Great authors are commended for their world building; but BTC builds the world within which the authors build theirs. Well done! read more

Katie responded to my email after hours to help me find books that I needed immediately. She did not have them in the store, but went out of her way to order them immediately and have them shipped to the store as it would be faster than coming to me directly. I had been unable to make actual contact with any of the bigger online stores that presumably have more resources at their disposal - a great reminder of how important local independent book stores are! I intend to order from this store in the future instead of jumping onto Amazon. Thank you! read more

While on a trip in Harbor Springs I went to this bookstore twice and all I can say is wow! The two staff members I encountered on my visits here are two of the most genuinely kind and friendly people that I have ever met! They were so enthusiastic about helping me find books, but not in a fake way at all. They were kind and helpful and their Covid-19 safety precautions were exceptional. I felt so safe going in there. Browsing was by appointment and only one group was allowed in the store at a time. Masks were required and truly enforced and that was so comforting. This is now my favorite bookstore! read more

One of my favorite bookstores ever. The staff is friendly and the book selection is perfect. I collect lists of the books I want to read based off of reviews i read in the NY Times, Salon.com and recommendations on GoodReads. I wait to find indie book stores to buy from (rather than amazon) and this bookstore almost always has the books on my list. A must on my places to stop when in Harbor Springs. read more

Stopped in there while visiting family in the area and got great kid's book recommendations for my son. If we lived there, that would be our go-to for any books we need! read more

Beautiful, well-curated indie bookstore. A very special business in Harbor Springs, and a place you have to stop into if you're visiting! You could not ask for a kinder, lovelier, or smarter owner than Katie C. Your bookshelf will be happier after a trip to Between The Covers. read more

Such a cute book store! My kids love going into the little children's nook and picking out books! The first time my kids and I visited the store I called ahead of time to see if they would allow my dog inside (I was 8 months pregnant with two kids and needed to walk my dog!) as I was letting my kids ride their bikes down to the store. The women on the other end said it was fine as long as he was clean. read more

This is 100% without a doubt the best bookstore that I've ever been to. The owner is wonderful and I get the feeling that she has read every single book that she sells. I started going here when it was in its previous location and have been hooked ever since. The main reason that I love this store is because I am able to talk to the staff to get recommendations on my next reads. I feel like they are truly excited to tell me about a great book. EVERY book that I have purchased from here I loved. Each time that I make the trip to Harbor Springs (about twice a year) I always make sure to stock up on a pile of books. I would rather pay the full price from a local book store that cares about me having a positive reading experience than buying from a big box store or offline. If you do go here take the time to talk to the staff about what you like to read and go with a recommendation from them. I have never been disappointed!! read more

As an academic, I often look for historical books to use in my teaching. So,while in northern Michigan, I googled specialty boutique bookstores and found Between the Covers. Drove miles out of my way specifically to review the titles. Walked out when young gal at counter quickly dismissed my book request (as they didn't carry the subject) yet instead made an in-stock, off topic recommendation for me (making a sale?). A polite reminder of what I was looking for made her dig in her heals and changed her tonality toward my request and told me to go to Beaver Island, maybe the book you want is there. Whaaaaaat? This place is probably fine if you have limited interests and don't know what you want and need to be directed to what the staff thinks you should want (based on current stock?). read more

I went into Between the Covers looking for a particular book. They'd sold their copy that morning, but I came out with three books for my 12 and 14 year old sons. It was a bit of a gamble because I had never heard of any of those books or the authors. But the women who worked there really knew the books on the shelves and knew what questions to ask until we found three that sounded likely. Not only have my boys read the books quickly, they enjoyed all three of them. And they went to the library when we got home and checked out the sequel to one of them. In the adult section I was impressed with the range of titles, including foreign literature in translation. And they sell beautiful Christmas cards (in June no less). I wish we lived nearby to Between the Covers! read more

It's a small bookstore but with a thoughful selection of books and cards and an absolutely terrific name. Not exactly the warmest welcome I have received in my life, but it was a quiet day. I'd definitely recommend it. read more

Really cool bookstore, well decorated, and so much better than it was when it was in the basement down the street. Katie and Allison are fun, they like to harass customers, but everyone know's it's in all in good fun. I like BTC more than other book stores in the area. read more

We took our children to their reading of the polar express! Fantastic! Great little shop. You must check it out.