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    Brain Lair Books

    4.6 (11 reviews)
    Special Hours Closed
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    One of the many bookmarks, and some of the stickers
    Sophie T.

    Love seeing an independent book store that celebrates diversity in Northern Indiana! Store motto is come for the books, stay for the sarcasm, and you've really gotta love it! They have many stickers, cards, mugs, bookmarks, bags, candles, and more with much personality, flare, and advocacy. I love all of the little gifts that pair perfectly with bookish personalities. As for the book selection, they have a large range of popular best sellers, as well as some local books, with some particular books of interest focusing on African American history in the area. There were a couple of books featuring Palestinian experiences that were also highlighted. I purchased a book on sundown towns (there were many in the Midwest) and noted some reads on my TBR: The Color of Law, The 1619 Project, and A Fever in the Heartland. The store was organized by typical genres, as well as some store picks, LGBTQ reads, etc. The bookseller welcomed me warmly, and I very much enjoyed the whole experience. Highly recommend checking this place out, especially if you have lived in the area and never stopped by!

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    7 months ago

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    Kathy B.

    Mallory, thank you so much!

    Helpful 78
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    1 year ago

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    Kathy B.

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    3 months ago

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    Kathy B.

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    3 years ago

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    6 months ago

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    Kathy B.

    Wow! Thank you, Kristen!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Great prices. Great selection. Very friendly proprietor. We are a family of six. All book lovers. Do yourself a favor and stop by.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Brain Lair Books

    The bookseller welcomed me warmly, and I very much enjoyed the whole experience.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Erasmus Books

    Erasmus Books

    4.9
    (14 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    We are always in search of used book stores, something that is getting harder to find all the time…read more While visiting the University of Notre Dame we did a YELP search and found Erasmus ... and what a find it was. Now for those avid readers looking for an orderly used book store ... you might have to look elsewhere. But if you are looking for a book store with thousands of used books ... with only a basic framework to the organization of inventory ... this is your place. Set in an old cottage-style home that has been granted Landmark Status in this residential neighborhood, there are books everywhere ... in the basement, on the first floor, and supposedly in each and every room. Most of the books are on shelves, but many are in assorted stacks. The owner/manager of the place is a wonder all to himself. Friendly and outgoing, he actually does know where the major genres are in his layout, and he can help you get close to what you seek. The rest is up to you. The owner is always buying additional used books to flesh out the collection, so that could be a thing for those that are interested. On the buy side, if the owner doesn't have it ... he can probably find you what you want. The store is also complemented with a wonderful old watchdog that is almost on his last legs ... but he will get up and greet you if you have a few minutes. He adds to the overall ambience of this historic building. Now for those that have forgotten: Erasmus was a Dutch humanist, Catholic theologian, and pioneering philologist (philology being the study of literary texts and oral and written records) and we assume the source of the store's name. All in all this was a great stop on our visit ... and we'll be sure to do it again.

    Erasmus is a wonderful and weird used bookstore, packed to the brim with books of all sorts by an…read moreavid book collector or two in an old and beautiful home. My bf and I got lost in here (although it is quite organized), just looking for a diamond on the rough book to take home back in April 2025. I only had $8 in cash in me and the kind bookseller let me buy a $10 Jewish hardcover cookbook for only $8! While I am trying to buy LESS books as I downsize, I plan to stop by Erasmus periodically to look and perhaps, give a book a home! Parking is street parking.

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    Erasmus Books
    Erasmus Books

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    The Bookworm

    The Bookworm

    3.9
    (9 reviews)
    15.0 mi

    THIS is one fantastic bookstore. In fact, it is *the quintessential* small town bookstore, the one…read moreyou actually read about in books and wish you had one yourself. If you're anywhere near Elkhart, YOU DO. Lucky us!! Things we love: The work in progress Harry Potter closet under the stairs. YEP!!! The amazing staff! The owners are SO community-minded. It's remarkable. Of course, excellent selection of books THE CUTEST kids area Rolling bookshelves for event space (!) Events! (such as poetry open mic, or local authors) Local authors are featured Knowledgeable staff FANTASTIC sitting clever signs Things that make me sad: We live an hour away. Go! And, perhaps, you'll write your OWN novel, about a bookstore, and this will be your model. LOVE!

    This place was a huge disappointment. I took my 3-year old granddaughter on an outing and chose…read morethis local bookstore as part of it. She LOVES reading, and I thought it would be fun to visit a local, independent bookstore. It is a used bookstore, which was not clear from website description. The book choices for preschool children were minimal - a single small bookcase of books - most of which were ancient. (There was a Dick and Jane book there if you want to gauge age of the books). The books were poorly organized and many were very worn. As my granddaughter said, "This bookstore is boring." It was a shame as small communities need good bookstores. This wasn't it. I've been to some GREAT small independent bookstores; I know they can be amazing. This was just depressing.

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    Super cute kids area!
    Super cute kids area!
    The Bookworm
    Books from the store.

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    Books from the store.

    Brain Lair Books - bookstores - Updated July 2026

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