Bookstore Oakland County
Are you looking for a local bookshop to pick up the latest in your favorite fantasy series? Have you been searching for a fun place to take your kids on the weekend? Well, if you live in the Oakland County area, you’re in luck: Novel is finally here! Stop by to experience the magic of our indie bookstore (and sandwich shop!) for yourself.
What is an Indie Bookstore?
If you’re in the literary world, you may hear the term “indie bookstore” thrown around—but what does it actually mean? Short for the word independent, an indie bookstore is a shop that is independently owned and operated by either an individual or group of people (typically ones who are local to the area). When you shop locally, you support the small businesses in Oakland County!
A Little About US
Elliott and Rachel, the co-owners of Novel, are more than the brains behind the newest indie bookstore on the block—they’re husband and wife and parents to three beautiful kiddos. Rachel attended Oakland University and had always dreamed of raising her family in the area. They now live in Rochester Hills and are excited to have opened their doors in downtown Rochester to the people of Oakland County.
Learn About Novel’s Backstory
The idea to start Novel was born from a few different aspects: Rachel’s deep love of books, Elliott’s passion for sandwich making, and, most importantly, the theory of “third spaces.” Sociologist Ray Oldenburg proposed the concept that we need more than our homes and workplaces to build a strong and supportive community. A third space acts as a neutral and accessible place where people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests can meet, laugh, and build relationships—and that’s been the inspiration for this indie bookstore since the very beginning!
Our Location:
307 South Main Street
Rochester, MI
48037
Who is in Charge of the Selection in this Indie Bookstore?
Rachel May personally curates the shelves at Novel. The books are chosen through her dedication to constantly reading new titles, looking ahead in the year for exciting releases, and, of course, recommendations from her trusted family, friends, and staff members. When you browse the bookshelves, you’re sure to see a few of her all-time favorites, the most anticipated books for that month, and titles suitable for a wide range of ages and interests.
What We Offer in Our Indie Bookstore
With a wide selection of picture books, fiction, non-fiction, puzzles, and games, there’s truly something for everyone in this Oakland County bookshop. Peruse the shelves to find a variety of popular genres, such as contemporary fiction, memoir, self-help, true crime, romance, mystery, and more. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, you can always order with us online or ask one of our friendly staff about getting it in-store!
Experience One of Our Events for the Oakland County Community
If you live in the area, we encourage you to treat Novel like a second home—it’s even decorated with “living room” vibes to keep you cozy and comfortable during your visit. To make it a true third space, we try to offer a variety of fun-for-all-ages events and activities month-to-month, such as:
- Story Time (with different local volunteer readers)
- Silent Book Club
- Game Night
- Specific book clubs (price includes a sandwich and a drink!)
- …and more to come!
Bring your friends, a first date, the whole family—anyone is welcome at Novel! The next time you’re looking for a good book and a great sandwich, stop by our indie bookstore and experience the shop for yourself. We can’t wait to see you!