Bookstore Rochester Hills, MI

Over the river and through Rochester Hills to the best indie bookstore on the block, we go! Whether you’re searching for an artisanal bite to eat or the latest release from your favorite author, Novel is the place for you. Bring your friends and family, or come solo to experience the wonderful selection on our shelves and tasty sandwich menu in Rochester Hills today.

Novel: A Book and Sandwich Shop in Rochester Michigan, book table and shelves

What Types of Books Does Novel Carry?

Our indie bookstore contains a wide selection of books across different genres and age ranges to ensure there’s something for everyone. Rachel makes sure to curate each shelf to stock the newest releases, her personal favorites, and the most beloved titles of the moment. Check out our recommendation cards and our “If You Liked This, Try This” shelf to find your next great read.

Popular Genres at Novel

If you’re in the area, you’re bound to find loads of titles from these genres at our Rochester Hills bookstore:

Where is Novel Located?

Everyone’s favorite Rochester Hills sandwich shop and bookstore, Novel, is located in downtown Rochester on South Main Street, between Third and Fourth. If you’re having trouble finding the shop, look for the large glass windows and our unofficial mascot, the porch goose, who is often dressed up in adorable seasonal outfits, from holiday hats to game-day jerseys and more.

Visit Our Rochester Hills Bookstore At:

307 South Main Street
Rochester, MI
48307

How Novel Came to Be

Novel is more than an indie bookstore—it’s an experience. It’s inspired by the third space, a concept researched by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, who claimed that in order to have a strong community, you need welcoming places apart from work and home for everyone to gather and connect. Rachel wanted the space to embody that ideology and encourage every customer to feel at home. With the help of her family and friends, their Rochester Hills bookstore quickly came to life.

Who Are the Owners of Novel?

Rachel and Elliott with their children inside Novel

The co-owners, husband-and-wife duo Elliott and Rachel, are residents of Rochester Hills with their three children. From his first job washing dishes to his culinary school days, Elliott had always dreamed of opening a local Rochester Hills sandwich shop that uses locally sourced ingredients to create mouthwatering recipes. The bookstore curator, Rachel, is a self-described “mood reader” who had wanted to open a welcoming and cozy bookstore a la You’ve Got Mail for years. When the perfect downtown location opened up, they combined their passions to open Novel!

How to Support Our Indie Bookstore

As an indie bookstore, every book bought and sandwich enjoyed means the world to us. You can support Novel in a variety of ways, whether that’s attending a community event or purchasing the next page-turner in your current book hyper-fixation series. Stop by and join in the fun by:

  • Listening to audiobooks through our Libro.fm affiliate link
  • Preordering the newest titles with us
  • Volunteering for Storytime on Sundays
  • Signing up for our monthly book clubs
  • Attending a game night
  • Leaving a personal recommendation and review on our shelf
  • Spreading the word to your friends and family

The next time you’re in the neighborhood, swing by. Let Novel be your home away from home, whether you want to snuggle up on the couch with a good book or enjoy a delicious sandwich from the menu. We can’t wait to see you!

Bookshelves inside Novel

FAQ:

What is an indie bookstore?

An indie bookstore is an independently owned bookstore. Rather than supporting larger chain retailers, where the shelves are stocked based on online algorithms and marketing campaigns, indie bookstores offer a hand-picked selection that directly reflects the community and business owner’s tastes and preferences. When you buy from a local Rochester Hills bookstore, you’re not just picking up your next read—you’re supporting your neighbors.

What is the best indie bookstore in Rochester Hills, Michigan?

If you prefer shopping from locally owned businesses, Novel is the Rochester Hills bookstore for you. With an expansive assortment of titles, a delicious sandwich menu, and fun-for-all-ages events and book clubs hosted each month, there’s something for everyone in our store.

Where can you get a sandwich in Rochester Hills?

The next time you’re strolling down Main Street, pop into Novel to have some of the best handcrafted sandwiches Rochester Hills has to offer. From the classic Roast Beef Chimichurri to the simple Grilled Cheese, every bite will have you hankering for more.