The King's English

by Rick Seven
(Salt Lake City, UT)

The King's English is a quaint, independent bookshop in the 15th and 15th area of Salt Lake (meaning the corner of 1500 East and 1500 south). It is a neighborhood bookstore surrounded by a few other shops, and several historic, brick homes.

Inside the store has various rooms and levels to correspond with different genres, and even an outdoor patio where they host events. The selection of books is excellent, and they will even have some signed books from both the publisher, as well as from visiting authors.

It is one of the only bookstores in Utah, whether independent or chain, that has a regular stream of top authors. Richard Russo, Chris Cleave, Aubrey Niffenegger and Abraham Verghese just recently to mention a few, and soon to come, Kathryn Stockett, Sandra Dallas and Jimmy Carter. They have various book clubs, and other events as well.

They also do a good job supporting local authors, as well as offering a way to sell self-published books. They have mostly new books, but do carry some quality used books (some of those signed as well). They have just started a monthly signed first edition club, and their selections have been pretty decent.

The staff is experienced and informed, and they make shopping for books a joy. A frequent buyers program gives you a nice discounted savings after every ten books you buy. The savings being the amount of the lowest priced book you bought of the ten.

The atmosphere, the authors, the selection, and the delicious snacks that they often have, make this incredible bookstore my most favorite. (and actually, I am off to visit it right now).