Sunday, June 5, 2011

Book and Cats in One Amazing Place

Friday (well Saturday too) was the most beautiful day, sunny and low 70's. I was off work, so we decided to take a ride to the Book Barn in Niantic, Connecticut. It was our first time there, but it won't be our last. It's located in the quaint seaside town of Niantic, and between its (3) locations (all within a mile of each other), they have nearly 500,000 books.


What is so cool about this main location is that the books are mostly outdoors, in shed-like lockers which can be closed up at night or in bad weather. There are also other barn-like buildings, where special collections can be found.


But one of my favorite things, besides the books of course, was the relaxed garden like setting, with plants, trees, benches along various paths, as well as several friendly cats roaming about.


There is also a large home set back on the property, so I'm guessing these cats belong to the owners of the Book Barn who live on the property.


Now the last thing I need is more books, so although I browsed, I used discipline and only bought (1) book. It was a hard cover copy of Kings of the Earth; Jon Clinch, which I have wanted to read for some time - $4.00. My husband bought a Babe Ruth book.

(The little guy in the above photo assisted  our cashier).

After we finished browsing we stopped for a fresh seafood lunch at Skippers, with  outside water views. It was delicious.  A perfect Day. 
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

51 comments:

  1. MysticaJune 5, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    My mind cant get around 500,000 books and also a place to meander, cats and peace and quiet! too too much to take in one go and to come back with one book. Thats discipline!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A Year in BooksJune 5, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    This has officially gone on my Must Visit List, alongside Hay-on-Wye. Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Book DragonJune 5, 2011 at 5:09 AM

    I want to go! I don't know if I could show the restraint you did and only purchase one book.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Paulita June 5, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    What a way to spend a beautiful day. Gorgeous scenery, books and cats. Hope you had a glass of wine too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MishaJune 5, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    500,000 books!! Wow!
    It seems like a wonderful place.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kalei's Best FriendJune 5, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Wish we had a Book Barn!. Love those kitties...

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 5, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Diane, this is wonderful! Do they operate only in the warmer months or year round? What a fun time to stroll and book shop!

    ReplyDelete
  8. JennaJune 5, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Looks like a book lovers dream! So many books and such a tranquil atmosphere...a great trip for a gorgeous afternoon. Now I really want to visit!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beth FJune 5, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Wow -- as you say in your title: One Amazing Place! Cats, books, garden ... sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. serendipity_vivJune 5, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Sounds like my kind of heaven. Books, cats and open air! Bliss.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Peppermint Ph.D.June 5, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    What an absolutely incredible place!! I know of one bookstore in Oxford, MS that has a store cat...he just bebops around with the customers as if he owns the place.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Brian's Home BlogJune 5, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Such a fun place, if they only had more books! Go kitties go!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. agujaJune 5, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    As soon as i saw the title, I opened your blog post. Books and cats are my two favourite things ... together at this fantastic venue is a delightful sharing. Thank You! I enjoyed it in its entirety.

    ReplyDelete
  14. TheBookGirlJune 5, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    I am amazed that you exerted such restraint, lol. I just know that I would fail miserably and come home with more books that I definitely do not need (despite the excuses I would make about why I had to have them).

    This sounds like such a lovely outing that I am off to see how far it is from where we are. Thanks for publicizing this place :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. ZibileeJune 5, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    This looks like the perfect amalgamation of cats, books, and plants, and I can see why you had such a great time out there! I would love to visit this store one day!

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousJune 5, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    That place looks amazing!I want to go there! I loved Kings of the Earth. I can't wait for you to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaJune 5, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Kay, I asked if they were open in winter and they said YES. They need to be open 52 weeks a year for financial reasons -- only closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

    I suspect that the other indoor locations, or the indoor buildings here, are all that are open in winter.

    ReplyDelete
  18. bibliophiliacJune 5, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    When I go on my *bookstore pilgrimage* one day, The Book Barn will be one of the stops! It looks like you went on the perfect day.

    ReplyDelete
  19. StephTheBookwormJune 5, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I've heard about this place from one of my Goodreads friends! It sounds awesome! Cats and Books are my favorite things!

    ReplyDelete
  20. BarbaraJune 5, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Now how in heck did I miss this when we lived in Conn.? Next trip there for sure we will go to Niantic. It'll be no problem to get my seafood loving husband to go.

    I used to love a little upstairs bookstore in Kennebunkport, ME that had a resident cat, a couch, and several comfy chairs. Tiny but so cozy.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AthiraJune 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Oh wow, that place looks amazing! Let me locate it on the map so that I visit it sometime!! Great pics!

    ReplyDelete
  22. TinaJune 5, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Looks like it's time for a ROAD TRIP....usually when we come down from Maine to DC to see the kids, we go down the Wilbur Cross parkway, but I'm thinking 95 for the next trip, with a stopover at this neat place. Thanks for a wonderful Sunday stroll...

    ReplyDelete
  23. TracyJune 5, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    I admire your restraint at only buying one book! Books and cats - definitely a good combination.

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJune 5, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    Animals and bookstores are two of my favorite things, so this bookstore sounds like my dreams come true!

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownJune 5, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    What a charming & fantastic spot! Thank you so much for posting about this place, Diane! I think I smell 'roadtrip'! I am extremely impressed that you bought just one book...that is some great discipline :o) Enjoy & thanks for the photos, too.

    ReplyDelete
  26. StaciJune 5, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    This place is seriously calling my name.. I want to go there immediately!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Beth(bookaholicmom)June 5, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    This place looks amazing! If only I loved closer!

    ReplyDelete
  28. booklineandsinkerJune 5, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    sounds like a perfect day to me! my hubby and i spent some time in upstate new york last summer in a town that has 5 or 6 book shops and i thought i was in heaven. i'm adding the book barn to our 'places to visit' list for this summer. we're heading up to vermont in july so we may stop by on the way up or down! great pics of the kitties, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sweet Virginia BreezeJune 5, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Just perfect! Who could ask for anything more than books, cats, and fresh air?

    ReplyDelete
  30. bermudaonionJune 5, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    That store looks like it has loads of personality.

    ReplyDelete
  31. AlyceJune 5, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    What a fun place to visit! I've never been to a book store that has outdoor book stands like that. The cats are a bonus too of course. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousJune 5, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    What a great place and I was just thinking of Kings of the Earth the other day - it is definitely a book that sticks with you.

    ReplyDelete
  33. BookQuoterJune 5, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    This place will drive me crazy good. Great pictures. Wish I was there.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Cat and DOG Chat With CarenJune 5, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    what an adorable, interesting and quaint place!! Wish I lived near where it is, it looks like it was just delightful!
    The kitties are too precious!

    ReplyDelete
  35. JoAnnJune 5, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Only one book??? I'm amazed at your restraint! Will definitely stop by on our next trip to CT.

    ReplyDelete
  36. TiJune 5, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    That sounds like a really neat place. I love a bookstore with cats. I visited one with a cat this weekend as well.

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousJune 6, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Now it's my turn to salivate over your photos. Who needs to go to Europe when you can drive to heaven on earth? - That's what I call a seaside town with 500,000 books. Oh, envy!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Michelle Stockard MillerJune 6, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    What a quaint place! Cats and books...what could be better!

    ReplyDelete
  39. JennersJune 6, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    This book store has TONS of personality ... as well as half a million books!! WOW! I must visit it when I am in CT next.

    ReplyDelete
  40. kay - Infinite ShelfJune 7, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  41. kay - Infinite ShelfJune 7, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    Admit it : you died and went to heaven!
    This place looks great, loved looking at your pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  42. StefanieJune 7, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    What a fun place! And so many helpful cats! Seems like a person can't go wrong there.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Melissa (Avid Reader)June 7, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    This place looks amazing! I've added it to my MUST travel list.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Meg @ A Bookish AffairJune 7, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Wow! I think this may be one of the coolest bookstores I've ever seen before!

    ReplyDelete
  45. DarleneJune 8, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Wow, what a cool book shop! I'd love to visit there. How cute with all the cats helping out!

    ReplyDelete
  46. NanJune 8, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    What a wonderful, wonderful place! I don't know how you did it - one book. :<) It adds so much to a place to have animals around.

    ReplyDelete
  47. samantha.1020June 8, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    What fun you must have had! Thanks for sharing the pictures...I want to go too now :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Good CompanyJune 9, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    A very charming, relaxing place! IF I ever bet to CT, I'll have to take it in. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  49. KathleenJune 13, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    What a wonderful place to shop for books!

    ReplyDelete
  50. stacybuckeyeJune 23, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    I want to plan a vacation just around this bookstore! Seriously, I'm thinking about it :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. AliceJune 27, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    I LOVE THIS POST! Books and cats. Wonderful! 500,000 books, that's a lot! How I wish I was there. The photos are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to visit and double thanks for any comments. If you ask a question in your comments, I will try to reply to it here, or by email if your settings allow me to do so. Thanks again for visiting.


Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)