Riverow Bookshop — Attraction in Town of Owego

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Riverrow Bookstore in Owego, NY, and it was a charming experience. Located in the center of Owego's downtown, the bookstore is a massive and captivating structure on the corner of River Street and Lake Street. The charm of the place is evident from the very first moment.

Walking through the doors feels like stepping into a literary wonderland. The interior is a maze of books, each corner revealing a new literary treasure. The setup reminds one of "Flourish and Blotts," the iconic Diagon Alley bookshop where young wizards and witches find their magical textbooks. The comparison is apt, considering the abundance of books surrounding you in every direction.

It's also reminiscent of "Bay Books," from John Grisham's "Camino Winds," a bookstore that faced the fury of a hurricane. Riverrow Bookstore's resilience is equally impressive, having weathered the great flood of 2011 brought on by Tropical Storm Lee. In a remarkable tale of survival, the bookstore and the spirit of literature persevered against the odds.

The organization of the books by topic creates a sense of order amidst the abundance. However, what truly caught my attention was the ingenious digital index they have in place. With a simple search, you can locate any book and its specific location within the store. This modern touch complements the classic charm of the physical books perfectly. Wandering through the store's three floors, I was delighted to find a diverse range of reading material. From children's books that ignite young imaginations to elaborate coffee table art books and even the weighty tomes of literary fiction, there truly is something for every reader. The availability of old leather-bound collectibles adds an air of timelessness to the place.

Jerry Seinfeld once said, 'A bookstore is one of the only pieces of physical evidence we have that people are still thinking.' This sentiment resonates deeply at Riverrow Bookstore. It's a sanctuary for thought, a refuge for curiosity, and a celebration of the written word.

In a world that often rushes past the joys of slow, thoughtful reading, Riverrow Bookstore stands as a testament to the enduring power of literature. I'm grateful for the opportunity to explore its shelves and lose myself in its stories. If you're a fellow book lover or simply seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle, I wholeheartedly recommend visiting this haven of knowledge and...

The books were disorganized, with many piled in stacks or boxes, and sometimes with books from the same series placed in different sections. I spent over an hour looking for one specific fantasy series, despite the fact that only one small bookcase (which I could have searched thoroughly in a few minutes) was labelled as fantasy, simply because I could not be sure the books I wanted had not been stuck in with the Westerns or even the historical fiction (which was on a different floor from the rest of the fiction). Even walking had to be done carefully, lest I knock down one of the many piles of books that littered the aisles. Granted, the prices were just about unbeatable. I paid less than five dollars for two almost-new paperbacks -- one of which had indeed been shelved in the wrong section. I wish I could be sure the savings were worth...

This place is AMAZING for a true book lover. They had SO MANY books and rare books and cool little trinkets and gifts. Three floors of books!!! And in the basement most of the books are half off! The girl working went out of her way to be friendly and helpful. I got a horde of true crime books for a stellar price. And they have some rare stuff, not just books, but paintings and other things. Amazing architecture blueprints framed on the walls that I would have bought if I were rich. It's a shame there aren't more of these places around. Owego in general has amazing stores and a rich history. The antique store around the corner still has the NEWBERRY'S storefront!! If you want a cool place to walk around I would definitely recommend to go to Owego park your car and just walk around and look at all the...