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What are your top 7 desert island books? No, not the “how to make a hut” survival-type books. The fun books you might actually want to read over and over. For a long time.

Got ‘em? Good. Chances are that the Island Bookstore on Mackinac Island could hook you up.

A true hidden gem on Mackinac Island, the Island Bookstore is a must-visit destination for bookaholics and bibliophiles.

Discovering a Hidden Treasure

The Island Bookstore is one of Mackinac Island’s hidden treasures. I say hidden because even though it’s well known to regulars, first-time visitors to the island may miss this scribe’s paradise because it’s tucked in just off the main drag, under the Lilac Tree Hotel.

Open May through October, they have longer hours in peak season than in spring and fall, and books can also be purchased through their website.

Don’t miss this little gem, even if you’re just an occasional bookworm. They’ve got bestsellers, local favorites, books about Michigan, books from local authors, a nice children’s section, a full magazine rack, and much more.

The staff is super friendly, and though the space is small, you’ll have plenty of room to wander the aisles and thumb through whatever catches your eye.

Visiting the Island Bookstore

My wife and I popped into the Island Bookstore on a rainy day trip to Mackinac Island in 2016. After a choppy 15-minute ride on the Mackinac Island ferry, we dropped our bags at the Murray Hotel and set off to enjoy the downtown area sans tourists. (It was late September, so I knew Mackinac would be without its usual peak season crowds.)

We were hoping for sunshine, of course, but the reservations were made, and we were island-bound regardless of the weather. So when the chilly drizzle looked like it was about to turn into a full-on thunderstorm, we grabbed a hot coffee from Starbucks and ducked into the Island Bookstore.

And we proceeded to have a really nice time.

I paged through a few “all about Michigan” type books as my wife laughed out loud at something from the humor section.

I struck up a conversation with another couple also seeking shelter from the rain, and before we knew it, an hour had passed, the rain had moved on, and it was time to grab dinner.

The Island Bookstore on Mackinac Island is a fine place to spend anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or so.

They’ve got a surprisingly awesome selection of books packed into a cozy space and super friendly staff who are not only more than willing to help you enjoy the store, but also happy to offer advice on what to do on Mackinac Island, including the best places to stay on Mackinac Island and the best Mackinac Island restaurants.

On our next trip to Mackinac Island, rainy or not, I’ll definitely be spending some time in the Island Bookstore.

Just for Fun

And for the record, here are my own top 7 desert island books…

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
Candide by Voltaire
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Syrup by Max Berry
Naked by David Sedaris
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald