Bonners Books more than a used bookstore

BONNERS FERRY — Thirty-four years ago, John O’Connor was just a part-time worker at Bonners Books, working everyday with books, something he had always loved. Little did he know soon he wouldn’t be an employee of the store - he’d be the owner.

One week in 1986, O’Connor was given an offer to buy the store. He took the weekend to decide and let the then-owners know that he intended to do so. More than three decades later he doesn’t regret it in the slightest.

Located on Main Street in downtown Bonners Ferry, Bonners Books isn’t a used bookstore — it sells both new and used books, from second-hand, discontinued books to brand-new arrivals. In addition to books, O’Connor also sells greeting cards, maps, posters, calendars and more.

At Bonners Books, O’Connor likes to have some of every genre in the store; from science fiction and mysteries to non-fiction, to his favorite, literature — something he brands as “Too Good for General Fiction.” With classic literary legends such as Thomas Hardy, Lewis Grassic Gibbon and Ivan Doig, the literature section is O’Connors pride and joy.

When it comes to determining what books make it to the shelves of the store, O’Connor is fairly selective. Although there is, as he likes to describe it, “an infinite amount of books,” O’Connor knows he only has so much space in the store and on the shelves. He searches catalogs every day and people go to him with books they’d like to sell or donate, but he has to say no to himself on a daily basis.

Bonners Books is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.