BookShopWorld

Changing Hands Bookstore
300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Changing Hands specializes in new literary fiction and poetry, with a decent section for teen-lit and US politics. While selection itself is good (especially for Phoenix), the store’s real strength is its community events and built-in book bar, First Draft. As such, it is perfect for social trips or dates.

Community is key for Changing Hands, and the bookstore is well-integrated into the local Phoenix social scene. Opened in 2014 and partially crowdfunded, the store includes First Draft, a popular bar/restaurant/cafe. Accordingly, the bookstore has earned a strong reputation among readers and nonreaders alike as the marquee bookshop in the Phoenix area, with an additional location in Tempe. This comes with pros and cons. While the store is a great visit with an upbeat vibe, hard-core book-buyers might lament slight limitations on selection and a paucity of used options.

Indie stores like Changing Hands must walk a delicate tightrope. On the one hand, books are their bread-and-butter, and Changing Hands is particularly admirable for its selection of new and translated fiction (especially since translated fiction is notoriously not a money-maker). On the other hand, today’s indie shops are highly incentivized to stock ‘add-ons.’ These include board games, tchotchkes, cafes, etc. The danger here is reminiscent of movie theaters. Ostensibly about showing ‘films,’ these theaters must rely on their concessions to get by financially. Bookstores like Books-A-Million overindulge on the add-ons, becoming more toy store than bookshop. In contrast, Changing Hands toes the line perfectly. It is always a bookstore first and foremost, and customer-base reflects that; the aisles are teeming with shoppers. First Draft is a welcome addition, providing good food and drinks without monopolizing the retail space. And the shop’s location in the Newton—a trendy shopping/dining complex—gives it a walkable and energized feel, while not distracting from the books.

I have already mentioned the store’s impressive selection of new fiction. Any book that makes waves on Twitter, you can find at Changing Hands. This includes a scrupulous effort to carry indie publishers. The stock is not perfect though. In particular, I felt that some expected classics were absent, with the selection perhaps overweighted towards new releases. Philosophy is limited, but that trades off with a developed politics section (perhaps reflecting broader trends in recent publishing). And although the bookstore offers used books, in practice, these seem few and far between on the shelves. Lastly, a little more workspace/charging outlets might be beneficial in First Draft. The bar obviously wants a ‘bar feel’ and is successful at this, but its clientele seems to use it equally as a work-spot. A couple more charging outlets might enhance that.

RECENT BUYS:
Rental House, by Weike Wang ($28, signed)