Here at TBTP Global HQ we often get referrals to bookshops from readers who are regular customers and from travelers who are impressed with their discoveries. And, of course, there are the random gems that show up serendipitously. So, the New Year seemed like a good time to begin featuring bookstore tourism finds.

Our first suggestion is a local institution in the fine city of Pittsburg in the wild, far west of Pennsylvania. Caliban Book Shop is located at 410 South Craig St., Pittsburg, and was founded in 1991. They carry new, used and rare books with large selections of fiction, non-fiction, and feminist works, plus LP records and CDs. Here’s what the proprietors have to say:

“Caliban Books buys and sells used and rare books for readers and collectors. We choose our books with care and avoid bestsellers, romance novels, and the like. Our prices tend to be 25% lower than online sellers, and we have a basement full of paperback fiction, mysteries, science-fiction, all priced way below retail. Learn more about our buying and selling policies on the About Us page.

Our shop also has a corner devoted to record albums and CDs; specializing in Indie Rock, Sixties Pop, Punk, Americana, Folk, Blues, and Jazz. We’ll be adding Spoken Word and some Classical to the mix, too.”