Your guide to some of the best independent bookstores in Las Vegas

1/15

Lou and Myrna Donato, owners of Amber Unicorn Books, pose among the many books in their store.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

2/15

Amber Unicorn Books features an impressive 20,000-title cookbook collection.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

3/15

Amber Unicorn owners Myrna and Lou Donato buy, sell, trade and appraise books.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

4/15

Alternate Reality Comics is the Las Vegas go-to for graphic novels and comics. Selections include history, memoir, biography, fantasy and crime.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

5/15

Alternate Reality Comics owner Ralph Mathieu stocks a selection of graphic novels and comics on fantasy, crime and more.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

6/15

Ralph Mathieu, right, owner of Alternate Reality Comics, talks with customer Kory Mack.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

7/15

Alternate Reality Comics owner Ralph Mathieu has a tattoo of Wonder Woman on his calf.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

8/15

Bauman Rare Books is located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. It offers fine books and autographs in American literature, signed first editions, children’s classics, history, photography and more.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

9/15

Vintage editions, including Virginia Woolf’s “The Years,” from right, and John Steinbeck novels “Sea of Cortez, “East of Eden” and “Cannery Row,” are available for purchase at Bauman Rare Books.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

10/15

A framed and matted letter from Ernest Hemingway says, “Just finished a hell of a chapter,” discussing the writing of “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” which is on display at Bauman Rare Books.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

11/15

A visitor walks behind a display case that holds first printings of E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” and Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s “Le Petit Prince” at Bauman Rare Books.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

12/15

A shopper looks through a display case at Bauman Rare Books.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

13/15

A pedestrian is reflected in the window of Writer’s Block, which carries literature, nonfiction and children’s books.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

14/15

Drew Cohen, co-owner of Writer’s Block, is surrounded by books that include literary and children’s fiction and works on art and design and business.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

15/15

A cardboard figure of philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer stands inside Writer’s Block.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

By Dawn-Michelle Baude

Oct. 24, 2015 8 AM PT

LAS VEGAS — This city doesn’t just party — it reads. It ranks in the top 25 U.S. cities for public library holdings, circulation and visits, according to the American Library Assn. Here’s a selection of the city’s best independent bookstores:

Downtown

Writer’s Block: The tightly curated Writer’s Block stocks highbrow literature, nonfiction and children’s books. Baron, a real rabbit, perches next to the register; faux birds flutter on the ceiling. It’s home to a cutting-edge Espresso Book Machine and an 1890 Chandler & Price letterpress, as well as writing classes and a vibrant reading series. Check out the German office supplies and French kids’ toys while you’re there.

Info: 1020 Fremont St.; www.thewritersblock.org

Mob Museum: Crime fans find bounty in the museum’s book and gift shop, with its imposing selection of bestsellers and tomes on organized crime, law enforcement and local history. There’s a steady lineup of author talks, book signings and Courtroom Conversations, discussions featuring authors, historians, journalists, law enforcement officers and political leaders.

Info: 300 Stewart Ave.; www.themobmuseum.org

Strip

Bauman Rare Books: Bauman’s, a literary sanctuary in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian/Palazzo, offers more than 1,800 titles from early print to arty contemporary. Delight in the tooled leather, handmade paper and bindings, and letterpress typography.

Info: 3327 Las Vegas Blvd. S., No. 2856; www.lat.ms/1hDf2IE

Off-Strip

Amber Unicorn Books: Crowded, cavernous and full of charm. The staff buys, trades, searches, appraises and stocks scarce and rare titles. The 20,000-title cookbook collection is not to be missed.

Info: 2101 S. Decatur Blvd., No. 14; www.amberunicornbooks.com

Alternate Reality Comics: The Las Vegas go-to for graphic novels and comics. Selections include history, memoir, biography, fantasy and crime. Action figures, T-shirts and art exhibitions round out the offerings.

Info: 4110 S. Maryland Parkway, No. 8; www.alternaterealitycomics.net/new

[email protected]