Carmichael’s Bookstore

Have long loved this book store. Always great books in this small space, but also love the magazine section, fun and quirky cards, and they carry a bunch of my favorite sort of pens in vibrant colors — a mini countertop kiosk with Pilot V pens in pink and turquoise? Yes, that is my kind of place. Dig the «gift» books/​coffee table books they tend to have curated/​available there all the time.

There is no place I’d rather be than at the bookstore. I love Carmichael’s because it is independent, has a Heine Brother’s Coffee attached to it like a glorious barnacle, and the staff is helpful and snarky. I like supporting my local business and I love reading so it’s a wonderful combination. They don’t have a lot of the detritus that other bookstores have but I’d rather have literacy paraphernalia than have games and toys.
They’re also willing to order you books if they don’t have the book in stock.
I could go on and on about the dozens of times they’ve been super helpful but just know you won’t find a better group of people or place to buy your books.

I admit when I first walked in, despite being the only customer that morning nobody greeted me nor did I felt welcomed. But nevertheless, I didn’t mind and averted my eyes to the wide and fascinatingly cool chic selection of books that they had on display. The books I thought were very interesting and I liked how there are individual note cards on the shelves to pick out which books the staff thought were best. The store itself was pretty cool and I liked all the artsy posters that they had on their wall, they also played some really cool music to compliment the experience. I could tell that they really support their local authors considering how they have their own shelf dedicated to Kentucky authors, and Louisville this & that I of which appreciate. I guess when you carry one-​of-​a-​kind trinkets that you know no other place has, you can afford to be snobby (cause you know they’ll be back despite the service). The guy didn’t even make eye contact with me when he check out my book though. But yea I think its a cool small indie hipster bookstore, I’ll be back though for the books & the notecards, but can’t say the service would make me stay for long.

I am a big fan of shopping local whenever I can. I especially love local book store. I walked into this small shop and fell in love. It was packed, with it being the weekend before Christmas, so I wasn’t able to spend as much time browsing as I normally would have. For such a physically small space, they have so many books and such a great selection. I overheard the staff helping with ordering books they did not have, being clear about when they would get in, most cases not until after the holidays, and offer everyone gift wrapping. I will definitely be back here many times.

It’s genuinely curious that I haven’t written a review for Carmichael’s until now. I figured this would have been one of the first Unilocal reviews that I’d write.
So the combo of Heine Brothers and Carmichael’s is super tough to beat. Add to the fact that it’s right next to Ramsi’s and The Joy Luck, and right across the street from the Baxter Avenue Theatre… This little section of the Highlands can keep you entertained for an entire Friday night.
Something to note about books — new books are expensive. So I do not hold that against Carmichael’s. It is to be expected.
It is a local bookstore. I’d rather buy a new book from Carmichael’s than Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It is a smaller bookstore, so the selection isn’t terribly large. I personally like to read spiritual interests and theology. For this, I have to go to another bookstore to get a larger selection and the specific authors that I like. And you’ll find that is probably the case if you have a particular topic that you like to read.
Carmichael’s does have a neat selection of cards (birthday, etc.) that you won’t find many other places. Kind of obscure, hipster type cards. I usually get one for my hipster friends. They always love them.
Enjoy Carmichael’s.

It’s so cool that this place is connected to heine brothers coffee. It’s such a great nostalgic time drinking your coffee and looking through all the books. What a great local store! You almost have to buy something each time you are here!

I just got a call from Trevor, alerting me that a book i had placed an order for yesterday is in the store, ready for me to pick it up! Carmichael’s is the nicest, small bookstore I have ever stepped foot in. They are knowledgeable about books and willing to help with recommendations/​ideas if you ask. They also, as I just mentioned, will order a book for you even if they don’t currently have it in stock. And they are fast about it too!
The selection that Carmichael’s keeps on their shelves is impressive. You can always find the big bestsellers that are being talked about as well as a good selection of lesser known books that you may find even without looking. I am always happy with what I find and walk out with when shopping here.
Along with superior books they also sell a very interesting assortment of cards and notepads/​books. This is my first, and usually last, stop for all my greeting card needs! Sometimes I just go in to look at those and come out with 3 – 4 perfect cards that are just waiting for the right occasion to send to someone.
I have always found their magazine collection to be fun too. It is easy to go in and get lost in that section too! I have been turned on to several magazines that I otherwise may not have been through the years. Film Comment is my favorite Carmichael’s discovery. Check it out if you love films and have not ever picked on of these up.
Last but not least, the highlands location is connected to a local coffee shop. Ups the ante even more! :)
I could go on and on about all the things that make Carmichael’s the local gem that it is but I will leave it for you to uncover when you walk in soon.

Carmichael’s now has a little store dedicated to children’s books just a hop, skip, and a jump away from their mother store on Bardstown Rd. (You see what I just did there right? ;)) There were two sweet ladies working there the other night when I took my niece in to look for a diary with a lock. They led us to the small collection they had and my niece looked through to see if there was one she liked. While she did that I asked about a few books that I had been looking for that sounded interesting. Pete’s A Pizza was one of them. (It is an Awesome and funny book BTW!) The other one had a similar title to the children’s book that Bruce Springsteen wrote so of course I had to take a look at that. The ladies let me stand there and read the entire book. And then they let me complain about how awful it was and how it wasn’t a children’s book at all! They laughed and said they know it’s not a children’s book which is why they keep it up higher on the shelf. (Big thanks for trying to shield us from horrible books!) I’m not sure what Springsteen was smoking when he wrote that book but since it is a western, I’m guessing it was peyote. Anywhoo, they were quick to find the books I was looking after and offer suggestions. I loved bookstore growing up and I loved the children’s bookstore most of all. It did fill a little piece of nostalgia in my soul, and that was a nice little bonus. I just wish it was a little bigger with some comfy seating. ;)

I see why this place is no longer rated the best bookstore. Its obvious the employees and management have become snobs!!! I saw the review about not feeling welcome and the employees being cold. I couldn’t agree more. Don’t bother going here unless u don’t care about how people treat you. They were very cordial to thw regulars but treated me like crap

Number one, obviously, support independent bookstores. Number two, this is probably the perfect sized bookstore. If you are looking for a specific title, it is large enough that they will probably have it, especially if it is relatively recent and/​or popular. If you are just browsing, it is large enough to provide an hour’s pastime, but not so large that you find it overwhelming or that you are excessively tempted to buy too many.
They also have a very wide selection of journals, notebooks, and address books – Moleskine, Paperblanks, and a few other brands – for which I happened to be in the market.
And the little «Staff Recommendation» cards – one of my favorite aspects of the indie bookstore – are worth a thorough perusal, highlighting some interesting stuff. There are no predictable titles to be found.

Why isn’t the staff here more welcoming? This is the first bookstore I’ve gone to where I haven’t felt immediately at home. Carmichael’s has the setup of an indie bookstore but the feeling of a cold Barnes & Noble. Sorry if that’s harsh, but it’s the truth. I suppose because they’re the only bookstore around in the area they can afford to be a bit snobbish. I did like that they’re connected to the coffee shop, but I wish there was more of a… connection. There’s a physical passageway, but where’s that warm connecting feeling of grabbing a book and nestling down in the café next door? I didn’t feel so inclined.
I do like the book posters lining the walls and the selection of cards though! Wish they had some more kitschy Louisville trinkets and paraphernalia but I suppose it’s not the job of the local bookstore to cater to the tourists!

This little store is mighty despite its size. If you want an afternoon of shopping and eats, start here.
First, it’s the best place to buy a greeting card. Their selection is local or at least independent in many cases. You will find nothing like these in a drug store and it is SO much better.
They have a wonderful selection of books pairing the popular with a unique selection that reflects the personality of staff, the culture of the store and that of Louisville/​Kentucky as well.
Whatever they might not have, they will order at no extra cost and it will come quickly! I once called 2 days before a trip to ask for an obscure title that they had to order for me. I told them of my hopes to get it before my afternoon flight and they remembered to call me in time to pick it up on my way to the airport .
They carry local authors, small fascinations, magnets, periodicals, and a wonderful selection of stationary and note cards! Staff is knowledgeable, friendly, thoughtful, and prompt. Stop in to the coffee shop next door for a hot beverage to sip while you shop and you have my favorite combo, Captain Janeway style.

Book stores are my happy place.
I stopped in yesterday while I was walking away the afternoon in the Highlands. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular… just browsing, maybe finding a unique birthday card for my sister. The store has an interesting layout and it’s a little tight in there, but that doesn’t really matter. I found a super cute card for my sister and picked up a book on a whim.
The staff is friendly and helpful. I love that this location is connected to a coffee shop :-)

Carmichael’s! I love you! You hold so many sentimental memories for me in Louisville! I visited you when I was bored. I visited you when I was sad. I visited you when I just needed something to take my mind off of life. I browsed your bountiful selection while enjoying the sublime nectar of the Heine Brother’s you happen to reside next to. You satisfied whatever I needed you to. Thank you for being there for me.

This is a pretty interesting bookstore. They have a lot of books that you wont see at any other bookstore around.
The prices are very good too!
Nice place to stop while checking out places on Bardstown Road.

Local bookstores can be such a risk. Some of them carry mostly schlock designed for people who think of themselves as literary experts just because they happen to read, no matter what it is. Others are amazing, and Carmichael’s is definitely that. They carry an interesting selection, with books that will appeal to mainstream tastes and people who actually read for literary merit. They keep professionalism high while retaining a local flavor, a blend that’s tough to pull off.
I bought «Crimes in Southern Indiana,» a book of short stories by Frank Bill, an author from not too far away. Way to stock the local/​regional authors, Carmichael’s!

One of the best bookstores in the world. Huge selection of hard-​to-​find and rare titles, ginourmous architecture/​art books, great, helpful staff. Plus, it SMELLS like books here, you can’t get that ordering online. I could spend many happy hours here.

When i lived in the Highlands of Louisville, I used to stop here all the time and spend at least an hour just browsing the great selection of hard to find books and special interest sections. I’d end up getting coffee next door and then sitting outside reading my book on the patio and letting the summer flutter by.
I went back here after being gone 6 years just the other day and it’s just as good as I remember and the staff was just as helpful and nice.

I’m probably going to buy a book… my wife is most definitely going to get several. Better to support a local business that some faceless national super chain that probably funds wars in third world countries.
Well, they aren’t that bad… But still, I was very happy to buy a couple books here while visiting Louisville.
A couple comfy places to sit down wouldn’t hurt… okay Carmichael’s, I get the hint! I’m movin’, I’m movin…
Highly recommend!

I LOVE this bookstore. It is what everyone around the country wishes their local bookstore was. It has a great selection, great staff with great knowledge, and isn’t overpriced. They really promote local authors and do author visits often.
Also, when I first moved to Louisville I went in to Carmichael’s and asked if they knew of any book clubs. The Events guy actually emailed all the book club heads that had registered with their store (a 20% discount to buy one of those book selections if you mention it!) and gave them my info. I’m now in two different clubs! What a great way to meet wonderful people in a new city.

I’m currently stuck in the land of many chain stores, so whenever I get a chance to visit home, I go to Carmichael’s to stock up on books. There’s something so wonderfully peaceful about spending time there — especially with your beverage of choice from Heine Brothers in hand.
Louisville, I miss you!