When the shop opened in 1977, owners Betsey Burton and Ann Berman sent handwritten notes to their neighbors to invite them to an open house. This would be the first of the hundreds of events that the shop hosts every year including Harry Potter parties for the magically inclined, author events and book signings, and weekly children’s story time. Book clubs meet in the shop on a weekly or monthly basis, with something for everyone: SLC Lesbians, Physicians’ Literature and Medicine, YA & Wine, Gay Men’s, Las Lectoras, Arm Chair Travel Mystery the list goes on. The full calendar of events, clubs, and parties can be found in The King’s English’s quarterly newsletter, the Inkslinger, which has over 11,000 subscribers. Inkslinger also details community goings-on, like specials on homemade pretzels at Trestle’s Tavern or what people in the other local businesses are reading. Best of all, the Inkslinger includes all the new and upcoming releases The Kings English’s staff is excited about, as well as their lovingly curated backlist. Since The Kings English is a small shop, they treat their shelf space as precious and see the books they stock as a part of their identity. ![]() Doctorow once remarked “Shelf for shelf, The King’s English is the best bookstore I’ve ever been in.” They seek out only the very best so they can offer their customers the very best. The staff offers their recommendations on the front table, and throughout the shop, as well as online. Betsy recommends character-driven novels that blur the lines between reality, dream, and memory. Anne prefers historical novels and stories that bridge generations. Margret invites readers in a world of fantasy and magic. Sally finds mystery in noir and searches for understanding in memoir. With such a diverse and deep understanding of books, doubtless the Kings English family can match any reader with a book. Truly, The King’s English wants to provide readers with books “from our house to yours.The King's English Bookshop - Salt Lake City, UT Their First Edition Club, which includes a newly released book every four weeks or so and has Children’s, Middle Grade, and Young Adult sections as well as adult, sums up the store’s essence with their motto. (Like The Indie Bob Spot on Facebook and follow The Indie Bob Spot on Twitter) This independent bookstore has that "wow" factor. It has everything figured out from top to bottom and sideways. And when I say top, I refer to the co-owners Betsy B. ![]() Betsy has been here since the start in 1977. A lot has happened in the bookstore industry since 1977 and Betsy told me with enthusiasm that the industry is enjoying a renaissance of new independents opening and established independents seeing positive growth. As this is true in the industry, it is resoundingly true here at King's English. This store is featured in Ron Rice's, My Bookstore, the inspiration for my journey. After meeting the people here, seeing the store, and hearing their stories, you can go right down the list and click all the boxes. I think this is what you would expect of an indie that's been around this long with the continuity of talented ownership like Betsy.
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