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18 Jul 2024 Marissa’s Books & Gifts
by Hannah K New
“Mom.” My daughter stops me outside of Marissa’s Books. “Why do you get so excited? They’re just books!”
![The image depicts an exterior view of a bookstore named “Marissa’s Bookstore.” The store features a large storefront window with red and white signage above it, displaying the name. Several cars are parked in front of the store, suggesting it is open for business. The building has a distinctive mid-century modern style canopy extending over the sidewalk. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day.](https://uofupress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/07/PXL_20240707_191138329-1024x771.jpg)
Instead of answering, I gasp, “Look! Charlotte’s Web!” And point to a classic book display.
“Where?” She squeals and runs inside the store. She can be forgiven. She’s only six. She may not understand the power books have yet, but she feels it when she asks me to play the Charlotte’s Web audiobook narrated by Meryl Streep for the one hundredth time. Or when she sits down on a couch in Marissa’s Books & Gifts to peruse one of the books in their magnificent kids’ section.
![The image depicts a captivating bookstore window display. Colorful and artistic book covers are neatly arranged, visible through large glass panes that reflect the blue sky and some trees. An orange wall below the window adds a pop of color to the scene. It’s a delightful showcase of literature’s visual appeal.](https://uofupress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/07/PXL_20240707_191221831-1024x771.jpg)
Marissa’s Books & Gifts can spark that magic. Hosted inside an old tire store, it looks tame on the outside, but open the doors and a maze of literary shelves awaits you. Cindy Dumas, the founder, certainly understands my child’s curiosity. She got the idea for the store when she took her granddaughter, Marissa to a bookstore on a rainy afternoon. Read her story here.
![A cozy bookstore interior with a colorful floral-patterned couch on the left. A girl is seated on the couch with her legs stretched out, reading a book, and her face is obscured by a book’s cover. To the right stands a life-sized bronze statue of a child holding an open book and a cat. Behind both figures are shelves filled with books that reach up to the ceiling. The walls are painted white with red accents near the ceiling, adding to the charming ambiance of this literary haven.](https://uofupress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/07/PXL_20240707_191848027-1024x771.jpg)
One of the things I love about Marissa’s is that they always have a deal or a party going on. Last summer I bought an anatomy book and left with a “Kindergarten prep kit” for my child. Just a few weekends ago they had a Kids Summer Event where they gave away free books to children in preschool through sixth grade. You read that right, free books. Do you know what I love more than books? Free books..
![Interior of a cozy bookstore with natural light streaming in from windows on the left. The store features tall wooden bookshelves filled with books, lining the right wall and extending into the background. In the foreground, there is a gray armchair facing away from the viewer, positioned on a patterned area rug. Various art pieces and sculptures are displayed throughout the space. A single person appears in the background browsing books, providing a sense of scale and activity within this tranquil setting.](https://uofupress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/07/PXL_20240707_191430113-771x1024.jpg)
And Marissa’s Books & Gifts has something for everyone. Are you into western history? They have it. Books written in Spanish? They have them. Philosophy? Star Trek? The Occult? They have those, too.
![A well-lit interior of a bookstore with multiple wooden bookshelves filled with numerous books. The books appear to be old and have ornate bindings, suggesting a collection of antique or vintage publications. Decorative items and additional books are placed on top of the shelves, adding to the quaint and classic atmosphere of the store. The image conveys a sense of history and the love for literature.](https://uofupress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/07/PXL_20240707_191406143-1024x771.jpg)
Sign up for their email list. Visit their website. Better yet, visit their bookstore and buy a book. Buy a University of Utah Press book! Need a suggestion? Just ask me.
![A person’s hand is holding a book titled ‘Home Waters: A Year of Recompenses on the Provo River’ by George B. Handley. The book cover features a serene image of a river flowing through a snowy landscape with bare trees and a clear sky. The book is partially pulled out from a tightly packed bookshelf filled with various other books, some of which have visible titles related to environmental themes](https://uofupress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/07/PXL_20240707_193449612-771x1024.jpg)
Hannah New is the marketing manager for the University of Utah Press.
![A close-up view of a glass window with stickers and signs. The most prominent sticker has the text ‘THANKS FOR SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE’ in capital letters, flanked by red heart symbols on either side. Reflections of the sky and some objects outside are visible on the glass surface, indicating the photo is taken from outside looking in. There are additional signs and items inside that are partially obscured by the reflections and angle of the photograph](https://uofupress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/07/PXL_20240707_191242700-1024x771.jpg)
Read about our other Salt Lake City bookstores: Ken Sanders Rare Books
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