About

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Have you always wanted to own a bookstore? This is a question my partner and I are frequently asked by customers in our Blenheim Hill shop. The answer is not consciously but we have always loved books. Cheryl Clarke is a published poet with a Ph.d in English and a life-long lover of literature. I am a voracious reader of all genres with a Ph.d in American history. Books have always been a part of both our lives. In 2005 we bought a house in Hobart next to the West Branch of the Delaware River and discovered that this small up-state New York hamlet was the only book village east of the Mississippi, the Hobart Book Village.  At that point there were four bookstores, one an antiquarian and rare book shop, the others carrying a variety of used books. We were delighted to be within two blocks of a rich array of books!

2774893_origOver the next few years we got to know some of the book sellers and of course bought many books. In 2009 one of the stores became available for sale and we jumped into the book business. After five years we retired and are now full-time book sellers. The book village has expanded to six stores each, with a different focus. Blenheim Hill reflects our interests – we have a great poetry section, strong women’s history, women’s studies, and history areas. A new passion is children’s books, classics, series, and picture books. We are building a great young adult section as well. Gardening, cooking and fiction are also important to us and we have developed these collections. We inherited very good biography and nature writing areas and have developed strong essay and short story sections.

IMG_0544The best part of the book business is learning about new writers from our customers and then buying and reading their work. Our reading has expanded to embrace (among many others) Stewart O’Nan a fine novelist of everyday life and peoples, Lydia Davis’ collected stories and Vietnamese cuisine! I can honestly say that each day I discover a new writer and that the books on my TBR pile are in danger of teetering to the ground.

Come visit, explore and discover a new read or find an old treasure. We are open 7 days a week between Memorial and Columbus Days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. After Columbus Day we are open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We look forward to seeing you!

698 Main Street, Suite A
Hobart, NY
(607)538-9222; blenheimbooks1@gmail.com

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