Black Swan Books

As a bibliophile this is a great bookstore to get lost in. Drop by to purchase a book or wander in awe. It is exactly what I want my future home to look like. The signed prints on the wall are amazing.

This was another stop on my quest to visit all of Lexington’s bookstores. Just like the few others, this one too is locally owned. Mr. Courtney, the owner was extremely friendly. I didn’t really look through many of the books but most were 1800 and 1900 century literature. All were extremely organized and beautifully placed. Is it possible that a bookstore be beautiful? Yes, in Lexington you don’t have to look far.
It’s located within walked distance of Woodland Park. This location opened at the same time as Joseph Beth bookstore, thirty years ago.
This is another Lexington must if you’re in the area, looking for a rare book, or love to shop local.

I rarely write reviews on Unilocal,but a recent visit to this shop compelled me. I used to shop here when I lived in a second floor apartment in an adjacent building years ago, and loved it then. I recently returned after years away and found the shop just as charming as I left it. I have heard the owner converse just as fluently with a woman asking for books on flowers or a man seeking out JFK books as he did my requests about Buddhism and the Russian Revolution.
Upon making my purchases, the owner gave me an unsolicited but wonderful dose of background about the author of one of the books I was purchasing. I remarked to a friend that «you can’t get that from Amazon.»
With a massive selection, a warm and cozy atmosphere, and a place at the heart of one of Lexington’s most walkable districts, I urge central Kentucky book lovers as well as visitors to Lexington to add this store to your to-​do list. You won’t regret it.

Friendly. Priced slightly too high for used books.
Variety of used books… but couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for.

I bought one of the Wendell Berry broadsides that Black Swan commissions and sells. (Actually, this one: «Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front»:
) Since I’m in Virginia, I was a little anxious about how they’d prepare the poster for shipping. So I called them up, had a good conversation with the owner (who was delightful), and bought it over the phone. (Actually, I ended up buying 3.) The package arrived a few days later, and the broadsides were gorgeous and were immaculately prepared. Layers of cardboard and butcher paper, wrapped and folded and taped over the broadsides. They clearly put an effort into keeping the posters safe en route. It felt like I should have done one of those «unboxing» videos people post on YouTube.
Anyway, I’ve never been to the Black Swan store, but I hope, someday, to make it over there. Mike (the owner) seems like a great guy, and the bookstore seems like it’s doing really good work.

What a charming bookstore, full of treasures tucked into a cluster of rooms in a classic old Lexington building! Browsing the shelves, you will surely find several books of interest that you will never see at the big chain stores. If you are looking for Kentuckiana, in particular, don’t miss Black Swan Books. The owner will most likely be there, helpful, jovial, and passionate about his business. I love this place and try to get there every time I am in Lexington.