Toadstool Books in Peterborough, NH is among my favourite sources for what is variously called “armchair travel,” “travel essays” or “travelogues” in the book trade.

While most chains and independents have a small section of such books, it’s rare that they verge out of the Bill Bryson, Tim Cahill, Paul Theroux, and “A Year in [Tuscany \| Provence \| Marseilles]” range.

Toadstool is an exception: they have an very healthy collection, perhaps 500 titles in all, with books that I quite simply haven’t seen anywhere else. I’d go as far as saying that they rival or exceed most speciality travel bookstores in this genre. I spent $50 this morning.

And their selection of travel guidebooks is pretty healthy too.

There are outlets in Peterborough, Keene and Milford, NH.

And I like this note on their website for its uncommon honesty:

IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BOOK SEARCH CAPABILITY HERE IS SOMEWHAT LIMITED. YOU MUST USE THE EXACT TITLE; IF YOU ARE UNSURE TRY THE AUTHOR. AND SOME VERY REGIONAL BOOKS WE TRULY DO KNOW ALL ABOUT SIMPLY ARE NOT LISTED. BUT PLEASE, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL US IF YOU CAN’T FIND THE BOOK OR SUBJECT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. WE HAVE BETTER SEARCHING CAPABILITIES IN THE STORE VIA CDROM, BOOKS IN PRINT, AND OUR OWN HEADS!!!!

Worth a visit if you’re in the area.