Located on Haywood Street in downtown Asheville, Malaprops has been the beating heart of this town’s literary scene since 1982 – opening just a few months before before the lyrics of, “Butterfly in the sky” would begin floating through the living rooms of America.

A lot has changed in the 40-plus years that Malaprops has been blessing bibliophiles with books upon books… but one thing has remained constant: here they nurture community and the joy of reading.

Throughout the year they host numerous author events, here in this place that feels authentically Asheville. The floor-to-ceiling windows fill the front with light and good vibes. And the wafting aromas of the cafe permeate the shop with that cozy energy you can only get in an amazing bookstore.

The products here are sourced from close to home, giving you a taste of North Carolina while you peruse works written by local authors. And you can devour some delicious baked goods as you devour your new favorite read.

As you stroll through the aisles you’ll find favorite works of the folks who work here. You’ll find books that you likely won’t find in those “big box” book stores. And you’ll find yourself pulling an item off the shelf, reading a snippet, and quickly getting sucked into another world.

In addition to the books themselves there is a scavenger hunt afoot of sorts as you’ll find cat sculptures hidden throughout the store. It all lends to an atmosphere that is playful, thoughtful, and welcoming.

And that’s the whole point of Malaprops. From the tasty treats to the thoughtful gift items to the books themselves, everything tells a story that you’ll want to read over and over again.