The BookWorm
The BookWorm (A Literary Life: Spring Break Edition!)
Written by Nina Fauci
Photos by Alexandria Bouchard
For me, taking a vacation doesn’t mean a break from great bookstores! Unlike corporate chains, The BookWorm in Englewood, FL is an independent shop nestled in an outdoor shopping plaza that thrives on community, character, and a true passion for books. Read on to find out details of my experience here as a Bostonian, and how bookstores back home could learn from The Bookworm’s sunny Southern charm and authenticity.
Just because I’m on spring break doesn’t mean the blog has to be! While on vacation in Florida, I had the pleasure of visiting a charming independent used bookstore called The BookWorm in Englewood. I was joined by my best friend, Alex, and her grandfather, Mike. Alex has been coming down to Englewood for most of her life to visit her grandparents in Rotonda West, who generously hosted us for our week of rest and relaxation.
Walking into the store, I was immediately struck by its warm, lived-in atmosphere. The Bookworm is a cozy haven for book lovers, offering thoughtfully curated selections and the joy of discovering unique literary gems. It embodies everything a great bookstore should be: inviting, well-stocked, and brimming with treasures waiting to be found. The scent of old paper and the slight creak of wooden shelves added to the charm. This isn’t a sterile chain book store—it’s a place where books are actually loved and appreciated. The selection was impressively eclectic, featuring everything from well-worn classics to recent bestsellers.
One of the highlights of my visit was chatting with the owner, Caitlin Harper, now 23, who purchased The BookWorm two years ago. She runs the store completely on her own, starting at just 21 years old! She’s a homeschool graduate who originally wanted to work in the library system and worked here before purchasing it from the previous owner. The store contains over 11,000 books; Harper has added hundreds since taking over. This store has the best prices I’ve ever seen; hardcover books are $2, softcover (paperback) books are $1.50. Customers can bring in books in good condition for a 50-cent credit toward store purchases. Children’s items are sold for just 25 cents to promote reading among kids, but they offer various genres including, but not limited to: fiction, romance, classics, fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction, mystery, true crime, young adult, non-fiction, picture books, cozy mystery, audio books, and DVDs. The BookWorm is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
When I asked how the idea for this pricing system came about, Harper simply smiled and told me, “It’s just easier that way. It makes us accessible to everyone.” Boston, take note! This way of pricing would allow students to purchase books at a much more accessible rate.
What makes The BookWorm’s story even more remarkable is its resilience in the face of adversity. When I asked her how the store was affected by the recent hurricanes that devastated the Englewood area, she explained that although Hurricane Helene in September 2024, followed by Hurricane Milton in October, caused damage to many local businesses, The BookWorm remained “safe and dry with no damage”. Because of this, they were able to give back to their community with the introduction of the “Hurricane Basket” in a Facebook post, which reads:
“With today the anniversary of Hurricane Ian [and in the wake of Hurricane Helene] we want to make everyone feel better with a new book. No matter how small a purchase (whether you buy a 25 cent sticker or a stack of special editions, you can choose a free book from the basket. We also have a treasure chest of mini prizes for the kids, new beach reads, cozy mysteries, and Florida fiction!”.
Posts like these can be found all over the store’s social media accounts, and are written from Harper’s heart. Her genuine dedication to providing literature to the people of Englewood in an accessible way, and always being there to support her town, both show that she is the heart and soul of The BookWorm.
Of course, you know I didn’t leave here empty handed, so here’s a rundown of what I walked out with! Maybe I’ll make this section a routine part of the rest of each post from now on…
Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot (1941) – Very rare find! I came across passages from Eliot’s last collection of poems before his death while reading Anita Desai’s Clear Light of Day for a literature class I’m taking, and was really drawn to the introspective nature of the work.
The World of Myths by Frank Chapin Bray (1947) – Antique and rare! I bought this because I want to get back into writing poetry, and since I always love poems that have allusions to different mythological figures to convey a deeper meaning, I thought this would be a good place for me to start if I want to incorporate that into my own work.
Roget’s Thesaurus of Words and Phrases (1941) – Very rare and vintage! I bought this to help me with my own writing, too. I always find myself looking up synonyms for words, and because this one is so old, it may have some unique and interesting suggestions that could make my work stand out.
Bookstores like this remind me why independent shops matter. Harper has established a place that fosters community, celebrates the quirks of book lovers, and offers a level of curation that big retailers simply can’t compete with. If you ever find yourself in Englewood, The BookWorm is definitely worth a stop. More bookstores could learn a thing or two about selling books from The BookWorm—and everywhere else, for that matter.
A Literary Life Official Bookshop Rating Scale
Title Selection: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Atmosphere: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Location: 🌟🌟🌟 (just because I wish it was closer to home!)
Prices (rated by a broke 21-year-old college student): 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Revisit? Yes, I plan on going back to Englewood for a vacation and will definitely stop by here again!