Two years ago I discovered Marissa’s Books & Gifts. On the outside, it doesn’t look like your typical bookstore. The building was formerly a tire shop. And on the inside, well, I’m afraid I could stay for hours and hours exploring the corridors, nooks, and crannies making cool discoveries.

Like this set of books - one from 1899 and the other from 1900:

I found this set this past Saturday after doing a book signing at Marissa’s with a few of my writer friends: Mary Martinez, Jodi Milner, and Jo Schneider.

You’ll notice in the picture above that I brought my Big Book with me. (The Big Book weighs 30 pounds.)

The Universe decided to send me a message on Saturday that I need to do some more weight training in order to continue lugging this amazing (and heavy) beast of a book around. The suitcase containing the Big Book also held all the books I had brought with me to sell.

It’s hard for me to get the suitcase into the back of my car. Not so hard to pull it out.

Until Saturday.

As I began sliding the suitcase out of the car, the law of gravity kicked into high gear and I stumbled back with the whole weight of the case pushing me. I hyperextended my knee and kept on falling.

My hubby is so sad that he missed seeing me sprawled out on the asphalt. He’s watched too many episodes of America’s Funniest Videos.

Not to worry, though, Marissa’s is at a busy intersection, so I’m confident there were at least a few people in their cars who enjoyed watching me get attacked by a suitcase.

I’m happy to say I mostly survived the attack. I was able to soldier on and have a wonderful afternoon at Marissa’s.

Marissa’s Books & Gifts is an incredible place to find new, used, vintage, bestselling books, and even toys for kids.

If you’ve never been to Marissa’s Books, be sure and check out this incredible store the next time you’re in Salt Lake City.

To find out more about Marissa’s Books & Gifts, check out their website here.

And if you’ve been to Marissa’s before, let me know what you love about this store in the comments below.

A Unique Salt Lake City Gem: Marissa's Books & Gifts