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bookbarnniantic.bsky.social
The Book Barn
@bookbarnniantic.bsky.social
230 followers 20 following 50 posts
Secondhand Bookstore in Niantic, CT
41 W Main St, Niantic, Connecticut 06357-2329
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bookbarnniantic.bsky.social
The Secret Entrance just got a full makeover. Alice is radiant, the cat is plotting something, and the glitter is out of control. Visit soon and see what winter art magic looks like.
#BookBarnNiantic #SecretEntrance #WonderlandGlowUp
Brightly repainted "Secret Entrance" sign at The Book Barn, featuring a vibrant scene of Alice in a blue dress pulling back a curtain of purple grass to reveal a glowing keyhole filled with stacked books. Above her is a hand-painted pink Cheshire Cat on a night sky background with the words "We're all mad here." The border is decorated with pink hearts and roses. Close-up of the Alice illustration on the Secret Entrance sign. Alice, holding a golden key, peeks behind a curtain of tall, painted grass to look through a glowing keyhole where colorful books are stacked inside. The background is a swirl of pink, navy blue, and glittering stars. Detail of the freshly repainted top sign reading "Book Barn," surrounded by hand-painted flowers, vines, and butterflies. The sign has a shiny black background with whimsical floral accents, leading into the overall Secret Entrance display. Focused view of the Cheshire Cat painting at the top of the Secret Entrance display. The cat is large and fluffy, painted in vivid pink and purple tones with glowing yellow eyes, a wide grin, and a crescent moon in the background. Below it, a small sign reads, "We're all mad here."
November 15, 2025 at 6:23 PM
bookbarnniantic.bsky.social
We’re collecting nonperishable food at all 3 Book Barn spots for Care and Share of East Lyme. Bring a can, grab a book, help a neighbor. Full list of needed items: careandshareofel.org

#nianticct #bookbarnniantic #fooddrive
A smiling woman wearing a blue "Book Barn" T-shirt holds a clear plastic donation bin labeled "Care and Share of East Lyme" inside a cozy bookstore. Bookshelves filled with colorful titles line the background.
November 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
bookbarnniantic.bsky.social
Our Hades building just got a fiery refresh, complete with gargoyles, ravens, and some very judgmental skulls. Stop by before Halloween and enter… if you dare. If you haven’t visited, follow the flames... and maybe bring a coin for the ferryman.
#NianticCT #HalloweenReads #BookBarnHaunts
The exterior of the Hades building at The Book Barn, decorated with detailed and colorful underworld-themed art. A skeletal ferryman rows a boat through a flaming river, surrounded by outstretched arms and fiery borders. Shelves of books are visible inside, and both sides of the entrance feature new flame-painted panels and sculptural elements including gargoyles, skulls, and ravens. Two vividly painted panels sit on a table, covered in hand-painted flames with hues of red, orange, yellow, and purple. The left panel features three stylized purple dragons emerging from the fire. The right panel includes a mounted sculpture of a crouching gargoyle above a separate shelf holding a black raven perched on a human skull. A close-up of a sculpted gargoyle figure crouching on a black shelf, surrounded by a background of painted flames. The gargoyle is painted gold and purple, with muscular detail, outstretched wings, and a fierce expression. The right-side doorway of the Hades building, with flames painted from top to bottom. A mounted display features a snarling skull with “Welcome to Hades!” signage, a golden gargoyle crouching mid-frame, and a black raven perched on a skull near the base, all set against a blazing background of fire.
October 27, 2025 at 11:54 AM
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“The game is afoot!” From Shakespeare’s battlefields to Sherlock’s mysteries, the hunt begins again. The Annual Sale starts today, Oct 11–19, with 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three Book Barn locations.
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle sits on a bookshelf, its orange cover featuring a sketch of Sherlock Holmes in profile. Text below the photo reads: “The game is afoot!” — The Adventure of the Abbey Grange, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A copy of The Life of King Henry V by William Shakespeare is open to the title page beside a color illustration of a medieval battlefield with soldiers holding banners. Text below the photo reads: “The game’s afoot; Follow your spirit: and upon this charge, Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George!” — The Life of King Henry V, William Shakespeare.
October 11, 2025 at 9:52 AM
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“All for one and one for all.” The Musketeers were ready for action, and so are we. Tomorrow marks the beginning of our Annual Sale, October 11–19, with 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three Book Barn locations. The shelves await their champions.
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas sits on a bookshelf beside other classic novels, including Queen Margot and D’Artagnan. The cover shows a colorful illustration of sword-wielding musketeers in action. Text below the photo reads: “All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall.” — The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas.
October 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
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“In married life three is company and two is none.” We’ll disagree, Mr. Wilde, two’s perfect when it’s you and a friend coming to our Annual Sale! It starts October 11 to 19 with 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three Book Barn locations.
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde sits on a bookshelf among other classic novels. The cover shows a Victorian social scene with people in formal attire gathered for conversation. Text below the photo reads: “In married life three is company and two is none.” — The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde.
October 10, 2025 at 1:16 AM
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“My cat liked to get up early — at 3 A.M.” We’ll start a bit later, but the excitement’s the same. In 3 days, our Annual Sale begins: Oct 11–19, 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three Book Barn locations. Paws ready, shelves steady.
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of The Cat Who Came for Christmas by Cleveland Amory sits on a wooden bookshelf among other cat-themed books. The cover features a white kitten playing with a red Christmas ornament. Text below the photo reads: “My cat, for example, liked to get up early — in fact he liked to get up at 3 A.M.” — The Cat Who Came for Christmas, Cleveland Amory.
October 9, 2025 at 1:46 AM
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“Four little chests all in a row…” In 4 days, our Annual Sale begins: Oct 11–19, 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three Book Barn locations. Like Alcott’s sisters, we’ve kept our treasures safe — and now it’s time to share them.
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott stands on a bookshelf beside several other novels. The cover features illustrated portraits of the four March sisters inside oval frames. Text below the photo reads: “Four little chests all in a row, dim with dust and worn by time.” — Little Women, Louisa May Alcott.
October 8, 2025 at 12:45 AM
bookbarnniantic.bsky.social
A century ago, book lovers held “a five-day book festival in October of 1919.” In 5 days, our own October celebration begins. The Annual Sale runs Oct 11–19, 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three Book Barn locations. History and stories repeat beautifully.
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss sits on a table surrounded by stacked books. The cover features the warm glow of hanging lights over shelves of books. Text below the photo reads: “And so they authorized $10,000 for a five-day book festival in October of 1919.” — The Bookshop, Evan Friss.
October 7, 2025 at 12:53 AM
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“The team consisted of six dogs, and Buck led them with pride.” Six days until our Annual Sale, Oct 11–19. 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three Book Barn locations. Follow your instincts, trust the pack, and head toward the books.
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of The Call of the Wild by Jack London is displayed on a wooden bookshelf surrounded by other Jack London titles, including The Sea Wolf and White Fang. The cover shows a wolf silhouette against blue mountains and trees. Text below the photo reads: “The team consisted of six dogs, and Buck led them with pride.” — The Call of the Wild, Jack London.
October 6, 2025 at 12:06 AM
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“Seven hours before she decided to die…” But that’s only the start. In The Midnight Library, every life has more pages to turn. Seven days until our Annual Sale, Oct 11–19. 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG). New stories, new shelves, new chances.
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig stands on a table at The Book Barn beneath a green “New Arrivals” sign. Behind it are shelves of books and a post covered with colorful stickers and signs, including “Support Local Organic Farmers.” Text below the photo reads: “Seven hours before she decided to die, Nora was in free fall…” The Midnight Library, Matt Haig.
October 4, 2025 at 11:55 PM
bookbarnniantic.bsky.social
“I came in the eighth year.” You’ll only need to wait 8 days. Our Annual Sale runs Oct 11–19, 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three Book Barn locations. Odysseus faced storms and monsters. You’ll just face the joy of too many books to choose from.
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles, is displayed upright on a bookstore shelf among other classical works. The orange and blue cover shows stylized illustrations of ancient figures. Below the photo, text reads: “I came in the eighth year.” — Odyssey, Homer.
October 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
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“Nine companions. So be it.” Nine days until the Annual Sale, Oct 11–19. 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG). This very Lord of the Rings is waiting on our shelves, along with thousands of others. Will you bring nine friends to help you carry them?
#BookSale #Niantic #UsedBooks
A copy of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien is displayed upright on a bookstore shelf, flanked by other novels including The Hobbit. The book cover shows a dark silhouette of a rider against a blue sky. Below the photo, text reads: “Nine companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring.” — The Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien.
October 3, 2025 at 12:04 AM
bookbarnniantic.bsky.social
“Ten points to Gryffindor.” Ten points to you for joining the countdown. In 10 days, our Annual Sale begins: Oct 11–19, 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three locations. Shelves are full, cats are ready, and parking attendants are at attention.
#BookSale #UsedBooks #Niantic
Two Harry Potter books are displayed on a wooden shelf: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with its illustrated cover of Harry flying on a broomstick, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban showing Harry with Buckbeak the Hippogriff. Below the photo, text reads: “Ten points to Gryffindor” — Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J. K. Rowling.
October 1, 2025 at 10:19 PM
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The cats have signed off on it: our annual sale runs from October 11 to 19. Take 30% off all merchandise (except SWAG) at all three locations. Bring a bag. Bring a friend. Bring a list. Or don't. Surprises are part of the fun.
#UsedBooks #NianticCT #BookSale
September 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
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Labor Day weekend brought nearly 500 boxes of books through our gates. This weekend is right behind it. We take in 10,000 books a week on average. This photo shows just one corner of our new arrivals. Visit often, you never know what you’ll find.
#usedbooks #bookshopping #bookbarnniantic
A small wooden shed-like room filled with towering stacks of books covering nearly every surface. Shelves line the back and side walls, packed tightly with more books. A single orange swivel chair sits in the center, partially surrounded by piles of unshelved books. A blue street sign reading "TRIGGER AVE" leans against the back wall behind the chair. The room appears cozy but overwhelmed by the sheer volume of incoming books.
September 6, 2025 at 7:14 PM
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We’re not hosting it, but we’re loving it: a 75-min narrated cruise of sites that inspired books like The Ice Diaries and Gallows Road. Aug 23, 2:45 PM, Ft. Trumbull. Tickets: bit.ly/TRHP-Tours
#LiteraryConnecticut #ThamesRiverHistory #BookishEvents
August 21, 2025 at 12:25 AM
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Sapphire has claimed the throne. Long live the queen of the Book Barn playground, presiding over Niantic’s finest used books (and carrots). She’s majestic, mildly suspicious, and always watching.
#BookBarnNiantic #GoatRoyalty #UsedBookHeaven
A brown-and-white goat named Sapphire stands proudly on top of a colorful plastic children’s play castle in a grassy yard. The goat gazes confidently into the distance, as though surveying her kingdom. A wooden ramp leads up to the castle, and a rustic barn is visible in the background.
August 7, 2025 at 11:25 PM
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New arrivals are here in force. Manga, Marvel, romance, fantasy, and more. The crates keep coming, and the shelves keep growing. Visit often, the treasure hunt never really ends. #usedbooks #newarrivals #bookhaul
July 30, 2025 at 11:49 PM
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From bisque dolls of the 1800s to iconic faces from the 1990s, our shelves are stacked with guides for collectors and curious readers alike.
#AntiqueDolls #CollectorBooks #NianticCT
A display of doll reference books featuring German Doll Encyclopedia 1800–1939 by Jürgen and Marianne Cieslik, showing an array of antique dolls against a gothic cathedral backdrop. Beneath it are three volumes by Johana Gast Anderton titled More Twentieth Century Dolls and Twentieth Century Dolls in brown, maroon, and blue hardcovers. A tall stack of brightly colored hardcover doll collector books, mostly by Patricia R. Smith. Titles include Antique Collector’s Dolls, Madame Alexander Dolls 1965–1990, and multiple volumes of Modern Collector’s Dolls, each in different colored bindings such as gold, white, blue, red, and green. The front cover of German Dolls: Identification & Values by Patricia Smith. A bisque doll dressed in a formal military uniform stands in a lush garden with red geraniums. The cover is a bold red with ornamental black corner designs framing the image.
July 16, 2025 at 11:09 PM
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A wardrobe has opened. Inside, a forest, a lamp, a faun, and the quiet bravery of “Courage, dear heart.”

Built by artist and staff member Jeannie Mancini.

And really, what do they teach them at these schools?

#WardrobeWonder #JeannieMancini #CourageDearHeart
June 30, 2025 at 11:03 PM
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A lamp left burning, beside a tree that wasn’t always there.

You’ve nearly reached the end. But endings in stories like this are often doors.

Visit Facebook and Instagram for the full picture. And if you’re nearby, visit the Main Barn this weekend.

#FinalClue #BookBarnReveal #FindTheLight
June 27, 2025 at 3:26 AM
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Flame? Or is it wheat? that grows skyward under stars.

Change is coming, even to still places. But to understand what’s rising, you must gather all three pieces.

#BookBarnPuzzle #WinterWithoutEnd #ThreeCluesDeep
June 26, 2025 at 4:31 AM
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Stars that have never been charted.

They shimmer above something new arriving at The Book Barn.

But you’ll need what’s written on Facebook and Instagram to see the whole picture.

#BookBarnPuzzle #HiddenInPlainSight #CrossPlatformQuest
June 25, 2025 at 1:49 AM
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Lincoln sharpened axes. We shelve books. Same energy.

Just a few of the hundreds of Civil War titles now marching onto our shelves—this is the first wave. Beards, battles, and biographies await. #CivilWarReads #HistoryHunt #UsedBookTreasure
A tall wooden bookshelf filled with Civil War history books, including prominently displayed titles like Steele's Retreat from Camden and Cased Image Photographs. The shelves are tightly packed with colorful hardcovers, arranged upright and neatly. Three open cardboard boxes on the floor beneath a wooden shelf, filled with Civil War books. Visible titles include Generals in Bronze, Carlos Buell: Most Promising of All, and Civil War Baton Rouge, Port Hudson, and Bayou Sara. A maroon rolling book cart loaded with Civil War books, including titles like Shiloh, Vicksburg Is the Key, Injustice on Trial, and Mosby’s Rangers. The books are organized upright on three shelves with spines clearly visible.
June 23, 2025 at 9:21 AM