Long before I ever set foot in Alaska, I had already traveled there through the pages of a book.
When I was about twelve years old, I read Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George. Like so many children, I was captivated by Julie's courage, the Alaskan wilderness, and a way of life that felt both mysterious and magical.
Standing there in Alaska decades later, I couldn't help but smile.
How remarkable is it that a book read in childhood could quietly plant a seed that would bloom nearly sixty years later? That moment reminded me that books don't simply entertain us—they become part of who we are. They shape our curiosity, influence where we long to travel, and sometimes lead us back to places we've only known through the imagination of an eight-year-old girl.
That's why one thing you can always count on when I travel is this: somewhere between the famous landmarks and the local restaurants, I'll be searching for an independent bookstore.
For me, visiting a bookstore isn't just another stop on the itinerary.
It's a way of honoring the stories that brought me there in the first place.
Skagway News Depot & Books
My first Alaskan bookstore was Skagway News Depot & Books, tucked into the heart of this historic Gold Rush town. The shelves reflected both Skagway's fascinating past and the rugged beauty that surrounds it today.
I lingered over books about Alaska's history, browsed collections of local photography, and couldn't resist adding a few postcards and stickers to my growing collection. Those little paper souvenirs always find their way into my travel journals long after the trip has ended.
As always, I walked out with more than I intended—and no regrets.
Hearthside Books — Juneau
Juneau's Hearthside Books felt exactly like the kind of independent bookstore I hope to discover in every city I visit. Warm, welcoming, and filled with books that celebrate Alaska's culture and landscape, it invited me to slow down and browse every shelf.
This was where I found one of my favorite treasures from the trip—a beautiful book of poetry by Juneau author Misty Saint Claire. I love bringing home books written by local authors because they allow me to continue traveling long after I've unpacked my suitcase.
I also added an Alaskan cookbook to my collection. Cookbooks are among my favorite travel souvenirs because they bring a destination back into my own kitchen. Months from now, every recipe will remind me of glaciers, fishing boats, mountain views, and quiet mornings aboard the Carnival Spirit.
Parnassus Books — Ketchikan
By the time we reached Ketchikan, it probably wasn't surprising that another bookstore found its way onto my itinerary.
Parnassus Books was another delightful discovery, filled with books celebrating Alaska's wildlife, history, art, and culture. Once again, I found myself drawn to regional cookbooks, postcards, and small keepsakes that fit perfectly inside my suitcase while carrying memories far larger than their size.
There's something comforting about independent bookstores. No matter where you are in the world, they invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and discover something unexpected.
Why I Always Visit Local Bookstores
People often ask what I collect when I travel.
The answer isn't magnets (well, ok, I collect those, too!) or shot glasses.
It's stories.
I collect books written by local authors. I collect regional cookbooks that let me recreate a destination at home. I collect postcards that become bookmarks and journal pages. I collect stickers that remind me of adventures long after the luggage has been unpacked.
Every bookstore becomes part of the journey.
A Few Pages of Alaska Came Home with Me
As I look at the stack of books now sitting on my desk, I realize they are more than souvenirs.
They're invitations.
An invitation to try a new recipe inspired by Alaska's incredible seafood. An invitation to read poetry written beneath northern skies. An invitation to remember that travel doesn't end when the cruise is over—it continues every time I open a book that came home with me.
And perhaps that's the best kind of souvenir of all.
Travel with Curiosity
One of my favorite travel traditions is seeking out an independent bookstore in every destination. They tell the story of a place through its writers, artists, cooks, and historians. If you want to understand a community, spend an hour wandering its bookstore. You might leave with a book, but you'll almost certainly leave with a deeper appreciation for the place you've just visited.
From My Reading Chair
This trip reminded me that every destination has its own voice. Sometimes you hear it from a tour guide. Sometimes you hear it from a local shopkeeper. And sometimes, you find it quietly waiting on the shelf of a neighborhood bookstore. Those are the voices I love bringing home with me.
As I unpacked my suitcase at home, I realized I hadn't just brought back cookbooks, poetry, postcards, and stickers. I had completed a journey that began with the pages of a children's novel nearly sixty years ago. An eight-year-old girl fell in love with Alaska through a library book. This summer, she finally walked its streets, browsed its bookstores, and carried a few new Alaskan stories home. That's the quiet power of books. We never really know where they'll take us.
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