Wild Plum Books

Late Dec2024 The great thing about independently run bookstores is that fewer minds and hands take up and decide what is offered to customers. This is all the more evident in this small and quaint bookseller that exudes charm and a personal touch in every shelve. Arguably one of the littlest bookstores you will encounter but it definitely has a big scope as well as having an owner with a wide range of books read. Definitely something that reverberates with all book lovers is this feeling of community and affinity with the joy of reading. Hope to see this store last through the years.

You know that feeling when you stumble upon a place that just gets you? That’s Wild Plum Books in Napa Valley. I wasn’t expecting to find a bookstore that felt like home in the middle of wine country, but here we are. The moment I walked in, I could tell this wasn’t just any bookstore. It’s the kind of place where you don’t just grab a book and leave—you linger. The shelves are stocked with everything from philosophy to poetry to some really great books on wine (because, of course, it’s Napa). But what really sets it apart is the energy. It’s warm, inviting, and just the right mix of cozy and inspiring. So if you’re ever in Napa, don’t just hop from one winery to the next (though, by all means, enjoy the wine!). Take a detour to Wild Plum Books. Strike up a conversation with Andrew as I did, pick up something unexpected, and let yourself get lost in the magic of a really good bookstore. Absolutely worth a visit.

This is my most favorite bookstore ever, and I love many! It’s small and mighty. The personalized service cannot be beat. I always find something I can’t live without or the perfect gift. When I need a book recommendation, Elyse is always spot on. What a joyful place.

I love that this bookstore exists in our small town. Elyse is so good at what she does! Her book recommendations for me are always spot on. You’ll never have to use a book review app while shopping, I think she’s read every book there and she can tell you about all of them :)

What a lovingly curated collection of books for all styles of readers. The owner, Ms. Chambers has a wealth of knowledge and makes great recommendations. Wish I lived closer because I would be at this store weekly!

Absolutely adorable & unique and petite book shop (kinda has magical Diagon Alley vibes) and an incredibly helpful and friendly owner, Elyse! Plus her substack is incredibly clever and fun and has led me to a handful of amazing reads.

Wild Plum Books: Where Meg Ryan Would Totally Work the Register Wild Plum Books: Where Meg Ryan Would Totally Work the Register You know how in every Nora Ephron movie there’s that one perfect shop—the kind with soft lighting, handwritten signs, and an owner who feels like an old friend? (Think You’ve Got Mail, but with better wine.) That’s Wild Plum Books in Napa. Only better, because it’s real. I wandered in expecting a charming little pit stop between tastings, and instead discovered a literary haven where the poetry section made me weepy, the notebooks were almost too pretty to write in, and the shelves were full of books I didn’t know I needed but suddenly couldn’t leave without. Elyse, the owner, is a true Ephron heroine—warm, passionate, a little bit magical. The kind of person who makes you feel like you’ve known her forever and also want to sign up for anything she’s planning (story hour? book club? a dramatic reading of Persuasion? yes, please). You can feel her love for this place in every corner—from the window displays to the curated sections to the way kids light up walking through the door. Wild Plum isn’t just a bookstore. It’s a heartfully run little engine of wonder and community—a legacy carried forward with joy, purpose, and just the right amount of whimsy. Napa may be wine country, but this? This is soul country. So yes, do the wine tastings. But don’t miss the real pairing: Wild Plum Books and a perfect afternoon.

Wonderfully cute bookstore owned by a very local couple. Excellent selection of multicultural kids books in both English and Spanish. I typically look for books about other countries or languages, and they had one called Say My Name that was names in 6 different languages. I ended up buying a book about little people (like the Borrowers), and talking critters. Super helpful! I asked for a cookbook by a local author or restaurant, and they immediately pointed me to one that was just located down the street. 5+ star for adorableness, local vibes, and of course, books 📚