Bookstores We Love: Water Street Books
In celebration of the spirit of independent bookstores, in each edition of our 2026 newsletter we’ll feature a New Hampshire bookseller. This month we are shining a spotlight on Water Street Bookstore, which resides at 125 Water Street in Exeter.
Exeter is an historic town, with most of its shops nestled in charming, original buildings along Water Street, adjacent to the Swampscott River. Water Street Bookstore, which opened in 1991, occupies two storefronts in the 1875 Carlisle Building. In addition to case upon case of books, there are games, cards, calendars, and much more. This fall, Water Street is debuting their Used Book Annex, a consignment shop located in their lower level, across the hall from Alchemy & Herbs, a shop featuring tea, herbs, and sustainable goods.
Water Street has two unique book clubs, which meet monthly. “Read More Women” is self-explanatory, and the range of books spans genres, generations, and geography. Upcoming books include Moderation, by Elaine Castillo (September 15); The Nobody Code, by Micah Bay Gault (October 20); and A Guardian and A Thief, by Megha Majumdar (November 17). “The Silent Bookclub” is described as: “a global community of readers with 2,200+ chapters in 70 countries.” There is no assigned reading–it’s bring your own book. Members gather in person at Water Street to read together and swap stories.
Another prominent feature of Water Street are the “Shelf Talkers,” slips of colored paper, floating off the shelves, with staff recommendations. The store is filled with them, but here is a small sample.
Water Street Book Picks
Canon by Paige Lewis
“This book is exactly like zero other books, as far as I am concerned. It was a singular journey, a dang fingerprint of uniqueness! Things you will encounter in this book: a truth-telling newt, a talking whale, a person on a hero’s journey to slay the leader of the Bad Guys, a hapless leader of the Good Guys, an island made of trash, and of course, true love.” - Steph
Kin by Tayari Jones
“This book is about love in all its forms; gorgeous, complicated and sometimes heartbreaking love. Kin centers on two “cradle friends,” Vernice and Annie, and follows them as they grow up together in a small Louisiana town, then venture out into the world separately. Like all good Southern Gothic novels, both the characters and the settings in this book are rich and complex.” - Erin
