Our Store

A literary oasis in the desert since 1990, we are a little bookstore with a big selection of new, used, and rare titles. Inspired by the name of Seldom Seen Smith’s outfitting company and hideout spot in Edward Abbey’s The Monkey Wrench Gang, Back of Beyond Books keeps that spirit of exploration and discovery alive for locals and visitors alike.

We carry many titles from hard-to-find small press authors, with a focus on the geography, archeology, natural history, and guidebooks about the American Southwest and Colorado Plateau.

Back of Beyond is also home to a robust fiction section, a one-of-a-kind children’s room, and a carefully curated selection of YA and juvenile titles. You’ll also find indie bestsellers, games, and gifts throughout the store.

We love meeting book lovers from all over the world who come into our store to buy and sometimes sell to us too. We look forward to visiting with you!

Inside of Back of Beyond Books

STORE HOURS

9:00am – 9:00pm

83 N. Main St.
Moab, Utah

Phone
435-259-5154

Email
store@backofbeyondbooks.com

 

CONTACT US

TONIGHT!!!

Tonight, from 5:30-7:00pm, Brianna Madia will be available to sign her newest release, "Never Leave the Dogs Behind," here at Back of Beyond Books.

#BackofBeyond #BackofBeyondBooks #moab #moabutah #neverleavethedogsbehind #eatsleepreadlocal #booksigning

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TONIGHT!!! Tonight, from 5:30-7:00pm, Brianna Madia will be available to sign her newest release, "Never Leave the Dogs Behind," here at Back of Beyond Books. #BackofBeyond #BackofBeyondBooks #moab #moabutah #neverleavethedogsbehind #eatsleepreadlocal #booksigning

A long-awaited Staff Pick, from Matthew!

"The Last Samurai"
By Helen DeWitt

"Everyone I know should read this, but who will? In 1990s London, a poor American mother named Sibylla rides the Tube with her 2-year-old son Ludo. Ludo reads Homer in Greek. He`s also learning Arabic, then more languages, then wild foraging, Gaussian math, aerodynamics, and "Straight, No Chaser"...He`s a fatherless prodigy. For years, mother & son obsess over Akira Kurosawa`s 1954 film "Seven Samurai." By his 12th birthday, the film has inspired Ludo to find and test a father worthy of him.

The thing about this novel is, someone picks it up expecting Tom Cruise, and instead it`s sometimes like an instruction manual for basic Japanese. But it`s not about the elitism of being smart. In fact, the experience of reading it feels pretty anti-elitist. This is a story about ambition. Its meaning, its limits. It doesn`t say, `Only an intellectual gets this.` It asks, `Well, why couldn`t you, yes, YOU, Reader, learn a little Japanese, like little Ludo?` Yes, it is sometimes a little like an instruction manual: one for cultivating ambition in a culture that`s comfortable with a low bar. It`s also a story about stories, and chance, truth, heroes, money, and death. And, it`s constantly funny. Okay, so it`s not my favorite novel. But it`s been a while since I felt this seen by a novel. `The Last Samurai` can see you, too. A good samurai will parry the blow."

~ Matthew

#BackofBeyond #backofbeyondbooks #BoBBStaffPick #bobbstaffpicks #moab #moabutah #eatsleepreadlocal #bookrecommendations #booktok #bookstagram

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A long-awaited Staff Pick, from Matthew! "The Last Samurai" By Helen DeWitt "Everyone I know should read this, but who will? In 1990s London, a poor American mother named Sibylla rides the Tube with her 2-year-old son Ludo. Ludo reads Homer in Greek. He's also learning Arabic, then more languages, then wild foraging, Gaussian math, aerodynamics, and "Straight, No Chaser"...He's a fatherless prodigy. For years, mother & son obsess over Akira Kurosawa's 1954 film "Seven Samurai." By his 12th birthday, the film has inspired Ludo to find and test a father worthy of him. The thing about this novel is, someone picks it up expecting Tom Cruise, and instead it's sometimes like an instruction manual for basic Japanese. But it's not about the elitism of being smart. In fact, the experience of reading it feels pretty anti-elitist. This is a story about ambition. Its meaning, its limits. It doesn't say, 'Only an intellectual gets this.' It asks, 'Well, why couldn't you, yes, YOU, Reader, learn a little Japanese, like little Ludo?' Yes, it is sometimes a little like an instruction manual: one for cultivating ambition in a culture that's comfortable with a low bar. It's also a story about stories, and chance, truth, heroes, money, and death. And, it's constantly funny. Okay, so it's not my favorite novel. But it's been a while since I felt this seen by a novel. 'The Last Samurai' can see you, too. A good samurai will parry the blow." ~ Matthew #BackofBeyond #backofbeyondbooks #BoBBStaffPick #bobbstaffpicks #moab #moabutah #eatsleepreadlocal #bookrecommendations #booktok #bookstagram