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

Staff Pick this week contributed by Megan. If you’re looking for your next read, this one definitely should be a contender!

All of Us Together in the End
By Matthew Vollmer

“When I first picked this book up from the “Staff Picks” shelf of a Portland bookstore (you’ll never catch me turning down the opportunity to roam the shelves of an indie bookseller no matter how much time I spend in one on the clock) I wasn’t quite sure what genre to file it into in my brain. The synopsis starts with the death of the author’s mother, then the introduction of inexplicable flashing lights in the woods behind his grieving father’s home – suddenly I’m coercing mystery, religiosity, paranormalcy, even perhaps extraterrestrial contact into my expectations of what I might find in this book alongside grief, loss, and familial connection.

Entrancing from the start, Vollmer’s memoir brings all these ideas together in a compassionate exploration of things that we believe – or might believe, or stop believing – when faced with loss, tough questions, and unexplainable mysteries. The prose is lyrical yet unpretentious, allowing empathy and curiosity to guide father and son’s process of grieving, rebuilding, and truth finding.

“All of Us Together in the End” is a beautiful read and well-deserving of its spot on that Portland Staff Picks shelf, as well as, now, on my own here at Back of Beyond.”

#backofbeyond #backofbeyondbooks #bobbstaffpick #allofustogetherintheend #matthewvollmer #eatreadsleeplocal

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Staff Pick this week contributed by Megan. If you’re looking for your next read, this one definitely should be a contender! All of Us Together in the End By Matthew Vollmer “When I first picked this book up from the “Staff Picks” shelf of a Portland bookstore (you’ll never catch me turning down the opportunity to roam the shelves of an indie bookseller no matter how much time I spend in one on the clock) I wasn’t quite sure what genre to file it into in my brain. The synopsis starts with the death of the author’s mother, then the introduction of inexplicable flashing lights in the woods behind his grieving father’s home – suddenly I’m coercing mystery, religiosity, paranormalcy, even perhaps extraterrestrial contact into my expectations of what I might find in this book alongside grief, loss, and familial connection. Entrancing from the start, Vollmer’s memoir brings all these ideas together in a compassionate exploration of things that we believe – or might believe, or stop believing – when faced with loss, tough questions, and unexplainable mysteries. The prose is lyrical yet unpretentious, allowing empathy and curiosity to guide father and son’s process of grieving, rebuilding, and truth finding. “All of Us Together in the End” is a beautiful read and well-deserving of its spot on that Portland Staff Picks shelf, as well as, now, on my own here at Back of Beyond.” #backofbeyond #backofbeyondbooks #bobbstaffpick #allofustogetherintheend #matthewvollmer #eatreadsleeplocal

What ya doin next weekend?

Stop by our booth to see Nat and Matthew and our rare and antiquarian wares at the Rocky Mountain Book & Paper Fair. We’d love to see you!

#backofbeyond #backofbeyondbooks #rockymountain #rockymountainbookandpaperfair #rarebooks #antiquarianbooks #antiquarianbookshop #ephemera #ephemeraforsale #eatreadsleeplocal

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What ya doin next weekend? Stop by our booth to see Nat and Matthew and our rare and antiquarian wares at the Rocky Mountain Book & Paper Fair. We’d love to see you! #backofbeyond #backofbeyondbooks #rockymountain #rockymountainbookandpaperfair #rarebooks #antiquarianbooks #antiquarianbookshop #ephemera #ephemeraforsale #eatreadsleeplocal

The Rare Department’s recent acquisition is this incredible set of five stereo views from@John Wesley Powell’s 1871-72 second expedition on the Colorado River. Photographer’s on Powell’s second expedition we’re E. O. Beaman, James Fennemore, John K. Hillers, and Walter Clement Powell.

Please call or email or drop by with inquiries about our collections 🙌🏼

#backofbeyond #backofbeyondbooks #rarebooks #ephemera #stereoview #johnwesleypowell #coloradoriver #powellexpedition #glencanyon #grandcanyon #leesferry #kanab #topographicalsurvey #geologicalsurvey #emmadean #antiquarianbookshop #coloradoplateau #eatreadsleeplocal

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The Rare Department’s recent acquisition is this incredible set of five stereo views from@John Wesley Powell’s 1871-72 second expedition on the Colorado River. Photographer’s on Powell’s second expedition we’re E. O. Beaman, James Fennemore, John K. Hillers, and Walter Clement Powell. Please call or email or drop by with inquiries about our collections 🙌🏼 #backofbeyond #backofbeyondbooks #rarebooks #ephemera #stereoview #johnwesleypowell #coloradoriver #powellexpedition #glencanyon #grandcanyon #leesferry #kanab #topographicalsurvey #geologicalsurvey #emmadean #antiquarianbookshop #coloradoplateau #eatreadsleeplocal