A Novel Concept

A Novel Concept Women-owned bookstore. Carefully curated, always a little weird. Home of the book club.

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A Novel Concept is an independent, women-owned bookstore in Lansing, MI, carrying new and gently used books. Our founders have been working in academia and academic publishing for a combined two plus decades, and share a vision of taking that collective experience in the literary world out of the ivory tower and putting it to use in curating a vibrant general bookstore and community gathering space for Lansing bibliophiles.

Excuse us while we emerge (fashionably) late to the week in the post-IBD comedown. It’s for good reason — we have been p...
04/29/2026

Excuse us while we emerge (fashionably) late to the week in the post-IBD comedown. It’s for good reason — we have been positively REELING from the love y’all brought to this year’s Independent Bookstore Day celebration. From Friday’s teen open mic hosted by Alexx Lynette to witnessing two humans in love literally get ENGAGED in the shop on Saturday, this weekend was a whirlwind of beautiful conversation, book finds, and human connection points. Thank you from the bottom of our bookish hearts to Lansing’s exceptionally lovable community — we are so grateful to be here with you.

For the book club this April, we’re letting the page paint! Read a book about creativity, be it art or something of yo...
04/27/2026

For the book club this April, we’re letting the page paint!
 
Read a book about creativity, be it art or something of your own making.
It is spring and so much is emerging around us. Be inspired by it all!
 
Join us this Thursday, April 30th, at 6:30pm to discuss your book. If you were inspired to create something, feel free to share that piece in a little show and tell of creativity and play ⭐️

Can’t make it in on Indie Bookstore Day? Don’t fret, there are many ways you can celebrate with us from afar! Shop your ...
04/24/2026

Can’t make it in on Indie Bookstore Day? Don’t fret, there are many ways you can celebrate with us from afar!

Shop your favorite books online at Bookshop.org and receive free shipping on book orders placed through Indie Bookstore Day weekend. Browse our curated list in honor of IBD and this most resplendent of seasons, showcasing fiction and nonfiction titles in the theme 'Sprouting Stories for Spring' by visiting our A Novel Concept Bookshop page linked in our bio.

More of an audiobook connoisseur? No sweat. Celebrate by shopping tons of on-sale audiobooks from Libro.fm, many $5 or less, now through April 26th! For a limited time, you can use code BOOKSTOREDAY to get TWO bonus audiobook credits when you start a new one-credit per month membership.

And the cherry on top? Every purchase made through our Libro.fm and Bookshop.org profile directly supports A Novel Concept.

Spend your Friday night with the coolest people you know: teenagers. We are kicking off Indie Bookstore weekend with a s...
04/22/2026

Spend your Friday night with the coolest people you know: teenagers. We are kicking off Indie Bookstore weekend with a special event on Friday, April 25, to celebrate the creative work of our Lansing youth! Join A Novel Concept and everyone's favorite English teacher, Miss D Alexx Lynette, as we host an open mic prioritizing teen voices. First slots for open mic sign-up will be reserved for 13-19-year-olds, while teens-at-heart will have to stay up past their bedtime to claim the closing open mic slots. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., readings begin at 6:30. Sign ups will be available first-come, first-serve at the ANC checkout counter. No required theme, and open to all genres, styles, and levels of experience!

We’re getting antsy for Indie Bookstore Day over here (it's LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY), and as the official April 25 holid...
04/19/2026

We’re getting antsy for Indie Bookstore Day over here (it's LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY), and as the official April 25 holiday nears, we wanted to share some of the sweet treats we have in store for y’all!

We’ll be joining our fellow Lansing bookstores in hosting our fair city’s annual book crawl! Hit up all 5 participating shops (.novel.concept, @‌deadtimestoriesbooks, , @‌everybodyreadslansing, and @‌hookedlansing), fill up your passport, and exchange it for a tote bag, while supplies last.

We’re also stocking some exclusive IBD edition titles, celebratory goodies, and our annual IBD T-shirt on hand featuring artwork by local designer (pictured)!

We’re also stoked to kick off the weekend on April 24 with a special open mic for teens looking to share their creative works in an open and welcoming space.

We’ll be sharing more info and counting down to IBD next week, so be sure to follow along and sign up for our newsletter at anovelconcept517.com.

Join us on Saturday, April 18th, at A Novel Concept at 6:30 p.m. for an open mic presented by the Capital Letters Eclect...
04/09/2026

Join us on Saturday, April 18th, at A Novel Concept at 6:30 p.m. for an open mic presented by the Capital Letters Eclectic Fiction Club (CLEF) celebrating their second annual zine “Ouroboros”! Copies of the zine will be available for purchase, with the proceeds primarily going to benefit the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center.

This event comes on the heels of what promises to be a super spunky day celebrating the Lansing Independent Comics & Zine Fest with our neighbors at Grewal Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The open mic will feature zine contributors plus plenty of room for others to share work in 5-minute time slots. You can expect to enjoy some eternally enduring work on the concept of ouroborus from zine contributors, but there’s no required theme. Open to all genres, styles, and levels of experience!

Sign up to read at the link or on our website: https://forms.gle/E75fcKW8bNPhwUJH9

Each and every day, and especially on Trans Day of Visibility, we stand in love and in solidarity with our trans communi...
03/31/2026

Each and every day, and especially on Trans Day of Visibility, we stand in love and in solidarity with our trans community as we fight to dissolve the scrutiny and adversity they continue to face for simply living their lives and existing authentically.

Please browse our curated selection of transgender literature and featured titles written by transgender authors to discover the importance of advocating for visibility, challenging gender norms, and empowering trans voices. For more ways to locally support our beloved trans community, please consider the following resources and programming:
‌
The SALUS Center —
The Gender Affirmation Project —
A Place For Us —

Join us for a hoppin’ good time at our Kids’ Story Time this Saturday, April 4, at 11:30 a.m.! Our family friendly event...
03/29/2026

Join us for a hoppin’ good time at our Kids’ Story Time this Saturday, April 4, at 11:30 a.m.!

Our family friendly event will take place on the hippity hoppity heels of the Capitol lawn’s Easter egg hunt at 10–11 a.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to spring over if you’re participating in the Downtown Egg-Stravaganza.

Enjoy timeless tales, creative crafts, and a welcoming space for our Lil’ Lanstronauts. Plus, coffee and hot cocoa will be available courtesy of 517 Coffee Co. We’re eggcited to see everybunny there!

Join us at A Novel Concept on Friday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. for a stimulating author reading and discussion on Christin...
03/21/2026

Join us at A Novel Concept on Friday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. for a stimulating author reading and discussion on Christine Carmichael’s recent book “Racist Roots: How Racism Has Affected Trees and People in Our Cities — and What We Can Do About It.” Carmichael will be joined by Urban Forestry Associate Professor Asia Dowtin in conversation about the link between our nation’s history of racism and its effect on the green spaces within our cities countrywide and what environmental justice looks like in tending to these spaces.

Come find out how we can contribute to creating a fairer future for urban forests and the communities that live among and around them 🪾

03/17/2026

For the book club this month, read a book about or primarily set in the Midwest and experience the narratives of this region and its people.

Follow rivers, cradle boulders, and let the land sing!

Join us on Thursday, March 26th, at 6:30pm for a lively discussion.

Address

222 S. Washington Square
Lansing, MI
48933

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Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm

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