I was fortunate to be invited to sell and sign my books at Pequod Used Books in Rocky Mount this past weekend.
My wife Kristi and I knew there would be a challenge — try not to go too crazy in the store, especially since owner Justin Nale had announced a 50% off everything-sale.
We found some great stuff at fantastic prices, but more on that later.
I’m excited to see Rocky Mount with a good, local owned bookstore. It’s something the area hasn’t had in some time. It’s even better that Justin is a nice guy with a good eye for inventory. The store is still relatively new, and a side hustle as Justin pastors Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church (16 years now).
“The shop is going well. It will always be just a hobby for us — it’s not a shop that could ever support us,” Justin said. “But we always dreamed of owning our own bookshop and Small Shops has made that a reality for us. The people of Rocky Mount have been so wonderful in supporting the shop — we have lots of regulars who come in and buy books weekly. We regularly receive generous donations of books that have helped keep the Pequod afloat. It’s really been something of a community project for those who want a great used bookstore in Rocky Mount.”
Justin and his wife opened the shop in September 2018 in the Small Shops in Englewood Shopping Center. Locals might remember it as the old Stein Mart department store.
Justin is originally from Rocky Mount, but travelled all over the southeastern U.S. as the son of a pastor. The Nales have two sons and oversee the Classical Conversations homeschooling organization for eastern North Carolina.
The bookstore was an easy inspiration. “My wife and I both love books, but our house was overflowing with them,” Justin said.
Kristi and I rarely go anywhere without hitting up whatever locally owned book shops we can find, especially used book stores. It’s like treasure hunting. Pequod, as you might expect, has a fine Religion section, but I was drawn to the North Carolina section.
I love to read and write about our state and there is a bigger section than you will find in most chains. Even without the sale, the books are priced to move.
I was particularly proud of finding a 1965 edition of The Bat-Poet by North Carolina legend Randall Jarrell, illustrated by the legendary Maurice Sendek — for $2. We also found a couple of hard-to-find North Carolina histories as well as volumes of photographs of the Shenandoah Valley and the North Carolina mountains. All were priced under $10.
We will definitely be back and I recommend if you love to read, you check it out. Pequod Used Books has a Facebook page and Justin can help you find what you’re looking. This is definitely a store worth supporting.
By the way, the store is named for the ship in Moby Dick, Justin’s favorite novel.