Rachel Sease photograph by Jennifer Callahan Photography
Editor’s Note (October 2024): We love and celebrate our mountain communities; however, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, many areas remain inaccessible for travel. Please check DriveNC.gov’s travel map for the latest on traveling to these areas.
Rachel Sease runs her finger down a stack of vintage books about Haywood County — stories from the 19th and 20th centuries that recount early life here. One describes the hardships of the Civil War, told through letters gathered by a Cherokee author; another reveals vanished settlements of the Great Smokies. Others focus on cooking, horse-drawn equipment, or Appalachian architecture.
Of the nearly 50,000 tomes that fill Blue Moon Books on Canton’s main drag, it’s these rare editions that the young bookstore owner prizes most. “What’s really unique about this section is that a lot of these books are passed down,” Sease says. “That’s the only way to get your hands on them, because there are so few copies around.”
The Waynesville native bought Blue Moon Books last November after working for the previous owners and falling in love with the job. The shop is located in the town’s former post office, a circa-1910 building with original floors, brick walls, and a stamped-tin ceiling — a fitting backdrop for its collection of mostly used books.
Much of the inventory is sourced from the community. The rarest books often come from estate sales or families clearing out a relative’s home. “The books in here are shared stories. They’re all coming from the hands of someone else who’s read and enjoyed them, so there’s a connection between the people who shop here,” Sease says. “I think that’s really special.”
Blue Moon Books
425 Main Street
Canton, NC 28716
(828) 400-0527
facebook.com/bluemoonbookswnc
Mark our words: Whether they nod to North Carolina or were penned by its residents, these notable, quotable passages remind us of the power of speech inspired by our state.
When one stream flows into another, the two chart a new course for the future — together.
When the weather outside is frightful, one chef serves loved ones dishes so delightful.
A historic Rose Bowl pitted Duke University against Oregon State in Durham. Then, in the dark days of World War II, those same football players — and a legendary coach — joined forces to fight for freedom.
