Rumors of the death of independent bookstores are not only exaggerated they are false. Independents at times can suffer from disorganization, poorly curated works, and a smaller selection. Fortunately, this bookshop never suffers from any of these weaknesses, the number of books are vast without feeling like too, the organization is there, but it doesn’t feel clinical, and the curated selection of books means you won’t leave without making a purchase. The key to bringing customers inside is a unique aesthetic, this bookstore has that. Then you have customer service which makes one feel like you’re among friends. Great selection of cookbooks, kids/ya, mysteries, fiction, current events— the list goes on and on. And guess what if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you have a knowledgeable staff who will suggest, chat, and give you ideas. I only wish every town had a super bookshop like Sidetracked!

My absolute favorite. The selection is great and if you can’t find it they can order it for you. The space is so inviting and I love all the other extra little gifts they sell too. The staff is always kind.

I adored everything about this little bookshop. The owner and employees were so friendly, chatting to me about books as I shopped around. Everything was incredibly well-organized and the cozy space inside made me want to come back. I loved their selection of newly published books and older staples. They had a wonderful fantasy section. I can't wait to visit again the next time I am in Royal Oak.

Sidetrack is great! Their curation is awesome and if they don’t have what you’re looking for in store it’s easy to order through them. Support your indie bookstores!

This is a lovely addition to downtown Royal Oak. The owner’s are lovely and have been able to help me find any book I’m looking for. I hope they are around for many years to come. If you haven’t had the chance to stop out and visit you’re missing out!

One of my favorite indie bookstores! Great selection, awesome staff, and they host fun events!

An absolute gem of a local bookstore. We are SO thrilled to have an indie here in Royal Oak! The owners care a lot about the community and are always putting on events. They are always willing to order books. Also, they are dog friendly! You can wander in with a coffee or your pup and you will be welcomed. We are so lucky to have Sidetrack. I hope the community supports them a they can stay open forever. Definitely stop in!!

Cute little bookshop, definitely a super aesthetically pleasing experience. Unfortunately I didn't find anything I wanted because I was hunting for a YA book that came out last year and it seems like they keep their shelves stocked with only the most current releases, but that's not a bad thing, just a miss for me in particular. The staff were friendly and I was visiting my family in Michigan, so I got a cute & comfy souvenir sweatshirt here. Besides all the books, there are a lot of cute knickknacks you can get as souvenirs here, so it's worth checking out for one reason or another!