Boo Radley’s

232 N. Howard St.

Just as Tinman Gallery isn’t a bookstore per se, nor is Boo Radley’s, which is located across the street from the Rotary Club fountain on Riverfront Park. Boo Radley’s has to be Spokane’s preeminent novelty gift shop, as it has won multiple awards from both The Inlander and Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living, and probably eventually will from the new Spokane Metro Magazine (not to be confused with Metro Spokane, a wonderful blog that is now sadly defunct).

The first time I walked into Boo Radley’s a few years ago, I was instantly overwhelmed by the cluttered nature of the store. I also loved it.

Yes, it’s the Gangsta Rap Coloring Book.  It’s exactly what it says.  A coloring book.  Of rappers.

This should be required reading for every true American.  On the back cover:

“A must-have paean to the archtypical American male and a bible of everything Chuck.  The Truth About Chuck Norris is easily the most important book of all time.”

I doubt truer words have ever been spoken.

And now, a pair of books you’d expect to find at any other bookstore in Spokane other than Boo Radley’s.  Seriously?  Did they just throw in a couple of Wonder Books to even out the weirdness in this store?

Yes, I am somewhat partial to Boo’s. I own a couple of their t-shirts, including a reproduction Expo 74 one.  This a great place to shop for yourself or someone else. Look at the books there. You’ll be both amazed and bewildered.