Find winter warmth in a cozy independent bookshop.
Morgantown cheered when Monkey Wrench, the first independent bookstore downtown in over a decade, opened last fall. But if a cozy book shop is your thing and winter has you itching to get out of town, it’s not far to some great reader havens. In this edition of Cabin Fever 2025, we share some staff favorite troves of books that are just a short winter’s drive away. Keep an eye on this space—next week we’ll point you to out-of-town places we love to catch some live music.
Riverrun Books & Prints
Greensboro, Pennsylvania, 30 minutes
Packed floor to ceiling in the manner of all the best second-hand bookstores—but carrying new books, too—Riverrun Books & Prints in Greensboro, Pennsylvania, is just a pretty 16-mile drive from Morgantown. Riverrun is open seasonally from September to May 1 each year and boasts a collection of more than 20,000 books in the arts, sciences, and humanities—well-stocked for hours of getting lost among its nicely organized shelves.
Argo Books
Buckhannon, 1h 15m
Located on Main Street in Buckhannon, Argo Books is home to a lively community of book lovers. Argo has a friendly staff, and its comfy chairs make it all but impossible to resist diving into a new read or sinking back into a classic. From the shop’s Main Street location, it’s easy to complete your excursion with a stroll in this tidy downtown and lunch or dinner at a new favorite restaurant.
The Paradox Book Store
Wheeling, 1h 20m
Immerse yourself in the love of literature at The Paradox Book Store, the oldest bookstore in West Virginia. From the hand-lettered signs to the vintage cash register to the “borrow it now and pay when you can” offerings, The Paradox is a real step back in time. The shops and restaurants of Wheeling’s Centre Market are just across the street, so it’s easy to fill a winter’s day here.
Alexandria on Main
Elkins, 1h 30m
A bookstore and event space, Alexandria on Main is a woman-owned treasure in the heart of Elkins. Used books, new books, children’s books, and gifts line the walls of this open, brightly lit space. Cozy up on a couch and get lost in words—and watch your little ones fall in love with the bookstore experience on the shop’s kid-friendly cushions. Make time to try an Elkins coffee shop or restaurant before you head home!
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