Newport Beach’s perfectly mild fall weather means you’re still excited to enjoy all the fall favorites like pumpkin spice, chunky knits, savory soups, and good books, without the need to barricade yourself indoors. Go out and enjoy the perfect reading weather at any (or all) of these six spots.

Popular Newport Beach neighborhood Balboa Island is home to this lovely children’s book store, Island Tales Bookshop. Quality children’s literature, both new titles, and classics, this is a place to bring your children to inspire the magic of literature in them. Island Tales is owned by former teachers and friends with a passion for impacting the lives of children, and it shows in this quaint little shop.

Need more reasons to love Island Tales? They offer children’s crafting, story time in the book store and even hosting for birthday parties and other special events.

Another gem of a bookstore with a true passion for bringing literature to the community is Lido Village Books which offers books for the whole family. Making your trip to the shop even better are the knowledgeable owners who are happy to help guide you to a new find, or to that exact title you came for. It is located in Lido Marina Village so you can grab some great food at one of the nearby cafes and start in on your new reads!

Who doesn’t have a soft spot in their heart for a community library? The Newport Beach Central Library, located in Newport Center near Fashion Island is the biggest of the Newport Beach Public Libraries (NBPL). With events light reading groups, special author’s reading, and even writing workshops it’s a destination for true literary lovers.

If you’re imaging a small little building, book cards, and rotary stamps, you will be quite surprised. Instead, expect a large building with modern amenities like an online and smartphone app to reserve and renew books. So long late fees!

(Bonus: Take your littles for their Halloween extravaganza with themed story time, crafts and yummy treats. Wear your costume and enjoy trick-or-treating around the library.)

Friends Bookstore, also known as Friends of the Library is a special gem. Located at the Central Library branch, Friends Bookstore is run by volunteers, and all of its revenue is donated to the library. If that weren’t reason enough to check it out, you’d find great deals on good books. They also welcome book donations, so pass on your favorites for someone to love as much as you do and support Newport Beach Public Libraries.

Crean Mariners Branch Library is a smaller branch of NBPL, and Mariners is a quaint spot more reminiscent of your childhood memories. Wedged between Upper Newport Bay and Westcliff Neighborhoods, it is known for a wonderful Children’s Room and Teen Area where kids are often able to read to therapy dogs to improve their reading skills. Though quaint, Mariner’s is still a full-service library with public computers and internet access.

Another small branch of NBPL, Balboa Branch is located on Balboa Peninsula. It is an unbusy and classic library with a friendly staff, the perfect nostalgic spot to search for your next great literary adventure and then a pleasant walk to the nearby park to start your journey.

Written By: Laura TerKeurst