The Insomniac Bookshop

The Insomniac Bookshop Selling Used Books and Vintage Paperbacks in all genres.

Can you name the banned books in this vintage paperback mix?!? We curate all banned books for your enjoyment and possess...
06/19/2026

Can you name the banned books in this vintage paperback mix?!? We curate all banned books for your enjoyment and possession!! Out on the new arrival cart today! Online Orders Welcome! DM or Message Me!

PS - the Trumbo and Kerouacs are reading copies, rest are VG or better!

Continuing the celebration of from last nights poetry gig with some black voices who are heroes of mine! These are new...
06/19/2026

Continuing the celebration of from last nights poetry gig with some black voices who are heroes of mine! These are new editions to the new arrivals cart! Let me know if questions and Online Orders always welcome!! Just DM or Message Me!!

Open Tues - Sat 11-6

A heartfelt Thank You! 🙏 to all of the poets, songwriters, and readers who shared their work or favorite poems! It was a...
06/19/2026

A heartfelt Thank You! 🙏 to all of the poets, songwriters, and readers who shared their work or favorite poems! It was a moving, memorable, and magical night.

Thanks to friends, family, and everyone who came to listen and be a part of the community coming together.

I want to thank all of the featured poets/guests who volunteered their time and talent to come together in an evening filled with inspiring stories and poetry that will stay with me for the rest of my days.

You are all an inspiration!
Travis Stanley
Sucki Sakima Ra (Langston Hughes)
Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group (Abena Sankofa)
De’An Keys (De’An Keys)

And to our Special Guest Ako Abdul-Samad
We were so honored to hear your stories, poetry, and experiences. I know I will never forget the time we spent together in community last night.

Thank you Drew & Kara The Slow Down Coffee Co. once again for making a space for all. Special shout out to Emily for staying late for the after-hours party. You have the best baristas!

Peace & Love to you all! ☮️ ❤️
Tom

Here we go with some new arrival vintage paperbacks added to the cart!! That Naked Lunch is clean as well the City of Ni...
06/17/2026

Here we go with some new arrival vintage paperbacks added to the cart!! That Naked Lunch is clean as well the City of Night which is a 1st printing!

Open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 6pm!
Online Orders Welcome! Hit me up on DM or Message Me!!

How about a nice vintage 1961 Modern Library edition of on June 16th 😉 Wouldn’t that be poetic.Open Tuesday - Saturday...
06/16/2026

How about a nice vintage 1961 Modern Library edition of on June 16th 😉 Wouldn’t that be poetic.

Open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 6pm
Online Orders Welcome! DM or Message me!

Hey fellow travelers!! I’m excited for the next edition of this Thursday night June 18th at the The Slow Down Coffee C...
06/15/2026

Hey fellow travelers!! I’m excited for the next edition of this Thursday night June 18th at the The Slow Down Coffee Co. coffee shop! We have a full lineup of featured poets, a multimedia producer, singer/songwriter, author, and a very special guest!

You won’t want to miss this FREE EVENT that continues to inspire and bring together our communities during these turbulent times in our country. As James Baldwin said:

“The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.”

This time we are kicking off the OPEN MIC at 6pm and our FEATURED GUESTS will begin at 7pm.

Open Mic sign-up starts at 5:30pm

The time is now to bring your voices, your poems, your stories and songs!

See you Thursday!!

Travis Stanley
Sucki Sakima Ra
Ako Abdul-Samad
De’An Keys

Just in time for the weekend! Book Club Editions of classics with amazing artwork from the original first editions! Thes...
06/12/2026

Just in time for the weekend! Book Club Editions of classics with amazing artwork from the original first editions! These are less expensive alternatives to the higher priced true first editions. DJ wrapped in protective mylar. These are all in beautiful shape and appear unread. Look on the new arrivals cart for these beauties! Online orders welcome just DM or Message me!

-Notes From Underground - Fyodor Dostoevsky $25

-Lo**ta - Vladimir Nabokov $35

-All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque $30

One more for all of the horror fans, this hardcover 1st edition contains the original novel with all the extras! It’s ...
06/12/2026

One more for all of the horror fans, this hardcover 1st edition contains the original novel with all the extras! It’s also signed by the editor Leslie S. Klinger on the title page. Introduction by Neil Gaiman. Full of illustrations and notes! Highly collectible stuff for all the children of the night!

-The New Annotated Dracula by Bram Stoker
Edited w/Forward & Notes by Leslie S. Klinger

Norton Publishing 2008
First Edition, 1st printing
613 pages

Near Fine/Very Good+
Binding firm, titles bright, clean boards and text, minor bump to bottom rear board. DJ clean and bright, scuff to rear panel, very light surface wear, otherwise clean. Beautiful book!

$100
Open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 6pm
Online orders welcome! DM or Message me!

Horror film fans this is a great coffee table book filled with photos going way back into the early history of the horro...
06/09/2026

Horror film fans this is a great coffee table book filled with photos going way back into the early history of the horror film. Checkout the table of contents in the photos and find your favorite sub genre, I included a few pics of mine!

- Monsters in the Movies by John Landis
100 Years of Cinematic Nightmares
Penguin Random House 2016
Softcover
320 pages

Very Good+
Binding firm, light crease along spine, minimal edge wear.

$25
Open Tues - Saturday 11am - 6pm
Online sales welcome! DM or Message Me!

Feelin kinda Witchy? This is sure to get you there. Beautifully illustrated coffee table book with history, prose and po...
06/09/2026

Feelin kinda Witchy? This is sure to get you there. Beautifully illustrated coffee table book with history, prose and poetry by Erica Jong. The illustrations by Joseph A. Smith are eye catching and will not disappoint.

-Witches by Erica Jong
Illustrated by Joseph A. Smith
Harry Abrams Publishing, 1981
No edition stated

Near Fine/Near Fine
Binding firm, gilt titles bright, minimal wear. DJ clean with no tears or creasing. DJ protected in a new mylar cover.

$25
Open Tues - Saturday 11am - 6pm
Online sales welcome! DM or Message me!

Address

4211 Chamberlain Avenue
Des Moines, IA
50312

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm

Telephone

+15153148089

Website

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