Melissa Taylor, co-owner of E. Shaver, Bookseller, has spent nearly a decade welcoming locals, students, and visitors from around the world into one of Savannah’s most charming bookshops. From celebrity encounters to insider tips on hidden gems, she shares what makes her city and bookstore truly unforgettable.
Q: What led you to working at E. Shaver, Bookseller?
A: I had worked at Borders for 12 years prior to moving to Savannah. When Borders went out of business, I went to culinary school and was working at a restaurant when I first moved to Savannah. I really missed being around books. I happened to be in E. Shaver one day and ended up striking up a conversation with Jessica, the owner of the shop, and she offered me a very part time job initially. We worked so well together that we eventually became business partners.
Q: What do you love most about running at a bookshop in Savannah?
A: Since Savannah is such a touristy city and because they film so many shows and movies in town, you literally never know who you’ll talk to in a day. I’ve sold books to tourists from all over world and to people like Ben Affleck and Ralph Fiennes. I also really love the SCAD students who shop with us. It’s so fun to meet them as freshmen and eventually watch them graduate.
Q: Favorite thing about living in Savannah?
A: We have some amazing restaurants and I’m extremely food motivated.
Q: Any insider tips on traveling to Savannah?
A: I think the biggest tip I would give to people is to not stay on Bay St. It’s really busy and touristy. There are lots of lovely Airbnbs and other short term vacation rentals throughout the Historic District.
Q: What’s a hidden gem that most tourists overlook?
A: I don’t know how many people that aren’t coming to visit SCAD specifically go to the SCAD Museum of Art, but they have some really incredible exhibits there.
Q: Describe your perfect day off in Savannah.
A: My perfect day off would start with sleeping late, taking my dogs for a long walk, having a nice brunch (we have great brunch places here), going shopping for records at Graveface, grabbing coffee, and then reading my book in one of the parks in Ardsley Park.
Q: What’s a local saying or inside joke travelers should know?
A: It will likely rain at 4 p.m. every day.
Q: What’s one underrated neighborhood or street travelers should explore?
A: I don’t know that it’s underrated, but Washington Ave. It’s outside of the Historic District, but it’s got beautiful houses and beautiful trees.
Q: What’s something travelers often misunderstand or overlook about Savannah?
A: I think for some people, it’s a shock that people here say good morning to each other as we walk around. It definitely took me a minute to get used to.
Q: Who is your favorite local author or literary figure?
A: Taylor Brown
Q: What’s a book that represents your city or region well?
A: I think “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” used to be a good representation of what Savannah was like, but it’s dated at this point. “Kingdoms of Savannah” by George Dawes Green does a good job of portraying a modern Savannah.
Q: Are there any bookish events travelers should know about?
A: The Savannah Book Festival is a great time. It’s the first weekend in February and the array of authors it brings to town is incredible.
Q: Where do writers or readers in Savannah like to hang out?
A: There is a local group called Seersucker that does literary readings and hosts meetups for authors in town. Readers can be found at the monthly Silentish Book Club meeting that happens at Starland Yard or any of the eight book club meetings we host at our shop each month.
Q: If a book lover had just one day in Savannah, what should they do?
A: I would visit the Flannery O’Connor childhood home. It’s interesting to see where Flannery started her life and the people who run the museum are lovely. A visit to the Mercer Williams house which figures prominently in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” would definitely be on the agenda too. I would then suggest a bookstore crawl through downtown. There’s obviously our shop, but also The Book Lady and Books on Bay, which are two excellent used and antiquarian shops.
Q: If Savannah were a genre or character, what would it be?
A: Definitely Southern gothic.
Q: Best place to spend a lazy afternoon with a book?
A: Under one of the live oaks in McCauley Park.
Quick Hits
- Favorite book set in or based on Savannah: “Among the Living” by Jonathan Rabb
- Best time of year to visit Savannah: December-March, it’s beautiful here then. The summer is absolutely miserable!
- Favorite local restaurant: Flora and Fauna
- Favorite local bakery: Auspicious
- Favorite local coffee shop: Foxy Loxy
- Describe Savannah in one word: Eclectic
- Favorite museum or activity: A Savannah Ghost Pirates hockey game
- Favorite local charity: Renegade Paws, a local dog rescue. They do amazing work in the community and one of my personal furry kids, Prudence, came from them.
Follow E. Shaver, Bookseller on Instagram at e.shaver_bookseller and eshaver_starland.