Why Does the World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story

Book People RVA has been serving readers around the world since 1980. Known as the Richmond metro-area book provider for those who prefer a warm, customer-focused buying experience, Book People offers new and used fiction and non-fiction titles and many literary genres. No matter the interaction--through its new store conveniently located in Henrico's far West End or online, customers experience the friendly and rapid service that has convinced so many buyers over the years to use Book People for all their book purchases.

We fulfill orders requested via email, online, or telephone, and we accept special orders such as out-of-print books, international mail orders, and titles from boutique publishers.

Book People has long had a strong community presence and sponsors several book clubs and numerous book and author events. The store supports educators and provides them a 20% discount. As part of its advocacy for free speech, Book People takes a stand against book banning and keeps an up-to-date display of books currently under threat in schools and libraries across the country.

Our history:
Book People founder Ruth Erb first opened the store at an earlier incarnation of the Willow Lawn shopping center. Because she loved books, loved working with people, and wanted to combine the two, she called her new store Book People. In 1986, Erb moved the store to Granite Avenue in the Westhampton part of Richmond, where it did a brisk business. Former store employee David Shuman purchased Book People from Erb in 2018, and he has recently relocated the store to larger quarters in the Gleneagles shopping center in western Henrico.