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Local Bookstore, Water Brothers, Brings Storytelling—and Soul—Back to Livonia

LIVONIA — 9/3/2025

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Water Brothers Books

In an age dominated by digital screens, algorithmic feeds, and virtual everything, one Livonia family is doubling down on something refreshingly analog: books. Real ones. With pages.

Water Brothers Bookstore, located in Livonia, quietly opened under its new name in August 2023—but the store’s history spans over four decades. Formerly known as The Books Connection, the beloved used bookstore nearly shuttered until Shaun West, a software engineer turned small business owner, stepped in to preserve its legacy.

“It was a store my dad, Jessie, loved,” Shaun says. “When it was closing, I saw it as a chance to finally own a small business and do something with him. The idea was he’d run it and I’d provide the support. A family project.”

Though his father has since stepped back due to health reasons, the spirit of family remains central. Shaun’s sister Kristen and longtime store veteran Charlotte now manage daily operations—ensuring that regulars still find familiar faces and warm recommendations inside. Charlotte has been with the store since 1982. “It is a good fit for me. My skills match the store’s needs,” she says. “I love the people that come in and I love being of service to them.”

In full disclosure, I have been a friend of Shaun’s since middle school. I truly appreciate our relationship and his family. Given that, I may be a bit biased to seeing Shaun, his family, and co-workers like Charlotte succeed. Even so, at Water Brothers you can find books at a great price and I have found great benefits to taking digital breaks before bed to read and relax. Give it a try and find out for yourself.

A Physical Space for Real Connection

As digital fatigue mounts, many Americans are rediscovering the joy of physical books. According to a 2022 Pew Research Center report, while 30% of adults read e-books, over 65% still prefer physical books—citing fewer distractions, better retention, and a more immersive experience. [¹]

Shaun agrees: “I have a Kindle, but I’ve always preferred physical books. It’s hard to explain, but it just feels better. More real.”

Charlotte notes that physical books have a value that can't be found digitally. “Physical books are for all people who love having books in their hand,” she says. “Some people find the books through their digital exploration and some people may read the books digitally, but in the end, most people have converted back to physical books rather than reading a book on their screen. Physical books are more mobile, more interesting, and more real.”

The value of bookstores like Water Brothers extends far beyond their inventory. A study by the American Booksellers Association found that communities with thriving independent bookstores report stronger local economies, more civic engagement, and higher levels of social trust. [²]

Shaun adds, “I think people are tired of how cold and distant everything feels online. Local stores push back against that—they’re about conversation, discovery, and community.”

Escaping the Feed, One Chapter at a Time

With social media use linked to rising anxiety and depression—especially among younger adults—reading offers a therapeutic alternative. A University of Sussex study found that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress by up to 68%, outperforming listening to music or taking a walk. [³] Meanwhile, National Institutes of Health research shows that reading physical books before bed improves sleep quality and reduces screen-related fatigue. [⁴]

“People crave an escape from the digital world,” Shaun notes. “Even I do, and I’ve worked in tech most of my life.”

Charlotte agrees, adding that the store is about more than just a break from screens. “There are many people who find books on the Internet and may listen to them on audio. At the same time they may want the physical book. Our bookstore supports the digital discovery and may send people into used books as a less expensive alternative when learning of books that they may want to explore.”

Water Brothers leans into that analog charm with cozy corners, used-book discounts, and a buy-3-get-1-free deal that keeps regulars coming back. The store also offers rentals and a buyback program, keeping books in circulation and prices affordable.

“Our mystery section is massive,” Shaun says. “And people love browsing and letting serendipity take its course. You don’t get that with Amazon.”

A Legacy of Storytelling—and Service

The store’s name, Water Brothers, is a nod to Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein—one of the first books Shaun’s father read.

“He picked the name. I won’t explain it here,” Shaun smiles. “Pick up the book and give it a read.”

Despite his deep tech background, Shaun’s passion for storytelling, community, and the “old world” shine through the bookstore’s mission.

“Helping our customers is what matters most,” he says. “You just can’t get that level of personal service online.” Charlotte agrees, noting that the personal service is what sets the store apart. “I consider myself a bookseller, not a cashier,” she says.

Charlotte explains that many of the store’s customers have become a part of the bookstore family and have continued to come back for many years. She says that they even meet other people with shared interests and may meet authors. “They may be introduced to other books through a personal suggestion as opposed to simply being able to purchase the thing they want.”

Helping new customers

When a new customer comes in looking for a specific book, Charlotte will walk them through the store to find similar titles even if the book they came in for isn’t in stock. “I can tell them about authors who write similar stories, or other stories, their favorite author has written,” she explains.

Helping existing customers

Charlotte says she goes out of her way to find what existing customers want. “When they are looking for a particular book, they know I will go out of my way to find it for them whether it is in stock at our store, in another store, or has to be hunted for online,” she says. “They also know that I am always on the lookout for series that they are interested in or series that are similar to the ones they read.”

She also keeps her existing customers up to date on new releases. “With my existing customers, I alert them to new authors and new offerings by authors that they like,” Charlotte says. “We strive to meet our customers' needs. If an author is coming, we alert all of the existing customers who have an interest in that author so that they can not only be in attendance but pre-order the book in order to have it signed when the author arrives.”

While he hasn’t ruled out a return to software, for now Shaun is focused on running a space where stories live, curiosity thrives, and people feel welcome.

As screen time continues to climb—with the average American spending over 7 hours a day on digital devices, according to Statista, [⁵]—places like Water Brothers offer something increasingly rare: a break. A slower pace. A chance to hold a story in your hands and turn each page with intention. And in Livonia, it turns out that’s just what readers were looking for.

I encourage everyone to grab your favorite nearby coffee or tea and stroll through the store. Pick up a book or two, take advantage of one of the cozy corners, and take your much-needed break from your digital life.

Water Brothers Bookstore

31208 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154

  • Used & rental books | Buyback program | Buy 3, Get 1 Free
  • Family-run and proudly local
  • waterbrothersbooks.com

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