Mutiny Bay Books is a novelty among the collection of banks, thrift stores, wineries and restaurants of Freeland’s commercial district.

South Whidbey resident Bob Markey fulfilled his longtime dream of opening a bookstore just last week in Suite 101 of the shopping center located at 1638 E. Main Street.

“I’ve always found the presence of books in a room calming,” he said. “Being in a bookstore, I can read just about anything I want.”

The cozy, one-room shop boasts around 1,500 titles, from “The Chronicles of Narnia” to biographies about former President Bill Clinton and Rolling Stones member Keith Richards to “Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies.”

Markey purchased 10,000 used books from a man who was dedicated to keeping books from going into the landfill. Because of this vast amount, he’s not currently taking donations for his shelves.

“I’ve got a storage locker full,” he said.

Years ago, another shop called the Book Bay was located in the same spot as Markey’s store. Locals might think his store is a revival of the old business, but it’s in fact new.

Earlier in his life, Markey worked at a bookstore owned by Tower Records in Sacramento and later managed a record store.

When he was young, used bookstores helped introduce him to writers such as Edward Abbey, Kurt Vonnegut and Tom Wolfe.

His favorite genre to read is nonfiction, such as books about pop physics, which he described as “dumbed down physics for everybody else who’s not a physical scientist.” The tall shelves in his store represent just about every genre, though.

“Young adult is probably the biggest selling category right now,” he said.

Bookworms can find some out-of-print treasures, such as older editions of books, among the rows.

Some of the first books he sold on opening day included “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” and a collection of stories related to “Harry Potter.” His window display of books has attracted buyers too.

Children’s books are $1 each or three for $2. Paperbacks run $3 and most hardcovers cost $7 or $8.

“It’s all kinds, all used,” Markey said. “It’s a little bit of everything.”

Mutiny Bay Books joins a collection of other independent bookstores on Whidbey Island, which seem to be thriving despite the prevalence of the digital age.

But with the smell of old tomes and the tones of soft classical music in Markey’s shop, it feels like stepping back in time to a different, simpler era altogether.

Mutiny Bay Books is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit the store’s Facebook page or email mutinybaybooks@gmail.com.

Photo by David Welton Bob Markey reads from “Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life” by William Finnegan. It’s one of many titles within his new bookstore, Mutiny Bay Books.