Welcome to Midnights.
If you're reading this, you've found us—either online, at the Lodi Farmers Market, or maybe you've already stepped through our doors. However you got here, we're so glad you did. Because this space? It's been a long time coming.
It Started With a Feeling
You know that feeling when you walk into a bookshop and something just clicks? The smell of pages, the soft lighting, the quiet hum of people lost in their own literary worlds. That feeling of belonging, of finding *your* place.
We wanted to create that feeling here in Lodi.
For years, we'd talked about it over coffee, over wine, over late-night texts that started with "What if we just…" What if we opened a bookshop? What if we curated shelves that reflected the readers we wanted to be—and the readers we already were? What if we made a space that felt like stepping into a story?
But dreams are one thing. Making them real is another.
The Bookmobile Era
In 2025, we decided to test the waters. Instead of diving straight into a brick-and-mortar shop (terrifying), we started small: a mobile bookshop.
Every week, we'd pack up our carefully curated collection and set up at the Lodi Farmers Market. We brought contemporary fiction, diverse voices, hidden gems—the kinds of books that don't always make it to the front tables at big-box stores. The books *we* wanted to read. The books we knew other readers were hungry for.
And you showed up.
You came for the seasonal reads, the staff picks, the "I've never heard of this author but I trust you" moments. You asked for recommendations. You came back the next week to tell us what you thought. You brought your friends.
We also started popping up at local wineries and breweries—because honestly, what pairs better with a good book than a glass of Lodi wine? Those events felt magical. Books, wine, conversation, community. It was everything we wanted Midnights to be, just… in temporary form.
The "What If" Became "Why Not?"
The more we connected with Lodi's readers, the more we realized: this needed to be permanent.
People kept asking, "When are you opening a real shop?" And at first, we'd laugh nervously and say, "Maybe someday." But someday started to feel like *now*.
We wanted a space where you could linger. Where you could settle into a cozy nook with a stack of books and lose track of time. Where the lighting was warm, the shelves were moody, and the vibe was equal parts literary and lived-in.
We wanted a *third place*—not home, not work, but somewhere in between. A literary living room for Lodi.
We wanted dark academia aesthetics with contemporary heart. Velvet and brass and stacked books. Taylor Swift lyrics scrawled in the margins of our souls (yes, both of us are Swifties—it's non-negotiable).
So we made it happen.
Who We Are
If you haven't met us yet: Hi. We're Selena and Amanda, the co-owners and resident book nerds behind Midnights.
Selena is the merchandising maven—she's the one who curates our shelves with an almost supernatural ability to know what you'll love before you do. She's been a lifelong reader with a passion for horror, romance, and thrillers, and she brings over 20 years of customer service experience (which means she's *really* good at making you feel at home). When she's not stocking the perfect bookish treasures, she's probably humming a Taylor Swift song.
Amanda came to reading later in life, but when she fell, she fell *hard*. She loves nonfiction, mysteries, low-stakes fantasy, magical realism, and coming-of-age stories. With 20+ years in the nonprofit sector, she's all about mission and community—which is why Midnights isn't just about selling books. It's about building something that matters. (Also a Swiftie. Obviously.)
Together, we're creating the bookshop we always wanted to find.
What Midnights Is (And Isn't)
Midnights isn't trying to be everything to everyone. We're not Amazon. We're not a warehouse. We're not chasing trends for the sake of trends.
We are:
- Curated. Every book on our shelves is here for a reason. We track BookTok, follow literary conversations, and champion diverse, contemporary voices.
- Community-driven. We host book clubs, author events, poetry nights, and wine tastings because books are better when they're shared.
- Aesthetic AF. Dark academia meets cozy contemporary. If you love moody lighting, velvet textures, and spaces that feel like stepping into a novel, you're going to love it here.
- A third place. Not home, not work—just a cozy corner of the community where you can breathe, read, and belong.
What's Next?
This is just the beginning.
We're planning monthly book clubs, seasonal themed weekends (Dark Academia Weekend, anyone?), partnerships with local wineries and creatives, and maybe—just maybe—a subscription book box down the line.
We're also building The Midnight Society: our inner circle of readers who get early access to events, exclusive promos, and personalized recommendations. Think of it as the VIP section of the literary world, but cozier. (You can join [here](/midnight-society).)
But more than anything, we're building a space for *you*. For the readers who want more than a transaction. For the people who see books as portals, not just products. For anyone who's ever walked into a bookshop and thought, "I could stay here forever."
Come Find Us
Whether you've been with us since the farmers market days or you're just discovering Midnights now—welcome. Come browse the shelves. Settle into a reading nook. Ask us for a recommendation (we *love* that). Bring a friend. Make this place yours.
Because at Midnights Bookshop, the story doesn't end when you leave.
It follows you home, like a favorite song you can't stop humming.
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Selena & Amanda
Co-Owners, Midnights Bookshop
Lodi, CA
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P.S. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok [@midnightsbookshop](https://instagram.com/midnightsbookshop) for shelf aesthetics, cozy nooks, event updates, and the occasional Taylor Swift reference. We post way too often, and we're not sorry about it.
P.P.S. If you're coming from Sacramento or Modesto, we're about an hour away—perfect for a day trip. Pair your bookshop visit with a stop at a Lodi winery, and you've got yourself a weekend. [See our day-trip guide here](/visit).