Cedar Rapids bookstore named in Stephen King's new novel 'Never Flinch'

A Cedar Rapids independent bookstore has been named in Stephen King's new novel, according to a report from KGAN.

Next Page Books, located at 1105 3rd St SE in the New Bohemia neighborhood, appears in King's "Never Flinch," published May 27 by Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

The store originally opened as NewBo Books on July 1, 2012, and was purchased by Bart Carithers in December 2015, who renamed it Next Page Books, according to the store's website.

KGAN reported that the mention occurs on page 206, where a character receives a car and driver from the store. The page number and exact nature of the reference have not been independently confirmed. Carithers, in a Facebook post reported by KGAN, said: "I would love to have a driver. But I'm afraid that's beyond my means. In another life. As for appearing in King's latest, that's pretty phenomenal."

Carithers was a 2024 recipient of a $500 James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus, confirmed by the American Booksellers Association. Author James Patterson said in a statement: "Booksellers save lives. Period. I'm happy to be able to acknowledge them and all their hard work this holiday season."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Next Page Books was featured in KGAN's 'Pay It Forward' segment for providing free book delivery, according to the station.