About Us


Khristal Merklin is a bookseller based in North Texas. Her experience ranges over the span of three decades under the guidance of her late employer and above all, friend, Larry McMurtry.

Larry opened Booked Up in Washington DC in the 1970s and eventually expanded into Houston, Dallas, and Tucson. The final Booked Up stores were located in Archer City, Texas and opened in 1986. Visitors from all around the world traveled to experience the book town that Larry had created. Home to over 200,000 books, there was something there for every reader of every generation.

Khristal devoted three decades of her life to Booked Up. She learned the book trade from the master bookseller himself. She knew every corner of the store and there wasn’t a question she couldn’t answer. Upon Larry McMurtry’s passing, he left the Booked Up legacy to Khristal.

In the Fall of 2022, Khristal decided to sell the buildings and inventory of Booked Up.

Although the books and buildings have sold, Khristal kept the Booked Up name. She decided that the legacy of Booked Up should live on into a new era. Booked Up is now fully online and will continue to provide the best selection of rare & fine books. We are excited to welcome you to our new corner of the internet.

Let us know if you need help finding anything.