A reader friend once quipped that she wished someone would make her a punch card—like one of those frequent shopper cards, you know?—for all the independent bookstores she visits on her travels. She doesn’t really care what the reward is, she just wants the satisfaction of filling it up.
I get it. I love visiting new-to-me bookstores and old favorites. I’ve been known to bend my route many, many miles out of the way in order to visit an indie bookstore, or to plan a trip to a city because of the bookstore.
I’ve visited a ton of bookstores over the years, but I got a serious bookstore education back in 2018 when I hit the road for I’d Rather Be Reading. I’ve never been to so many in such a short period of time, before or since. I learned so many interesting things on that book tour, and closed the book on that experience with a whole new appreciation for and way of looking at indie bookstores. Literary puns always intended.)
Visiting twenty-something stores one after another highlighted how different they are—in staff, in selection, in vibe. No two indies are alike; every bookstore has its own personality.
Some stores feel like libraries, some feel like parties. Some are quirky and charming, others feel more sophisticated. Some are friendly and chatty, others encourage you to browse in silence.
Of course that personality is evident in the mood of a store, but it’s also evident in the decor, the merchandise, even the books on the shelves. I think it’s the very variety on offer—the knowledge that no two stores are alike, that there are still so many bookstore personalities I haven’t encountered yet—that makes me eager to keep visiting new stores. And, in the same way you sometimes get the urge to chat with one particular friend, I’m eager to make return trips to indies I already know and love.
The My Reading Life book journal has a page to track bookstores and other literary destinations you’d like to visit—and an accompanying book list devoted to books about books and bookstores!
I haven’t visited many new-to-me stores this year, but I’ve made it to a few: last summer I got to visit Boulder Bookstore and the new location of Tattered Cover in Colorado Springs, plus Macdonald Bookshop in Estes Park. In the summer we made it to The Little Professor in Birmingham (that’s their staff picks section featured at the top of this post), and just this month I got to visit Nashville’s Novelette and The Bookshop of East Nashville. (I didn’t realize I’d been to that many until I sat down to tell you about them!) I still have so many more I want to visit—and I’m learning about new ones every week!
My list of bookstores to visit is already long, but—much like my burgeoning and impossibly-long TBR—I’m happy to add to it. The 10th annual Independent Bookstore Day is happening on Saturday, April 29, so now’s a great time to celebrate our favorites. With that in mind:
Tell us about your favorite indie in comments! How would you describe its personality? We’re all book people here, which means we’d LOVE to hear all about it.
195 comments
My favourite indie bookstore here in the Uk where I live is Harris & Harris in Clare, Suffolk. the shop is tiny but Mrs H has a discriminating taste and I have found some unexpected, now favourite, books here such as ‘Havana Fever’ by Leonardo Padura. it feels like visiting an old friend and Mrs H usually has a ‘fruit based snifter'(home made alcoholic beverage such as Rhubarb and Ginger gin) to offer regular customers. In my new home town of Sheffield there is Rhyme and Reason which specialises in children’s books. I went looking for a present for my neighbours daughter and they found a selection of books in stock in which the children featured looked like her (she is of British Asian heritage) and even a book especially for children who are deaf- pretty impressive for a small store.
I’ve only been in once but I loved Harris & Harris!
I live in Waco, TX, and our family loves Fabled Bookstore! They host many local author talks and events, have literary inspired drinks (think Raspberry Cordial, Muggle Mocha, and Frobscottle), and allow children to enter the children’s nook through the wardrobe into Narnia.
I love Fabled. I live in Dallas but have been there half a dozen times, even making a trip for author events. It is delightful!
Wild Geese Bookshop in Franklin IN. Great selection of books and accessories. Staff very helpful.
Many special events in the shop and community and activities on the front porch.
My favorite indie bookstore is Sundog in Seaside, FL. I love visiting the shop every year as soon as we arrive at the beach! It’s small and filled with people, but I just love the feel of it and then walking upstairs to the record shop. Excited to be there this Saturday as they celebrate independent bookstores day!
I also love any bookstore that has a resident kitty! 😻
I’m so glad I saw your comment, Kim R., my husband and I will be making a trip down to the panhandle area this year so I’ll have to check out Sundog!!
Thanks for the recommendation. I’m going to be in Seaside next month. I’m definitely going to visit Sundog!
I was there last June. We’ll be back there in September. Great little store. If you are ever in South Alabama check out page & pallet in the beautiful bayside town of Fairhope.
Wish I had known about sundog earlier just got back from 30A. I would have loved to explore Sundog. Next time I will make it there.
Sundog is One of my favorites- I go every tine I’m there.
I love Sundog too…. And the Hidden Lantern right down 30A in Rosemary Beach.
Kim, if you decide to do mountains instead of beach then you can come to Park City, UT and go to Dolly’s. Fun little shop named after the resident and very friendly cat, Dolly.
Bear Pond Books, Montpelier, Vermont Has been here a long time, at the heart of Montpelier. We supported them big time during the pandemic, and they support us big time “matching books & readers” They also have readings (my favorites have been Ed Koren, Abigail Thomas & Madeline Kunin) The floors are creaky wood, the upstairs children’s & YA room has a turtle named Veruca, a reading loft and the most knowledgeable people EVER to advise and help. Claire (who’s in my book group!) and Rob are wonderful. I love going in to browse, check out Staff Picks and enjoy the atmosphere!
I just moved to the Montpelier area and now, based on your description, I can’t wait to check out Bear Pond Books!
Boswell Bookstore in Milwaukee, WI. Great depth of books, some used books, but way more new books. If you talk to the owner, Daniel, he gives great recommendations. Most recently he guided me to Leonard and Hungary Paul. It is a terrific read based on two offbeat characters who totally accept each other. Everyone I have recommended it to has loved it.
Anyway, the bookstore is delightful.
What a fabulous experience, Patty! I’m eager to visit Boswell myself: I was scheduled to go in April 2020 and we all know how that turned out. One day!
We live in Boise, ID and it’s been so fun to watch The Rediscovered Bookshop grow and become such an integral part of the community. My daughters especially love going in and there’s never any rush from the staff- they can look at picture books for hours in there and we have found some of their favorites. We’re excited to visit and show them some support on Saturday.
I am adding more applause for Rediscovered Books. Their second location in Caldwell, Idaho is a delight! Owners Bruce and Laura are lovely people.
Yes! It’s my local indie and I love it so much. I am so glad they came out to Caldwell!!
I’m excited to check it out on my next visit over the state line. Years ago we hung out in a bookstore in downtown Boise with our young sons, but I couldn’t remember the name or exact location. Thanks!
We are new owners of a bookstore in Gatlinburg, TN. We opened The Next Chapter Bookshop last year in the Glades Arts and Crafts Community and we are surrounded by The Smokies. This is a lifelong dream fulfilled and we are having a great time! Come visit us and meet our bookshop dog, Pepper. The MMD blog has been so helpful to us! Susie and Steve Wilson
Hi The Next Chapter Bookshop! I’m coming in from middle TN this weekend for the Women of Joy conference. I will be stopping by!
I’m going to a conference in Gatlinburg in September and will definitely plan a visit to The Next Chapter!
Susan, congrats on your new bookstore! I can’t wait to come visit.
We are planning a trip to that area in June, 2024, and hope to visit.
Estes Park, CO has a wonderful bookstore, MacDonalds, which has been located in the same place since 1928. Staff is always well versed on latest books and each nook and cranny has lots of books to explore.
Also in Estes Park is the Cliffhanger which sells only used books and sales benefit the local library. It is staffed by volunteers!
I didn’t know it was staffed by volunteers! We had such a lovely visit there last summer. We’ll have to go back so we can visit the Cliffhanger.
I have to give a shout out to The Kings English in Salt Lake City! It’s a small store that packs a lot of punch. It has a cozy feel that makes you want to stay all day. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and there are “staff picks” throughout the store. The children’s section is adorable! The Kings English did a big pivot during the Covid shutdown, with online shopping and a shipping container where you could pick up your books safely. The community rallied around The Kings English during this tough time because we did not want to lose our indie! If you are ever in Salt Lake, you should drop by!
I second The Kings English bookstore. So cozy and the staff recommendations are top notch. It feels like family
I LOVE the King’s English! I try to stop in whenever I get to SLC.
I just made my first trip there while we are here in SLC. I plan to go back at least one more time before we leave. Unfortunately, I can’t make an author talk but they have some great options coming up. I love how the bookstore changes levels and has little hallways full of bookish delights. Definitely in my top ten from our travels!
The Bookstore Plus is my favorite indie bookstore! Situated on the shore of Mirror Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, the selection of books is varied and ever changing. The store hosts many events including author talks, book signings, a book club, and story times. The best part of the store — the staff! They know their stuff and have great book recommendations. Looking forward to Saturday’s Independent Bookstores Day!
Ooh, Lake Placid! I have not been to that book store! Will plan on it during my next visit.
Pocket Books just opened last year in Lancaster, PA and it is such a welcome addition to the area! It is female owned by three friends and they have done so many special events since opening. Taylor Swift listening parties, donuts on the front porch, craft nights, etc. They have such a wide variety of books, especially romance, which is fun to browse. It is always cozy and welcoming!
I’m so excited to hear about this one! We’re planning to stop in Lancaster overnight on the way two and from the Finger Lakes this summer to break up the drive from VA. Perfect opportunity to stock up on vacation reads!
What a delightful surprise to see someone already suggested Pocket Books! I absolutely love having a neighborhood bookstore– a dream come true!
Yes!! I live in Lancaster City and always wished for a bookstore like this close by – it really is a dream come true!
My best friend just opened an indie bookstore in Larchmont, NY. It’s J Anderson’s Books. She bought from previous owners and rebranded. She put her own touch on it and made it into an incredible spot. It’s cozy, it’s calming and it’s beautiful. She’s inspiring.
So many great independent bookstores that it’s impossible to just name one! We love bbgb Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia (bbgbbooks.com). Great, curated selection primarily for kids, but with a wonderful section for teens and adults too. Bluebird & Co. in Crozet, Virginia (bluebirdcrozet.com). The cutest blue shop with a yellow door, and just the best selection of books. And our hometown New Dominion Bookshop (ndbookshop.com) in Charlottesville, Virginia, with stacks of books and the most helpful staff around!
Caroline, I live in Farmville and make frequent trips to both Richmond and Cville, but never knew about any of these bookstores! Bluebird sounds delightful! Thanks for the info–will be visiting all three soon.
Bluebird is SUPER cute and they have a very fun Instagram account, too!
So excited to see the love for Cville bookstores!! Absolutely love Bluebird & Co! The store’s vibe and selection is just perfect for me, and they host some really great events. New Dominion is excellent as well!
One of my favorite indie stores is Book People in Austin Texas. It’s a spacious store filled to the brim with books. They host events and support the Texas Book Festival.
Another I found recently on a trip to San Antonio is The Twig. It’s located in the Pearl area of SA and has a very welcoming feel with lots of great selections.
Love Book People and will check out the Twig!!!
I recently purchased the majority ownership of my local indie, WordsWorth Books in Little Rock, AR. The store has been in the same location for about 30 years and has a wonderful core customer base and is growing that slowly by expanding our events and community engagement. I’m finding out the realities of absolutely loving what I do while never having worked harder in my life! We have a wonderful staff with lots of varied experience and also varied reading tastes and expertise. April has been a very busy month with author events, including being the bookseller for David Sedaris this past Monday night. It’s a good life!
I love to visit and support other indies when I travel. Some of my favorites are Pearls Books in Fayetteville, AR, Sundog Books in Seaside, Malaprops in Asheville, E.Shaver Booksellers in Savannah…I could go on and on. One of the things I love about indies, both mine and others, is that we aren’t just here to sell books; we are creating a community of readers who make the world a better place to live. That’s true of the MMD community as well and I’m thankful for your support (and all of the great book content that helps me be a better bookseller!)
I second E.Shaver in Savannah!
Yay E. Shaver! And Book Lady too!
Kandi, congratulations! I love WordsWorth so much! We live in Denver, CO but every time we visit my in-laws in Little Rock we always stop in to the shop to browse.
RJ Julia bookstore in Madison, CT. Is a favorite. The vibe is friendly and welcoming. Ive bought so many of the books that are recommended by staff. Oh, and did I mention the fabulous cafe, with its own beautiful, quiet patio for warm weather dining?!
I LOVE RJ Julia! My parents retired to that area, and even though they no longer live there, it is a mandatory detour stop whenever I travel up I-95. They have a great annual book club brunch in conjunction with Hachette Publishing. It used to be an annual event in NYC but has gone either online or hybrid due to Covid.
I love RJ Julia, I’m about 30 minutes from there. I also travel almost an hour to visit Hickory Stick Bookshop that is a lot of fun in Washington Depot, CT. For Gilmore Girls fans, it’s the area of CT where the series was set with a Stars Hollow Yarn Shop nearby and it’s fun to visit.
I of course have to shout out the indie I work at – Annie’s Books and Gifts on Cape Cod! This area has so many great indies though, Annie’s is mostly used books but Sea Howl just down the street is mostly new. And The Brewster Bookstore, The Yellow Umbrella, and Where the Sidewalk Ends are all amazing spots with their own vibe, just like Anne said. If you’re on the Cape for a visit this summer you should totally put these places on your list!
We’ve been going to Chatham, MA for decades. My daughter and son-in-law own a home there now. Where the Sidewalk Ends is a favorite as is the Yellow Umbrella. They both host author signings and I was lucky enough to catch Sebastian Junger and Mary Higgins Clark years ago.
Being from the area, I love that bookstore so much too. Have to go buy a book whenever I’m up in Lake Placid which is often. My favorite local indie is Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs, NY. It’s wonderful with fantastic displays, great merchandise and a phenomenal children’s section upstairs. But even this gem pales in comparison to its flagship store in Manchester, VT. Anne (if you read this) you must visit it at some point.
The above was supposed to be a reply to Christine!
My favorite local indie is also Northshire! The original in Manchester, VT is so amazing. A cozy warren of room upon room of books, plus an amazing cafe and wonderful children’s space. The second local in Saratoga is also good, but nothing compares to the VT original! It is a must visit for all indie bookstore lovers.
I was vacationing in the Vermont area and discovered the bookstore in Manchester but couldn’t remember the name. You are right it is truly amazing I spent the whole day there. Also have a great little cafe.
I recently visited the Oxford Exchange in Tampa Florida while vacationing. It is such a cool place. You can eat there or have coffee or tea, champagne bar. Such a neat place to visit! Also, when eating there, they bring your check in an old book. 🙂
Yes, such a wonderfully curated space! If you visit St. Petersburg you should also try The Library restaurant with the same owners. Not the same shopping experience, but delicious food and beautiful setting.
I live in The Bronx,NYC. There is only ONE indie bookstore here. It’s called The Lit Bar and what I love about it is two things:
1) it’s owned by a Black woman
2)It serves wine!
I STRONGLY suggest anyone visiting NYC visit. The books are mostly by POC, which is a great bonus!
If you find yourself in Spokane, WA, I highly recommend that you check out Auntie’s (and the adjacent sister shop, Uncle’s, which has an amazing selection of board games)! Auntie’s has a wonderfully curated selection and you’ll want to be literary besties with each member of the very knowledgeable staff.
I live in Spokane and yes, Auntie’s is a treasure!
Yes! I love Auntie’s so much! It’s such a local treasure and they put on really great events, too.
City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC is located in the mountains of western NC. There is a cafe downstairs and a resident cat named Cedric. But the best part is the bookstore itself. Southern Appalachian literature, great staff and community events all add to the delight of finding this little gem tucked away in downtown Sylva. Worth the drive from Asheville.
I love this bookstore!!!! It’s totally worth the drive from Asheville and I love making a “Sylva” day of it!
Taking notes for my next trip to NC!
We always have to stop at City Lights in Sylva then head to Malaprops in Asheville. I think City Lights was the beginning of my love affair with Indy bookstores so many years ago so it retains a special place in my heart.
Yes!!! We live nearby in BC, and it is one of my favorite places to be. We have spent many, many hours there. Its staff are fantastic, and my kids love visiting the children’s nook and Cafe.
I went to City Lights recently and loved it! And Sylva in general. I will echo that it’s definitely worth making a day trip! It is such a cozy and quaint little mountain town.
One of the most magical bookstores I have ever been to is Parnassus, in Nashville, owned by the author Ann Patchett, which I went out of my way to visit (like a pilgrimage…). They have a fabulous Instagram account and one of the highlights of my week is every Tuesday when they do a round up of all the new releases they recommend, and every Friday when they give a recommendation of an older book you may have missed!
I’m also partial to my local store Politics and Prose, one of the giants in the Indie bookstore world, I think, I’m lucky it’s only a few minutes from my house in NW DC. You can barely walk in there in the weekends, it’s so full of fellow book nerds. They have everything you could possibly want, and it is impossible to walk in without being tempted.
For sheer size, The Strand in NYC and Powell’s Books in Portland blew me away…
And for the unique set up, Daunt Books in London is billed as a bookstore for travelers, and organized on one floor by country! A very fun way to browse.
I’m going to London in the fall and can’t wait to check out Daunt! I haven’t been to Parnassus yet but I have loved visiting Politics & Prose, The Strand and Powell’s.
I’m going to London in June and can’t wait to revisit Daunt (Marleybone location)! You should also add Hatchard’s and Foyle’s to your list. There’s so many great bookstores there!
I live in Portland OR and Powells is astonishing
We’ve made two trips to Nashville with the primary goal of visiting Parnassus. Great atmosphere, great recommendations. . . We always leave with a stack of books!
You are not the only one to plan a pilgrimage to Parnassus :). The donut shop down the way is great too!
I live in Anchorage, Alaska, and we have a great Indie bookstore called “Title Wave Book.” It’s a used/new store and so they buy books too! They have an amazing selection of Alaska authors and topics, a drool worthy kids’ section, and they keep up with local events like “Battle of the Books.” I always find treasures there.
Other bookstore loves of mine are Auntie’s in Spokane, WA, Politics and Prose in DC, and the late Saturn books in Gaylord, MI.
I loved Title Wave when we lived there!!!!! Many happy memories of their huge selections.
My husband and I just moved to the Charlotte, NC area and one of the main reasons I am so excited about this is it puts me closer to Goldberry Books in downtown Concord, NC. This is a fantastically browsable bookstore that mixes new and used books for sale on their shelves. The have a wonderful children’s room and gobs of book-related items that are as much fun to browse as the books themselves.
I am planning a bookish road trip from Panama City, Florida to Iowa for a friend’s 50th birthday. I can’t wait to stop at some of the great Indies!
My favorite bookstore where I live now is A Novel Escape in Franklin,NC they are located on Main Street and it is such a cozy welcoming place so many places to sit and stay for a while. They have new and used books and some great vintage books as well. Liz the owner is awesome at helping you find exactly what you’re looking to read, she has broadened my reading so much over the last couple of years! Brody the official store greeter is the best dog, so sweet and friendly. We are so lucky to have such a great bookstore in our little town. (About 2 hours from Ashville)
My favorite bookstore when I lived in FL was Chamblin’s Used Books in Jacksonville. (they have two locations. I personally have never been to the downtown location but I’ve heard it’s great as well. There’s a coffee shop in that one) Make sure you take your list if you go because it can be a little overwhelming on your first visit. This bookshop is great for anyone who is looking to fill in books missing from their library as well as get the latest releases., or discover something old that’s new to you. You can get lost in the stacks in more than one way lol make sure you grab a map, my kids literally got lost the first time that we went there.
I love:
Sundog Books in Seaside, FL
Malaprop’s in Asheville, NC
Browse About Books in Rehobeth Beach
Northshire Bookstore in Manchester VT
We go to Bethany Beach every summer (shoutout to Bethany Beach Books – one of my favs!) and I’ve never heard of Browse About Books – putting it on my list for this year – thanks!
I live outside Bethany Beach and enjoy shopping Bethany Beach Books but it doesn’t hold a candle to Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach. When you come our way this summer, also check out The Buzzed Word in Ocean City, MD. It is a bookstore/wine store/wine bar.
I make a point to visit at least one indie bookstore in every place we visit! I recently visited and loved Old Fox Books in Annapolis, MD. Here at home in Fort Worth, I adore Monkey & Dog Books! The kindest people and they have a shop dog – what more could you want?!
I just visited the Outerbanks, NC with my two sisters for a sisters week. We love to visit bookstores when we travel. We visited the Buxton Village Bookstore in Buxton, NC. We took the ferry to Ocracroke Island to spend the day and visited the Books to be Red bookstore. Both were charming bookstores in fabulous settings.
I love the Outer Banks and every time I visit over the summer, I have to go to Island Bookstore in Kitty Hawk! The bookmark alone is reason to get a book there. Just says summer and beach!
If you ever get the chance, follow the yellow brick road and make your way to The Story Shop in Monroe, Georgia. This children’s book store is outfitted with the most whimsical spots throughout the store. Every wall has something magical to see–the Hobbit hole, Narnia wardrobe, book ladder, event room, and much, much more! Don’t forget to spot the friendly book mouse before leaving too. Love, love, love this book store!
A room of one’s own in Madison WI is lovely however a bit closer to home I love naughty dog books in brown county, IN and Viewpoint Books in Columbus, IN
I’ve not been to A Room of One’s Own bookstore in Madison, but will certainly make the short 75 min drive to go there. Thanks for the tip!
Second A Room of One’s Own! They have a well-curated selection, knowledgeable and passionate staff, cool events, and a great emphasis on community building. Women and Children First in Chicago is also fantastic, with a similar vibe.
I love Wildgeese Bookshop in Franklin, Indiana; it’s not exactly in my neighborhood but it’s worth the 30-minute or so drive! This bookshop is how I found out about What Should I Read Next in the first place, so for that alone I am grateful but the shop owner Tiffany and her lovely staff have made this shop a beautiful gathering place and community-builder. Franklin is a quaint, special little town with big heart and the bookshop contributes to that tenfold.
Also, not a favorite **yet** because I haven’t gotten to go yet, but Indianapolis (my neck of the woods) has a brand new indie called Tomorrow Books that opened in early April, my first trip will be on IBD this Saturday. I’ll have to post again once I’ve gone 🙂
I love Wild Geese! I’m grateful that they sent you our way.❤️ And I was excited to hear about Tomorrow Books—Indy isn’t terribly far from me and I’m excited to visit!
I’m in Houston, TX and I love Blue Willow Bookshop (Anne has visited it on her book tours!), Brazos Books, which has an excellently curated selection of Indie books, and just across the street from Brazos, Murder By the Book, a bookstore that specializes in mysteries, obviously. But a jewel of a bookstore is one of Houston’s newest called Kindred Stories. It’s Black owned and focuses on celebrating Black authors and artisans. The shop is beautiful, the staff is so knowledgeable, and the selection is thoughtful and varied. I wanted to stay all day and read and collect beautiful houseplants!
A few of my favorites are Arcadia Books in Spring Green, Wisconsin, Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in Asheville, NC and Indy Reads Books in Indianapolis!
I live in Royal Oak, Michigan and a few of my favorites in Michigan are Literati in Ann Arbor, McLean & Eakin in Petosky and Brilliant Books in Traverse City. John King Books in Detroit is a 5 story used bookstore that is always worth a visit.
While I haven’t been in person to the Bookshelf, in Thomasville,GA I am a frequent visitor via online. I have been a distant costumer of theirs for years. Annie B. Jones the owner is delightful and has a podcast called “From the Front Porch” that is magical. I also have had a “shelf-subscription” for years were I receive a bespoke book each month from one of the staff members. Highly recommend!!!! Eventhough I haven’t visited in person I feel I know this bookstore like a great friend!
I agree Stephanie, I also am a virtual customer but feel I know the Bookshelf through the podcast and Instagram! And the staff has been so helpful. I have book subscriptions for my grandchildren and they have moved twice since I’ve been subscribing and the team is great at updating addresses and just being super friendly!
Shouting out WORD here in Jersey City (they have a Greenpoint, Brooklyn location too). And highly recommend Ida’s Bookshop in Collingswood, NJ and Harriet’s Bookshop in Philadelphia. Both are owned by Black women. One is named for the legendary journalist, Ida B. Wells. And the other for revolutionary activist Harriet Tubman.
Book and Cover in Chattanooga, TN is a relatively new indie bookstore whose motto is “read books, stay curious”. The shop is cozy and inviting, and they have a wonderfully curated book selection. One of the three founders/co-owners taught my daughter’s sophomore history class in High School, which is a fun connection. Book and Cover also hosts many book clubs covering multiple themes and genres which meet at the store and bookstore patrons can sign up to participate. If you’re in the Chattanooga area, check it out!
As a Nashvillian – I love The Bookshop because Joelle brings the best translated literature into her shop and her monthly subscription is so good. Her recommendations always make the top of my list every year.
I just got to visit for the first time—can totally see why you love it!
I have to visit every indie bookstore that I can whenever I travel, and I surprise everyone when I tell them that the best one I’ve been to is in Las Vegas, NV. The Writer’s Block on the edge of downtown Las Vegas is my favorite place. So many interesting titles and a great atmosphere. My dad lives there and he jokes that I am the only person who goes to Vegas for the book scene.
I also love Collected Works in Santa Fe. I felt the need to visit them every day on my vacation.
If you are ever in Minneapolis, my favorite local bookstore is Eat My Words. It is a homey used bookstore with the best curated content ever.
I’m from minneapolis and go back frequently but haven’t heard of that one! Where is it?
It is on 13th Ave NE just off of University Ave. in the Sheridan neighborhood. They relocated a few years ago to a former pottery shop and the potter still sells some of his work in a small corner of the store. Definitely worth a visit!
My absolute favorite so far is Birchbark Books in Minneapolis, MN. This bookstore is like a character in a book filled with so many colorful books and crannies, you can help but get lost in the magic of just being there. In fact this bookstore is a main character in The Sentence by Louise Erdrich, who owns this bookstore. I just love it!
My local favorite is Boswell Books in Milwaukee, WI.
Monarch Books in Arroyo Grande, CA is a new and welcomed addition to our village downtown. Warm kind book sellers. There is a section featuring local authors along with a nice selection of children’s books.
I live in Portland, OR and we have so many great indie bookstores! Powell’s is my neighborhood bookstore, and I’m there all the time. It’s my happy place. Annie Bloom’s will always have my heart though. I grew up going there with my parents. It’s another fabulous little neighborhood store I. SW Portland that has been there for what feels like forever. Plus they have a shop cat!
Wild Rumpus in minneapolis for children’s books. Fun to visit even if you don’t have kids. Birchbark Books also in minneapolis— owned by Louise Erdrich. Small but excellent staff picks and I always leave with something I hadn’t heard of, usually by an indigenous author.
Small World books on Venice beach, LA. Great poetry section and just such a lovely quiet vibe in contrast to the regular tourist beach energy.
My daughter lives in the Twins and I stop in Birchbark Books every year or so when we are there for a visit.
Bookstores are. my. weakness. This past summer I was able to visit Blackstones in Oxford (could have stayed all day) and Persephone Books in Bath. Closer to home, I’m very excited that we have a growing book scene in Lakeland, FL. This week there’s even a book crawl to celebrate our indies! https://www.lakelandbookcrawl.com/
My favorite is definitely Pressed Books downtown which has become such a gathering spot for me. It’s not big, but there are great book options, always some local art to check out, and you can get a coffee or tea while you’re at it.
Sundance Books in Reno, Nevada is a real gem. Located in an historic mansion downtown, Sundance has a wide selection and hosts frequent author events. When I am out of town, Bookshop Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, CA) is one of my favorites in the quirky beach town.
My favorite bookstore is the Bookbar in Denver, CO. Unfortunately I think they closed a few months ago =(. They had an inviting bar area, reading space and GREAT backyard patio. It looks like in your pic #9 of the “10 things I learned on book tour” post – that you were perhaps AT Bookbar ?
I was indeed! We have family nearby so I had the pleasure of visiting many a time while they were open, including book tour in 2018!
I love my hometown (Kansas City) indie Rainy Day Books and I’m dying to go to Beacon Hill Books in Boston.
My favorites are Beartooth Books in Red Lodge, MT and Country Bookshelf in Bozeman, MT.
Country Bookshelf has been a favorite of mine since the 90s. I love stopping in there every time I am in Bozeman. I particularly love their selection of Montana authors.
May fav indie is The Midtown Scholar in Harrisburg, PA. Can’t wait to visit there on Saturday. They will also be having a tent sale! 📚 Always a great time! 🤓👍
I was just going to suggest Midtown Scholar! Between three floors of books, sale carts and lots of programming, what’s not to love?? We’re actually getting ready to head to the tent sale right now.
Raven Book Store in Lawrence, KS is a real treat. And I second the love for Rainy Day Books in Kansas City. Both are personal favorites.
Visiting independent bookshops, wherever I go is a passion of mine!
Some of my favorites are:
Parnassus Books in Nashville
Landmark Books in Franklin, TN
Chapters on Main in Van Buren, AR
The Tattered Cover, Denver
Blackwells, Oxford
We own a lake house in Apple Valley, Ohio and nearby Mt Vernon is home to Paragraphs Book Store. Our grandkids put “going to the bookstore” right up there with tubing and S’mores on their lists of fun things they love to do at the lake.
Here in Cincinnati, Joseph-Beth Booksellers never disappoints ❤️
When I have time off this summer it’s my plan to visit every bookstore in town and every library. I’m fairly new to the area, and haven’t had a chance to do that yet!
Pig City Books in Lexington, NC! It’s called Pig City because our town has the most bbq restaurants per capita of any city in the world. Pig City Books is the first bookstore in our county in ten years and has become a hub in the community by facilitating book clubs, chess clubs, writing groups, and even birthing a book festival.
“A Mystery to Me” in Madison Wisconsin. They have more than just mysteries.
I loved Mystery to Me, also. A great, helpful staff.
Where the Sidewalk Ends in Chatham, Massachusetts (on Cape Cod) is one of my absolute favorite Bookstores! It is filled with both locally published authors, books of local interest (and on Cape Cod there’s plenty to be interested about! But there is also so much in every other category – and a whole separate building just for children and even a few children’s toys. The entire store is bright, breezy and just all around a lovely place to be. It is a “must stop” for me every year when we go to Chatham for our vacation!
I love to browse the bookstores in any town I visit. My favorites are the ones that feature used and new books. Not just because of price, but the used books often reflect the character of the readers in the community.
On a recommendation from a waiter in Helena, MT, we ran down a fairly hidden used bookstore in Ft. Benton, MT called River Break Basecamp (talk about a nom de plume). We found the owner asleep and browsed for a while before gently waking him for our purchases. I have fairly offbeat tastes that it is great fun to find a hidden treasure, (which I did on this trip, a Montana writer James Welch, and a one by Ted Conover)
We were under the impression that the building had been designed by F.L. Wright or an apprentice, but the owner disabused us of that notion, stating that it just had some similar features.
The indie bookstore I frequent the most is Apostle Islands Booksellers in Bayfield, WI. Bayfield is on the shore of Lake Superior. It is a quaint little town in northern Wisconsin.
One of the nation’s largest independent bookstores…
The Book Loft of German Village is located at 631 South Third Street in Columbus, Ohio, just a few blocks South of the state capitol building. The pre-Civil War era buildings that once were general stores, a saloon, and a nickelodeon cinema, now are home to 32 rooms of Bargain Books. It’s a maze of books with every genre of book available and amazing book paraphernalia! A MUST SEE IN COLUMBUS, OHIO!
Plott Hound Books in the tiny Western North Carolina town of Burnsville is a great little store with an eclectic collection of books, including topics related to Appalachian history and folklore. I always find something new when I visit!
Besides being the most beautiful place in the world, Northern Michigan is home to McLean and Eakin, our family favorite bookshop! It’s a first, middle, and last stop for any trip to Petoskey, with each of us making a beeline to choose something from a different area – Bookseller Recommends, book club selections, local lore, history… and always a new puzzle to have at the ready for a rainy afternoon. Add to it the friendliest, most knowledgeable staff & wonderful events – we ❤️ M&E!
Read Between the Lynes in Woodstock, Illinois for sure, Anne! Woodstock is a cute, family friendly town in Northern Illinois. Read between the Lines is a staple on the Woodstock Square, where parts of the movie Groundhog Day were filmed. Arlene Lynes started the store with a vision years ago, and has kept the dream alive with a store full of books, wonderful gifts and coffee. They kept alive through Covid with pick up and even home delivery service. Please come and visit!!!
I was just at Read Between the Lynes yesterday on my way to Chicago. My friend and I took a slight detour to have lunch on the famous town square in Woodstock, and there was the beautiful bookstore. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to spend there.
I love the Full Circle book store in Oklahoma City! They actually have a punch card system there; fill the card and you get a huge discount on your next store visit. And they have a selection of nightshirts perfect for book lovers!
My favorite book store is “The Book Bus Depot” in Cincinnati. Small,charming and friendly along with the added bonus of a 1962 Volkswagen truck made into a book bus housed inside. All profits are used to buy children’s books to help build classroom libraries.
Yes! I’ve been skimming the comments to see if someone would mention the Book Bus and now the Book Bus Depot. I support them virtually because of how the profits are used. It is a hope of mine to visit in person someday.
Thank You, Laurie!!
if you are ever near Columbus Ohio, don’t miss The Book Loft – 30+ rooms of books!
I live in Houston, TX and THE BEST indie bookstore is Murder By the Book! The staff is incredible and knowledgeable, especially about books in the mystery and thriller genre. They also host book signings year round with authors from all over the world! Check it out next time you visit Houston.
We are incredibly lucky to have three independent bookstores very near us on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio: Loganberry Books on Larchmere Rd. within Cleveland city limits and both Mac’s Backs and Appletree Books in Cleveland Heights.
My favorite indie bookstore is Politics and Prose in NW Washington, DC. Not only for books, also for author interviews and new book talks. These were interrupted by the pandemic but surely are returning.
Bookstores are one of favorite places to visit, as well.
Belmont Books in Belmont,Ma is a favorite. They will wrap your book while you wait if you’re buying a present! And there’s a great little cafe in store.
The Silver Unicorn in West Acton, MA is small, but one of the only indies locally. They keep current in best sellers and will order what you’re looking for if they don’t have it in stock. And what’s not to love about their name!
The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles is amazing — it’s in a former bank building, and even the old vault is full of books. It sells new & used and is a truly massive store (22,000 square feet!). The second floor has a bunch of small stores where you can buy things from independent craftspeople.
Another great place to visit in the L.A. area is the Ripped Bodice, a romance-only bookstore in Culver City.
As I browsed all the comments, my Bookstores To Visit list has grown.
Some of my favorites have already been mentioned, but I also love Arcadia Books, Spring Green, WI. The American Players Theater is located in Spring Green and also close by is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen East. A wonderful area to visit. The bookstore staff is always so happy to see me because they know I intend to leave with a stack.
One of my other favorites is Content Books in Northfield, MN. A good bookstore is a must in this town where two excellent colleges are located–St Olaf College and Carleton College.
I love Content!! My daughter goes to school in Northfield and it’s such a lovely bookstore (and lovely town as well!)
Rakestraw Books in Danville, CA is my local favorite and I feel so lucky it’s a part of our community. The staff always recommends exactly what you didn’t know you needed to read. I have discovered so many beloved books due to their guidance. The bookstore also has tons of author events that I love attending and taking my kids to. I was lucky to hear you speak when you came through a few years ago.
I stumbled upon Lark and Owl in Georgetown, Texas the last time I was in town with a friend and we had the *best* time. Fun displays, unique gifts, and a cafe to boot. I had to drag myself out before I got myself in serious trouble.
In the core of downtown Toronto, Canada is the most wonderful bookstore with the most knowledgeable, resilient and determined staff. Resilient because they had to move their entire store three times within the last few years and still are offering excellent selection and service. The store is called Ben McNally Books. Ben and his adult children are bright, thoughtful, witty and voracious readers of a variety of topics and have developed personal relationships with many authors. Three to four times a year they offer (in person with wine and cheese before Covid and on zoom now) a presentation called “45 in 45“in which two or three of them review 45 books (fiction and non-fiction) in 45 minutes plus or minus. it is so informative and such a hoot. We hope they continue to go from strength to strength. Such a treasure for Torontonians.
My local is Leigh’s Favorite Books in Sunnyvale, California. It’s right downtown near a wide selection of restaurants. Leigh, the owner, is great at recommendations. Even better, she also owns the children’s bookstore, Bookasaurus, right next door.
Oh wow. I was going to tell you about Turn Row Books, an independent bookstore in Greenwood, ms, the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Woke up to the terrible news that it burned last night. I hope it will be able to rebuild. A great place to grab a sandwich for lunch and browse shows by local artists as well as shop a good selection of books with emphasis on Mississippi authors. So sad.
I also look for bookstores whenever I travel, but my favorite bookstore is The River’s End bookstore in Oswego, NY. They offer a great selection of books with a friendly, helpful staff. I work in Oswego so I visit the bookstore every week on my lunch hour. I always feel welcome and look forward to seeing the new books and staff picks.
I live in the Seattle area and we have lots of wonderful independent bookstores here, but my favorite is Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park,
which is only about a mile from my house. They have a wonderful selection of new and used books, and two great spaces for author events.
Prologue Books and Wine in Charles City, Iowa. Beautiful building and ambience. Great book and wine selections. The owner is wonderful as well. I never want to leave!
oooo! Living in Iowa- I’m excited to see this, thanks for sharing 😊
We visited Boulder Book Store while on vacation last summer and had fun working our way through the maze of books! We also stopped at Rainy Day books on a separate trip and felt so welcomed and loved all their personal book recommendations. We have two indies that I adore in Iowa~ Reading in Public Bookstore + Cafe (very good coffee 😉) and Storyhouse Bookpub. They are both housed in fun little shopping districts. I know people don’t typically vacation in Iowa, but if you’re passing through the Des Moines area you might wanna take a peek 🤓❤️
I love Highland Books in Brevard, NC! Also Parnassus in Nashville, and E. Shaver in Savannah (lots of resident cats there). The King’s English in Salt Lake is a lovely place. I’m longing to visit Beacon Hill in Boston!
Anne, you always say you want to get to Maine sometime, how about a Book Store Tour on the Mid Coast?? You could start with the darling Left Bank Books in Belfast, which hosts many authors, and then while there, you could also visit Bella Books, which is in the same city, in an old building, but surprise! inside! Very cool. Then you could hop to Searsport to the newly opened Anodyne Books, and then onto to Book Stacks in Bucksport, where they have a resident 3 legged cat lounging on the leather couch. All these towns are atmospheric, right on the coast, and so New England.
Yes please!!
Monkey and Dog Books is in Fort Worth, Texas! It’s fabulous!! Spacious, had a special space for children’s book, helpful friendly staff, awesome place filled with treasures!
The Book Loft in the German Village neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. It’s 32-rooms of book heaven😊
I live in Thousand Oaks California, and I try as often as possible to make it over to Vroman’s in Pasadena. It has A somewhat sophisticated vibe and is pretty large with a huge sale and book related merchandise section up on the second floor. It is right on Colorado Boulevard in the heart of old town Pasadena. You could easily spend five or six hours there! Their book related merchandise is fantastic. It can seem a little overwhelming because they have so much stuff. I’ve gone to a lot of book signings there with Diana Gabaldon. I even ran into her in the bathroom, one time, and I’m sure I acted stupefied! Great place for a really glamorous book experience.
I am from western Mass, and while we have a bunch of amazing indies up here, my absolute favorite is Book Moon in Easthampton. It has such a special collection of well-curated books. It’s owned by Kelly Link and has usually lots of signed copies, etc, and a real bend towards speculative fiction, which I appreciate. I find books there that I have not seen elsewhere. It’s not the usual set of books you find at every indie bookstore. It doesn’t hurt that it’s right by an excellent ice cream shop.
The Island Bookstore on Mackinac Island in Michigan is a great store. I bought two signed books of a favorite author Viola Shipman.
In 1990 I visited RJ Julia in Madison, CT I was immediately in awe of this bookstore. Many things have changed over the years, with time and knowledge, becoming one of my favorite Independents. Roxanne J. Coady has a true gift for this business.
My favorite independent bookstores are –
Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, IL They have amazing author events, signed books, and do so much for the community. It is three hours away from my hometown but I visit there every summer.
The Sly Fox in Virden, IL This is my favorite closest to my hometown of Springfield, IL. I love how independent bookstores support local area authors.
Many years ago I attended a weekend author/book event planned by Booksonthenightstand podcasters, Ann Kunitz Kingman and Michael Kindness, at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Vermont. Ann & Michael couldn’t have known what this event and Northshire came to be to those first 80+ attendees. When Ann & Michael decided to end the podcast, Northshire graciously agreed to continue the 2 day retreat, held early in May and named Booktopia. This year, Northshire will carry on the tradition while hosting 8 author sessions, a Group Dinner, a Yankee Swap, Trivia and more. On Saturday evening everyone is invited to hear short talks by the authors at Northshire. It is a gem of an Independent Bookstore and I’m so glad I attended the first event and many more after.
Tickets are on sale and they are going quickly.
“This special annual event is a two-day retreat in our Manchester, VT store and will take place on Friday, May 5th and Saturday, May 6th. It is a weekend full of authors, bibliophiles, games, food, drink, laughter, new and old friends, and great conversation. We hope that all of you are as excited about Booktopia as we are!
Some of my favorites are:
Possible Futures in New Haven, CT. They specialize in diverse books, host wonderful community events and the owner knows all of her customers by name. It’s a true “community book space”!
Book Barn in Niantic, CT. Large collection of used books, plus you can visit the goats in warmer weather!
Montague Book Mill in Montague, MA. Used bookstore with a view of a waterfall.
Well of course, I’m going to lead with Fabled Bookshop in Waco, TX. But I’ve always been an indie enthusiast and some of the ones that have been an utter delight to visit are Page and Palette in Fairhope, AL, The Little Professor in B’ham, AL, Charter Books in Newport, RI, Island Books in Seattle, WA, An Unlikely Story in MA, and Mysterious Bookshop in NYC, Where The Sidewalk Ends in Chatham, MA, and Murder By The Book in Houston.
Ruby’s Bookstore on historic Sutter Street in Folsom, CA, is a delight. Ruby is the owner Stacy’s golden retriever, and both are there to greet you almost daily.
This charming shop features cozy reading areas, colorful displays ofnewand featured releases, and an entire room devoted to books and educational Roy’s for children of all ages.
I’m traveling to Chicago soon. I’d love indie bookstore recommendations!
There are so many good Chicago area stores! Both ones I’ve been to (like Unabridged) and ones I would very much like to visit (like Anderson’s in Naperville). We also happen to have a literary tourism post coming up soon that may be right up your alley, Cheryl!
Fantastic!
Literary tourism… Yes please! I was just chatting with some ladies in my Jane Austen book club about taking some literary adventures to various bookstores across WI.
I would also love a list of all the bookstores recommended in these comments. So many good recommendations 😍
Women & Children First
womenandchildrenfirst.com
5233 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 769-9299
from their webpage about info
“Women & Children First believes in the transformative power of literature. As intersectional trans-inclusive feminists, we believe books are tools for liberation. Since 1979, we have celebrated and amplified underrepresented voices. In order for feminism to remain relevant, it must be forever evolving.”
Thanks!
Check out Women and Children First in Andersonville, it’s one of my favorites!
When my mother was alive and living in Saint Joseph, MI, one of our traditions was to go to Forever Books together whenever I was in town on a visit. I always found a treasure at this smallish store that sits on the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. It’s so fun to go during tourist season, but I wouldn’t miss a visit at any time of year.
My favorite is Ann Patchett’s bookstore, Parnassus, in Nashville. I don’t live in Nashville, but the bookstore is calling me back. Great selection, friendly staff, a store dog, and 20% off for teachers. You can tell books are loved here.
My favorite local indie is Book Soup in West Hollywood on the Sunset Strip. I love the floor-to-ceiling wooden bookshelves, witty shelf-talkers, display shelves, and the understated/organic L.A. vibe. I think they specialize in art, film, music, design, and literary fiction but they’ve got it all. Anyone visiting L.A. should add this to their itinerary! And also: love Omnivore Books in San Francisco- a jewel box specializing in all things culinary.
Today I visited Lake Forest Book Store in Lake Forest, Illinois. It is a lovely bookstore with loads of books, all nicely displayed, plus there is a wonderful selection of cards, gifts, and children’s books and toys. Finding two amazing bookstores on my 3-day trip to my daughter’s in Illinois has been a big bonus for my visit.
The Lake Forest Bookstore is my local indie. In fact, I’m headed there on Wednesday. Excellent selection. I love supporting independent bookstores at home and whenever I travel.
Visit Downtown Books in Dothan, Alabama. It’s an hour and a half north of Seaside’s Sundog and Rosemary Beach’s The Hidden Lantern.
Downtown Books in Dothan, AL! It’s a new bookstore, opened a year and half ago, and is precious! It’s in an old building with tons of character and has the most beautiful children’s section imaginable. My favorite place and you MUST go! ❤️
Downtown Books in Dothan,AL
If you ever seen, You’ve Got Mail, you know Kathleen Kelly’s bookstore. Well, Downtown Books is very similar. It’s cozy with comfy chairs, excellent books, and a relaxing vibe. The children’s section is upstairs and is so much fun. My kids love it! Overall, you’re encouraged to find your story at Downtown Books. So, I hope you do!
Nestled between several locally-owned, quaint shops on Foster Street in Dothan, AL you will find the most delightful bookstore, Downtown Books. The atmosphere is so inviting and the children’s area upstairs is like no other. What I love most about Downtown Books is you will often find a community of practical strangers engaged in conversation sharing their favorite must-read or some story regarding books they’ve read. I promise it’s worth a visit!
For anyone visiting the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, Port Book and News in Port Angeles is a wonderful spot!!
Beacon Hill Books & Cafe opened this past year in Boston. It is truly a magical experience walking through this adorable bookstore!!
I haven’t read through all the amazing comments but feel compelled to mention, “A Book For All Seasons” in Leavenworth, WA. Located in the Central Cascades of WA state, this multilevel indie nestled in the heart of Leavenworth is truly unique. Browse freely through the store and then take your purchased items to the adjacent park which features local artists. One can sit in the bandstand to sit, feel, and pore over books purchased. Add in some Bavarian music…oompah… to fill in background sounds. It will move a reader to learn how some true entrepreneurs saved this town in this pristine setting. Staff is expert in offering recommendations be it local, literary, or recreational. Sitting on the many benches lining the park, one can only gaze with wonder at the elevated snow capped peaks.
Although I don’t live there anymore, the best bookstore is The Novel Neighbor in St. Louis. I have to visit the store every time I’m in St. Louis. Love, love, love that place!
My faves:
Cozy & Content in Franklin, NC – This one stuck with me for the experience. I love all the snug rooms that are atmospherically decorated by genre. I just thought that was so fun!
The Next Page in Frisco, CO – This is attached to memories of all our amazing family ski trips. What could possibly be cozier than a local bookstore nestled in the Rockies with like 3 feet of snow outside?! They used to have a cafe that served wine, coffee, tea, and snacks, and we would always gather a stack of interesting books to leaf through while tucked up in a comfy chair at the cafe. And then buy way too many books… Maybe that was the wine’s fault? 😉
Poor Richard’s in Colorado Springs, CO – I love that there is an abundance of both new and used books, and the staff has always been so friendly and chipper. Also, they have great candles.
Bolin Books in my hometown of Murray, KY! They just opened last year, but it is already a favorite of mine. The owners are friendly and it has such a cozy atmosphere. And a great curated selection! And while you’re there, I also recommend stopping down the street at Shaffer Coffee for a lovey treat! 🙂
I realize I’m beyond late in commenting, but I just have to share my favorite local independent bookstore with the MMD community! I live in Manhattan, KS and the sweet gem that is The Dusty Bookshelf is a must-visit independent bookstore that’s been a staple here in our community since before I was in college in the late 80’s. Their staff is so friendly and their selection of used books is extraordinary with so many new titles, too! To top it all off, they make THE BEST lattes on the planet! They offer fun “themed” drinks to go with their selected titles each month. They also host non-book/non-literary activities, like “Puzzle Exchanges” where visitors bring in a jigsaw puzzle to donate and can take home a new-to-them puzzle. Their weekly Knitting Night gives such a cozy vibe to the shop, knitting or crocheting while surrounded by so many good books. This is such a fun, quirky, friendly place to visit…so if you’re ever in The Little Apple – please swing by The Dusty Bookshelf!
My favorite bookstore in Mendocino CA, Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkles. It has an excellent selection and a gerat kids section as well, also a gift section and great card selections.
The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ. Brings joy to my world when I vacation there every Summer! Mike drop!