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My Quest to Visit Every Independent Bookstore in the World 📖 🌎
Purple Star emoji 46 items
By
Anne Arrell profile picture
Anne Arrell
My curated list of local bookstores to fill your shelves because readers deserve better than Amazon 🌎
Map
Sections
12
 
Minnesota
 
California
 
Illinois
 
Michigan
 
Toronto
 
Arkansas

Minnesota

My home-state of Minnesota has strong literary roots - check out all the local bookstores 📕

 
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Catch the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtu.be/VviWGHagg10?si=SYX0U3T_9pSoH4v8
Comma, a bookshop
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Catch the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtu.be/2mAjJE_Oww0?si=0T9tLml3CCuXiZdg
Magers & Quinn Booksellers
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Catch the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtu.be/HmYTC5ZNEWw?si=sRlCczDnLq0fDHf0
Story Line Books
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Catch the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtu.be/xa91rk8WydM?si=-KtyKN-AQ-DB35WC
Next Chapter Booksellers
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtu.be/4g0GYAZI8H8?si=rf_T5NIjkBjZ8GR2
SubText Books
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Catch out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtube.com/shorts/shSexsFRmKU?si=C6G9zuZQSqSp1q6-
Red Balloon Bookshop
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Black-owned bookstore right on University Ave.
Black Garnet Books
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtu.be/39fh86foe1A?si=9iiQCPWx9EelJWiG
Moon Palace Books
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtu.be/i-sLb9DMnqE?si=7eZe6g-O2AgXwaAX
Inkwell Booksellers Company
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtube.com/shorts/pktWQjHS8JE?si=d59wG-wkkNWNha84
Big Hill Books
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A bookstore owned by the infamous author Louise Erdrich. 📍 youtu.be/vJlKjvBtuwY?si=5KykdzgRjmMmRE02
Birchbark Books & Native Arts
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Downtown White Bear Lake is Minnesota's own Stars Hollow - this bookstore fully encapsulates that feeling.
Lake Country Booksellers | White Bear Lake MN
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Catch the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtube.com/shorts/uDvlfR43SQ4?si=QJAI7InafXGTdp2W
Valley Bookseller
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Catch the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/iN-zHlCTfjI?si=Ldu2Btr-3qZbZd7H
Well Read Books -
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/I9X0TTOzgwQ?si=xpsUGyirxcpw1x3g
Eat My Words Bookstore
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtube.com/shorts/-j8wVrfjBzM?si=rGpIj3EfVerwEsEx
Strive Bookstore
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtube.com/shorts/5FdbwMIZrwM?si=iSnuzHl5YENFSrbv
Avant Garden Bookstore
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtube.com/shorts/Nv9Kh2f6_Jw?si=TYc3NRSNQacXwXG_
Cream & Amber
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A completely volunteer-run progressive bookstore and art bizarre. 📍video visit 
Boneshaker Books
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Your quinessential small-town bookstore tucked in downtown Bemidj! Watch my visit: https://youtube.com/shorts/-MsFHbZL-aM?si=j9NT3m0B8KrmZvyo
Four Pines Bookstore
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I love finding progressive, indie bookstores in small towns (even though I don't think Cambridge qualifies as a small town) 📍
Scout & Morgan Books
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The current owner of this shop previously owned “The Bookstore” in Pine City. Right across from a Kwik Trip - could you ask for a more Midwest bookstore experience?!
Dana's Bookstore
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A solid selection of used and new books. The ultimate small-town vibe with your fair share of trendy and popular books.
The Bookstore
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I swung in here during National Independent Bookstore day and was so glad I did. A lakeside bookstore surrounded by cute shops and restaurants? The best Minnesota outing.
Excelsior Bay Books
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California

California bookstores are unforgettable 🎶

 
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtu.be/k6QgU5OXwCI?si=pSN6Bz4RMXvatFJS
The Last Bookstore
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: https://youtu.be/sVaC0sJtY1U?si=f9t9n_ss5tqsSBnR
Book Soup
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/2KcClBA6NLU?si=n4OgwETcStav3MDY
Reparations Club
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: 261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/i95QywKz0Xo?si=N0Nr2Mpa4-l6ApS2
Recycle Bookstore
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Illinois

Chicago and beyond of books 🌭

 
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/MhaFa1VIMAo?si=ABq5XByvTxBYc1fr
Sandmeyer's Bookstore
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Michigan

🌊

 
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/HFTXc_1RPuI?si=TRI-5eetOj3URqqo
Island Bookstore
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Toronto

Took this challenge international to Canada 🇨🇦

 
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/dcv8hp9YYn0?si=O9e6z2XIQXbeMe7E
Hopeless Romantic Books
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: 883 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 2R5, Canada
TYPE Books
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Arkansas

little 🪨 hidden gem!

 
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/VS84lgVskdk?si=7l6KJ9amCmvBcX93
Paper Hearts Bookstore
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Utah

dirty sodas and a side of books 🥤

 
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Check out the video series on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/nWcx3-KfsxE?si=ZrL2vGz22WYsCt9w
Lovebound Library
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/_sT6uYpkyWs?si=W59qIYzaWxrVP-yD
King's English Bookshop
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Arizona

🌞

 
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and Tiktok: youtu.be/RE4n3qdWwDo?si=KNiFnUYD5kPtuuSW
The Poisoned Pen Bookstore
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Oregon

keepin' Portland (and beyond) weird with these local book joints ☔

 
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/kmJvvqeToJk?si=kYjN9bMNkm2OtDl0
Two Rivers Bookstore
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtu.be/8FNes644w2g?si=3u2v9GxTJE7AOaTK
Arches Bookhouse
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
Powell's Books
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Washington

PNW and reads ⛰️

 
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtube.com/shorts/E01YVesO6f4?si=PbDvPaeaYm0MxrkI
Elliott Bay Book Company
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtube.com/shorts/Uyd2r5hEqw4?si=EZGymxc_BFSabgHl
Village Books and Paper Dreams
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Vancouver

🍁

 
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Check out the video version on my YouTube and TikTok: youtube.com/shorts/OUnJYOk3T0o?si=PpW9SsDRIlpd9qq2
Vancouver Public Library - Central Library
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New York

 
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A non-profit bookstore aimed at providing financial support to those living with HIV/AIDS
Housing Works Bookstore
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A must-visit anytime you visit Brooklyn.
Book Club Bar
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The most unassuming combination in the world: books & pickles
Sweet Pickles Bookstore
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