My personal literary travelogue! This is a living document of (almost) every single bookstore and library I have ever visited, from the tiny local gems to the massive international landmarks. Organized by State and Country, each entry includes my hon...
Map
Sections
7
Europe
California
Colorado
Illinois
Iowa
Massachusetts
Europe
International Literary Landmarks! This section documents my visits to some of the most famous, atmospheric, and unforgettable bookstores in Europe. From the iconic history of Parisian literary hubs to unique, quirky book-and-bar finds in Madrid, and ...
Permanently Closed 😭
Brussels, Belgium - Cook & Book
Totally worth the hype!
Paris, France - Shakespeare and Company
Pretty cool in person, I have to say
Delft, Netherlands - TU Delft Library
I still think about this bookstore once a week and it's been almost 10 years.
Madrid, Spain - Desperate Literature
I love the idea of a bookstore that has a bar and brunch on one level.
Madrid, Spain - J&J's Books and Coffee
This was a lovely store to get out of the busy and loud streets of Naples.
Naples, Italy - ubik of Naples Library
California
A dive into the vibrant and specialized literary scene of California. This section highlights my visits to shops known for their strong aesthetics and unique specialization, including a famous destination for romance novels and a beacon of literary c...
Everything dreams are made of and more! I wish I lived near here.
The Ripped Bodice
If I'm not mistaken, City Lights is where the first paperback was printed? Regardless, I loved this bookstore!
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
Colorado
My notes from the Rocky Mountain book scene! This section documents my finds in the state, including the famous multi-level haunts in Boulder and the cozy, sometimes eccentric, used book shops found in the Denver area.
I could have spent an entire day in this bookstore!
Boulder Bookstore
Super cute and worth stopping.
Capitol Hill Books - Denver
Illinois
The nostalgia of home! This massive section documents my literary journey through the state where I grew up. It’s a mix of childhood favorites, charming suburban stops, and quirky hidden gems. I'm still discovering the indie shops here, and my honest...
One of my all time favorite bookstores. I love that they kept the bones of the house inside and how they organized everything. They have a wonderful collection!
Harvey's Tales
The bookstore that got me addicted to books and meeting authors! I still go here every other month. And they're celebrating 150 years! Family-owned since the beginning and now entirely women-owned.
Anderson's Bookshop
The cafe attached to this bookstore is my favorite place for lunch! It's nice to browse a bookstore while waiting for your name to be called.
Town House Books
Downtown Chicago, this bookstore is super cute! I've only been once for an event with Kennedy Ryan, but I've been wanting to go back during normal hours.
Volumes Bookcafe
Deceptively large!
Unabridged Bookstore
Permanently Closed 😭 I've never been somewhere like this before. It makes me upset to think about what happened to all of those old books.
Bookman's Corner
Iowa
A strong Midwest literary scene! This is the most comprehensive section, documenting my visits to over a dozen local shops across my college and current resident state. It includes the community-focused gems, unique game shops, and passionate indie b...
A must-go when you're in the Des Moines area. The owner and staff are wonderful, and they host the best vendor markets. If you're looking for a children's book, this is the place! Their adult section is also extremely well curated.
The Little Book
I'm truly stunned by how much they've done with this small space. I love walking in and being greeted by name and seeing Palestinian books front-and-center.
Storyhouse Bookpub
A bookstore in the Drake University neighborhood dedicated to underrepresented voices and books! The owners are incredibly personable and I love their selection.
Nos Books
An institution in the Des Moines-book landscape.
Beaverdale Books
I love the huge windows here and their tall bookshelves. They have a minimalist cafe spot in the middle and individual desks on one of the walls.
Reading in Public Bookstore + Cafe
Every time I walk into Dog-Eared Books, I smile. There's something intoxicating about the space. They have such fun events and I wish I lived closer.
Dog·Eared Books
A community pillar.
Pageturners Bookstore
A great place to grab lunch and a good book!
Plain Talk Books & Coffee
Large collection of new and used books, though I would skip selling to them.
Walls of Books
Super cute! It's been fun to see this bookstore go from a pop-up to a permanent location.
Wandering Raccoon Books
I wish different decisions were being made by the owner.
Shelf Love DSM
Super cute and cozy.
Book Vault
A unique location with a unique collection.
Pella Books
Honestly, I never thought that a game-based store would have such a rich book collection! I love how involved the store is with the book community in addition to the gaming one.
Dungeon's Gate
Massachusetts
A quick stop into the historical literary heart of the Northeast! This section documents my visits to the iconic academic hubs and major historical landmarks near Boston and Cambridge. It includes the famous book-painted alleyways and the world-renow...
I adore the parking lot with the book carts and the painted book spines.
Brattle Book Shop
A little bit of everything.
Harvard Book Store
New York
Documenting my literary life in the Big City! This section is a travelogue of the dozens of shops I visited while living in NYC during the COVID years. It includes everything from the massive, famous Manhattan Strand to the tiny, unique Brooklyn indi...
Just as iconic as you think it is! Truly impossible to see everything, even when you only live a few blocks away.
Strand Book Store
Every bookworm needs a picture in front of their iconic mural!
Books Are Magic
I loved living by this bookstore. So many treasures!
Unnameable Books
Very open and airy.
Greenlight Bookstore
I really loved their selection.
Spoonbill & Sugartown Books
The flagship Barnes & Noble is three floors of books and worth the stop!
Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Union Square, NY
Such a cute children's bookstore. I loved all of the past promotional materials from books.
Books of Wonder
The first time I went here was for an afterhours literary drag show and it was even more iconic than you can imagine.
New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
