These are the independent bookstores I fell in love with during my travels!
Map
Sections
13
Illinois
Indiana
Wisconsin
Ohio
Washington State
Oregon
Illinois
Women-owned bookstore with lots of activities each month
About Time Bookstore
Used bookstore with lots of selections and a member of the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
The Green Read
They have a store dog! Mostly new books and bookish gifts.
Abalabix Books
Much bigger bookstore than it looks on the outside, used bookstore, lots of blind date with a book
This Old Book Inc.
A mix of used and new books as well as bookish items, most of them capybara-themed
The Noble Capybara Bookstore & Gift Shop
Mostly new books and regularly hosts book clubs
Skunk Cabbage Books
Cozy bookstore, staff-curated selection, book club and children's story-time hour
City Lit Books
Overlooks Michigan Ave and Grant Park, mostly new books
Exile in Bookville
Mix of new and used books, also has a downstairs so be prepared to spend a while here
after-words bookstore
Local authors highlight, weekly chess club, and a shop cat!
Maze Books
It's in an old house, huge selection of used books, obscure and rare books, great prices!
THE BOOK STALL OF ROCKFORD INC.
Cozy bookstore with a wide variety of genres in Springfield, IL
Elderberry & Plumb Bookstore
Huge used bookstore. I always spend hours inside this place and always find something!
Book Rack
Indiana
Indiana's largest independent bookstore, located in Bloomington. Mostly new books, but they also have a cafe and a local artist corner!
Morgenstern Books & Café
Inclusive bookstore with a great community vibe
Loudmouth Books
A mix of used and new books, a great children's book section, and has a cafe with drinks and pastries
The Next Chapter
Wisconsin
They're super involved in the community, hosting book fairs and giveaways regularly
Studio Moonfall
Mostly new books, but also super involved in the local community with different events each month
Blue House Books
Used bookstore with good selection across genres
Voyageur Book Shop
Huge selection of used books, with a rare book collection and full series sets
Downtown Books Bought & Sold
Massive selection of used books and audiobooks
Book Stop
Lots of local authors and a banned book section
Novel Bay Booksellers
Mix of new and used books, lots of local authors highlighted and a great children's section
Lion's Mouth Bookstore Door County
Used, rare, and nonfiction books with lots of local history
The Peninsula Bookman
Ohio
There's a shop dog here! Mostly new books
Joy and Matt's Books
Huge selection of used, rare, and vintage books
Ohio Book Store
Washington State
Huge bookstore with a variety of genres, and manga, comics, CDs, games, and records.
Adventures Underground
Used and antique bookstore with a rare book room. Not the best place to find a bargain, but the best place to find an obscure read
Xenophile Bibliopole
Used bookstore, well organized and cozy
Mercer Street Books
Close to King Street Station, huge selection, mostly new books, but also local authors and bookmarks and art prints from local artists
Arundel Books
Oregon
A city block worth of books with multiple floors, a mix of used and new. Definitely plan to spend a couple hours in here!
Powell's City of Books
North Carolina
Mostly new books but also has different events for the community each month
So & So Books
Some sale books upstairs, but mostly new books, but have a lot of blind date books and signed editions, and seems to host author events often
Quail Ridge Books
Huge warehouse of used books, most books were $3, and definitely can find some books that are no longer in print! Make sure you bring a backpack or bag
Dog-Eared Books NC
Utah
Mostly metaphysical books with an attached cafe with food and drinks
Golden Braid Books
Georgia
Vitange and specialty books as well as used bargain books
Books on Bay
Great atmosphere, lots of little nooks filled with books and bookish items, mostly new books
E. Shaver Booksellers
Mostly used books and packed full, so could easily browse for hours
The Book Lady Bookstore
Texas
Huge bookstore, mostly new books, regular book readings and a nice coffee bar
BookPeople
Mostly new books, plus a cafe menu with beer and wine and free drip coffee
First Light Book Shop
Huge selection of books for all ages, large children's section, bookish gifts, and a cafe with coffees, teas, and pastries
Nowhere Bookshop
New York
One of the most iconic bookstore in NYC, rare book room on the 3rd floor
Strand Bookstore
Minnesota
Focuses heavily on local authors, small presses, and poetry collections
Milkweed Books
Lots of books that engage with social issues and highlights local authors as well
Moon Palace Books
Great community hub with books, art prints, zines, and pamphlets
Boneshaker Books
Massachusetts
Huge book selection, upstairs and downstairs, mix of used and new books, and has a bar and cafe with drinks and food
Trident Booksellers & Cafe
Used and antique bookstore, it's a bit hidden down an alleyway
Commonwealth Books
Mostly focuses on Italian-American authors and had a lot of art prints as well
I AM Books
Lots of local author books and also hosts a creative writing workshop, so seems like a great hub for the community
Porter Square Books
Legendary used bookstore, known for its rare finds, but they have weird hours so check before you go
