We always try to shop locally, especially when buying books. Here's some of our go-to independent bookstores, from all across the country.
Sections
10
California
Colorado
DMV
Illinois
Mississippi
Oregon
California
From San Francisco to Sacramento to San Diego, California has some amazing gems of bookstores.
Founded in 1953 as the nation's first all-paperback bookstore, this treasure trove features the best of progressive thought.
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
For all the sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and horror fans out there, this specialized San Diego bookstore is incredible.
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
Wonderful used (and new) bookstore in Sacramento.
Beers Books
A quirky treasure trove of books.
Verbatim Books
Colorado
Don't sleep on Denver and its surrounding areas for amazing bookstores.
The dream is to work here as their reader in residence - you just read in their lovely store for 3 months!
Perelandra Bookshop
Part bookstore, part plant store, and part coffee shop, this queer women-owned bookstore is heaven in Denver.
Petals & Pages Bookstore
Black-owned bookstore in Denver that is also connected to an awesome print shop.
Shop at MATTER
So cozy, so vibey - and don't miss the vault (for adults only!)
Spicy Librarian
Friendly booksellers at this cozy shop in Windsor, CO.
Words of Windsor
DMV
DC - and the surrounding areas - is indie bookstore heaven. Here are some of the very best.
The best bookstore in D.C. Head to the original Connecticut NW location for their cafe and huge sale room!
Politics and Prose Bookstore
A bookstore dedicated to food and cooking. They also have amazing events.
Bold Fork Books
Bookstore in the DMV all about books written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora
Mahogany Books
A Black-owned independent bookstore in D.C. that has amazing bookclubs.
Solid State Books
Women-owned with lots of fun events.
East City Bookshop
The best sci-fi section in the city and lots of fun used/new/vintage books all-around.
Lost City Bookstore
Lovely new bookstore in Bethesda with very friendly staff.
Wonderland Books
The first all-romance bookstore in the DMV, they suffered a massive fire 3 days after they opened. But, while they rebuild, they have a temporary location!
Friends to Lovers Romance Bookstore
New books + a massive used book selection upstairs - committed to diverse books + creating a welcoming space for everyone!
Shelf Life Books
Illinois
Chicago's bookstores are often found in cool buildings - just another reason to visit the Windy City.
In the STUNNING, historic Fine Arts Building in Chicago.
Exile in Bookville
An independent bookstore in Hyde Park with one of the largest collections of academics books in the world.
Seminary Co-op Bookstores
Mississippi
Mississippi has a rich history of writers and literature. Its bookstores recognize and celebrate that tradition.
A gem on the historic town square of Oxford, Mississippi. Hosts the popular Thacker Mountain radio show and over 150 author events every year!
Square Books
Hands down one of the best bookstores in Mississippi.
Lemuria Books in Jackson, Mississippi
Oregon
Oregon is home to Powell's. Do you really need anything else?
It's famous for a reason. Go get lost in it.
Powell’s Books | The World’s Largest Independent Bookstore
Queer-owned and committed to spotlighting LGBTQ+ authors.
Bishop & Wilde Books
Tennessee
Criss-cross the state to find some of the best curations of books!
Perhaps the smallest bookstore in Nashville - but definitely the most well-curated.
The Bookshop
You'll love the used book selection - and the prices.
Harper's Books
Don't miss the cafe!
novel.
Texas
In Texas, everything is bigger. Including its bookstore selection.
A Houston favorite, where all the books have some element of mystery.
Murder By The Book | These Stories Are Killer
Dedicated to promoting diversity and representation through literature.
Black Pearl Books
Highly curated bookstore, with lots of books around art and design.
Basket Books & Art
Houston's longest standing independent bookstore - 50 years and counting!
Brazo's Bookstore
A hidden gem with a great selection of books + gorg stationary.
Good on Paper Books and Stationery
Knowledgeable, friendly staff + attached to a good coffee shop!
Front Street Books
This shop is GORGEOUS.
Stop & Read Books
Vermont
In the cold winters of Vermont, a book to curl up with is a necessity.
In the adorable town of Woodstock, this bookstore is the longest-running independent bookstore in the state of Vermont.
Yankee Bookshop
Special collection of used and vintage books - you never know what you'll find!
Otter Creek Used Books
International
Passport? Check. Suitcase big enough for books to bring home? Check.
Mexico City's first English language used bookstore.
Under the Volcano Books
Located in Lisbon, Portugal, their original store is the oldest operating bookstore in the entire world. Don't skip the special stamp for any books you buy there!
