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Indie Bookstores We Love

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We always try to shop locally, especially when buying books. Here's some of our go-to independent bookstores, from all across the country.
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California

From San Francisco to Sacramento to San Diego, California has some amazing gems of bookstores.

 
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Founded in 1953 as the nation's first all-paperback bookstore, this treasure trove features the best of progressive thought.
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
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For all the sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and horror fans out there, this specialized San Diego bookstore is incredible.
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
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Wonderful used (and new) bookstore in Sacramento.
Beers Books
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A quirky treasure trove of books.
Verbatim Books

Colorado

Don't sleep on Denver and its surrounding areas for amazing bookstores.

 
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The dream is to work here as their reader in residence - you just read in their lovely store for 3 months!
Perelandra Bookshop
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Part bookstore, part plant store, and part coffee shop, this queer women-owned bookstore is heaven in Denver.
Petals & Pages Bookstore
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Black-owned bookstore in Denver that is also connected to an awesome print shop.
Shop at MATTER
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So cozy, so vibey - and don't miss the vault (for adults only!)
Spicy Librarian
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Friendly booksellers at this cozy shop in Windsor, CO.
Words of Windsor
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DMV

DC - and the surrounding areas - is indie bookstore heaven. Here are some of the very best.

 
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The best bookstore in D.C. Head to the original Connecticut NW location for their cafe and huge sale room!
Politics and Prose Bookstore
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A bookstore dedicated to food and cooking. They also have amazing events.
Bold Fork Books
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Bookstore in the DMV all about books written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora
Mahogany Books
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A Black-owned independent bookstore in D.C. that has amazing bookclubs.
Solid State Books
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Women-owned with lots of fun events.
East City Bookshop
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The best sci-fi section in the city and lots of fun used/new/vintage books all-around.
Lost City Bookstore
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Lovely new bookstore in Bethesda with very friendly staff.
Wonderland Books
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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
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New books + a massive used book selection upstairs - committed to diverse books + creating a welcoming space for everyone!
Shelf Life Books
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Illinois

Chicago's bookstores are often found in cool buildings - just another reason to visit the Windy City.

 
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In the STUNNING, historic Fine Arts Building in Chicago.
Exile in Bookville
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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.

 
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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
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Hands down one of the best bookstores in Mississippi.
Lemuria Books in Jackson, Mississippi
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Oregon

Oregon is home to Powell's. Do you really need anything else?

 
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It's famous for a reason. Go get lost in it.
Powell’s Books | The World’s Largest Independent Bookstore
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Queer-owned and committed to spotlighting LGBTQ+ authors.
Bishop & Wilde Books
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Tennessee

Criss-cross the state to find some of the best curations of books!

 
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Perhaps the smallest bookstore in Nashville - but definitely the most well-curated.
The Bookshop
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You'll love the used book selection - and the prices.
Harper's Books
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Don't miss the cafe!
novel.
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Texas

In Texas, everything is bigger. Including its bookstore selection.

 
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A Houston favorite, where all the books have some element of mystery.
Murder By The Book | These Stories Are Killer
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Dedicated to promoting diversity and representation through literature.
Black Pearl Books
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Highly curated bookstore, with lots of books around art and design.
Basket Books & Art
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Houston's longest standing independent bookstore - 50 years and counting!
Brazo's Bookstore
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A hidden gem with a great selection of books + gorg stationary.
Good on Paper Books and Stationery
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Knowledgeable, friendly staff + attached to a good coffee shop!
Front Street Books
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This shop is GORGEOUS.
Stop & Read Books
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Vermont

In the cold winters of Vermont, a book to curl up with is a necessity.

 
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In the adorable town of Woodstock, this bookstore is the longest-running independent bookstore in the state of Vermont.
Yankee Bookshop
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Special collection of used and vintage books - you never know what you'll find!
Otter Creek Used Books
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International

Passport? Check. Suitcase big enough for books to bring home? Check.

 
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Mexico City's first English language used bookstore.
Under the Volcano Books
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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!
Bertrand Livreiros
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