Across the US, independent bookstores are having a comeback. Often combining bookselling with a cafe or bar, these stores will usually stock rare presses and obscure publishers, alongside classics and bestsellers. The below are no exception, but also have that little something extra which makes them stand out from the rest.
Alabama
Alabama Booksmith
Potentially the only bookshop in the world with an inventory composed entirely of signed copies. It’s a great place to pick up a special gift, as almost every book is sold at publishers’ regular retail price.
Potentially the only bookshop in the world with an inventory composed entirely of signed copies. It’s a great place to pick up a special gift, as almost every book is sold at publishers’ regular retail price.
Alaska
Bookstore
The Homer Bookstore
The longest running bookstore in Alaska, Homer’s stocks books, stationery and has an in-house espresso bar. Make sure you take the time to relax on the porch next to the timber reading-man.
The longest running bookstore in Alaska, Homer’s stocks books, stationery and has an in-house espresso bar. Make sure you take the time to relax on the porch next to the timber reading-man.
Arizona
Bookstore, Shop
Changing Hands Bookstore and First Draft Book Bar
A huge long-standing bookstore, coffee shop, and bar all in one. Pair your chosen title with their great selection of beers.
A huge long-standing bookstore, coffee shop, and bar all in one. Pair your chosen title with their great selection of beers.
Arkansas
Dickson Street Bookshop
A must-visit if you love cozy old bookstores with lots to discover. Look out for unique leather-bound and rare books.
A must-visit if you love cozy old bookstores with lots to discover. Look out for unique leather-bound and rare books.
California
Bookstore, Store, Museum
Colorado
Mutiny Information Cafe
An impossibly cool secondhand bookshop selling fiction, art books, records, and comics. Stay a while to try the local coffee beans and play on the vintage pinball machines.
An impossibly cool secondhand bookshop selling fiction, art books, records, and comics. Stay a while to try the local coffee beans and play on the vintage pinball machines.
Connecticut
RJ Julia Booksellers
Small in size, but with a track record of hosting some incredible authors from around the world.
Small in size, but with a track record of hosting some incredible authors from around the world.
Delaware
Store, Bookstore
Rainbow Records
Great selection of books, as well as new and used vinyl. The in-store soundtrack is also excellent.
Great selection of books, as well as new and used vinyl. The in-store soundtrack is also excellent.
Florida
Books & Books
With several locations across Florida, we recommend heading to the one in Coral Gables to enjoy the cafe and outdoor patio.
With several locations across Florida, we recommend heading to the one in Coral Gables to enjoy the cafe and outdoor patio.
Georgia
Avid Bookshop
Possibly the most charming bookstore around. Cozy and with a beautifully curated collection, they also have a second location, so you have no excuse not to visit!
493 Prince Ave, Athens, GA 30601, USA, +1 706-352-2060
Hawaii
Hakubundo
Features English and Japanese titles, including manga, as well as craft supplies, toys, and gifts.
Features English and Japanese titles, including manga, as well as craft supplies, toys, and gifts.
Idaho
Bookstore
BookPeople of Moscow
This bookstore is the oldest in Idaho and has been in continuous operation on Moscow’s main street for almost 45 years.
This bookstore is the oldest in Idaho and has been in continuous operation on Moscow’s main street for almost 45 years.
Illinois
Bookstore
Women & Children First
All-around bookstore with a brilliant selection of feminist and LBGTQ titles, as well as a great children’s section.
All-around bookstore with a brilliant selection of feminist and LBGTQ titles, as well as a great children’s section.
Indiana
Bookstore, Brewery
Iowa
Bookstore, Shop, University
Prairie Lights
Gem of a bookstore with an upstairs coffee shop. It regularly hosts readings from both new and established writers.
Gem of a bookstore with an upstairs coffee shop. It regularly hosts readings from both new and established writers.
Kansas
Bookstore
Kentucky
Store
Louisiana
Maine
Bookstore
Blue Hill Books
Housed on two levels in a beautiful historic building, Blue Hill has a great selection of recent releases.
Housed on two levels in a beautiful historic building, Blue Hill has a great selection of recent releases.
Maryland
Bookstore
Atomic Books
The ultimate, quirky book, comic store, and bar. John Waters loves it so much he even gets his fan mail sent here.
The ultimate, quirky book, comic store, and bar. John Waters loves it so much he even gets his fan mail sent here.
Massachusetts
The Montague Bookmill
Housed inside a grist mill dating back to 1834 and full of cozy places to sit and read.
Housed inside a grist mill dating back to 1834 and full of cozy places to sit and read.
Michigan
John K. King Used & Rare Books
A fantastic place to get lost in, fourstoreys of books dating back to over a hundred years ago.
A fantastic place to get lost in, fourstoreys of books dating back to over a hundred years ago.
Minnesota
Magers & Quinn Booksellers
The go-to spot for Minneapolis readers, featuring everything from newest releases to rare collectible finds. Deceptively small from the outside, this extensive collection will keep you busy for hours.
The go-to spot for Minneapolis readers, featuring everything from newest releases to rare collectible finds. Deceptively small from the outside, this extensive collection will keep you busy for hours.
Mississippi
Bookstore
Square Books
A beautifully curated bookstore full of unique southern charm. The balcony is great for relaxing with a purchase.
A beautifully curated bookstore full of unique southern charm. The balcony is great for relaxing with a purchase.
Missouri
Store, University
Subterranean Books
Located in center of St Louis, Subterranean Books stocks new and specialist books. They also regularly host book signings, and also art exhibitions in their gallery.
Located in center of St Louis, Subterranean Books stocks new and specialist books. They also regularly host book signings, and also art exhibitions in their gallery.
Montana
Bookstore, Store
Shakespeare & Co.
A small and cheerful store with an impressive inventory, including a range of gifts perfect for book-lovers.
A small and cheerful store with an impressive inventory, including a range of gifts perfect for book-lovers.
Nebraska
Bookstore
Nevada
Bookstore, Store
The Writer’s Block
A fantastically funky bookstore carrying a great variety of trinkets. The back of the store even has a small workshop to write and print beginner-books.
A fantastically funky bookstore carrying a great variety of trinkets. The back of the store even has a small workshop to write and print beginner-books.
New Hampshire
Bookstore
RiverRun Bookstore
A quaint small town bookstore in downtown Portsmouth. They host frequent events and writing workshops.
A quaint small town bookstore in downtown Portsmouth. They host frequent events and writing workshops.
New Jersey
Bookstore
Watchung Booksellers
A boutique bookstore which favors quality over quantity, ideal for finding books you’ve never heard of.
A boutique bookstore which favors quality over quantity, ideal for finding books you’ve never heard of.
New Mexico
Bookworks
A well-loved neighborhood hangout, it’s dog-friendly and hosts books clubs and a range of local events.
A well-loved neighborhood hangout, it’s dog-friendly and hosts books clubs and a range of local events.
New York
Bookstore, Library
North Carolina
Bookstore
Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe
Located in the heart of downtown Asheville and well-known for their ‘blind date’ concept which allows you to buy a staff favorite, secretly wrapped in brown paper.
Located in the heart of downtown Asheville and well-known for their ‘blind date’ concept which allows you to buy a staff favorite, secretly wrapped in brown paper.
North Dakota
Store, Bookstore
Ohio
Bookstore
The Learned Owl
A charming shop on three levels, with a great range of educational books and gifts.
Oklahoma
Bookstore
Full Circle Bookstore
This place is the stuff book-lovers dreams are made of, with countless nooks and corners to be discovered.
This place is the stuff book-lovers dreams are made of, with countless nooks and corners to be discovered.
Oregon
Bookstore, Park, Store
Powell’s Books
As the world’s largest independent bookstore, and with numerous locations throughout Oregon, Powell’s should be on the bucket list of all book fanatics.
As the world’s largest independent bookstore, and with numerous locations throughout Oregon, Powell’s should be on the bucket list of all book fanatics.
Pennsylvania
Baldwin Book Barn
There are five wonderful floors of rare and vintage books to discover in this former barn, plus cats to keep you company.
There are five wonderful floors of rare and vintage books to discover in this former barn, plus cats to keep you company.
Rhode Island
Bookstore
South Carolina
Bookstore
The Storybook Shoppe
This picturesque bookstore is entirely devoted to children’s literature, with every book being hand-selected by the owner. There are frequent storytelling events, with a regular story hour on Monday mornings.
This picturesque bookstore is entirely devoted to children’s literature, with every book being hand-selected by the owner. There are frequent storytelling events, with a regular story hour on Monday mornings.
South Dakota
Bookstore
Mitzi’s Books
An atmospheric bookstore with a famous central staircase and lots of corners to discover.
An atmospheric bookstore with a famous central staircase and lots of corners to discover.
Tennessee
Store, Bookstore
Reading Rock Books
Small and sweet store in Dickson with books for children and adults, journals and an excellent selection of tote bags.
Small and sweet store in Dickson with books for children and adults, journals and an excellent selection of tote bags.
Texas
Bookstore, Shop, Store
BookPeople
Everything you could ask for in a neighborhood bookstore – great coffeeshop, interesting events, cozy sitting spots and excellent gift ideas.
Everything you could ask for in a neighborhood bookstore – great coffeeshop, interesting events, cozy sitting spots and excellent gift ideas.
Utah
Bookstore, Store
The Book Garden
A great place for finding both rare treasures and well-read paperbacks. You can even bring your old books to trade for store credit.
A great place for finding both rare treasures and well-read paperbacks. You can even bring your old books to trade for store credit.
Vermont
Bookstore
Phoenix Books
A store focused on supporting the Vermont community economy, with locations in Essex, Burlington, Rutland and Misty Valley.
A store focused on supporting the Vermont community economy, with locations in Essex, Burlington, Rutland and Misty Valley.
Virginia
Bookstore
Chop Suey Books
Named after the neighborhood restaurant whose building they inherited, they specialize in used and new books, with numerous feminist and political titles.
Named after the neighborhood restaurant whose building they inherited, they specialize in used and new books, with numerous feminist and political titles.
Washington
Store, Bookstore
Book ‘N’ Brush
Established in 1969, this timeless store is a well-loved piece of local history. As well as books they sell art supplies, gifts, handmade local jewelry and greeting cards.
Established in 1969, this timeless store is a well-loved piece of local history. As well as books they sell art supplies, gifts, handmade local jewelry and greeting cards.
West Virginia
Art Gallery, Bookstore, Shop
Taylor Books
A Charleston-based bookstore with an excellent selection of regional West Virginia and Appalachian works. They also have an adjoining art gallery, a coffee shop, bar, and lounge.
A Charleston-based bookstore with an excellent selection of regional West Virginia and Appalachian works. They also have an adjoining art gallery, a coffee shop, bar, and lounge.
Wisconsin
Store, Bookstore
Mystery To Me
Ideal store to visit with kids; a great young readers section and friendly staff always on hand with advice.
Ideal store to visit with kids; a great young readers section and friendly staff always on hand with advice.
Wyoming
Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse
The perfect environment for browsing or working, the coffeehouse has great coffee, pastries, and vegetarian food. And not forgetting…
The perfect environment for browsing or working, the coffeehouse has great coffee, pastries, and vegetarian food. And not forgetting…
Washington D.C.
Bookstore
Politics and Prose
The coolest place to pick up a book or have a good discussion, with four locations.
The coolest place to pick up a book or have a good discussion, with four locations.
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