50 Unique Independent Bookstores You Need to Visit in Every US State

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.

2626 19th Pl S, Homewood, AL 35209, USA, +1 205-870-4242

Courtesy of Alabama Booksmith

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.

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.

The Last Bookstore

A gorgeous multi-level space offering books, records, and local art.

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.

2 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209, USA, +1 303-778-7579

Courtesy of Mutiny Information Cafe

RJ Julia Booksellers

Small in size, but with a track record of hosting some incredible authors from around the world.

768 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443, USA, +1 203-245-3959

Courtesy of RJ Julia Booksellers

Rainbow Records

Great selection of books, as well as new and used vinyl. The in-store soundtrack is also excellent.

Books & Books

With several locations across Florida, we recommend heading to the one in Coral Gables to enjoy the cafe and outdoor patio.

265 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA, +1 305-442-4408

Courtesy of Books & Books

Hakubundo

Features English and Japanese titles, including manga, as well as craft supplies, toys, and gifts.

1200 Ala Moana Blvd #649, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA, +1 808-947-5503

Courtesy of Hakubundo

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.

Women & Children First

All-around bookstore with a brilliant selection of feminist and LBGTQ titles, as well as a great children’s section.

Books & Brews

A combined bookstore and brewery. The books are great and beer even better.

Prairie Lights

Gem of a bookstore with an upstairs coffee shop. It regularly hosts readings from both new and established writers.

Book-A-Holic Bookstore

With three locations in Wichita, Book-A-Holic is a favorite for bargains.

Wild Fig Books & Coffee

A store with the perfect laid-back atmosphere and delicious food.

Octavia Books

Small but mighty, with a brilliant selection of literature about New Orleans.

513 Octavia St, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA, +1 504-899-7323

Courtesy of Octavia Books

Blue Hill Books

Housed on two levels in a beautiful historic building, Blue Hill has a great selection of recent releases.

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 Montague Bookmill

Housed inside a grist mill dating back to 1834 and full of cozy places to sit and read.

440 Greenfield Rd, Montague, MA 01351, USA, +1 413-367-9206

Courtesy of The Montague Bookmill

John K. King Used & Rare Books

A fantastic place to get lost in, four storeys of books dating back to over a hundred years ago.

901 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226, USA, +1 313-961-0622

Courtesy of John K. King Used and Rare Books

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.

3038 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408, USA, +1 612-822-4611

Courtesy of Magers and Quinn, photo credit Annie Metcalf

Square Books

A beautifully curated bookstore full of unique southern charm. The balcony is great for relaxing with a purchase.

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.

Shakespeare & Co.

A small and cheerful store with an impressive inventory, including a range of gifts perfect for book-lovers.

A Novel Idea Bookstore

A cozy bookstore with a knowledgeable owner and two friendly live-in cats.

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.

RiverRun Bookstore

A quaint small town bookstore in downtown Portsmouth. They host frequent events and writing workshops.

Watchung Booksellers

A boutique bookstore which favors quality over quantity, ideal for finding books you’ve never heard of.

Bookworks

A well-loved neighborhood hangout, it’s dog-friendly and hosts books clubs and a range of local events.

4022 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107, USA, +1 505-344-8139

Courtesy of Bookworks

McNally Jackson

A store full of personality and with one of the best-designed bookshop cafes around.

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.

Zandbroz Variety

A wonderfully unique book, gifts, stationery, and accessories store.

The Learned Owl

A charming shop on three levels, with a great range of educational books and gifts.

Full Circle Bookstore

This place is the stuff book-lovers dreams are made of, with countless nooks and corners to be discovered.

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.

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.

865 Lenape Rd, West Chester, PA 19382, USA, +1 610-696-0816

Courtesy of Baldwin’s Book Barn

Symposium Books

Cool bookstore in downtown Providence with a great selection of art books and vinyl.

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.

Mitzi’s Books

An atmospheric bookstore with a famous central staircase and lots of corners to discover.

Reading Rock Books

Small and sweet store in Dickson with books for children and adults, journals and an excellent selection of tote bags.

BookPeople

Everything you could ask for in a neighborhood bookstore – great coffeeshop, interesting events, cozy sitting spots and excellent gift ideas.

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.

Phoenix Books

A store focused on supporting the Vermont community economy, with locations in Essex, Burlington, Rutland and Misty Valley.

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.

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.

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.

Mystery To Me

Ideal store to visit with kids; a great young readers section and friendly staff always on hand with advice.

Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse

The perfect environment for browsing or working, the coffeehouse has great coffee, pastries, and vegetarian food.

107 E Ivinson St, Laramie, WY 82070, USA, +1 307-742-9028

Courtesy of Night Heron Books and Coffeehouse

Politics and Prose

The coolest place to pick up a book or have a good discussion, with four locations.