A Guide To Florida's Best Independent Bookstores

We live in a digital age, there’s no denying it. It’s becoming more and more difficult to detach ourselves from our smart phones, TVs, internet, etc. In the arena of entertainment, it seems as if books have quickly gone from number 1 to number 100 on our list. One questions whether there’s any need for bookstores. Do people even read books anymore? Well, thankfully, the answer is yes, people do read, and bookstores are still popular. There’s a certain sense of intimacy at brick-and-mortar bookstores — not only can you find new and old books, but you can speak with actual people who recognize the sanctity of the suddenly antiquated establishment we call the independent bookstore.

Here at Culture Trip, we understand that knowledge is power, and when you enter a bookstore, you’re surrounded by the knowledge, creativity, and imagination of thousands of people whose written words will live forever on the printed page. In the literary spirit of great Floridian authors such as Ernest Hemingway, John D. MacDonald, and Carl Hiaasen, we present the best bookstores in Florida.

Key West Island Books

Specializing in Key West’s local writers, Key West Island Books has hundreds of titles from some of Key West and South Florida’s most famous authors, past and present. They have an extensive collection of new, used, and rare books including new releases and New York Times best sellers. If you’re traveling to Key West and happen to visit the famous Hemingway Home, you might get inspired to read one of his timeless classics such as A Farewell To Arm or For Whom The Bell Tolls. Key West Island Books has all things Hemingway, should you decide that you are in need of a great piece of 20th-century literature.

513 1/2 Fleming St. Key West, FL, USA +1 305 294 2904

1. The Bookshelf

Store, Bookstore

The Bookshelf has been the Tallahassee (state capital) headquarters for new comics and used books since 1980. They specialize in all things having to do with comic books, graphic novels, and collectibles. But don’t worry, we know that some people actually like reading; so, for the more literary among us, The Bookshelf is here for you, too. Sift through the thousands of used novels in every genre, in soft and hard back, from modern best sellers to vintage series, most priced at 65% off their cover price. The store also has a second location at Killearn.

2. Best Books Rich Treasures

Bookstore, Shop

Best Books Rich Treasures is an independent, veteran- and woman-owned family bookstore in Tampa, Florida, with quite a history. What started out as a couple of traveling vendors in Virginia evolved into a successful small company that now has four locations in the United States and two abroad in Turkey and South Korea. These bookstores are usually located near military bases, because the owners themselves are members of a military family. The Tampa location is staffed with knowledgeable employees who are keen to assist you in finding what you need. They have a great collection of new, used, and rare books. Also, as an added convenience, all of their inventory is listed under their online shopping tab, so feel free to shop online and ship books to most parts of the world.

3. Gulf Coast Bookstore

Bookstore

Gulf Coast Bookstore

Let’s head on over to the west coast of Florida for our next featured location. Fort Myers is home to the Gulf Coast Bookstore, located near the beautiful Butterfly Estates near the downtown area. The interesting thing about this bookstore is that they only sell books written by local authors; there are 54 of them to be exact, and you can browse the front-facing displays to find the perfect book. The concept was hatched in 2014 when two local literary community activists, Patti Jefferson and Timothy Jacobs, joined forces to bring recognition to local authors and establish a place where their books would take center stage.

1815 Fowler St, Fort Myers, FL, USA

The Gulf Coast Bookstore in Fort Myers focuses on displaying and selling the books of local authors | Courtesy of Everglades NPA/flickr

4. Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore

Bookstore

This Delray Beach bookstore makes our list for their famous and extensive collection of mystery books and signed novels by Florida authors. For avid readers of anything suspenseful, thrilling, and caked in mystery, Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore is the place to be. Feel free to join their book club and keep an eye out for mystery book signings. The upcoming day before Halloween party will be a great opportunity to have fun, eat candy, and listen to 13 guest authors talk about their books while dressed is scary costumes.

5. Big Apple Book Store

Bookstore, Store

Here’s one for the kids. Fort Lauderdale has a few good bookstores actually, and Barnes and Noble is always down the street if you can’t find what you need, but we’re here to praise the effort and dedication of the small and independent bookstores. So with that in mind we present to you the Big Apple Book Store. If you’ve got kids in tow on your day off, you might want to think about introducing them to the store’s children’s story time, hosted by Big Apple every Tuesday at 10am. Although they specialize in children’s literature, Big Apple has titles in a wide variety of genres. And with prices as low as $2 at their weekend sales, you’re bound to pick up a stack of great reads!

Books and Books

With three locations in Miami, and affiliate stores in Grand Cayman, Westhampton Beach, Miami International Airport, and The Studios in Key West, Books and Books is one of South Florida’s biggest literary success stories. Founded in 1982 by Mitchell Kaplan as a locally owned independent bookstore, Books and Books serves as a community center for writers and readers, hosting 60 author events a month and featuring a carefully curated selection of books, magazines, and gift items. For a full list of upcoming author events at Books and Books, click here.

Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL, USA +1 305 864 4241

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.