Home  ›  Categories  ›  Bookstores

Bookstores Directory

Walking into a good bookstore feels different from scrolling a list of titles. Bookstores sell new and used books, children's titles, magazines, and gifts, and many host readings, book clubs, and story times that bring a community together.

Find shops through our bookstores directory, which lists them by city using public data. Readers looking for the best bookstores near you often value staff recommendations, local author shelves, and the chance to browse. Independent stores can special-order almost anything, and used shops are great for out-of-print finds. Check whether a store holds events, offers membership discounts, or buys used books if you want to clear your shelves. Ask about gift cards and holiday hours too.

Find bookstores by city

Featured & independent bookstores

SC

Sheep Cult Comics

Bookstore · Chicago, IL · 1632 North Milwaukee Avenue

Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-20:00

View
SB

Sideshow Books

Bookstore · Los Angeles, CA · 1639 South La Cienega Boulevard

Website: sideshowbookstore.com

View
SU

Sisters Uptown Bookstore

Bookstore · New York, NY · 1942 Amsterdam Avenue

Website: sistersuptownbookstore.com

View
SC

Skunk Cabbage Books

Bookstore · Chicago, IL · 2826 North Milwaukee Avenue

Hours: Tue-Thu 11:00-18:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-18:00; Sun 10:00-16:00

View
SB

Skylight Books

Bookstore · Los Angeles, CA · 1818 North Vermont Avenue

Hours: 10:00-22:00

View
SE

Small Editions

Bookstore · New York, NY · 60 Sackett Street

Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00

View
SB

Stories Books & Cafe

Bookstore · Los Angeles, CA · 1716 Sunset Boulevard

Hours: 09:00-21:00

View
SB

Strand Bookstore

Bookstore · New York, NY · 828 Broadway

Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-21:00

View
SP

Sweet Pickle Books

Bookstore · New York, NY · 47 Orchard Street

Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00; Sun 10:00-20:00

View
TB

Tangible Books

Bookstore · Chicago, IL · 3326 South Halsted Street

Website: tangiblebookschicago.com

View
TN

That's Novel Books

Bookstore · Charlotte, NC · 330 Camp Road

Hours: Mon-Thu 12:00-19:00; Fri 12:00-20:00; Sat 11:00-19:00; Sun 11:00-17:00

View
TB

The Book Catapult

Bookstore · San Diego, CA · 3010-B Juniper Street

Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00; Sun 10:00-17:00

View
TB

The Book Cellar

Bookstore · Chicago, IL · 4736-4738 North Lincoln Avenue

Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-20:00; Sat 10:00-18:00; Sun 10:00-16:00

View
TB

The Book Trader

Bookstore · Philadelphia, PA · 7 North 2nd Street

Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00-22:00

View
TB

The Bookloft

Bookstore · Columbus, OH · 631 South Third Street

Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-23:00

View
TC

The Corner Bookstore

Bookstore · New York, NY · 1313 Madison Avenue

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-19:00; Sun 12:00-18:00

View
TD

The Dial Boomshop

Bookstore · Chicago, IL · 410 South Michigan Avenue

Website: dialbookshop.com

View
TD

The Drama Book Shop

Bookstore · New York, NY · 266 West 39th Street

Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-19:00; Sun 12:00-19:00

View
TI

The Iliad Bookshop

Bookstore · Los Angeles, CA · 5400 Cahuenga Boulevard

Hours: Tue-Sat 11:00-19:00

View
TL

The Last Bookstore

Bookstore · Los Angeles, CA · 4437 Lankershim Boulevard

Hours: Mon-Thu 10:00-20:00; Fri-Sat 09:00-23:00; Sun 10:00-19:00

View
TL

The Laughing Ogre

Bookstore · Columbus, OH · 4258 North High Street

Website: facebook.com

View
TL

The Little Gay Shop

Bookstore · Austin, TX · 1902 East 12th Street

Hours: Sun-Thu 11:00-18:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-19:00

View
TM

The Mysterious Bookshop

Bookstore · New York, NY · 58 Warren Street

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-19:00

View
TN

The Nonbinarian

Bookstore · New York, NY · 1130 President Street

Hours: Tue-Thu 12:00-19:00; Fri-Sun 11:00-19:00

View
TO

The Open Book

Bookstore · Los Angeles, CA · 6316 Topanga Canyon Boulevard

Hours: Mon-Thu 10:00-20:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-21:00; Sun 11:00-20:00

View
TR

The Rabbit Books and Bar

Bookstore · New York, NY · 170 Avenue A

Website: therabbitbooksandbar.com

View
TW

The Wild Detectives

Bookstore · Dallas, TX · 314 West 8th Street

Hours: Mon 14:00-24:00; Tue-Sun 10:00-24:00

View
TW

The Word Is Change

Bookstore · New York, NY · 368 Tompkins Avenue

Hours: Wed-Sun 12:00-19:00

View
TP

Third Planet Sci-Fi Superstore

Bookstore · Houston, TX · 2718 Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-19:00; Sun 12:00-18:00

View
TA

Three Avenues Bookshop

Bookstore · Chicago, IL · 3009 North Southport Avenue

Hours: Mon off; Tue-Fri 11:00-19:00; Sat 10:00-19:00; Sun 10:00-17:00

View

How to choose a bookstore

  • Ask the staff for recommendations. Independent booksellers love matching readers with titles, and they can often special-order books they do not have in stock.
  • Check store events, such as author readings, book clubs, and children's story times, on the store's website or newsletter, and call ahead if you plan to attend.
  • If you want to sell books, ask about their used-book buying policy, what they accept, and whether they pay cash or offer store credit.
  • Ask about loyalty programs, gift cards, and gift wrapping, and about shipping if you want to send a book to someone out of town.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a good bookstore near me?

Search your city for independent shops, used bookstores, or specialty stores that match your interests. Visit during quieter hours to browse and chat with staff. Check their event calendar for readings and book clubs. Ask friends and neighbors, and check the store's social media to see whether its recommendations and events fit your reading taste.

How much do books cost at an independent bookstore?

Prices vary by title and whether the book is new or used. New books typically carry the publisher's list price, while used books often cost less. Ask about membership or loyalty discounts. Used books, remainders, and paperbacks usually cost less than new hardcovers, and many shops offer discounts for members or when you trade in books, so ask what programs are available at the counter.

Can a bookstore order a book they don't have?

Most can. Independent bookstores regularly special-order titles through distributors. Give the staff the title, author, or ISBN, and ask how long it usually takes and whether they will call you when it arrives. Special orders usually arrive within days or a couple of weeks depending on the publisher, and shops can often notify you by phone or email.

Related categories