A favorite bookshop in every state and D.C. showcases some of our favorite, and best independent bookstores across the USA. Researching for a favorite bookshop in every state and D.C. was an amazing project to undertake. I wish I could travel to every state in the USA and visit these shops in person – and now I have 51 perfect reasons to do so! Bookshops our community, fountains of knowledge and education so it’s amazing to see them thriving. Even in the face of online competition, proving that IRL experience is hard to beat.
To be honest, it was really difficult to chose just one bookshop in every state. There are so many more that we would like to shine a spotlight on. So we will be expanding on this list, by highlighting the best shops in every state. A project we started on a few years ago – but with the ever-changing retail landscape we need to update. We will add links for reference.
We love the diversity of independent shops across America. Each with its own unique shopkeeper and story. From plant shops to coffee shops, bookshops to vintage stores, and everything in-between, check out our favorite shop in every state and D.C.
We would love to know your favorite bookshop in every state and DC. Please share via the link below.
Alabama
ERNEST & HADLEY BOOKS
1928 7th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
A cozy cottage is home to Ernest & Hadley Books, founded by a mother and daughter in 2017. Named in honor of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, the bookstore offers book clubs, a children’s subscription and a used book annex.
Alaska
FIRESIDE BOOKS
photo gaggleofbooks
720 S Alaska St, Palmer, AK 99645
Independent, community bookshop. Fireside Books has an initiative to provide, for free, to as many local high school students as possible books that have been banned by the local school board.
Arizona
ANTIGONE BOOKS
411 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
A solar-powered, women-owned bookshop. Antigone was established in 1973 and named after the Greek mythological character who stood her ground against male authority figures. In 2018 with the help of a crowdfunding campaign, three former female employees became the new owners.
Arkansas
DICKSON STREET BOOKSHOP
325 W Dickson St, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Established in 1978, Dickson Street Bookshop has over 100,000 used and out of print books on every subject imaginable. The inventory changes regularly so there is always something new to discover.
California
CITY LIGHTS
261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Founded in 1953 as the nation’s first all-paperback bookstore, City Lights is a literary landmark. The triangular shaped shop features features an extensive and in-depth selection of poetry, fiction, translations, politics, history, philosophy, spirituality, music, film, cultural studies, and more.
Colorado
BOULDER BOOKSTORE
1107 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
photo _wanderlustandwhiskey
Boulder Bookstore is the region’s largest independent bookstore with 20,000 sq. feet, and more than 100,000 titles over three floors. The bookshop hosts more than 200 author appearances each year.
Connecticut
RIVER BEND BOOKSHOP
2217 Main St, Glastonbury, CT 06033
This charming bookshop was built in 1863, and hosts author events, story times, and writers’ workshops.
Delaware
BIBLION
205 2nd St, Lewes, DE 19958
Located in historic Lewes, Biblion bookshop offers a curated selection of contemporary and antiquarian books, gifts and art.
Florida
STORY & SONG
1430 Park Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
photo bibliolifestyle
Pretty bookshop on Florida’s Amelia Island that serves literary-inspired bistro fare such as “A Year in Provence quiche of the day” or enjoy a coffee in the “Secret Garden Courtyard”.
Georgia
E. SHAVER
326 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401
E. Shaver is housed in a building constructed in 1842 by Eliza Jewett, a female builder, for her personal residence. Established in 1975 by a newly wed couple honeymooning in Savannah who fell in love with the city and sold their respective businesses to set up shop.
Hawaii
TALK STORY BOOKSTORE
3785 Hanapepe Rd, Hanapepe, HI 96716
photo olukai
The westernmost Bookstore in the U.S, Talk Story Bookstore, opened in 2004 by Ed Justus transforming his at-home eBay business into a bookstore. The award-winning business stocks over 25,000 unique titles including new, used and out of print books, and all things Hawaiiana.
Idaho
CHAPTER ONE
340 Second St E, Ketchum, ID 83340
photo avidreaderpress
Established in 1970, currently in the first fly shop in Idaho, Chapter One books is a general bookstore and an active supporter of many non-profits within the community.
Illinois
PILSEN COMMUNITY BOOKS
1102 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
Founded in 2016, Pilsen Community Books is Chicago’s only employee owned and operated independent bookstore. There is a wonderful use of graphics and design throughout the shop, from the posters to the index card drawers that double as a counter. Also, Pilsen Community Books is one of five book shops in the Chicago area that participates in the Liberation Library initiative, books for incarcerated youth in Illinois.
Indiana
BLACK DOG BOOKS
115 S Main St, Zionsville, IN 46077
Named as a nod to the owner’s black labradors, Black Dog Books occupies an 1850’s house on Zionsville’s charming Main Street. Founded in 2010, the bookstore specializes in beautiful, leather bindings and rare collectible books as well as local author’s books.
Iowa
STORYHOUSE BOOKPUB
505 E Grand Ave Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50309
Former high school English teacher, Abbey Paxton, worked in a bookshop whilst studying for her master’s degree. She loved it so much she returned home and opened her own bookshop. She loves bringing bookworms together over food, drinks and quirky events.
Kansas
RAVEN BOOK STORE
809 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044
Founded in 1987 as a mystery-specialty store, today Raven Book Store is an employee-owned, general interest bookshop. This award-winning bookstore is a champion of small, independent business.
Kentucky
CARMICHAEL’S BOOKSTORE
1295 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204
A family-run business since 1978, the name being a blend of the founders forenames. In 1999 and 2014 Carmichael’s Books opened two further locations with one specializing in children’s books.
Louisiana
OCTAVIA BOOKS
513 Octavia St, New Orleans, LA 70115
An independent bookshop specializing in the local history and culture of New Orleans. Octavia Books has a packed event calendar and offers book clubs – a regular one and one focused on science fiction.
Maine
SHERMAN’S MAINE COAST BOOK SHOPS
Maine
Established as “W.H. Sherman, Printer & Stationer” in Bar Harbor in 1886, Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shops now boasts nine locations throughout Maine. These award-winning bookshops offer an array of stationery, journals, office and art supplies, greeting cards, toys, and gifts alongside their vast selection of books.
Maryland
THE BOOK ESCAPE
925 S Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21230
With an inventory of over 40,000 new and used books, including out of print and hard to find titles. Used books are in “as-new” condition and are neatly organized and catalogued to ensure ease of searching.
Massachusetts
BRATTLE BOOK SHOP
9 West St, Boston, MA 02111
One of America’s oldest second-hand bookshops, founded in the Cornhill section of Boston in 1825. In the Gloss family since 1949, The Brattle Book Shop features two floors of general used books, a third floor of rare and antiquarian books and an outside sale lot.
Michigan
LITERATI BOOKSTORE
124 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Michiganders Mike and Hilary Gustafson returned to Ann Arbor from Brooklyn to open Literati Bookstore in 2013. Their goal was to open a lively bookstore, a welcoming place where book lovers could go, talk, and interact with each other through author readings, book clubs, poetry nights, and more. They achieved their goal being awarded Bookstore of the Year in 2019.
Minnesota
RED BALLOON
891 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
Founded in 1984, Red Balloon Bookshop focuses on children’s books, and is a destination to foster imagination and a love of reading for kids and kids-at-heart.
Mississippi
SQUARE BOOKS
160 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655
Established in 1979, Square Books has four stores on five floors in three buildings 100 feet apart on the historic Oxford, Mississippi town square.
Missouri
LEFT BANK BOOKS
399 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
photo taliaparr
Established in 1969 by a group of graduate students at Washington University. Award-winning Left Bank Books is a general interest bookshop with a full calendar of events and is host to eight book clubs of their own.
Montana
COUNTRY BOOKSHELF
28 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
Award-winning, women-owned bookshop, Country Bookshelf, was founded in 1957. Located in historic Downtown Bozeman, the bookstore offer two floors of books for the whole family and a knowledgeable staff.
Nebraska
A NOVEL IDEA BOOKSTORE
118 N 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68508
A bookshop with humble beginnings. A Novel Idea Bookstore began life in 1991 in a window-less basement, the concept of two college seniors. The bookstore has since moved to downtown Lincoln, adopted the first of five cats and launched their annual Books, Cats, Life is Good calendar.
Nevada
WRITER’S BLOCK
519 S 6th St #100, Las Vegas, NV 89101
The Writer’s Block is an independent bookshop that sells stationery, toys and gifts alongside books. There is also a coffee shop, young writer’s workshop and a variety of book clubs.
New Hampshire
WHITE BIRCH BOOKS
2568 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH 03860
A quaint building is home to White Birch Books, a women-owned bookshop founded in 1992. he bookstore offers author events, book clubs and stationery goods.
New Jersey
WORD
29 McWilliams Pl, Jersey City, NJ 07302
This popular bookshop also has a bookshop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Both offer virtual book clubs, in person events, monthly subscriptions and mystery boxes.
New Mexico
HARVEST MOON BOOKS
3123 Central Ave NE Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87106
New and used bookshop founded in 2020. Harvest Moon Books also has outposts at Montage Coffee and Wine, and retail collective, And Stuff.
New York
STRAND BOOKSTORE
828 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
photo skaufman4050
Established in 1927 on Book Row, Strand Bookstore is a third-generation family run business.his NYC landmark and literary institution boasts 18 miles of books, and offers a “books by the foot” service for interior decorators.
North Carolina
BUXTON VILLAGE BOOKS
47918 North Carolina Hwy 12, Buxton, NC 27920
Established in 1984 in a charming building on Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
North Dakota
FERGUSON BOOKS
300 Sheyenne St S160, West Fargo, ND 5807 & 1720 S Washington St, Grand Forks, ND 5820
With three locations in North Dakota, Ferguson Books offer a large selection of new and used books, toys and a loyalty program.
Ohio
THE LEARNED OWL
204 N Main St, Hudson, OH 44236
Founded in 1968, The Learned Owl has expanded over the years, more than doubling in size. Today there are three floors of books with titles for all ages and all interests.
Oklahoma
COMMONPLACE BOOKS
21 S Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034
Established by a group of friends, Commonplace Books is a beautifully designed and inviting space. Created with a mission to encourage discussion, growth and respite and the flourishing world of the mind.
Oregon
ANNIE BLOOM’S BOOKS
7834 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219
Founded in 1978, Annie Bloom’s books is a general interest bookshop with a selection of magazines, art supplies, puzzles, and cards.
Pennsylvania
WHITE WHALE BOOKSTORE
4754 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
What started as a pop-up bookstall in 2011 has blossomed into a popular independent bookstore. Family-owned White Whale Bookstore is part of Pittsburgh’s thriving literary community.
Rhode Island
SYMPOSIUM BOOKS
240 Westminster St, Providence, RI 02903
An independent bookstore established in 2004 in the heart of downtown Providence. Alongside books, new and used, there is a selection of vinyl records, locally made cards, jewelry and gifts.
South Carolina
BLUE BICYCLE BOOKS
420 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Established in 1995 as Boomer Books, and renamed to Blue Bicycle Books by a new owner in 2007, this bookshop specializes in used, rare and local books.
South Dakota
MITZI’S BOOKS
510 Main St, Rapid City, SD 57701
An independent general interest bookshop over two floors, Mitzi’s Books also has a selection of books for the whole family.
Tennessee
PARNASSUS BOOKS
3900 Hillsboro Pike #14, Nashville, TN 37215
Established in 2011 by female partners, one of the co-owners is renowned novelist Ann Patchett. The name is inspired by Greek Mythology, Mount Parnassus being the home of literature, learning, and music. Parnassus books is where Ann Patchett signs all her books and she is happy to add personalizations.
Texas
DEEP VELLUM BOOKS
3000 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
Deep Vellum bookshop was opened in 2015 to showcase titles published by Deep Vellum, a nonprofit publishing house and literacy organization. Serving Noble Coyote coffee to enjoy while you browse.
Utah
KEN SANDER RARE BOOKS
268 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
A full-service antiquarian bookshop in downtown Salt Lake City, specializing in Utah & the Mormons and Western Americana, with emphases on the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, Yellowstone, and other national parks. The incredibly knowledgable owner, Ken Sanders, has been collecting books since childhood and professionally since the 1970s.
Vermont
THE YANKEE BOOKSHOP
12 Central St, Woodstock, VT 05091
Founded in 1935, The Yankee Bookshop is Vermont’s longest-running independent bookstore. Located in the historic town of Woodstock with its charming storefronts, The Yankee Bookshop is under the guidance of its eighth owner who continue the tradition of serving the literary needs of the surrounding community.
Virginia
OLD TOWN BOOKS
130 S Royal St, Alexandria, VA 22314
In the heart of historic Old Town Alexandria, Old Town Books was founded in 2018. A general interest bookshop offering books clubs and reading challenges.
Washington
ELLIOT BAY BOOK CO
1521 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Founded in 1973, Elliot Bay Book Co and has moved and expanded over the decades but they have retained their original cedar shelving and the café has remained part of the business.
Washington, D.C.
CAPITOL HILL BOOKS
657 C St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Established in 1991 by Bill Kerr, who lived upstairs, worked downstairs whilst also working at the Washington Post. A beloved figure on Capitol Hill, not only for his knowledge of books but also for his work within the community. A retired Navy rear admiral, Jim Toole took over ownership in 1995 following Bill Kerr’s untimely death. In 2018 a group of long-term employees purchased the store from Jim Toole, who has stayed on as an employee after the sale.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
West Virginia
THE PARADOX BOOKSTORE
2228 Market St, Wheeling, WV 26003
Founded by playwright Tom Stobart in 1974, The Paradox Bookstore is the oldest used bookshop in the state of West Virginia. Handwritten signs, a vintage cash register and shelves lined with interesting books tell the story of this welcoming emporium.
Wisconsin
YARDSTICK BOOKS
317 Steele St, Algoma, WI 54201
A pretty yellow bookshop on the shores of Lake Michigan. Female-owned Yardstick Books is a general-interest independent bookstore.
Wyoming
VALLEY BOOKSTORE
140 E Broadway Ave, Jackson, WY 83001
Founded in 1949, Valley Bookstore is now under the tutelage of Wendy Dodson. A source for literature about the Jackson Hole, Grand Teton and Yellowstone area plus general interest books, events and gifts.
All photos courtesy of shops unless otherwise noted.
