I like to ask this question sometimes, because it’s an important one.
This week I’m bouncing around a few bookstores — Doylestown Bookshop, WORD Bookstore, Joseph-Beth Booksellers — with some more appearances on the way, and every time I pop into a store like these I’m reminded about how awesome they are. Awesome first because they let me in the door. I mean, I wouldn’t let me in the door. I’d lock my ass out. So, right there, that’s a kindness I do not deserve. But also because these aren’t just WAREHOUSES OF SHELFSPACE for books. These are community harbors. These are havens for stories and authors and the fans and readers of those. Which means they are magical places.
That’s not to say every bookstore is awesome by dint of it being a bookstore. Some bookstores don’t get it. They don’t understand that surviving in this day and age doesn’t mean outselling or outcompeting Amazon but rather, providing things that Amazon will never provide (community, connection, real human interaction and recommendation, book love, book smell). Some bookstores still just want to sell you books and that’s it. And a lot of those stores, I find, aren’t friendly to authors — which isn’t the worst sin, since we authors are sort of weirdos. But some of these stores aren’t even friendly to readers. I was at a bookstore recently (which will remain unnamed) that seemed like it didn’t even want to sell books. The books were on high shelves, poorly arranged. The kids’ shelves were untouchable and visually inaccessible to actual children-height humans. It was a shame. (Contrast that to a local favorite, Let’s Play Books, which actually is a kids’ bookstore that wants kids to grab books and plop down and start reading.)
So, I want to ask you:
What are some of your favorite bookstores?
Locally or around the country? Hell, even around the world.
(In addition to the ones mentioned, special love must also go to Mysterious Galaxy and Poisoned Pen, both of which have treated me very well and are super awesome. And kudos, too, to Borderlands in SF for not only surviving, but kicking ass in the process.)
Shout ’em out. They give us book love. Let’s give them some bookstore love in return.
hopeclark says:
Edisto Bookstore on Edisto Island, SC – http://www.edistobookstore.com/ Treats me like royalty when I sign and what’s even better is that we sell a heck of a lot of books in a two-hour signing. http://www.chopeclark.com
August 17, 2015 — 12:05 AM
Joe H. says:
I’m coming up on the 25th anniversary of the first time I set foot in Uncle Hugo’s in Minneapolis.
August 17, 2015 — 12:05 AM
manifenestration says:
I just went there while on vacation in July. Loved it.
August 17, 2015 — 1:12 AM
Paul Weimer says:
Yeah, Chuck…when are YOU going to come to Uncle Hugo’s? I’ve taken plenty of pictures of authors “Against the wall of books”. You could be next!
August 17, 2015 — 6:01 AM
Earl says:
Murder By The Book in Houston TX
August 17, 2015 — 12:05 AM
Lorin O. says:
Powells, of course, in Portland. I could just move in there for life. And my local indie (in Tampa), Inkwood Books. Great vibe, awesome author and reader-friendly owner and employees, terrific part of town.
August 17, 2015 — 12:12 AM
Katharine Ashe says:
LOVE Powells!
August 17, 2015 — 6:34 AM
lovablewriter says:
I love the Poisoned Pen! The one in AZ, right? They always have the best signed copies. I’m also absolutely obsessed with Changing Hands Bookstore, which has locations in Tempe and Phoenix, AZ. It’s got shelves upon shelves of books with sticky notes that discuss notable books in that section, i.e. “lovers of Game of Thrones will like this,” etc. It even has clothing and the coolest notebooks I’ve ever seen. But what I love most is that Changing Hands has an authentic heart that has long died out at the likes of Barnes & Noble.
August 17, 2015 — 12:15 AM
Justice says:
I second Changing Hands! An amazing local bookstore that hosts events for word nerds, including author readings, writing groups, and book clubs. The Phoenix location is the quintessential cozy bookstore, and the First Draft Book Bar is located on site.
August 17, 2015 — 12:32 AM
mholbrook says:
Powell’s here in Portland, OR! The Holy Grail of the written word.
August 17, 2015 — 12:17 AM
Laura Roberts says:
One of my faves is still the Concordia Community Solidarity Co-op Bookstore (or “Co-op Bookstore” for short) in Montreal. If you’re ever in town, check them out and tell their LitPimp Larissa that I sent you.
There’s an awesome write-up about them in the current issue of Quill & Quire. (Which I will have to link you to on Facebook, since their website wants payment.)
August 17, 2015 — 12:19 AM
Kate says:
I live right down the street from the most wonderful bookstore (… In Utah), The King’s English!!!!
August 17, 2015 — 12:19 AM
mjmartell says:
Blessed to be in Austin with the fabulous Book People. They understand how to be part of the community. Authors love coming here, so that helps!
August 17, 2015 — 12:21 AM
christophergronlund says:
I never made it to the actual big store in all my trips to Oregon, but even the Powell’s in PDX airport trumps many bigger stores.
But my fave is Book People in Austin. They love books. And authors. And readers. Great place!
Closer to this part of Texas, my favorite bookstore is Recycled Books and Records in Denton, Texas. It’s used books in a place that really has to be experienced. (It was once an old opera house.) The rare books section is cool, but even better is wandering the basement while thinking, “I will turn this corner and see the creepy twins from The Shining, a Sleestak, or someone who’s been lost down here for decades and has lived off the knowledge found in all these damn books!”
Okay, so what you REALLY think is, “All these shelves are going to come down and crush me to death,” and realizing that dying from an avalanche of books isn’t such a bad way to go…it’s hard to explain. Denton still has a 50s vibe to parts of town, and when you’re alone in the deeper parts of the store, it’s easy to imagine you survived a Cold War bombing and are the last person on Earth, alone with all these glorious books!
(And that’s when you hear the floor creak high above you and think, “I am not alone…mutant or man up there — it does not matter. All that matters are all these books!”)
August 17, 2015 — 12:24 AM
Sarah W says:
Yes! So much love for Recycled, even if the floors creak alarmingly in some sections and I’m honestly kinda convinced that the carpet is not only original to the building, but was installed by a time traveler from the 1970s who traveled back to 1901 specifically TO install that carpet.
Recycled has one of the best RPG book sections in a used bookstore that I’ve ever seen – downstairs, make a right, take the second right and it’s there in front of you, between the self help books and the animal books – and one of the best science fiction/fantasy sections. The folks behind the desk are always helpful, and if you ask them for a book, they will put you on the list in case that book ever comes in. (I’ve only done it once, and three years later, they called me up to tell me that they had it in.) And because Denton is not only a college town, but a town with 2 colleges, there’s no telling what the hell you’re going to find in there.
August 17, 2015 — 9:39 AM
christophergronlund says:
Yes, that carpet! Your description is perfect!
Damn…now I need to head up to Denton this weekend…
August 17, 2015 — 11:34 PM
Kathy Aarons says:
Yes! Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego is incredible!
August 17, 2015 — 12:28 AM
conniecockrell says:
The only bookstore in my town is Christian. If I’m in need of a bible or prophesies of the apocalypse, I’m good. Otherwise, the tiny shelves at the two grocery stores and at Walmart are all I have. Thank goodness for ebook retailers.
August 17, 2015 — 12:33 AM
Jana Denardo says:
I don’t have a book store within 50 miles of me (let that one sink in) but I’ve had great ones in other places I’ve lived or visited.
The Book Loft in Columbus OH’s German Village is the only one still within driving distance of me (when I’m up for the 90 mile drive) and is really nice. http://www.bookloft.com/
A Mystery to Me (https://www.mysterytomebooks.com/) and A Room of Our Own (http://www.roomofonesown.com/) are both in Madison WI and well worth the visit! I spent hours in both of them when I lived there.
The Tattered Cover showed up on things to do in Denver when I was heading out there which says a lot about it (http://www.tatteredcover.com/)
August 17, 2015 — 12:37 AM
Amy K says:
Another vote for Powell’s in Portland. Elliot Bay Book Company in Seattle. Once Upon a Time children’s bookstore in Montrose, CA. The owner there has hosted YA author panels in the past.
August 17, 2015 — 12:38 AM
Moriah says:
Borderlands Books in San Francisco.
August 17, 2015 — 12:44 AM
kentuckygal50 says:
The closest bookstores are like 35 miles away. One Christian bookstore and one Books-a-Million. Customer service is much better at the B-a-M. I went into the ‘Christian’ bookstore once, with a purchase in mind, and they were being so catty about people from a certain denomination, I walked back out sans purchase and have not been back. I should’ve told them to going to hell for being bitchy. Twenty-twenty hindsight, eh?
There is a Joseph-Beth bookstore about an hour and a half north of us that the whole family enjoy. They used to have this rather impressive Thomas the Tank Engine table set up for the kiddies, I would feel confident going out on a limb to say that even my boys (17 and 18) enjoy the store as much as the Best Buy across the road.
August 17, 2015 — 12:50 AM
Michal says:
Well-Read Books in Whitehorse, Yukon. We only have one used bookstore. Thank the Supreme Potentate it’s a good one.
August 17, 2015 — 12:52 AM
Terri Adam says:
My favourite bookstore is McNally Robinson in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Very supportive of local authors and very welcoming to local readers!
August 17, 2015 — 12:58 AM
Andrew T says:
I second McNally Robinson. They also run training classes that occasionally include creative writing. Authors can self-publish with McNally Robinson, including printing on their POD machines.
August 17, 2015 — 8:02 AM
Rebecca McCurdy says:
Redlands, Calif – The Frugal Frigate http://www.frugalfrigate.com/ It’s a cozy store with crazy nooks and a staircase, along with just about every children’s book imaginable.
August 17, 2015 — 12:59 AM
manifenestration says:
Do you know about Between Books in Claymont, DE? It’s just outside of Wilmington.
August 17, 2015 — 1:11 AM
Varina Suellen Plonski says:
Books at Park in Pinellas Park, FL. Run by the awesome and inestimable Nancy Alloy. She has the best of the new ad well as used books. She knows her clientele, she knows her books, and knows just how and when to put the two together. Her store is COMFORTABLE. Though small (one storefront wide) there are chairs for reading. She has a section dedicated to RPG gamers, and hosts a gaming group. There is another section for the New Agers, with occasional psychic readers. She promotes and invites local authors in for readings and signing. All in all, an absolute jewel-box of a store chock-full of priceless gems, and herself the jewel in the crown. If y’all are in the area don’t miss it!
August 17, 2015 — 1:17 AM
Clarissa Ryan says:
Borderlands Books in SF and the Dickson Street Bookstore in Fayetteville, AR. <3 Copperfield's, in the SF Bay Area, is also pretty great.
We found a bunch of outstanding bookstores in CA, OR, and WA on a recent trip, but I've only been to them once each. If you're in the Lincoln City, OR, area, definitely check out Bob's Books and Robert's Books. And Cal's Books and Things in Redding, CA, was a pleasant surprise.
August 17, 2015 — 1:30 AM
Deborah Dorchak says:
Books or Books in Henderson, NV. Kim Henry is a HUGE advocate for local authors and was the first store to carry our novels. The Barnes & Noble on Stephanie in Henderson is cool too, we had a kick-ass signing there and they still have our books stocked on their shelves. Also, The Writers’ Block in Las Vegas, NV. Great people doing wonderful things for the writing community here.
August 17, 2015 — 1:53 AM
dpatneaude says:
Secret Garden, Seattle. Knowledgeable book people, friendly to both customers and local (and out-of-town) authors. Plus it’s in the cool neighborhood of Ballard, where you can take a few steps out the bookstore door and find coffee, craft beer, crafty food, and take-out pies. Labor of love, and it shows.
August 17, 2015 — 1:56 AM
Christopher Peters says:
Vroman’s Bookstore, in Pasadena California. (If you have ever watched the Rose Parade on TV, on New Year’s Day, the floats go right by it.) Founded in 1894, by Adam Vroman, and it is still a wonderful independent bookstore. Mr. Vroman felt so strongly about the importance of books, that he loaned money to another man, so the man could open another bookstore in Pasadena! When he died, he willed ownership of the store to his employees. My father, who believed that books were always the solution, established a charge account, and added my and my brothers’ names to the account, so we could walk in any day, chose a book, sign, and go home to read! I still have my complete set of the “Freddy the Pig” books I bought there, and many others. If you are every in the LA area, it is worth a visit!
August 17, 2015 — 2:00 AM
Kylie says:
I’m gonna be that uppity Australian adding their bookstore love into a US themed conversation (but only because these two stores are freakin’ phenomenal).
Both are in Brisbane (which is in Queensland, which is home to beautiful beaches, big-ass spiders that chase you around your house, and crocodiles that eat sharks). There’s Avid Reader, which is staffed by Brissy writers and hosts heaps of writing events. Great service, great people, and there’s always a book you’ve never realised existed to fall hard for. The second is called Pulp Fiction, which is all about the crime and sci fi genres, and is run by super-helpful and wonderful people who love reading. Even better for me, they’re fine with giddy, laugh-filled conversations about the awesomeness of certain death scenes and likely to know what books to rec based on how people die in them.
August 17, 2015 — 2:08 AM
Zah says:
Galaxy books in Sydney near the QVB – specialty bookstore – fantasy sci fic horror urban and everything in between. Suits my reading genres to the point that I think I could start at one end and read my way through to the other.
Staff are always incredibly helpful with their suggestions and love their passion for books
August 17, 2015 — 2:19 AM
Silent_Dan says:
Pulp Fiction, a local independent sci fi, fantasy, horror and crime/mystery place that’s been around for 20 years and still going strong. 250 points means $25 off. The staff know me. It’s also the favourite store for my writers group, who do (drumroll) sci fi, fantasy and horror fiction. They’re not only Australian, but in my capital city, and only about an hour away from home, at that.
Dymocks is a large chain store, but they’re also Australian, so they’re *local* large chain. I know the manager from my local Dymocks, because, well, she’s in my writers group.
August 17, 2015 — 2:46 AM
T Mink says:
The Tattered Cover in Denver sets the standard for Colorado bookstores (though the downtown location is the best of their best). I also like Firehouse Books in Fort Collins since it’s in y’know an old firehouse.
August 17, 2015 — 2:48 AM
Beth says:
I completely agree; the East Colfax store is lovely but the Union Station store is where my heart lives. The Tattered Cover is magnificent. (I live 200 miles from Denver, y’all, and it’s on my list of every-time-I-go-to-the-city stops.)
They sponsor an enormous amount of local culture stuff, work closely with Denver Public Library, and are generally amazing. They do a huge number of author programs, and in particular are super supportive of SF/F authors, of whom there arejust so many working in Colorado.
August 17, 2015 — 12:10 PM
Zombie Kitteh says:
I’m in FoCo and I love Old Firehouse. Were you there for the crazy Neil Gaiman signing?
August 17, 2015 — 9:52 PM
T Mink says:
I had to work but I had friends that went. I hate them all so much now
August 17, 2015 — 11:36 PM
cajetane says:
Go the Aussies! LOVE Galaxy Books. They mail order too. My fave is from my adopted home town, Canberra: Canty’s Bookshop, voted one of Australia’s most spectacular bookshops to see before you die. http://hercanberra.com.au/cplife/fyshwick-is-home-to-one-of-australias-most-spectacular-bookshops/
August 17, 2015 — 2:50 AM
ina says:
Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park, CA
Book Buyers in Mtn View CA (perhaps the last used book store in Silicon Valley)
Books Inc, small SV chain.
August 17, 2015 — 3:17 AM
Jessica says:
The last bookstore in Los Angeles. It’s a two story building where the top has a labyrinth of books all for a dollar as well as color coded walls. There’s a horror vault for horror books. And the bottom is huge with a bunch of modern and classic books. Super awesome place to kick back and get lost.
August 17, 2015 — 3:43 AM
Harry-le-beau says:
Cracked and Spineless Books in Hobart Tasmania. Not only a brilliant name, but one of the best new and used bookshops around.
August 17, 2015 — 3:52 AM
elctrcrngr says:
Phoenix Books in San Luis Obispo is great, close to where I live now. But my all time favorite is the Half Price used book store in downtown San Antonio. It’s in this huge old Victorian-era house that is leaning so far off its foundation, you kind of have to walk lopsided to climb the stairs to the second floor. But the house is huge, and is completely filled with books, even the bathrooms have shelves. I could spend a lifetime in there. The house, not the bathroom.
August 17, 2015 — 4:19 AM
KimGM says:
Here in Stockholm, I usually buy all of my books at Hedengrens, which is unfortunately now on the brink of going out of business. When I am back in Philly, I usually end up buying all of my books at either Joseph Fox or Head House Books.
August 17, 2015 — 5:17 AM
Peg says:
Prairie Lights in Iowa City, Subterranean Books in University City.
I miss good used book stores more than anything else modern tech has endangered.
August 17, 2015 — 6:38 AM
Scott Parker says:
Murder by the Book, Houston, TX. It’s the bookstore equivalent of “Cheers” where, when you walk in, they know your name and reading habits.
August 17, 2015 — 6:41 AM
Katharine Ashe says:
Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC is my fave, perfectly curated and just a really fantastic space with good people selling the books, and a great used book collection too. I’m a new fan of Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh, NC (where John Scalzi did an event the last week at the same hour I was doing an off-site event for them down the road), which has just changed ownership. They have a dizzying events schedule, and they really pack the house. The Regulator Bookshop in Durham, NC , with a strong college town tone, is our family’s favorite. Props to them for offering some genre romance when encouraged.
Also, I adore Hudson News at RDU Airport, where the proprietor, Buzzy (a former HarperCollins employee), hand sells my books to travelers.
Away from home, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond is small but wonderful (I had the most fun at a signing only one reader came to, ever), and Katy Budget Books in Houston always fills the house for signings and they’re very romance friendly.
Thinking about all the wonderful people who run these stores just started my day perfectly. Thanks, Chuck. Happy road trip!
August 17, 2015 — 6:53 AM
Dawn says:
The aforementioned Joseph-Beth, B&N, the Morris Bookshop, all in Lexington, KY. There’s a good one in Asheville, NC, the name of which escapes me at the moment. Eclectic range of books and lots of cool money grabbers (magnets, shirts, etc).
August 17, 2015 — 6:56 AM
Kitty Chandler says:
Malaprops, in downtown Asheville? That was going to be my vote, it’s been one of my favorites since I was little.
August 17, 2015 — 10:01 AM
Samantha Bryant (@mirymom1) says:
I’m a fan of Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC too. They have an inviting space and kind people and a great variety of books. What’s not to love?
I also have really fond memories of The Shire Bookstore in Kodiak, Alaska. It was an unexpected oasis of bookish delight in a town more focused on fish.
August 17, 2015 — 7:00 AM
Piccadilly Jilly says:
The Towne Book Center & Cafe in Collegeville, PA. They host two local writers groups, help promote local authors, have guest authors and community events. Lots of comfy space to read and write. A variety of book genres, gifts and a nice cafe. Very friendly and helpful staff. http://www.townebc.com/
August 17, 2015 — 7:03 AM
terribleminds says:
My god, that’s fairly local to me. I had no idea!
August 17, 2015 — 7:53 AM
Diane weaver says:
I love Toadstool in Milford, New Hampshire and Gibsons in Concord, New Hampshire. Both have a knowledgeable staff and frequently host local and other guest authors. So, Chuck, come on down. John Scalzi was here last year and it was fun!
August 17, 2015 — 7:18 AM
Susan Winchell says:
Politics and Prose in DC, The Strand in NYC. And Powell’s, of course!
August 17, 2015 — 7:29 AM
Courtney C says:
Curious Iguana in downtown Frederick, Maryland is excellent. The couple who run it also own a toy store around the corner and have succeeded with both in making them very inviting, friendly places for anyone. I’d forgotten what a joy it was to just browse book shelves before I wandered into the bookstore a year ago (B&N is too large and overwhelming for me).
August 17, 2015 — 7:33 AM
Annie Daylon says:
The Book Man in Chilliwack, British Columbia!
August 17, 2015 — 7:42 AM
Russ Brooking says:
Richard Booth’s Book Shop, Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK – The first book shop opened by Richard Booth (self declared King of Hay) in the market town, known as the world’s first book town.
Like no other bookstore or library I’ve visited, I still travel the 70 miles and happily spend the day there. Both interesting and inspiring, the 3 floors are arranged through Tudor period and Victorian buildings, including a basement (my daughter calls a dungeon) with ceilings at 6ft, old stone and cobble walls and floor create a labyrinth of books both old and new (they buy in your books too).
If that doesn’t float your boat, there’s dozens of bookstores within this town and surrounding towns, not to mention the annual literature festival.
Well worth a visit if the opportunity arises:
http://www.boothbooks.co.uk/
August 17, 2015 — 7:56 AM
bethtreadwayauthor says:
Must be nice. I have Barnes & Noble in my little town & thrilled not to be at the mercy of Walmart & Target. That’s it for the whole county!
August 17, 2015 — 8:23 AM
Kathryn Mann says:
Here in Pasadena, we love Vroman’s. Downtown Los Angeles has the Last Bookstore, but I am fortunate that there are still independent bookstores in the Los Angeles area.
August 17, 2015 — 8:24 AM
Christine Frost says:
Harvard Book Store: chock full of awesomeness. New books on ground floor, used books and remainders on the basement level, tons of great events (looking forward to seeing Patti Smith read from her new book this fall), and an annual sale at their warehouse in nearby Somerville (with food and tables with reps from literary journals).
August 17, 2015 — 8:35 AM
todddillard says:
It’s gone now, but I used to work at the Alabama Theater Bookstop in Houston–a single-screen theater turned into a bookstore eventually bought up by Barnes and Nobles. It was a beautiful building, I had wonderful coworkers, and it’s where I (as a section supervisor) fell in love with YA/Teen books. The mezzanine level was where we kept the travel books, the projection booth was our coffee shop, the seating tiers (respectively) housed fiction on one side and nonfiction on the other, the stage/screen was the newsstand, and the checkout areas were the ticket booth and the concession stand. I remember nights where we’d close, and a fine young gentleman by the name of Reed used to belt out these hauntingly beautiful opera solos as he was cleaning up the coffee shop; you could hear them throughout the store. So cool. So, anyway, that’ll always be my favorite book store. Now, after a failed bid to make it a city landmark, I think it’s a Trader Joe’s.
I’ll also have to give a nod to Brazos Book Store in Houston as well; doling out hard-to-find but necessary books of poetry/fiction for years now, and VERY friendly to authors. I suppose I should also give thanks to the Union Square Barnes and Nobles, specifically the top floor, where I’d go read books/journals back when NYC living was so expensive I couldn’t afford to buy books/journals.
August 17, 2015 — 8:40 AM
Juliette Kings says:
The Bookworm in Fair Oaks, California.
August 17, 2015 — 8:48 AM