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.
gothamcity06365 says:
The book barn in niantic ct is s great used book place. The main “store” consists of several smaller buildings that contain fiction & poetry. The Mystery bookshop, Hades. There are several other shops not far from the main store that carry sci-go, movies, romance kids…every subject or genre you can think of is there. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and you can trade in your books for credit or money. If you are ever in the area its s great place to spend the day
August 17, 2015 — 8:52 AM
Marian Olson says:
I would like to let you know about a lovely children’s book shop. It is:
LET’S PLAY BOOKS in Emmaus, Pennsylvania
August 17, 2015 — 8:56 AM
terribleminds says:
You did see I shouted them out in the post itself, too, right? 🙂
August 17, 2015 — 9:45 AM
Armand Rosamilia says:
Change Jar Books in Flagler Beach Florida has a big selection of local authors and they’re featured prominently in spots at the front of the store and even on the counter. They really love to push local author book-signings and have always treated authors with respect. They genuinely want to help promote the indie author.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Change-Jar-Books/209616882423359?fref=ts
Armand Rosamilia
August 17, 2015 — 8:58 AM
danielpsouthwell says:
Dog Star Books, in Lancaster PA, is pretty delightful. You’ll find things you never expected. Just eccentric enough.
Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane, WA has about the best-curated selections I’ve seen. Definitely the definitive bookstore in the North-of-Powell’s part of the Inland Northwest.
Absolute favorite: Booknook in Montague, MI. Best atmosphere/people, decent selection, and coffee/wine bar. A good selection of author and music events for a small town.
August 17, 2015 — 8:59 AM
E.S. Henry says:
I miss Aunties SO MUCH
August 17, 2015 — 10:25 AM
Allison says:
Bestsellers Books and Coffee in Mason, MI. I used to work there so yes, I am a bit biased. But, the owner Jamie knows what it means to be a local bookstore and serve your community. She will spend days hunting down a book request, even if it’s out of print or hard to find. Her dedication to the community and her customers is the perfect example of what local bookstores are all about!
August 17, 2015 — 9:04 AM
Devyn Price says:
My favorite bookstore recently shut down. It was the huge warehouse on the northwest side of Houston. The kind where you had to get some guy with a forklift to get stuff down from the top shelves. I used to go there when I was a kid with the money I earned from doing chores and stuff. For about $10 I’d walk out with one of those paper grocery bags full of books. The staff was always friendly and there was always someone who knew what the hell I was talking about no matter how obscure the book was that I was looking for. I’m getting teary eyed just typing this. I wish it was back. I’m not sure I’ll ever find one that I loved more than that one, but I’m looking.
August 17, 2015 — 9:15 AM
booksbrainsandbeer says:
You really need to do yourself a favor and stop by The Book Trader, 2nd and Market, Philadelphia. Now, this is not necessarily a “great” bookstore, but it is a Philly institution, and you must experience it at least once. Indeed, I suspect it will provide you nightmare fodder for a short story.
August 17, 2015 — 9:37 AM
Anmiryam says:
I hope sometime you make it a bit further south in the Philly area and stop by Main Point Books in Bryn Mawr. I don’t think we’re unfriendly to authors, though some of our kids books are a bit higher up than they ought to be. It may be time to rearrange!
August 17, 2015 — 9:39 AM
Marilyn says:
The Paperback Shack in Emporia, KS.
There are likely better and certainly bigger bookstores out there, but this little one is special for me. It’s actually a party supply store in front, with the books being in the back. It has the strangest ability for delivering books to me. I found the first book of the Wheel of Time series there, when I couldn’t anywhere else, and later it even had a big hardback of Brandon Sanderson’s ‘Warbreaker’–a bit of a contrast to the shop’s regular tattered fare.
I was in Emporia during school, so I haven’t been back there in a while. I miss it sometimes. I feel like I could find the books I’m hunting for there–or they could find me.
August 17, 2015 — 9:44 AM
suzannebrazil says:
Open Books! Latest Fave is the not-for-profit Indie. http://www.open-books.org/ New, Used and best of all, sales support literacy in Chicago. They have an awesome writing mentor program for kids. They write a book, get it produced and then even have a launch party hosted by the bookstore. Big comfy leather sofas, snacks, bright walls, dark corners, huge selection and informed, friendly staff. Love it!
August 17, 2015 — 9:47 AM
Amber Fallon says:
Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts is very awesome.
August 17, 2015 — 9:48 AM
Ceil Kessler says:
We found Tim’s Used Books in Provincetown this summer. Apparently another, larger store is in Hyannis, but you enter the Provincetown store via a cool little walkway between shops. The bookstore itself has been converted from a house. I never made it out of the first room, where I met the eponymous Tim, who was a really nice guy. Also, that’s where the poetry section was, and I got stuck there. (A good kind of stuck!) Picked up two Billy Collins books & chatted with Tim. Highly recommended.
August 17, 2015 — 9:57 AM
Lauren Roy says:
Pandemonium Books & Games in Cambridge, MA is an SF/F bookstore with a great selection, enthusiastic staff, and a big ol’ game room downstairs.
During our annual nerd family reunion in Seattle, we’ve descended upon Elliott Bay Books and University Books, running around piling new reads into each others’ arms. (The staffs probably are all “What sort of nerd flash mob is THIS?”)
I got to visit Joseph-Beth earlier this summer. Their staff is fantastic – big fans of genre fiction, great readers, and those stores… I could’ve spent the whole day wandering about.
August 17, 2015 — 9:57 AM
karen F says:
I love New England Mobile Book Fair in Newton Highlands, MA. Its this old, long narrow building squeezed in between other buildings that you’ll drive right by if you arent paying attention. It has narrow aisles & tall shelves that you need a stool to access. They have tons of trade/mass market paperback books you wont find anywhere else on top of all the current releases (which are often found in open boxes straight from the publishers, set in front of shelves, on the floor). While everything is alphabetical by author now, it used to be filed by publisher, so you either had to do your research before going, spend hours exploring (which is massively fun for a book geek), or get the help of a friendly staff member who would dig thru the stacks with you to find the book you wanted (theyre still happy to do that). Its definitely worth a road trip if youre in the area.
August 17, 2015 — 9:59 AM
Maggie Smith says:
here’s a link to 10 fantastic and unusual bookstores around the globe.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinlarosa/bookstores-that-will-literally-change-your-life?sub=3317978_3108578#.gmkrooM13
August 17, 2015 — 9:59 AM
allreb says:
I read lots of YA, and I absolutely adore Books of Wonder in NYC. They do all kinds of awesome author events – I have discovered favorites there, as well as meeting an author I idolized through my entire childhood (I may have cried at him, it’s fine, I am TOTALLY COOL why would anyone think otherwise). It’s just a fun, lovely place to hang out and buy stuff.
August 17, 2015 — 10:03 AM
Shane Norton says:
Used Book Superstore is the only book store I go. There used to be five locations in southern NH and northern MA but now there are only two left in Massachusetts. Great prices, pretty good selection (lots of books I’ve never seen in other bookstores), and a fun atmosphere
August 17, 2015 — 10:08 AM
Richard Thomas says:
Myopic and Quimby’s in Wicker Park, here in Chicago.
August 17, 2015 — 10:24 AM
Nicholas Kaufmann says:
Like you, I’m a big, big fan of WORD. I’ve done two events at the Greenpoint store and both went very well thanks to their hard work and dedication to doing a good job. I’ve also done an event at Dark Delicacies out in Burbank and it was fantastic. Highly recommended. In terms of browsing for my own pleasure, I enjoy Forbidden Planet and the Union Square B&N, both in Manhattan and not far from each other, although Forbidden Planet doesn’t carry nearly as many book as they used to. I used to enjoy browsing at Newbury Comics in Boston, but they don’t seem to carry much of anything anymore except t-shirts and toys.
As someone who used to own and operate his own bookstore (the late, lamented Tell-Tale Books in Brooklyn), I can’t tell you how gratifying it is to see so much love for independent bookstores these days. It wasn’t always this way.
August 17, 2015 — 10:25 AM
TK says:
The Book Thing in Baltimore! It’s an experience, to say the least. Loosely organized into genres and that’s about it. You never know what you’ll find, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s 100% free. In fact, I’ve been yelled at for not taking enough books. Great place.
August 17, 2015 — 10:25 AM
E.S. Henry says:
Elliott Bay Book Co in Seattle, WA. I grew up going to that bookstore, and even though it’s no longer in the location where I went as a child, I can still conjure up the smell of that store in my head.
Aunties Bookstore in Spokane, WA is a lovely place where I went to many an author signing in college.
Books of Wonder in NYC is my other childhood bookstore, and is where I was introduced to some formative books.
And of course, in Portland, OR POWELLS CITY OF BOOKS AND MAGIC.
August 17, 2015 — 10:28 AM
Judi Glamb says:
The Doylestown Bookshop in PA. Besides being a bookstore, the are very active in supporting authors, writers, Literacy and the community in general
August 17, 2015 — 10:39 AM
Nicole Sharp Writes says:
Rediscovered Books in Boise, Idaho is amazing. Such a big part of the community, I have had the opportunity to hear some great authors speak here and of course, wander aimlessly about in order to ease my bibliophile obsession. Being a locally owned and indie bookstore, they have not only survived, but thrived. They are expanding this year. It’s a really great place.
August 17, 2015 — 10:29 AM
Kate Freiman says:
Bakka-Phoenix Books, (probably) oldest continuously operated Science Fiction & Fantasy bookstore, at 84 Harbord, Toronto, Ontario: knowledgeable staff, lots of back-list, terrific signings and launches, on and off site.
Sleuth of Baker Street, Millwood Rd., Toronto, Ontario, carries mystery, suspense & thrillers. Special orders, great staff, great signings & launches, handsome store dog Percy.
August 17, 2015 — 10:44 AM
Shecky (@SheckyX) says:
Alexander Books in Lafayette LA. Mom-and-pop used-book store. It feels less like a business than like a home away from home.
August 17, 2015 — 10:47 AM
Jake the girl says:
A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland! Although I may be biased, because I worked there for several years.
Also The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles. Amazing, amazing place, and it’s always full of people.
August 17, 2015 — 10:50 AM
MJ Brodeck says:
Montclair Book Center Montclair, NJ – 2 stories filled with new and used books.
Arcadian Books – New Orleans – books are piled to the ceiling -yes they are to the ceiling- wobbly stacks of books everywhere. It’s a delight for any book lover. Extra points for both stores since they have creaky wooden floors.
August 17, 2015 — 10:53 AM
E.S. Henry says:
Well, looks like I have a field trip to make. Montclair isn’t that far from me.
August 17, 2015 — 11:07 AM
MJ Brodeck says:
E.S – It’s only a 30 min ride on the GSP. Plenty of little shops and restaurants. Let me know if you’re in the area.:) MaryJane
August 17, 2015 — 2:29 PM
Shecky Betai says:
Same here.
August 19, 2015 — 9:36 PM
erikbuchanan says:
Bakka Books on Harbord Street in Toronto. Great selection of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. My favourite place to walk to on a Saturday afternoon.
August 17, 2015 — 10:53 AM
terribleminds says:
Bakka is an amazing store. I just want to go there and do the SOUND OF MUSIC meadow-spin.
August 17, 2015 — 10:55 AM
elctrcrngr says:
You’ll look better in a dress than Scalzi, too.
August 17, 2015 — 11:22 AM
M.A. KroppM says:
Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord, NH. They support local authors, and have a good number of kids’ events.
August 17, 2015 — 11:13 AM
miceala says:
Century Books in Pasadena is pretty much home for me. It’s a used bookstore run by an amazing couple from Hungary who are the nicest people I’ve ever met. Judith will almost literally chase after you with free water and chocolate. The interior of the bookstore is very Flourish & Blotts-esque, with wooden floors and cozy lighting and both an upstairs and downstairs, with the upstairs sporting a couch that Judith regularly invites customers to sit and read on (no purchase necessary) or even to nap on. (Century Books is right next to two colleges.) There are free jazz nights on Saturday, and part of the upper floor is also dedicated to displaying pieces from local artists. I did my first book signing at Century Books, and Judith made me feel so welcomed and supported.
August 17, 2015 — 11:13 AM
Jessie H. says:
I’ve moved around a lot so I’ve shopped at a lot of bookstores over the years but my favorites will always be University Bookstore in Seattle, The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, The Strand in NY, and Politics and Prose in DC.
August 17, 2015 — 11:18 AM
Luke Matthews (@GeekElite) says:
Even though I buy almost everything digitally now, there are still a few bookstores I love.
Powell’s in downtown Portland, Oregon, is – as many responders have already stated – absolutely fantastic. It’s a must-visit whenever I go down there.
In Seattle, I have two favorite shops: Third Place Books and Elliott Bay Book Company.
When my wife and I visited Paris a couple of years ago, we stopped by an awesome little bookstore called Shakespeare & Company, withing spitting distance of Notre Dame.
August 17, 2015 — 11:21 AM
Andy says:
Gotta echo your love of Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego. Fantastic, amazing, friendly staff always willing to give a recommendation. They got me hooked on Scalzi, Butcher, Erikson, and Morgan. Their author visits and signings are also great, even better now they moved to the bigger store.
August 17, 2015 — 11:27 AM
Meg says:
Baldwin Book Barn, in West Chester, PA: http://www.bookbarn.com/
August 17, 2015 — 11:28 AM
Nancy K says:
Schuler Books and Music in Lansing, Michigan! They host awesome author events and the staff are very helpful and knowledgeable.
August 17, 2015 — 11:29 AM
Daina says:
The Tattered Cover in Downtown Denver and Littleton CO. They are champions of Rocky Mountain Authors. http://www.tatteredcover.com/local-authors
August 17, 2015 — 11:30 AM
Christine says:
Dark Carnival in Berkeley. I’ve been going there since I moved to CA. 30 years ago! It’s messy and strangely arranged but has the best selection of SFI and Fantasy! Plus with a whole row of women who date men on death row? I was hooked at 15 and now live within walking distance.
And yeah Powells in Portland OR. Mecca!
August 17, 2015 — 11:32 AM
Dangerfield5 says:
We have Troutmark books, which is a proper secondhand bookshop. You can’t have a proper secondhand bookshop without corridors or staircases going off at non-Euclidean angles. I’m sure that the bookshelves in Troutmark don’t line up as they should. I always find something there.
I also live within ninety minutes of Hay-on-Wye. Now there’s a bookshop. And another one. And another. I own a perfectly reasonable sized car, but we’ve had trips to Hay-on-Wye where we’ve felt the need to hire a van, just to make sure we don’t have to limit ourselves. I’ve never found anywhere better for secondhand non-fiction about things you weren’t sure you wanted to know about until you saw them.
August 17, 2015 — 11:46 AM
Russell Appelt says:
Russell Books in Victoria BC is the local temple of used books where the devout make their pilgrimage to exchange the old for the new, like reincarnation for books. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I research new books online then order them at Russell Books at a discount without having to pay for shipping. I love this place.
August 17, 2015 — 11:55 AM
Penquillity says:
The Peregrine Book Company here in “everybody’s hometown” of Prescott, Arizona is the best independent bookstore around. Housed in what used to be a mercantile store back in the early 1900s, the Peregrine carries a wide collection of new and used books, graphic novels, and trinkets. If you’re hungry, there’s the Raven Cafe a half a block away, also owned by the bookstore’s owner.
Jeannie Leighton
August 17, 2015 — 12:27 PM
Amanda Fink says:
If I only make it to one bookstore a year I hustle my butt up to Village Books in Bellingham, WA for my birthday every year. Beautiful drive (take Chuckanut!), beautiful store, lovely people, and a damn fine restaurant, too. (I get a fat slice of carrot cake and at least one book every year as my present to myself.)
August 17, 2015 — 12:28 PM
Jo says:
Big shout out to Copperfield’s books in Sonoma County, CA. They frequently have authors come to speak, make staff recommendations, and has a great kids’ section, as well as a huge used bookstore in the basement. Independent and smart. The staff will gush about books with you to no end.
August 17, 2015 — 12:33 PM
James F. Brown says:
For me, it’s a total no-brainer: Powell’s City of Books in Portland, OR. 🙂
August 17, 2015 — 1:02 PM
James F. Brown says:
And, in close second place: Vroman’s in Pasadena.
August 17, 2015 — 1:10 PM
James F. Brown says:
Sadly, Smith’s Acres of Books in Long Beach, CA is no more. Enormous, cavernous space filled with USED books. It’ was Ray Bradbury’s fave. ;(
August 17, 2015 — 1:18 PM
The Beardly Writer says:
BookManBookWoman in Nashville. Aisle after cramped aisle of shelves two and three books deep, random nooks and crannies filled with more books, books piled up around your feet…
August 17, 2015 — 1:24 PM
Ridley Kemp says:
I’ll add another vote for Austin’s Book People. Not only is it a great place to buy a book, but they have fantastic events on a regular basis (having Sir Terry draw a turtle on my copy of Small Gods is one of the highlights of my life) and the staff are absolutely fantastic. I haven’t encountered anyone there who isn’t madly passionate about what they do.
August 17, 2015 — 1:39 PM
Nicole Feldringer says:
University Bookstore in Seattle does a fantastic job with community events, especially during the summer when the Clarion West instructors are in town and give readings. Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena is a new favorite.
August 17, 2015 — 1:53 PM
Michael J. Martinez says:
I’m likely a touch biased, as I’m a sponsor and just did a reading there yesterday, but Borderlands Books in San Francisco is just plain awesome. Great people, great cafe, and pretty much every major SF/F book you can think of. The sense of community there is wonderful.
And on the east coast, I’m going for Phoenix Books in Burlington, VT, which to me is just the epitome of the local bookstore. Fantastic breadth and depth of selection, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and again, a strong sense of community. Just a great store.
August 17, 2015 — 1:59 PM
Stephanie Perkins says:
So many wonderful bookstores! Here are a few of my favorites:
Malaprop’s in Asheville, NC—they’re my hometown store, and my love for them is passionate.
You’ll never find a more enthusiastic staff than Avid, a new-ish one in Athens, GA. Green Bean Books in Portland is a teeny tiny gem of a children’s bookstore. Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA is another fabulous children’s bookstore with a great staff. Quimby’s in Chicago, IL is perfect for weird shit. Atomic Books in Baltimore, MD is fantastically curated and also good for weird shit. A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland, CA is warm and friendly. And, oddly enough, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has a killer bookstore, too.
August 17, 2015 — 2:09 PM
Pete Clines says:
They were mentioned, but I have to pile on for Dark Delicacies in Burbank and Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego.
Alas, my favorite bookstore/newsstand growing up (Garfield’s in York Beach, Maine) closed a while back. I’d always hoped to sign there someday.
August 17, 2015 — 2:12 PM