Authors and their Favorite Independent Bookstores
Authors and their Favorite Independent Bookstores
Happy Independent Bookstore Day!
I want to note that I do not get paid to do these posts, I just love authors, independent bookstores, and the book industry. However, they do take time and energy to create. If you want to donate a few dollars to my coffee fund, which keeps this blog going, you can do so here: https://venmo.com/AshleyHasty or here: http://paypal.me/hastybooklist..
Leslie Johansen Nack
Warwick's in La Jolla, California
Ellen Birkett Morris
Carmichaels in Louisville, Kentucky
Elizabeth Gonzalez James
I recently moved to Massachusetts and of course the first thing I did was look around on Google Maps for the closest independent bookstore. And the one I found was An Unlikely Story in Plainville, MA.
A former Yankee general store, An Unlikely Story was built and restored by Jeff Kinney (author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series) and today functions as a bookstore, cafe, and meeting space for the whole community. I had an event there for my book launch last summer, and the booksellers were so kind and lovely. And their coffee is amazing!
If you're in the New England area, An Unlikely Story is a must-see.
Jenn Bouchard
Belmont Books
Lori Anne Goldstein
Buttonwood Books and Toys in Cohasset, MA
Gillian Harvey
The Book Nook, Ware, Hertfordshire
The most surprising thing about this little, independent bookstore? I've never been there. Yet it's by far and away my favourite shop. Although I'm originally from the UK I live in France, and when my debut and second novels were released, I was unable to travel thanks to the pandemic.
As a former resident of Hertfordshire, I contacted The Book Nook who agreed to do an online event with me, as I couldn't have a physical launch. They promoted and stocked my book and did so much to support me.
I can't wait until I'm next over and can pop in in person to say thanks!
Joy Castro
Francie & Finch Bookshop, @francieandfinch, our little local bookstore in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, owned by Leslie Huerta.
Aimee Liu
Small World Books is tucked away behind the Sidewalk Cafe on the boardwalk at Venice Beach, CA. It's a magical gem that's easy to miss, but so worth finding and supporting! Why not take home an armload of fantastic books from the beach?!
You can also buy from them online: https://bookshop.org/shop/smallworldbooks
Jamie Beck
Elm Street Books (www.elmstreetbooks.com)
Cathy A.Lewis
Parnassus in Nashville TN
Caron McKinlay
The Portobello Bookshop
Lisa Braxton
RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, Connecticut. It is such a quaint and cozy bookstore in my home state, stocked with so many great selections. It has that old New England feel. It became my favorite the day after Thanksgiving one year when I stopped there and Santa Claus and one of his elves were making the rounds. I got to tell Ol' Saint Nick what I wanted that year.
tammy lynne stoner
POWELL'S Books in Portland, OR!! Order from them or go get lost in the MILES of stacks...
Paulette Stout
The Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton, MA is an amazing place. It's both a retailer and community hub, that actively engages with readers and authors alike. Throughout the pandemic, it stayed open, hosting events outside in folding chairs, and earning even more loyalty that it already has. At a time when other book stores are closing, they just expanded. I'm so honored that they are carrying my debut, Love, Only Better on its shelves. They've been so warm and understanding as I navigated the highs and lows of publishing my first book. Check them out! They have website and will ship anywhere!
Shae Bryant
West Side Books in Denver, Colorado. A rather large independent book store with a massive variety of books. They also have book clubs, and signings every so often. It's been a staple in the Denver area for over 20 years now, and I've just discovered it.
Alli Frank&Asha Youmans
Alli: Iconoclast Books -- Hailey, ID; Asha: Third Place Books -- Seattle, WA
Carol M. Cram
Phoenix Books on Bowen Island, 209 992 Dorman Road, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G0, https://phoenixbookstore.ca/ - a small, family-run bookstore that has always been super supportive of local authors!
Tessa Wegert
Barrett Bookstore, Darien, CT
Laura Anne Bird
Mystery to Me in Madison, WI
Kit Frick
Riverstone Bookstore and White Whale Bookstore in Pittsburgh, PA! I'm so lucky to live in a town with several wonderful indies, and these are two of my favorites. The booksellers are so friendly, the events are fantastic, and both bring so much to the community.
Charlotte Whitney
Changing Hands (in Tempe AZ)
Katey Schultz
Malaprop's Bookstore
Georgie Blalock
Warwick's, La Jolla
Suzette D. Harrison
Underground Books in Sacramento, CA
Edwin Wong
Munro's Books
Julia Brewer Daily
Lemuria, Jackson, MS, Pass Books, Pass Christian, MS, and Book People, Austin, TX
Alvin Eng
Yu and Me Books (Chinatown / New York City) https://www.yuandmebooks.com
Lainey Cameron
Bookshop Santa Cruz
Randi Triant
East End Books Ptown https://www.eastendbooksptown.com
Every time I walk into this snug bookstore—imagine a bookseller in Greenwich Village or Dickens’ London, but on the water—I walk away with the books I originally wanted and several others that Jeff Peters, the owner, recommends. Words like eclectic, vast, and spot-on come to mind when you see the books he’s so lovingly selected. East End Books Ptown is more than a bookstore, though. Writers, artists, and readers—whether residents or just visiting for the day—we all stop in, are greeted warmly by Jeff, and then may be introduced by him to someone else, who has also drifted in. It’s a remarkable indie bookstore that connects people to books and to other people.
Kathy Weyer
The Elliott Bay bookstore in Seattle is a close second to my (closed, see below) favorite, so I suppose it’s now my favorite; a bit larger, it has a great big selection of books, chairs, couches, and big tables at which to work, read, sip, listen, and learn. It’s been around a while, and shows it in a nice way; it feels like a huge living room, with tons of books categorized with staff picks. The coffee shop is wonderful with great food as well. I love this place, and visit whenever I’m in Seattle. (But I have to confess, my favorite independent book store remains Upstart Crowe in Seaport Village in San Diego. A small bookstore with fabulous coffee, unique gifts, a quiet atmosphere, towers of books, comfy couches, and a wood floor that creaked pleasingly, it was a favorite spot to stop after a lunch at this seaport village right on San Diego Bay. It closed a few years ago. I still miss it.)
W.W. Van Overbeke
In Montague, MI there is a little shop known well to locals as “The Book Nook & Java Shop.”
What makes this independent bookstore so interesting isn’t the books they sell, nor the coffee they serve. What makes it special is its atmosphere and the people who gather there.
Unlike a huge mall shop, mom and pop retailers tend to run their own businesses and care about the products they place on their shelves as well as local writers who walk through their door trying to make their first sale.
Whether attending a book club meeting, author signing, or just to read and chat, the Book Nook & Java Shop doesn’t exist to sell books and coffee. It exists to make its patrons comfortable, which allows readers to free their minds to stories and talent they may never have considered or sought out while wandering overwhelming sections in a huge retail store.
That is why The Book Nook & Java Shop is my favorite independent bookstore!
Catherine Drake
There is nothing sweeter than wandering into a cozy bookstore while traveling and picking up your latest vacation read. Independent bookstores all over Vermont do not disappoint visitors and locals alike with their charming interiors that make you forget about the outside world for a while. My favorite is Bridgeside Books in Waterbury, Vermont, not far from Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory. The always friendly and knowledgeable owners and staff will help you select your next best read from current bestsellers to new indie releases and they have a great selection of titles of local and regional interest.
https://bridgesidebooks.com/
D. Ike Horst
Subterranean Books is my ideal indie bookstore. Despite being in a bustling commercial district known to locals as "the Loop," Subterranean Books maintains the welcoming small-market atmosphere that puts readers and literature enthusiasts like myself at ease. They have an excellent and varied selection, and do their utmost to incorporate indie titles into their collection. One of the perks about their location is that they are in close proximity to a variety of different coffee shops, lunch venues, and other market places; therefore a day of book shopping can easily turn into an excursion if one so chooses.
Laura Whitfield
Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC
https://www.quailridgebooks.com
I remember the year I fell in love with indie bookstores. It was 1984, and Jim and Nancy
Olson had just opened the doors of Quail Ridge. Years later, I became an assistant to
the New York Times bestselling author, Jan Karon, and Jim and Nancy always welcomed
Jan with open arms. From those early days, Quail Ridge was all about books, authors,
and giving personal attention to each of its customers. The current owner, Lisa Poole,
continues this tradition in the store’s new location, an inviting, open space with an
eclectic mix of new releases, local and regional titles, and a delightful array of children’s
books. Their staff is warm and welcoming—always ready to suggest the next book you
can’t live without. Quail Ridge holds town meetings and participates in community
outreach and fundraisers. They also arrange for children’s book authors to read at local
schools. This indie gem is the heart and soul of Raleigh’s literary community, and it will
always be a cherished part of my life.
Mandy McHugh
Northshire Saratoga
Gayle G Kellner
I’m G.G. Kellner author of “Hope, A History of the Future.” When I first started to think about my favorite independent books stores it quickly became apparent they all had a few things in common. All are located on islands and each of them is attached to a coffee shop and bakery! I live in the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest with many islands dotting the inland Salish Sea. The weather here is often wet and rainy so independent bookstores (and coffee) are a lifeline for many of us. Here are three of my favorites:
The first draft of my book Hope, A History of the Future was completed on Orcas Island in a tiny cabin with just a woodstove. So, many a cold blustery afternoon was spent sipping coffee, looking out the window at the great grey green Salish Sea through the windows of Darvill’s Bookstore. I’ve been a regular at Darvill’s Bookstore for over 45’ years and yet every time I walk-in I am impressed by the carefully curated collection of books. The wonderful displays make it fun and easy to find books I’m interested in. The smell of roasting coffee mixed with the salty sea, while I siphon the foam of a freshly brewed cappuccino and nibble a brownie from the baked goods case is simply heavenly.
https://darvillsbookstore.indielite.org/
I never miss a chance to stop in and linger at Lopez Bookshop. This bookshop is located under the same roof as Holly B’s Bakery and Lopez Grind (coffee shop) on Lopez Island. These three businesses share a large, covered deck where locals and visitors alike congregate to talk about books, baked goods, and coffee. My book Hope, A History of the Future was completed while I was living on Lopez Island, during which time I was a regular customer. Lopez Bookshop is cozy, with a friendly, helpful staff. They sell new books in the main store and used books in The Annex located just outside. All the proceeds from The Annex go to support local charitable causes in this tight knit island community.
https://www.lopezbookshop.com/
Vashon Book Shop on Vashon Island is a gem to be discovered on this green, surprisingly rural, island just a short ferry ride form Seattle or Tacoma. True to form it is located next to The Tea Shop (they also serve coffee and baked treats) with a not-so-secret indoor passage between them. I love Vashon Bookstore for its thoughtful combination of both gently used and new books. On this island of environmentally consciousness buyers, used books are a great way to keep books moving through the hands of many readers while keeping the trees standing tall and majestic just outside. My book Hope, A History of the Future can be found alongside many other Vashon Island authors on a special bookcase inside the door on this very artsy and literary of islands.
https://www.vashonbookshop.com/
Brian Lebeau
Powell's Books
Rachel Kowert
Nowhere Bookshop
Kelly I. Hitchcock
BookPeople in Austin, TX
H H Leonards
politics and prose in DC
Diane Cohen Schneider
Collected Works Bookstore, Santa Fe, NM
I think the best way to get to know a town is to hang out in the bookstore. We moved to Santa Fe from the East Coast in June and practically before I unpacked (okay, I did set up the coffee maker first) I headed over to Collected Works. Santa Fe calls itself The City Different and Collected Works' inventory reflects the diversity of the people here, the natural beauty and fascinating history of the area, and the passion for art and literature that makes Santa Fe so special. And like Santa Feans, the staff is extremely helpful, interesting and fun.
And I'm not going to name drop, but the chance of seeing one of your favorite authors here is pretty good.
Shelley Blanton-Stroud
CAPITAL BOOKS, Sacramento, California is my favorite indie bookseller.They only opened up shop a little before the pandemic began but quickly became the beating heart of Sacramento's literary world, vigorously supporting local authors, treating customer readers like family, offering the curation you might expect but also food and lots of fun activities, (for instance a gingerbread-building workshop). My attachment to this shop is both personal and public. When my first novel, Copy Boy, was published at the start of the pandemic, they decorated their whole front window with my book, surrounded by enlarged vintage newspaper pages about its 1937 content. They placed a gorgeous vintage typewriter in the middle of the window, to indicate the machine my journalist protagonist used. I cannot count the ways they supported me in a pandemic launch. But that's not all. They are located down the street from the state capitol and in the middle of the already disruptive pandemic, they watched almost constant streams of protesters marching past their door. When Black Lives Matter protestors were sprayed with tear gas, they opened their doors to them, providing water and comfort, when so many other shops were boarded up. Just recently, when there was a heartbreaking shooting downtown, they learned that people had huddled in their doorway for protection. This is who CAPITAL BOOKS is--a literary place that welcomes you for comfort even beyond stories.
