Book Bloggers for Independent Bookstores
Book Bloggers for Independent Bookstores
Happy Independent Bookstore Day! These 10 Book Bloggers/ Bookstagrammers are sharing their favorite local bookstores. Read why these bookstores won over each book blogger…you may just find a new favorite bookstore in your area (and ten new book bloggers to follow!) Click on the blogger’s name to visit their website. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom to see my recommendation!
Joseph Beth (
Lexington, KY)
Chase Waskey of The Bookend Diner recommends Joseph Beth Lexington, “For anyone who has been inside the Joseph Beth bookstore in Lexington, you would understand when I said that it was breathtaking. The store has been recently remodeled and has taken advantage of their incredible natural lighting. They, also, added a cooking section that is full of the most glorious cookbooks. During the cooler months, I love to go and sit in front of their fire place with a good book and a glass of wine or tea. I've never left Joseph Beth and not felt relaxed.”
The Reader's Guide (Salem, OR)
Anne Mendez of The Lit Bitch recommends The Reader’s Guide, “I have been going there since I was six. Walking inside is like finding a treasure trove of books. You never know what you are going to find inside! It's full of new and used books alike! It might be a little antiquated but that only adds to its charm.”
Lake Forest Bookstore (
Lake Forest, IL)
Lauren Margolin of @goodbookfairy recommends Lake Forest Bookstore, “Feels like home when you walk in. Helpful book loving employees.”
Another Look Books (Taylor, MI)
Sophia Rose of Delighted Reader recommends Another Look Books, “When I first moved here, I was a little at a loss from starting over in a new place. Then I walked into this small newly-opened book store. I was warmly welcomed by the staff and the environment that only a well-run indie book store can have. It felt like coming home. It was clean, organized, a great variety on the shelves and a data base for my wish list.
Another Look Books has been a constant in the community. They went through a horrific flood due to a water break and I held my breath as the months went by and it stayed closed, but it reopened with pretty updated features, but never lost the original warmth and sparkle that make customers the most important thing.
The staff are courteous and knowledgeable, but also love to take a little extra time to talk books and the book world. The shop offers new and used books including audiobooks. There is a book exchange program for credit toward purchases, a database where wish list and purchases are stored so there is no accidental purchase of duplicates, and there is a free book for the customer's birthday month.
A lovely place where you can lose an hour without noticing.”
Books & Books (Multiple locations)
Lilli of Lit by Lilli recommends Books & Books, “Books & Books was a cornerstone of my childhood. I led a book club at the story growing up, discovered my voracious love of books, and realized that books were a business. I always appreciated the fabulous author they put on and looked forward to them each month. When I left for college, I made sure to visit when I came home on breaks and for holidays. Their store has such a charm and their booksellers have never let me down. I love going to hang out, buy a book, eat in their cafe, or just grab a coffee.”
Shakespeare & Co (NYC)
Suzanne Leopold of Suzy Approved Book Reviews recommends Shakespeare & Co, “I find a certain calmness and joy when I enter the store on my visits to NYC. I enjoy the selection of books and the wonderful author events that they host. If you cant find a book, they will find it and they will get it to you. It feels like home.”
The Ripped Bodice (LA)
Laura Yamin of What to Read Next Blog recommends The Ripped Bodice (LA), “This is the first Romance Bookstore in the country. I love that you can pre-order signed copies of romance novels. My favorite offering is the Self-Care Package where you can get 1 to 5 romance books in various genres and be surprised of what titles you will get.”
Skylark Bookshop (Columbia, MO)
Addie Yoder of @addie.yoder on Instagram recommends Skylark Bookshop, “I love the people at Skylark. They are so kind and fun and I always feel at home visiting there. I love the idea of helping PEOPLE instead of helping just a company. Its a warm and friendly place to browse books, hangout with coffee or just visit.”
Porter Square Books (Cambridge, MA)
Andi Soule of Andi's ABCs recommends Porter Square Books, “The staff is fantastic and they hold a lot of really great author events. They also have a coffee corner which is a perfect addition. I have been lucky enough to moderate a couple of signings in their space and they are so well organized. They also have a great selection of not only books but both non-book and book related items.”
The Raven Book Store (Lawrence, KS)
Ellen Whitfield of @Reading_theend on Instagram recommends The Raven Book Store in Lawrence, KS, “To be honest, their social media. I have never been there in person, but I try to support them when possible because their social media is funny and drops hard truths about indie bookstore realities.”
The Novel Neighbor (STL)
Ashley Hasty of Hasty Book List recommends The Novel Neighbor, “I’ve been working with The Novel Neighbor for several years now. Shortly after I moved to STL I was invited to do a book presentation at their bookstore. I’ve been working with them ever since…they sell books at all of the events I do for the St. Louis County Library, I was a guest book seller one year for Independent Bookstore Day, and I’ve done several presentations for them. Even now that I live in Chicago, we still find ways to work together.”
I want to give a big thank-you to all the bloggers who took the time to tell me about their favorite bookstores. I included links to each blogger below for your convenience. Many of them are doing special posts for Independent Bookstore Day, so be sure to check them out and give them some love!
