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]]>by Jaylynn Korrell
The best bookstores in San Francisco are indie!
So you’re going to San Francisco…
Say hi to Joey Gladstone for sure, but then go check out their literary scene!
The indie bookstores in the area are plentiful, unique, and impressively community focused. We had such a great time visiting. If you’re looking to get bookish in the bay area, look no further than these awesome bookstores in San Francisco.
Each of the shops on this list has something special about it. From the titles they’re showcasing to the amount of books they hold and even to the cool background stories of their owners, they make us proud to be traveling book lovers.
The only way to really get to know these bookstores is to visit them. So hop to it.
Here are some of the best bookstores in San Francisco.
1. Green Apple Books
506 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
Green Apple is one of the most beloved bookstores in San Francisco. Founded in 1967 by a 25-year-old Army vet, this shop has evolved into a San Francisco staple over the decades. It has expanded significantly from its initially 750-square-foot space to more like 5,000. That’s a lot of books!
2. City Lights Booksellers and Publishers
261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
I have so many reasons to love City Lights! Definitely one of my favorite bookstores in San Francisco, it’s got a rich literary history and you can feel it right when you walk in. It was founded in 1953 and was a hub for readers, writers, & activists. And it still is! They’re an indie publisher too, even responsible for publishing Ginsburg’s Howl & so many amazing others. It boasts the title of being the nation’s first all-paperback bookstore too!
3. The Booksmith
1727 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Co-owners Christin Evans and Praveen Madan take great pride in reimagining the role that indie bookstores play in their communities. They helped launch the most successful author event series in the area, Berkeley Arts & Letters, and their spacious location offers plenty of new and used books. Get ready to spend a good amount of time there!
4. Dog Eared Books
900 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
You can’t walk past this corner bookstores without being tempted to step inside. Its turquoise exterior and welcoming window display will have you walking in before you even know it.
Dog Eared Books is jam-packed with shelves of used and new books, and they specialize in off-beat, small press, and local literature. Music to our ears!
Not sure what to get? See if they have any of these impressive indie books!
5. Folio Books
3957 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Founded in 2013, Folio Books is a popular queer- and women-owned indie bookstore in the Noe Valley of San Francisco. Not only will you find a wide variety of new books, Folio also has an impressive selection of stationery, puzzles, and games to browse through.
6. Black Bird Bookstore
4541 Irving St. San Francisco, CA 94122
Look forward to a meticulously curated selection of great books at Black Bird Books in San Francisco. With an aim to “reflect the diversity of experiences and interests of our community” and “broaden perspectives, deepen ideas, and bridge new connections,” Black Bird Books will draw you in with their display and then hold you in place with the thoughtfulness of their inventory. They have coffee too!
Running out of space in your bookshelf? (First, same). Second, check out these small bookshelf ideas!
7. Omnivore Books on Food
3885 Cesar Chavez St, San Francisco, CA 94131
Foodies rejoice! Omnivore Books caters specifically to those who love to cook (and eat!). This culinary-focused bookstore is your one-stop shop to making some of the best meals of your life.
In addition to featuring books that will make your mouth water, you can also look forward to some cool author readings, signings, and other awesome events.
8. Borderland Books
1740 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
If you’re in the market for Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, and Horror books in San Francisco, you go to Borderlands Books. These are the only books they sell which makes this specialty shop the place to go for genre lovers.
9. Fabulosa Books
489 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Fabulosa is an LGBTQ bookstore with a wide variety of titles to choose from, on all sorts of topics. Visitors will appreciate their colorful display of titles and the homey feel of their shop.
10. Christopher’s Books
1400 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Christopher’s Books is the exact kind of community-focused bookstore that you’d hope to find in a new city. For over 30 years in their community, they have been a welcoming space sitting right on the corner in a classic San Francisco structure. I think you’re going to love it here.
11. Bird & Beckett Books and Records
653 Chenery St, San Francisco, CA 94131
We love when books and music combine! Named after famous writer Samuel Beckett and jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker, this space exudes love and respect for these monumental artists.
You can find a wide variety of books and music, while also enjoying a bit of entertainment. Bird and Beckett Books and Records schedules over 300 music and literary events per year, giving you a pretty great chance of catching a show or reading if you’re in the area.
Well, there you have it! Those are some of the best bookstores in San Francisco. Are there others? Most Definitely! Let me know which ones I missed in the comments.
About the Author
Jaylynn Korrell writes here and for GoodGiftLists.com.
Thank you for reading “11 of the Best Bookstores in San Francisco ” by Jaylynn Korrell! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.
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]]>The post 30+ Top-Notch Book Review Sites for Readers & Writers appeared first on Independent Book Review.
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Book reviews are for all of us.
Readers need to know whether books with the best covers are worth the time they’re about to put into it. They find it helpful (and fun!) to check out reviews after reading the books, too, so they can see what other real-life humans had to say about it.
Librarians & booksellers need to hear from trusted sources that the book they are about to buy for their collection has the capability to get picked up & to satisfy. Authors & publishers need to get and use book reviews to build buzz and credibility for their product.
Book review sites have transformed the book-recommending landscape.
We can write reviews on product pages, on social media apps, and some of us, for publications that have been around since before the internet. Book reviewing has changed. But maybe it also hasn’t.
What kind of book review sites are you looking for? Chances are, this list has you covered.
Here are 30+ book review sites to read, write, and bookmark.
Does this logo look familiar? (Hint: You’re sitting on it).
IBR, the website you’re on RIGHT NOW, is all about indie books. There are so many books in the world right now, but if you feel like you keep seeing the same ones recommended over and over, start reading indie!
Independent presses & self-published authors are doing some incredible work right now. IBR reviews books, curates lists, does indie bookstore round-ups, and uses starred reviews & best-of-the-year lists to show which books are going to blow your mind.
2. Book Marks
Lit Hub rules. You already knew this.
But do you know about Book Marks? They’re a branch of the Lit Hub network, and they are an excellent way for booksellers and librarians to get shorter recaps from multiple sources and voices.
Their staff peruses book review sites and shares pull-quotes from them in book lists & more. By reading all of these sites, they can give the book a rating based on the average: “Rave, Positive, Mixed, or Pan.”
My favorite book-buying platform, Bookshop, uses Book Marks’ scale for their books’ ratings, and I love getting access to that.
Publishers Weekly has been around since 1872. By now, they’re a review churning machine. They cover so much of the book industry in so many different ways, reviewing nearly 9,000 books per year and providing publication announcements, agency announcements, industry job listings, bestseller lists, industry stats, a self-publishing partner, and more.
Another one that’s been around since before the internet! 1933 to be exact. Kirkus is a widely recognized publication that book buyers & librarians follow carefully. I dare you to find a bookstore or library that doesn’t have multiple books with Kirkus Reviews plastered on their front and back covers.
5. Booklist
The American Library Association runs Booklist, a platform dedicated to helping libraries, educators, and booksellers choose books. They’ve got a magazine (since 1905!), book reviews, lists, awards, and one of my favorite bookish podcasts out there: Shelf Care.
6. Library Journal & School Library Journal
As you might be able to guess, Library Journal & School Library Journal focus on librarians too! They review a ton of books, and they write often about library-related news, collection management, technology, programs, and more. If you’re an author hoping to land your book in libraries, these are essential targets.
7. BookPage
You may have seen BookPage in your local library or bookstore. Some shops provide it for free so that patrons can look through it to find which books to buy in-store. Their website is clean and intriguing and always full of the most up-to-date releases and bestsellers.
Speaking of libraries! Have you seen our gifts for librarians?
8. Foreword
Foreword is such an enthusiastic and dedicated champion of indie books, and they’ve been doing it since the 90s! I love how much attention university presses get here too. Their reviews are well-written & thorough, in both print & digital, and I always find something to speed-purchase once the Foreword Indie winners come out.
9. LoveReading
LoveReading is a top book-recommendation website in the UK. They’ve got starred reviews, lists, staff picks, a LitFest, eBooks, and they even donate 25% of the cover price of their books to schools of your choice. It’s reader-friendly and apparent how much they appreciate the wonder of books.
10. Washington Independent Review of Books
What’s not to love about The Independent?
Back in 2011, a group of writers & editors were frustrated by newspapers dropping book review sections and decided to do something about it. The Washington Independent Review of Books is quite a lovely something! This nonprofit posts every day: from reviews to interviews to essays and podcasts. They host events too!
11. Book Riot
Try being a reader and not finding something you love on Book Riot. Book lists, podcasts, personalized recommendations, newsletters, book deals—this site is a haven.
It doesn’t post solo book reviews like other sites, but they do share mini-reviews in book lists and talk about reading in unique & passionate ways. The Book Riot Podcast is such a winner too! I love listening to Jeff & Rebecca laugh about the latest in books & reading.
12. Electric Lit
From novel excerpts to original short fiction & poetry, they might not only be a book review site, but they do offer a lot in the world of book recommendations. Their Recommended Reading lit mag features unique staff picks and short, insightful book reviews.
13. The Millions
The writing in The Millions is something to behold. They are an artful source for all things book reviews & recommendations. They write stunning essays about books & reading and long reviews of new and old books. They’ve got some of my favorite Most Anticipated lists too.
What are the biggest benefits of reading? 
14. Bookforum
Did you hear? Bookforum is back! This book review magazine announced in December 2022 that they were closing, and my heart sank a little bit. This company means so much to the publishing industry and has for 20+ years, so when I saw (last week!) that they are returning, I did more than a few jumps for joy.
Welcome back, Bookforum! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got coming for us in book world coverage.
15. BOMB
BOMB is in it for the art. Art, literature, film, music, theater, architecture, and dance. There are reviews and interviews, and the literature section is a real delight. The reviews are like poignant essays, and the author interviews are in-depth and feature some fascinating minds.
The only dedicated pan-Asian book review publication! It’s widely cited and features some of the best in Asian books and art, so booksellers and librarians have a source to trust to stock their collections with high-quality pan-Asian lit.
Have you seen our gifts for book lovers yet?
I love so much of what Chicago Review of Books does. They have a clean & sleek design that features some of the buzziest books as well as plenty of hidden gems from our favorite indie presses. I’m a particularly big fan of the spotlight they put on books in translation.
18. Rain Taxi
I love Rain Taxi’s style! They champion unique books, publish their own fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, and put a real emphasis on art for their magazine covers. It’s a beautiful print magazine to subscribe to, but they also share free online editions & digital archives. They even run the Rain Taxi Reading Series & Twin Cities Book Festival if you’re a real-lifer in Minnesota!
19. The Rumpus
Oh, The Rumpus! This mostly volunteer-run online magazine publishes reviews, interviews, essays, fiction, and poetry. The reviews are in-depth and personal and heart-melting, and in addition to the site, they’ve got cool perks like the Poetry Book Club and Letters in the Mail. The book club is where you get a pre-release book and meet the poet via Slack with other club members at the end of the month, and Letters in the Mail are actual postcards sent in the mail to you twice a month from your favorite authors.
20. Book Reporter
The selection in Book Reporter is carefully curated & enticing: hot new releases, forthcoming books, major presses, & indies. And there are plenty of unique ways to learn about them, like video interviews and monthly lists & picks. It launched in 1996 and is in The Book Report Network, which includes Reading Group Guides, a super useful resource for book clubs.
21. BookTrib.
BookTrib does such a great job of making their site browsable. The different ways you can enjoy what they offer—from book lists to giveaways to ebook deals—are difficult to keep your purchase finger off of.
23. Lit Reactor
Writers & readers—where bookish people meet! LitReactor’s book reviews are in the magazine portion of their website, and they’ve got plenty of them! Reviews, interviews, lists, introspectives, writing tips, and reading discussions. I’ve found some really unique content on Lit Reactor, like this ranking of literary parents. The website is a haven for writers especially, as there are workshops, writing blog posts, and even a forum to participate in.
Dark alleys. Stray bullets. Hard-boiled detectives. Runaway thrills. If you’re a mystery-thriller reader, you’ve got to know about Crime Fiction Lover. They’ve got a passionate group of readers and writers talking about the best books in the genre and the ones that are soon to come out too.
25. SF Book Reviews
Speculative fiction fans unite! SF Book Reviews has been reviewing sci-fi and fantasy books since 1999, and while they’re a relatively small staff, they publish regularly, feature books of the month, and work wonders for their fantastical community.
For all you historical fiction fans out there, the Historical Novel Society has reviewed more than 20,000 books in its twenty years. This one works like a membership for “writers and readers who love exploring the past.” You get a quarterly print magazine as a member, and if you’re a writer, you can join critique groups and ask for book reviews.
The Poetry Question writes about poetry published by indie presses and indie authors. They are a small passionate team dedicated to showing the world why indie presses continue to be a leading source for award-winning poetry.
28. Goodreads
Did you know that there are over 125 million members on Goodreads? When users review books, they can have conversations with fellow readers and follow reviewers too. If you’re looking for the biggest community, there’s no doubt Goodreads is the one. I like using sites like this because it helps you catalog books, one of my favorite ways to build a strong reading habit.
29. The Storygraph
A big community of active users that’s Amazon free! Come review books, use half & quarter stars (!), and complete reading challenges. You got this.
29. Bookwyrm
Bookwyrm is small (around 5,000 members at the time of this writing), but doesn’t that sound kind of nice? There are active members and a genuine collective goal in talking books. Grow with it. I think you’ll be comfy here. There are other communities within the Bookwyrm umbrella too, like Bookrastinating.
30. Reedsy Discovery
I hold a special place in my heart for book review sites dedicated to helping writers! I got into this business as a book marketer, and I experienced first-hand, through hundreds of books, how hard it was to get exposure & validation for small press and self-published authors.
Reedsy Discovery is a branch of Reedsy (the author resource company) that connects authors & reviewers so that people can read free books, sometimes receive tips for it, and authors can get more reviews in the process. Readers can choose from the latest books as well as the ones that are getting the best reviews.
31. Netgalley
Netgalley is a book review site for pre-released books. Reviewers sign up for a free account, request galleys from publishers and indie authors, and get to read them before they’re published so that they can leave reviews for the book, preferably on Amazon, Goodreads, or their blog. They also run Bookish, the editorial arm of Netgalley, which has book recommendations, interviews, and more.
32. Online Book Club
This review site combines a bunch of cool things! The 4-million member community gives me a lot of Goodreads vibes, especially with the Bookshelves app. But Online Book Club is a place for you to get eBook deals and talk about books in reviews and forums.
What are your favorite book review sites to follow? Let us know in the comments!
Thank you for reading “Top-Notch Book Review Sites for Readers & Writers!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.
The post 30+ Top-Notch Book Review Sites for Readers & Writers appeared first on Independent Book Review.
]]>The post 7 of the Best Indie Bookstores in Minneapolis & St. Paul appeared first on Independent Book Review.
]]>by Elizabeth Zender
Calling all Midwestern bookworms: These bookstores in Minneapolis & St. Paul are a dream!
Bookstores can be found just about anywhere in the Twin Cities. Shopping local is a big part of the culture here, and the indie booksellers in the area are doing something really special with the bookish community.
To local and traveling book lovers alike, make sure you drop in and experience that Minnesota Nice atmosphere that everyone’s been telling you about. You can’t go wrong with any of these bookshops. Fun atmosphere, yes, but don’t forget–you might just get a book out of it!
Here are some of the best bookstores in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
1. Magers & Quinn Booksellers
3038 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
If you’re heading to the Twin Cities, you have to stop into Magers & Quinn.
It has been in business for over 25 years and is a major part of the Uptown community. It’s the first bookstore I went to when I first moved to the Twin Cities 10 years ago, and I was so happy to arrive.
Take a step in through the front door and you’ll find shelves upon tables upon shelves. It is wall-to-wall books. You can find anything you’d want there: current, rare, and incredible books.
2. Moon Palace Books
3032 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
This gem expanded its walls in the last few years, creating space for a cafe, music, and, of course, more books.
At Moon Palace Books, you’ll find what you’re looking for and stumble upon a few surprises, like the wide variety of books and zines by local authors. This store prioritizes a sense of comfort; all are welcome in this space and the staff is the best.
It’s cute on the outside (see above!) and full of good vibes on the inside. Whether you live here or you’re just visiting, Moon Palace is a must-see.
3. Wild Rumpus Books
2720 W 43rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55410
If you need a children’s book, you’ll find it at Wild Rumpus. You’ll probably be greeted by a shop cat sleeping in the window, and, as you wind your way toward the back, you’ll find a few birds and creepy crawlers too.
I’ve never seen a more expansive collection of children’s books than at Wild Rumpus. You have old favorites by Kevin Henkes and Mercer Mayer next to new favorites by Gracey Zhang and Daniel Haack. If you need to entertain young readers, you’ll want to drop by.
Want to take a literary road trip? Check out our list of Bookstores in Ann Arbor or Bookstores in NYC.
4. Black Garnet Books
1319 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55104
Where should you go to first in St. Paul? My vote is Black Garnet Books!
Dionne Sims created this beautiful little space to bring creators of color to the front. Black-owned and operated, this space is brand new; it went from a small pop-up circa 2020 to a storefront earlier this year. You’ll have books, merch, and good vibes coming out of this one!
5. The Irreverent Bookworm
5163 Bloomington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
This queer and woman-owned bookstore in Minneapolis might be on the small side, but the interior is immaculate. It’s cozy, it’s whimsical, and it’s beyond welcoming.
Do you want a used book? You can find it here. Do you need to try a book before you buy it? You can do that here. Do you want to bring your dog with you to smell that good book smell? You can bring them here. Find what you need within the nooks and crannies of the Irreverent Bookworm.
6. Once Upon a Crime
604 W 26th St, Minneapolis, MN 55405
When you’re walking the streets of the Whittier neighborhood, you might just miss this shop if you’re not looking for it.
Down a few steps to the front door, you’re suddenly in a world of suspense. If you need a good mystery-thriller, this basement bookstore’s got you covered. They love the genre so much, they don’t stock anything else. If you too love surprises, solving crimes, and the unknown, you have to take a look at Once Upon A Crime.
7. Next Chapter Booksellers
38 Snelling Ave S, St. Paul, MN 55105
If you want to take a scenic walk through the Macalester College campus, you’ll want to stop into Next Chapter.
You’ll find new books by new authors and a wide variety of staff recommendations. Anytime I’ve struggled to find something at a chain bookstore, I’ve found it here.
Those are some of the absolute best bookstores in Minneapolis & St. Paul. Did I miss any? Let me know!
About the Author
Elizabeth Zender spends most of her days begging high school students to exchange their phones for a book. In her free time, she can be found baking or playing video games with a cat in her lap.
Thank you for reading “7 Indie Bookstores in Minneapolis & St. Paul” by Elizabeth Zender! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.
The post 7 of the Best Indie Bookstores in Minneapolis & St. Paul appeared first on Independent Book Review.
]]>The post 10 of the Oldest Bookstores in the United States appeared first on Independent Book Review.
]]>by K.T. Mehra
Is your town home to one of the oldest bookstores in the United States?
Whether you love browsing bookstores or are just a reading fanatic, you’ve come to the right blog post. I’ve gone ahead and done the research for you to show you beautiful and historic bookstores all across the United States.
During my research, I discovered one of the oldest bookstores in the country just two hours from my own hometown. Not too bad! Bookstores have a special place in history on American soil, paving the way for both classic and contemporary authors to sell their books, host events, and contribute to the literary landscape of each area.
Your town might be small, but did one of the oldest bookstores in America come from your state?
Moravian Book Shop, Founded 1745
Let’s start at the beginning! The Moravian Book Shop is the oldest bookstore in the United States of America, and it is even one of the oldest continually operating bookstores in the whole world. Not too shabby! They were even picked up by Barnes & Noble College Booksellers a little while ago.
As a part of the Moravian Church and College in Pennsylvania, it is a staple of student and spiritual life in Bethlehem, PA. No matter if you’re from the Keystone State or not, taking a trip over to the Moravian Book Shop will be well worth it. Not only is it full of history, but hey—they have BOOKS!
Andover Bookstore, Founded 1809
With Moravian partnering up with Barnes & Noble, The Andover Bookstore is now the oldest independent bookstore in the United States of America! The bookstore is a staple in the history of Andover, Massachusetts, and it is a beautiful icon for literary America. You can learn more about their history here.
During the pandemic, they opened up a GoFundMe campaign to help them continue to thrive during this inopportune time. If anything comes from this blog post, I’m hoping that we can get some love and donations sent their way to help The Andover Bookstore keep on being a beacon of long-lasting light in the world of indie bookstores. Here it is: GoFundMe campaign.
Brattle Book Shop, Founded 1825
A famous and historic bookstore right in the heart of downtown Boston! The Brattle Book Shop is a wonderful place to buy and even sell books. With a huge collection of antique and new books, the Brattle Book Shop in Boston is a must-see.
It is a huge bookstore that has a collection of over 250,000 books, maps, prints, postcards, and ephemeral items in all subjects. There is too much history and beauty to miss this book shop if you are in Boston or just outside of it. It’s even got a gorgeous outdoor browsing section with a classic mural of some of the world’s most influential writers looming over it, so if you’re in the area, make sure you check it out.
Old Corner Bookstore, Founded 1828
UPDATE: Old Corner Bookstore is no longer an operating bookstore. Because it’s still some fun history, we’re leaving the description of the store below.
Old Corner Bookstore is a historic, grassroots bookstore also in the heart of Boston–so impressive that it doesn’t even need a website! The bookstore is located in a lovely historic building made in 1718, and it was turned into a bookstore in 1828. It is a designated site on Boston’s Freedom Trail, Literary Trail, and Women’s Heritage Trail. You can read more about it here.
Whether you live in Boston or are just visiting, you cannot miss this piece of living history. Old Corner Bookstore is considered as a Boston landmark spot and is on the national registry of historic places, so consider it a history lesson while you browse their shelves.
Klindt’s Booksellers, Founded 1870
Klindt’s Books is the oldest bookstore in Oregon and a true staple in the literary landscape of the West. It is both an independent bookstore and a stationary store. Located in The Dalles, Oregon along the Columbia River, Klindt’s is a community-focused bookshop with a book club and events for many of the 150 years it has existed.
Klindt’s is full of staff recommendations, bestsellers, and offers a lovely browsing experience for book lovers and young readers. Learn more about their story here. It’s a great one.
Janke Book Store, Founded 1874
Janke is a great historic bookstore in Wisconsin! It’s got a large varied collection of books, stationary, fountain pens, and maps—a great destination if you are in Wisconsin or are planning a trip there.
It has been a bookstore that offers a variety of products since its founding in 1874. If you’re in the mood for an entertaining little story of their history, check out this history page from their website.
Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop, Founded 1886
Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop is a beautiful historic building and bookstore in Damariscotta, Maine. Since it first came to being in 1886, they’ve also opened multiple locations in Maine. This historic bookshop would be a great stop on your way to the beautiful Acadia National Park. You can go ahead and watch the beautiful scenery on your way and then stop in for some classic book browsing. They have a location in Bar Harbor, too!
With a fascinating history and an extensive line of antique and intriguing titles, Sherman’s should be at the top of your list if you love checking out bookstores in New England.
Horton’s Books & Gifts, Founded 1891
This historic bookstore is one of my favorites on the list. This little historic bookstore is stored away in a small, rural town in Georgia called Carrollton. In the heart of downtown Carrollton is this refreshing and kindhearted little store that has an authentic collection of classics and new and antique books. It also has an eccentric history, as Mr. Horton originally sold books alongside caskets as an undertaker in the 1800s!
It’s not too far from Atlanta, so if you’re ever visiting the area, make sure to take the drive over to Horton’s for some unique literary history.
Vroman’s Bookstore, Founded 1894
Vroman’s is the last of the turn-of-the-century bookstores that are still around today. They have a huge collection at their independent bookstore in California, and they definitely fit the mold of awesome bookstores from history. It’s another community-focused bookstore that offers events and clubs for their city and that has a large local following because of it.
Vroman’s bookstore is a great place to check out if you live in or around Pasadena, California. To me, it sounds like a nice excuse for a vacation!
Argosy Book Store, Founded in 1925
Last but not least by any measure, Argosy Book Store is a pioneer in historic documents, books, maps, and other pieces of American history. Their bookstore is a beautiful place to be, read, and learn about the world. A true gem if you live in New York. It feels as if you are entering another world when you walk through its doors.
We hope one of the oldest bookstores in the United States catch your interest enough to stop by. It’s as important as ever to support small business, and I’d love for you to find some new literary gems at one of these shops.
But don’t forget to tell them Independent Book Review and Goldspot Fountain Pens sent you!
About the Author
K.T. Mehra is an entrepreneur and an expert on fountain pens and ink. She founded Goldspot Pens to sell fountain pens, high quality inks, and various other writing instruments. She loves beautiful handwriting, letter writing, and great literature. With a pen store located in New Jersey, K.T. has seen all kinds of writers come through and heard their stories and techniques. She wants to share what she’s learned to help writers explore their craft.
Thank you for reading “10 of the Oldest Bookstores in the United States” by K.T Mehra! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.
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]]>The post 10 Great Bookstores in Brooklyn, New York appeared first on Independent Book Review.
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Hop on your bikes and buses. Here are some great indie bookstores in Brooklyn, New York.
Brooklyn has long been home to some of the most notable writers of our time. Even contemporary authors like Jhumpa Lahiri, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Emma Straub have chosen to live in this popular New York borough of New York at one time, so you could probably imagine how great Brooklyn’s literary scene must be. During an amazing day of walking and driving around the city, Joe and I saw firsthand that Brooklyn offers an abundance of great indie bookstores to browse.
In terms of both quantity (there are over twenty!) and quality, Brooklyn exceeded expectations and proved to be an incredible city for the literary community. They have it all — from holes-in-the-wall bookshops to grand open spaces with natural light to spaces with thousands of titles to peruse. Overjoyed would be an understatement to describe our feelings walking through each of these stores a few weeks ago. It took a while, but we were able to make it to over a dozen stores and found ten of them that we loved and would recommend.
Here is that list, in no particular order.
If you’re planning a trip to Brooklyn, don’t leave without checking out these great bookstores in Brooklyn, New York!
From the outside, it’s almost impossible to tell how large and beautiful McNally Jackson’s is. Set on a quiet warehouse street in Brooklyn, this shop is easily one of the most gorgeous bookstores I’ve ever seen. With an open floor plan and high ceilings, it enraptures you with visual appeal but keeps you there with its wide variety of books.
Somehow, they’ve figured out a way to make every single book on the shelves look like the one you need to learn more about. They have a wide selection of all genres, many indie press books, and even a nice variety of magazines to look through.
This tiny bookstore features mostly used books, but it has new titles available as well. Their selection varies because so many books are bought from the community, so it could make for a really fun bookstore discovery day.
When browsing the shelves, we found tons of cool titles, old and new. There were also plenty of books by indie presses and even some that were signed by local authors, which I really enjoyed browsing.
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Give me the green light
After seeing this bookstore, I could tell that John Legend was talking about this shop when he wrote it. Greenlight Bookstore was one of the many highlights of this trip. In addition to their popular displays and eye-catching kids’ section, they also had this amazing collection of indie press books from the picture above.
This section grabs your attention as soon as you open the front doors, and since we stan the indie bookstores that put this type of work front and center, we couldn’t help but add Greenlight Bookstore to one of our favorites from the day.
There’s even a second location in Brooklyn! Check those people out over at 632 Flatbush Avenue (at Fenimore), Brooklyn, NY 11225.
Book Thug Nation is a cute little community space/used bookstore in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. Focusing on used literary fiction, this shop fits a lot of books in a small place at really affordable prices. It’d be a great spot to wander around for a while and find out which books the community has been reading over the years.
If you’re looking for comic books in Brooklyn, Desert Island is the place to go. Their plywood shelves are filled with the coolest, classic, popular, and self-published comics across many genres and storylines.
With experimental and underground art filling the walls, this colorful comic store will be a haven for those looking to increase their comic book intake.
What’s better than a bookstore that is owned by an author? If anybody understands the amazing things a bookstore offers a community, it’s the one who is writing the books!
Books are Magic is owned by Emma Straub, the author of great fiction like Modern Lovers and The Vacationers. She and her husband, who also live in the neighborhood, created a literary slice of heaven with Books are Magic. The store is spacious, has a ton of cool author events, and also has a really awesome mural outside for all you #bookstagrammers out there.
*Bonus! On your way to the bottom floor there is a poetry gumball machine, where you put in a quarter and get a cute little poem. How sweet!
Walking into this bookstore felt like taking a step back in time. If Kerouac and Ginsburg were to run in there, you better believe they’d love what they found. With a collection of poetry, literary criticism, and classics prominently displayed, we felt that it offered a really well-defined Brooklyn mood that we could get behind.
Spoonbill & Sugartown feature a mix of used, rare, and brand new books. They handpick their selection in hopes that you can find the book you’re looking for, but also be drawn to pick up something that you may not have expected.
8. Quimby’s
Quimby’s gave off some serious occult vibes, and we were into it! Creepy things hung on the walls like preserved insects and funky art, all designed to prepare you for their book selection which give off a similar vibe.
This bookshop describes their title selection as unusual publications, saucy comic books, and aberrant periodicals–so get ready for an interesting mix. Every item in the store demands your attention. Oh, and they do tarot card readings in the back!
Powerhouse on 8th has a great mix of books and book-inspired gifts. The store sits on a cozy street that is great for walking, and then once you get inside, you can appreciate the brick walls surrounding the carefully curated book selection.
From the outside, it looks a bit like a gift store, but on the inside you’ll see that their relatively small collection still includes some great titles, even including small press gems like Emerald City by Brian Birnbaum. They have a terrific kids book section which takes up the majority of their second floor, too.
Community bookstore feels like walking into someone’s literary-focused living room. The lights are kinda low, the shelves are black, and the back of the store looks out onto a small patio and a beautiful little garden. To make it even homier, this is the only bookstore (that I saw) that had a very sleepy resident cat in the aisles! Talk about homey.
Community Bookstore is known for their many events that aim to bring the community together, and their selection of new and rare books. This is the kinda place where you bring a coffee, chill, and feel right at home.
*Bonus Bookstore Alert*
Berl’s Brooklyn Poetry Shop
This is the only all-poetry bookstore not just in Brooklyn, but in all of NYC! I couldn’t get this list out there without mentioning it, even though we weren’t able to make it on our trip. But Berl’s specializes in indie press chapbooks and books! Talk about a shop that tugs at our indie heartstrings.
Visit them at 141 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
And that’s all you’re getting from me this time! Have you been to any of these stores before? Which is your favorite?
About the Author
Jaylynn Korrell is a nomadic writer currently based out of Pennsylvania. Follow her blog at EarthToJay.com.
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