27 Unique Independent Bookstores Worth the Trip

For many, an independent bookshop is much more than a storefront. It’s a place where book lovers can immerse themselves in a niche and well-curated selection of material not found in larger chain stores. Plus, indie bookstores are often hubs for social events, author readings, book club meetings and more, creating a sense of community while boosting the local economy.

In light of Independent Bookstore Day on April 27, we’ve rounded up a selection of these niche brick-and-mortar retailers for you to explore. And if you can’t make it in person to peruse the shelves, these bookstores can also ship your order.

 

Art, film and photography

Drama Book Shop: New York City

The Drama Book Shop is a thespian haven. The store, which has had different locations in New York’s theater district since its founding in 1917, is now in Midtown Manhattan. Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda — who began rehearsals of his debut musical, In the Heights, in the theater space housed in the bookstore’s previous location on West 40th Street — is a co-owner. The shop specializes ins arts-related works and regularly stocks more than 8,000 plays. There’s even a section on acting, auditioning and working on both stage and screen. It also hosts weekly events that are recorded live and featured on The Drama Book Show! podcast. Hanging from the ceiling is an impressive 140-foot-long “bookworm.” The brainchild of Hamilton’s scenic designer and creative director, David Korins, the bookworm is made up of more than 2,000 books, scripts and manuscripts strung together in chronological order.

Also check out:

Book Soup in West Hollywood, California, for its selection of literary fiction as well as books about art, film, photography and music (and occasional celebrity sightings).

Photo-eye Bookstore in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which is dedicated to photography books.

 

Black Voices

Black Pearl Books: Austin, Texas

Black Pearl Books is a Black- and woman-owned bookstore that was established in November 2019 as a modest online seller hosting pop-up events and booths at Austin markets. But in June 2020, in the wake of the rising social justice movement, the company received more than 10,000 book orders. In 2022, the owners were able to open a brick-and-mortar shop, focusing on books that highlight diverse representation and inclusion. The store hosts a Redacted Reads book club featuring banned books. The owners also started a nonprofit, Put it in A Book, which partners with schools and other Austin-based organizations to “help make books accessible for all.”

Also check out:

For Keeps Books for “Black, rare and classic books” in Atlanta.

Marcus Books in Oakland, California, which has hosted authors such as Patti LaBelle, Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou throughout its 60-year run.

 

Community-centric

Antigone Books: Tucson, Arizona

Antigone Books has been providing feminist reads since 1973 and has been 100 percent solar powered since 2011. The bookstore has a program that helps put new and local Pima County authors on its shelves. New books that are self-published through this program undergo a review system where they may be displayed for up to six months, depending on customer interest. Many of these books are signed by the author. Antigone also hosts live readings. The store has even hosted a Valentine’s Day–themed “blind date books” event: Customers choose a paper-wrapped book by genre only, so they’re in for a surprise when they unwrap it.

Also check out:

A Room of One’s Own, a queer- and trans-owned feminist bookstore that partners with local organizations to promote literacy in Madison, Wisconsin.

Busboys and Poets, a restaurant, bar and bookstore that centers progressive voices throughout several locations in the Washington, D.C., area.