The Best Independently Owned Bookstore in Every State

A third-generation, family-owned bookstore in Fairhope, Page and Palette has been around for over 40 years. They host author events for local authors and bigger names — and as a bonus, they have an on-site coffee shop and a bar that features literary-themed cocktails.

More: The Absolute Best Books to Read in 2020

Title Wave Books is the biggest bookstore in Alaska and one of the biggest used bookstores in the country. The store has a massive collection of books, vinyl records, DVDs, and audiobooks, and they also host fun game night events for locals.

Changing Hands has locations in both Phoenix and Tempe, and the Tempe location has been around since 1974. The Phoenix location also offers First Draft Book Bar so you can enjoy drinks while browsing. They offer lots of events, from craft nights to an annual Harry Potter Birthday Party that includes Butter Beer and Polyjuice Potion.

Once Upon a Time Books is a family-owned bookstore in Springdale that features nearly 300,000 high quality used books, some of which are really inexpensive. They also have an online shop if you're not near the area.

City Lights is a famous bookstore in San Francisco that's bursting with history. It was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin, and is known as a literary landmark and champion of free speech.

Although Denver's Tattered Cover is one of the biggest and most successful independent bookstores in the country, it still has a small shop feel to it. They host over 400 authors a year and have workshops, book clubs, film screenings, and storytime for kids.

A trip to R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison feels like a personalized experience. There are handwritten staff notes throughout the store, and a cozy cafe. Owner Roxanne J. Coady opened the store, determined to find the perfect book for every reader — and launched the Just the Right Book book-of-the-month subscription service, which turned into a podcast.

Located just about a block away from the beach, Browseabout Books is a local legend in Rehobeth. It was founded in 1975, and sells every kind of book you could want to find, along with toys, stationery, and gifts. They also have a small coffee bar inside.

The Chamblin Bookmine is a large indie bookshop that opened in 1976 with two different locations selling new, used, and rare collectible books. They have a huge selection and a cafe serving treats, sandwiches, and coffee.

Little Shop of Stories is a fairly new children's bookstore that opened in the early 2000s. Filled with adorable decorations and tons of books, the store also features book fairs, summer camps, story times, and book-of-the-month clubs. There's plenty for your little one to do here.

Talk Story Bookstore is the number one shopping destination on the island, according to TripAdvisor, and has won numerous awards. They have a huge collection of unique titles for everything from books, to comics, vinyl records, and vintage books. They also have a whole section dedicated to Hawaiian literature and history.

Rediscovered Books is a favorite spot among book lovers in Boise because they make reading fun. There are more than 30 book clubs, with fun options like the Forever Young Book Club or Macchiato and Murder. There are lots of other events, like Book & Booze Nights and a weekly kids story time.

Anderson's Bookshop, operated by the fifth-generation of the original founders, is a staple in Naperville that has been around since 1875. It's famous in the area for exciting author events and children's reading activities. Since it's family-run, it feels warm and friendly every time you're in there.

Books and Brews is part bookstore, part bar, so if you love to have a drink while checking out some new titles, this is the place for you. The bar sells their own craft beers that have been cleverly named after books. They sell gently used books at a great price, and 10% of the proceeds go to IndyReads, a nonprofit that offers adult and childhood literacy programs.

Prairie Lights has been around since 1978 and is right next to the famous Iowa Writers Workshop, which is basically a match made in heaven. They host many notable authors and also have a great coffee shop inside to make for even better browsing.

Rainy Day Books has been around since 1975 and was one of the first bookstores in the United States to put an emphasis on author events as a way to form a book-loving community.

They still have tons of author events today, as well as an impressive selection of books, making them deserving of their title as one of the leading Independent Booksellers in America.

Joseph-Beth Booksellers is a beautifully designed small bookstore in Lexington that features a really great selection of books. They have programs like the Golden Apple Program that gives discounts to teachers, as well as field days and spirit days for the kids.

A trip to New Orleans wouldn't be complete without a visit to the famous Faulkner House Books. William Faulkner's former apartment was converted into a bookstore and is incredibly charming. There's a big focus on local authors as well as Faulkner's own works, obviously.

Longfellow Books stands out in Portland for its collection of popular and more unique books. They also host poetry nights, book launches, and great book clubs, like the Cookbook Book Club. They are known for being home to adoptable cats from local shelters as well.

When Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe opened in 1976, it was the first bookstore/cafe in Washington, D.C. Not only do they have a wonderful selection of books, they also serve delicious food and have a full-service bar. They host lots of events, such as the Badass Woman's Book Club and calligraphy nights.

Founded in 1932 by Mark S. Kramer with $300 in his pocket, Harvard Book Store is basically legendary in Cambridge. The store has been active in its local community by holding roles on American Booksellers Association committees and boards. They are known for their selection of new, used, and remaindered books, as well as award-winning author events and lots of local partnerships.

John K. King Used and Rare Books is no joke: They have more than a million books in their store, which is four stories tall. It's so big that staff members have to hang out maps to guests when they enter. You can easily spend an entire day there.

Named after one of the best children's books, Where The Wild Things Are, Wild Rumpus is a picture-perfect children's book shop in Minneapolis. Aside from their huge collection of children's books, they do good things for their community, like working with the Autism Society of Minnesota to host a biweekly story time for sensory-sensitive kids.

Square Books is actually three different bookstores, all located in the historic town square of Oxford.

The main bookstore has a beautiful balcony that's perfect for reading outside, while the children's bookstore is its own shop. The last is Off Square Books, which is all lifestyle books like travel and cooking, and bargain buys. It's safe to say you'll find anything you're looking for here.

Prospero's Books opened on the anniversary of Silvia Beach's Parisian bookstore Shakespeare and Company (the birthplace of the Moderns, like Hemingway and Picasso), and has worked hard to live up to that. In 1998, the bookstore even launched a sister publishing house, Spartan Press. They do poetry readings, host festivals, and showcase art.

The Book Exchange is a local, family-owned and operated bookstore that has been in Missoula since 1979. They boast a large collection of nearly 200,000 books in all genres. There's also a cozy cafe inside for the best browsing experience.

The Bookworm is a family owned business that has been in the area since 1986 and has a huge selection of books on almost any topic. They are known for a friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff. They do book clubs and events, and have a program called Baker's Dozen that gives customers a credit for every 12 book purchased. Bonus: They're pet-friendly.

Sundance Books and Music is gorgeous and has a great selection of books: It's housed in a converted Victorian mansion (and it's only minutes away from the airport, which is convenient). They have a friendly staff and a frequent-reader loyalty program that locals love.

Gibson's is basically a Concord institution: they've been in business since 1898. The store has lots of books, a cute cafe with treats, and a really fun book club. They also have a Student Reviewer Club for kids and teens, which allows them to read advance reader copies of their choice, write a short review, and then receive a gift certificate towards the purchase of another book.

This community bookstore is a great place to browse, and it's extremely autism-friendly — [words] has hired over 100 young people with autism and they are dedicated to supplying everyone with books they will enjoy. They host over 100 author events every year, so there's almost always something going on.