The Unwondering Project
Featured Indie Bookstores in America
All 148 independent bookstores in our Featured Selection, hand-picked and updated as the list grows.
← Back to The Unwondering Project
All 148 independent bookstores in our Featured Selection, hand-picked and updated as the list grows.
← Back to The Unwondering Project
Largest independent bookstore in the US; a destination in its own right
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Beat Generation literary landmark, city-designated landmark
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One of the most celebrated independent stores in the Pacific Northwest
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Oldest and largest independent bookstore in Southern California
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Tied to the Iowa Writers' Workshop; nationally known literary hub
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Community hub bookstore with event space for authors, book clubs.
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Hosts monthly Read It and Eat events pairing food with books.
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Founded in 2017, stocks over 5,000 classic and contemporary titles.
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Woman-owned indie bookstore serving Arlington since 2011.
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Woman-owned independent bookstore in downtown Knoxville since 2011.
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Two locations with cafes, author talks, and community programs.
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Tucked under an orange awning, serving Hudson Valley readers 40+ years.
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Women-owned, personally curated indie bookstore open since 1990.
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One of the nation's top indie bookstores, with toys and stationery.
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Capitol Hill gathering place for book lovers and literary events.
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Independent bookstore that's stayed open more than 30 years.
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German Village landmark spanning 32 interconnected rooms, a literary maze.
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Independent bookstore since 1961, known for its author events series.
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Independent regional bookseller serving Cincinnati for decades.
Learn MoreSells blind date wrapped books with playful character-based clues.
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Publishes fine-press art and poetry books alongside rare volumes.
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Georgetown shop known for philosophy, history, and literary criticism.
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Curated used, new, and rare books for the intellectually curious.
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Run by two native Cincinnatians who love finding your next read.
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Spotlights Michigan authors and hosts frequent community events.
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Independent bookstore on Albuquerque's westside, staffed by former teachers and librarians.
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DC institution known for nightly author talks and events.
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One of few bookstores owned and run by a university press.
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Founded in 1809, it bills itself as the country's oldest independent bookstore.
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One of the country's oldest feminist bookstores, founded in 1973.
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Full-service bookstore on the lower level of Macy's State Street.
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Beach reads, local North Carolina titles, comics and manga.
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Just off the boardwalk, and open every day, year round.
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Books and games at First and Main in downtown Walla Walla.
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Largest bookstore in Texas, founded in Austin in 1970 as Grok Books.
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Founded in 1982, housed in a historic 1927 Mediterranean-style building.
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Castro Street branch of the West's oldest independent bookseller.
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Kirkland's only locally owned independent bookstore, with new and used books.
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Opened in 2009 in the former Schwartz Bookshop on Downer Avenue.
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A favorite independent bookstore in St. Johnsbury, VT.
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Woman-owned Northeast Portland bookstore, open since 1992 in a former furniture store.
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A favorite independent bookstore in Pittsburgh, PA.
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Oldest Black-owned bookstore in New Orleans, started in 1983.
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A favorite independent bookstore in Mill Valley, CA.
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A favorite independent bookstore in Shepherdstown, WV.
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Lincoln's locally owned bookshop and art gallery, open since 2017.
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Housed in The Rink, built in 1884 as a roller skating rink.
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Lynchburg's bookstore and specialty toy shop in one.
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A favorite independent bookstore in San Francisco, CA.
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Used bookstore cafe on Crosby Street since 1996; profits fund Housing Works.
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Founded in 1955 by pacifist Roy Kepler, an early paperback seller.
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Academic and rare books alongside new releases, across from Princeton's campus.
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White Bear Lake's independent bookstore since 1980, started by a group of women.
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Founded in 1984 and a perennial readers' choice winner.
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A locally owned bookseller serving Long Island's North Shore.
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SoHo flagship opened in 2004, now at 134 Prince Street.
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An award-winning bookstore-cafe, open since 2001.
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New and used bookstore founded in 2012, home to Geek Love Cafe.
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Uptown bookstore opened in 2000; first to reopen after Hurricane Katrina.
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Bookstore run by publisher Milkweed Editions inside the Open Book literary center.
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A favorite independent bookstore in Westport, MA.
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Powell's 32,500-square-foot Beaverton branch, opened at Cedar Hills Crossing in 2006.
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Bookstore and event space opened by powerHouse Books in DUMBO in 2006.
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Opened in 2013 in the space of the former Queen Anne Books.
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The Venice boardwalk's bookstore, with its own Mystery Annex.
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Housed since 2006 in the restored 1953 Bonfils-Lowenstein Theater.
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A favorite independent bookstore in Blytheville, AR.
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Founded in 2007 in a restored brick building about 130 years old.
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Haight Street bookstore since 1976, named a San Francisco Legacy Business.
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A favorite independent bookstore in Manchester Center, VT.
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All-volunteer anarchist bookstore collective founded in Philadelphia in 1976.
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