Getting swept up in a book is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon. Another is losing yourself in a bookstore, spending hours searching for a buzzy new release, rediscovering a beloved classic or sitting in on an author Q&A. These independent bookstores scratch the itch of every bibliophile, from the mystery lover to rare book collector.<\/p>\n
Pick up comics at Books with Pictures, Portland, Oregon<\/p>\n Books with Pictures<\/a> promises to provide comics and graphic novels<\/a> for everyone \u2014 and delivers. The store \u201cstrives to make the space inclusive\u201d and is known for its \u201cBIPOC-centered displays\u201d and \u201csection dedicated to LGBTQIA+ characters,\u201d said Oregon Live<\/a>. Every month, fans gather for the Books with Pals Graphic Novel Book Club, which sometimes include special appearances by authors.<\/p>\n Uncover works from the past at Faulkner House Books, New Orleans<\/p>\n While this French Quarter bookstore\u2019s<\/a> name may pay homage to the celebrated writer William Faulkner \u2014 he wrote \u201cSoldiers\u2019 Pay\u201d here in 1926 \u2014 its \u201cniche is rare literary fiction and poetry,\u201d said Thrillist<\/a>. The shop is housed in a charming building from the 1800s, with floor-to-ceiling cases holding Southern literature favorites, books about New Orleans and other tomes.<\/p>\n The Week<\/p>\n Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nSUBSCRIBE & SAVE\n<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Sign up for The Week’s Free Newsletters<\/p>\n From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n Stumble upon treasures at John K. King Used and Rare Books, Detroit<\/p>\n If a title exists, your chances are high of finding it here. This massive four-story shop<\/a> holds more than 1 million volumes, making an \u201cimpression on most of the five senses, but especially on sight,\u201d said The Detroit News<\/a>. Patrons can expect to spend hours perusing the stacks, and those who want a real treat should also make an appointment for the rare book collection. There are novels, like signed editions by Stephen King, but also plenty of curiosities, including a meteor from Argentina<\/a>.<\/p>\n Start a child\u2019s love of reading at Little Shop of Stories, Atlanta<\/p>\n Little Shop of Stories<\/a> is all about children\u2019s and young adult literature, offering an \u201cunbeatable\u201d selection of books \u201cfor the young and young at heart,\u201d said Secret Atlanta<\/a>. There are book clubs for all reading levels, from kids to adults, including The Gumshoe Gang for mystery-loving tweens and Banned Books Book Club for teens and older. Babies and toddlers are welcome to attend Storytime twice a week.<\/p>\n Discover Black voices at Marcus Books, Oakland, California<\/p>\n Marcus Books<\/a>, named in honor of activist and author Marcus Garvey, has been shining a light on Black authors and poets since 1960. This esteemed cultural center regularly hosts \u201cliterary legends\u201d \u2014 previous guests include Toni Morrison, Nikki Giovanni and Walter Mosley \u2014 and \u201cengages patrons through book clubs and poetry readings,\u201d said Reader\u2019s Digest<\/a>. Encounter a wide selection of banned and challenged books, as well as anti-racism and allyship titles.<\/p>\n Investigate titles at The Mysterious Bookshop, New York City<\/p>\n Don your finest trench coat and grab your magnifying glass: We\u2019re going shopping at The Mysterious Bookshop<\/a>. All mystery fiction genres are covered, from crime<\/a> to espionage to hardboiled, and if you need help finding a title the staff has you covered \u2014 they are \u201cfluent in red herrings and locked-room puzzles,\u201d said Time Out<\/a>. There are also \u201ccozy\u201d reading chairs if you want to curl up and start reading right away.<\/p>\n Rip your bodice at Steamy Lit, Deerfield Beach, Florida<\/p>\n Steamy Lit<\/a> owner Melissa Saavedra wants to change the way people talk about \u201ctaboo\u201d topics and opened her romance-focused bookstore as a way to \u201ccreate a safe space to talk about sexuality, relationships and pleasure,\u201d said WLRN<\/a>. Her store showcases the \u201cdiversity in romance,\u201d with books grouped both by subgenre, like regency or romantasy, and tropes, which include love triangles and enemies-to-lovers. The shelves are also heavily stacked with titles by Latinx, Black and queer authors.<\/p>\n Have an all-encompassing experience at Vroman\u2019s, Pasadena, California<\/p>\n A community staple since 1894, Vroman\u2019s<\/a> is not just a bookstore. This two-story shop is straight out of a reader\u2019s dream, with books of all genres, a spacious children\u2019s section, newsstand, wine bar and exquisite selection of stationery and gifts. It is both a relaxing environment, with customers happily browsing for books at their leisure, and electric, with events like readings and authors in conversation.<\/p>\n Find feminist literature at Women & Children First, Chicago<\/p>\n Open since 1979, Women & Children First<\/a> is one of the country\u2019s oldest \u2014 and largest \u2014 feminist bookstores, with more than 30,000 titles in stock. The books here are \u201cby and about women,\u201d said Time Out<\/a>, and the shop is considered among Chicago\u2019s<\/a> \u201cbest sources for lesbian and gay fiction and nonfiction.\u201d It also always has a full calendar, with regular author readings, book groups, panel discussions and community events.<\/p>\n Explore More<\/p>\n