Localeur’s Guide to Independent Bookstores
When the pandemic struck and forced virtually all local retailers to shutter their brick-and-mortars, we did our best to adapt. Doing most of our shopping online wasn’t so bad. But we won’t lie: We really missed the bookstores.
Bookstores are more than the sum of their parts. A good local bookstore is a cornerstone of the community it serves, and now that many are opened again, we’re rounding up a host of our favorites for you to peruse for yourself. We’re also making a point of sharing a number that are Black-owned – because while it’s great to amplify the voices of the Black community, it’s doubly great to do so with your dollar.
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Semicolon Books
Chicago, Illinois
It seems unlikely that a city like Chicago could be home to just one Black- and female-owned bookstore, but it’s true – not that we’re complaining, exactly, because Semicolon is a standout in its class. Having opened its doors just over a year ago, Semicolon is also a community space and art gallery, and charitable initiatives like #ClearTheShelves, which seeks to raise literacy rates in Chicago and beyond, means the money you spend here will do more than support the shop owners alone. And if you aren’t sure what to read next, never fear: Their monthly subscription known as Semicolon Stacks can take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite novel.
The Red Wheelbarrow
Paris, France
The Red Wheelbarrow is a labor of love, a small but perfectly formed modern bookstore dedicated to new English-language books. It’s ideally placed overlooking the plush Luxembourg Gardens, so there’s no excuse not to take your new book for a picnic if the Parisian weather behaves. There’s an interesting mix of works here, from current favorites and contemporary prize winners to obscure titles designed to whet your literary appetite. There’s also an entire wall dedicated to books that have a Paris connection, if you’re keen to immerse yourself in the city that has inspired so many.
Menil Bookstore
Houston, Texas
Unlike other museums that place gift shops to catch your eye as you exit the building, the Menil Collection has no such place. But among the gray bungalows surrounding the museum is a lone bookstore that blends seamlessly into the serene neighborhood. In fact, without the small sign above the door and wraparound patio, you’d miss it completely. The store itself houses a range of art exhibition catalogues and some rare and out-of-print books, as well as current architecture, fashion, and travel books. It’s the ideal stop if you’re looking to expand your coffee-table book collection.
Wrzenie Świata
Warsaw, Poland
Wrzenie Świata is a non-fiction bookstore opened in September 2010 by the Foundation Institute of Reportage, and it wasn’t long before it became a center for documentary culture in Warsaw. It often hosts meetings with authors and film and photography screenings, as well as debates on various contemporary issues from climate change to the economy. Wrzenie Świata is a unique place to find an interesting read, or simply to engage in a colorful discussion with friends. (Don’t miss their delicious coffee, wine, freshly-squeezed juices, and delicious cakes.)
Harriet’s Bookshop
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Named after one of the U.S.’s first historical heroines – Harriet Tubman, of course – this Black-owned indie shop is all about celebrating women’s voices, women’s art, and women’s activism. Even if you aren’t in Philly and can’t visit the shop for yourself, it’s worth it to [Editor’s note: bad book joke coming] take a page out of Harriet’s book by keeping up with their empowering presence on social media. From classics like Toni Morrison’s Beloved to can’t-put-it-down debuts like Raven Leilani’s Luster, this shop will help teach you about the resounding chorus of revolutionary voices that are as timeless as they are of-the-moment.
Wilborada 1047
Bogotá, Colombia
Wilborada 1047 is a labor of love, a charming townhouse that has been converted into a light and modern home for literary classics. Books fill Wilborada’s windows and walls, and at least half of its space is occupied by a specialty coffee shop with plenty of tables, chairs, and sofas to study, read, and relax. Wilborada is popular with both the city’s coffee-loving and book-loving crowds, but it’s rarely over-full and offers welcome respite from the busy streets of this thriving and lively part of town.
Eso Won Books
Los Angeles, California
Though it’s moved storefronts a few times, Eso Won hasn’t merely earned the distinction of being one of the leading Black-owned bookstores in the country – it’s also one of the oldest, though it was founded just over 30 years ago. Translating to “water over rocks” in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, this low-tech shop has never needed to rely on bells and whistles to maintain its distinction as a core component of LA’s Leimart Park. In fact, Eso Won only made the move to also selling books online in response to the pandemic; its analog days didn’t stop it from being named the favorite bookstore of Ta-Nahesi Coates, who applauds the shop for what he calls its “specific mission to make sure Black authors always have a home.”
Prospero’s Books
Tbilisi, Georgia
Prospero’s Bookstore has what’s possibly the largest collection of English-language books in Tbilisi. While you’d be forgiven for coming here to simply enjoy the idyllic patio, keep it on your radar should you be on the hunt for virtually any type of literary work, from classics to children’s books. It doesn’t hurt that the staff are always friendly and ready to help. Our advice: Find your book(s) of choice, grab a cup of coffee from the shop within the shop, and escape into the pages of your selection for as many hours as you can manage.
Librería Desnivel
Madrid, Spain
Outdoors adventurers and world travelers rejoice: The escape from Madrid’s city bustle is just one hidden bookshop away. Tucked out of sight near the Antón Martín metro stop, this mountain-based bookstore is housed in an old print shop, refurbished to hold a bevy of guidebooks, travel literature, and maps. Additionally, the store is currently the headquarters of Desnivel Magazine, the premier alpine editorial in Spain – so it's easy to rub shoulders with readers, editors, and outdoor enthusiasts alike in this specialized book nook.
Charis Books and More
Atlanta, Georgia
Kids’ lit? They’ve got it. Activism inspiration? Most definitely. Whether you seek to simply get informed or prefer to have a full-on inferno sparked beneath you, Charis excels at what it does, which is help readers approach their most empowered, forward-thinking selves, whether the call to action is feminism, anti-ableism, trans rights, dismantling white supremacy, or one of myriad other causes. It served as a landmark for lesbian rights in the South in the ‘70s when it first opened in Little Five Points, and its mission to foster social justice is just as strong today as ever. From Audre Lorde to Stacey Abrams, the books on hand here all have the potential to challenge your beliefs and deepen your understanding.
Other Bookstores We Love
Estelita’s Library*
Seattle, Washington
Rainy Day Bookstore
Tokyo, Japan
Commonwealth Books
Boston, Massachusetts
The Lit.Bar*
New York, New York
Gutter Bookshop
Dublin, Ireland
Elizabeth’s Bookshop*
Akron, Ohio
Black Pearl Books*
Austin, Texas
The Booksmith
San Francisco, California
*Denotes a Black-owned local shop
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