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Reader Stories: My Favorite Indie Bookstore

By , About.com Guide

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You find them in big cities and small towns - local bookshops that are cherished by their residents, to which local book lovers hold a fierce devotion that the big box chains will never see.

Tell us about yours!

The Little Read Bookstore, Wauwatosa WI

This Wauwatosa institution is a book-lovers haven. The booksellers are knowledgable and enthusiastic and want to sell you a book to rock your world. This is a small store, packed with love. The setti…More

The Book Stall, Winnetka, IL

The Book Stall's door swings both ways so you can push your way in and push your way out. Once in, you can turn left and avail yourself of a coffee shop which is not part of, but adjacent to the stor…More

BayShore Books, Oconto, WI

I love the bookstore because I always find something when I don't know what I'm looking for, they will order anything if they don't have it, and they always have great suggestions. They also have aut…More

Old Towne Books & Tea, Oswego, IL

I'm an author, and from the first moment I mentioned to Old Towne that my book would be coming out, they adopted it as their "baby". They take the same care in managing relationships with their custo…More

Chaucer's Bookstore, Santa Barbara, CA

A wonderful, eclectic and friendly store, with an excellent children's section and the latest editions. They are especially open to and supportive of local authors. Mahri Kerley, the owner is a local…More

Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA

One of the four owners is usually on the premises, and all the enthusiastic staff are willing to help find that book whose name you can't quite remember. Porter Square Books is an active participant …More

Aaron's Books, Lititz, PA

I love this bookstore because it's local, full of personality and it sponsors a lot of events for children and adults. Authors are frequently invited for luncheons. There are teen discussion groups. …More

Redbery Books, Cable, WI

Knowledgeable booksellers will help you select a perfect book whether you are looking for a quick read or a literary selection, a self-help or a gift book, fiction or non-fiction, new or used, close …More

Buy the Book Cafe, Daegu, Korea

Nestled on the fourth floor of a building in the heart of downtown Daegu, it's an adventure to find the store. Intrepid book seekers are rewarded when they enter the welcoming space, a sparsely decor…More

$2 Rare Books, Cleveland, OH

The owners know exactly where everything is. You have to dig around to find some cool books - they're double-shelved in almost every section - that is, there's a second and in some sections, a third,…More

Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

Bookshop Santa Cruz is a literary home away from home for so many people. It's a great place to spend hours browsing or just walk through when going from Front Street to Pacific Ave. There are great …More

Two Sisters Bookery, Wilmington, NC

Run by a mother-daughter team, Two Sisters specializes in Southern fiction and regional literature. But they also have a gorgeous selection of bags, journals, gift wrap, cards and other unexpected pl…More

Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

Large, inviting picture windows on the front are filled with posters outlining some of the many events that are always pending. Check out the bargain table on the sidewalk before you come inside. Onc…More

Boulder Bookstore, Boulder, CO

Behind the register, stairs lead down to three rooms of nonfiction stacks. Green carpeting overlaid with colorful Turkish rugs, wooden library chairs, and walls lined with wooden shelves will hold yo…More

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