Books Stores
A list of the coolest books shops around.
Moe's Books
Telegraph - Berkeley, CA United StatesWhile a grand old piece of history itself, Moe's Books is a great steward of literary history as well. The four-storied bookstore is full of new, used and rare books. The used book section is the draw here. Lose yourself in the 100,000 or...
Myopic Books
Wicker Park - Chicago, IL United StatesThere's something lovingly old school about how Myopic Books keeps its space. The several floors of used books. The people reading and drinking coffee on the upper floors. The obligatory store cat.
Mystery Pier Books
West Hollywood - West Hollywood, CA United StatesThe mystery in Mystery Pier Books could be referring as much to the narrow, dark passageway one must traverse to reach the shop than to the number of rare, first-edition mystery and crime novels inside. A humble landmark in the center of West...
New Museum
Lower East Side - New York, NY United StatesWithout the space of more well-to-do cultural institutions, the New Museum shop aims for maximum impact. The main attraction is naturally the wall of art books and magazines. The cosmopolitan, thought-provoking selection is worth a long,...
OK
Third Street - Los Angeles, CA United StatesOK is the one expression you really can't use to describe OK. Gorgeous, hip, beautiful, classy, stunning--these would do better. The gallery is an ode to exquisite design. Learn a thing or two by picking up a few of their new and used...
Oscar Wilde Bookshop
West Village - New York, NY United StatesWidely recognized as the first gay bookshop in America, Oscar Wilde Bookshop has not lost its luster. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Christopher Street, the store is full of new gay and lesbian titles along with cherished collection of rare and...
Pages Books
Queen Street West - Toronto, ON CanadaPages Books opened for business before Queen Street West was the epicenter of hip it is today. Now surrounded by indie clothing stores and modern furniture shops, the outpost is an anchor of the community. The general bookstore focuses on books...
Peter Miller
Downtown - Seattle, WA United StatesGo to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim, to Stockholm to see the "Twisting Torso." Then come to Peter Miller to learn who designed them, how they were built and why. The store stacks its shelves to the ceiling with books on architecture...
Phoenix Books
Noe Valley - San Francisco, CA United StatesPhoenix, Dog Eared, and Red Hill Books represent a type of bookstore that's fast fading into extinction. They're big, lively, a bit messy and generally a good place to spend an hour or two. They're consummate hosts to a variety of community reading, music and poetry events. And...
Powell's Books
Beaverton - Beaverton, OR United StatesReader Suggested: This is the first place out-of-towners go after getting off the airport. Powell's is said to be the largest bookstore in the US, maybe in the world. It sells both new and used books, so one can find almost everything desired. Browsing is encouraged and they have a nice coffee shop.
Powell's Books
PDX - Portland, OR United StatesReader Suggested: This is the first place out-of-towners go after getting off the airport. Powell's is said to be the largest bookstore in the US, maybe in the world. It sells both new and used books, so one can find almost everything desired. Browsing is encouraged and they have a nice coffee shop.
Powell's Books
Sunnyside - Portland, OR United StatesReader Suggested: This is the first place out-of-towners go after getting off the airport. Powell's is said to be the largest bookstore in the US, maybe in the world. It sells both new and used books, so one can find almost everything desired. Browsing is encouraged and they have a nice coffee shop.
Powell's Books for Home and Garden
Sunnyside - Portland, OR United StatesReader Suggested: This is the first place out-of-towners go after getting off the airport. Powell's is said to be the largest bookstore in the US, maybe in the world. It sells both new and used books, so one can find almost everything desired. Browsing is encouraged and they have a nice coffee shop.
Powell's City of Books
Old Town/Chinatown - Portland, OR United StatesReader Suggested: This is the first place out-of-towners go after getting off the airport. Powell's is said to be the largest bookstore in the US, maybe in the world. It sells both new and used books, so one can find almost everything desired. Browsing is encouraged and they have a nice coffee shop.
Powell's Technical Books
Old Town/Chinatown - Portland, OR United StatesReader Suggested: This is the first place out-of-towners go after getting off the airport. Powell's is said to be the largest bookstore in the US, maybe in the world. It sells both new and used books, so one can find almost everything desired. Browsing is encouraged and they have a nice coffee shop.
Quimby's
Bucktown - Chicago, IL United StatesBefore every high school and college student had a blog, zines were a favored form of expression for young people. At Quimby's, the zine gets its due credit and is honored for all that it can be. The alternative book retailer seeks out...
Red Hill Books
Bernal Hill - San Francisco, CA United StatesPhoenix, Dog Eared, and Red Hill Books represent a type of bookstore that's fast fading into extinction. They're big, lively, a bit messy and generally a good place to spend an hour or two. They're consummate hosts to a variety of community reading, music and poetry events. And...
Robin's Bookstore
Center City - Philadelphia, PA United StatesFounded in 1936, Robin's Bookstore is Philadelphia's oldest independent bookshop. But that's not the only reason it's a favorite among Philadelphia bookworms. The store is more substantive than your usual general bookstore,...
Second Story Books
Dupont Circle - Washington, DC United StatesSpecializing in rare and out-of-print titles, Second Story Books does not have that flea market feel of other used bookstores. Here, books past their prime are given their due TLC. Titles are meticulously organized and categorized, while truly...
Second Story Books
Rockville - Rockville, MD United StatesSpecializing in rare and out-of-print titles, Second Story Books does not have that flea market feel of other used bookstores. Here, books past their prime are given their due TLC. Titles are meticulously organized and categorized, while truly rare titles are under lock and key. The store is...