Some Independent Bookstore Love

“You see, bookshops are dreams built of wood and paper. They are time travel and escape and knowledge and power. They are, simply put, the best of places.” - Jen Campbell

As you can already tell me from my previous posts, I am a very avid reader, so one of my favorite goals to accomplish when I travel is to find the best independent, local bookstores in a city or town. I am not going to lie and say that I don’t shop at Barnes and Noble because I definitely do. But, I would definitely put in more time and effort to browse around at an independent bookstore if I can. I don’t know whether it’s because I am a sucker for supporting small, local businesses or because the intimacy and uniqueness of a local bookstore make for a more pleasurable shopping experience, but either way I will always advocate for Indie bookstores. Here’s a list of a few of my favorite!

Shakespeare & Company – Paris, France

(Source: Wiki

Even though this might be cliché, I can’t make a list of my favorite bookstores and not include Shakespeare & Company. I can’t get enough of the literature from and the nonfiction books about the Lost Generation authors who lived in Paris in the 1920s. Many of these writers, including Hemingway, Joyce, and Fitzgerald, all frequented Shakespeare & Company to discuss writing and their literary aspirations. This makes Shakespeare & Co. so much more than a store, but an important historical site where literary nerds (like me) can geek out while looking for a new book to read. Also, for those of you who are worried that you’ll only find French titles in the store, don’t fret because it’s an English language bookstore, meaning that the majority of the books are in English. Unfortunately, because of Shakespeare & Co.’s popularity and history, it’s usually very crowded and you definitely have to pay a premium for their books that all contain Shakespeare & Co. stamps. But if you are at all interested in reading, literary history, or Parisian history, you absolutely have to visit one of the most famous independent bookstores in the world.

Mitchell’s Book Corner – Nantucket, MA

(Source: Foursquare)

There are few better times and places for reading than on the beach in the summer. If you’re lucky enough to be able to take a summer jaunt to Nantucket for a weekend and are in need of a good beach read, definitely check out Mitchell’s Book Corner. This small corner store is the epitome of what makes Nantucket charming. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, and they always have a section of books about Nantucket that are often signed by the author. Few places make me more nostalgic for summer and the beach than Mitchell’s.

Malaprop’s Bookstore – Asheville, NC

(Source: Facebook)

Not surprisingly, Asheville has one of the coolest Indie bookstores that perfectly matches the city’s progressive, unique culture. Malaprop’s Bookstore and Café has a wide, yet curated, selection of books that can give any major bookseller a run for their money. One thing that makes it so special is the fact that locals are very extremely loyal and dedicated to buying their books from Malaprop’s, making it feel like an institution in Asheville. Because I am so adamant about buying locally, I love Malaprop’s because they have built relationships with customers, making them the definition of what it means to be a local business that gives back to the community.

Flyleaf Books – Chapel Hill, NC

(Source: The Guardian)

Flyleaf holds a special place in my heart because it’s the only independent bookstore in Chapel Hill, a town that I’ve spent the last four years in for college. Similar to Asheville, Chapel Hill is a unique city in the South because it has a very progressive culture, while remaining true to its Southern roots. Also because Chapel Hill is almost indistinguishable from UNC and its erudite students and faculty, it makes sense that there would be an independent bookstore to satisfy their literary needs. My favorite thing about Flyleaf is the tables with staff recommendations. There have been many times when I’ve gone in looking for a particular book, but instead end up buying multiple books that I had never even heard of because a staff member’s raving review. Another unique thing about Flyleaf is that a lot of the people who work there are students, which reassures me that Millennials and Gen Z may not in fact be the generation that ditches physical books for digital versions on their Nook or Kindle. I love Flyleaf because I can always find someone in the store who is as nerdy and unapologetically book obsessed as me.

xx