Take a page from our book: We love shopping from independent bookstores. Grab your favorite bookmark and reading light and prepare your personal library’s shelves for a haul from local bookshops, both new and used.
Beow’s Coffee & Cafe, 8111 Creedmoor Rd., Ste. 153 | New + used books | Sit down with your new book and order a coffee + sandwich.
Blackbird Books & Coffee, 323 Blake St. | New books | We talked with owners Hannah and Bre Brunswick before this unique shop opened. In addition to all the latest books and fresh coffee, stick around for silent reading club, fiberwork nights, and poetry slams.
Brightside Books & Wine, 600 W. Cabarrus St., Ste. 107 | New books | This romance-focused bookstore is filled with love in all forms — and plenty of vino.
Dog-Eared Books, 4027 Atlantic Ave. | Used books | Who knew a warehouse space could be so homey? Tote a haul of books with the store’s fill-a-bag event and take home as many books as you can fit for just $20.
Liberation Station, 430 Hill St. | Children’s books | This shop has made history as North Carolina’s only Black-owned children’s bookstore, and its wide variety has been kid-approved.
Nice Price Books & Records, 3106 Hillsborough St. | Used books | Shop used books in addition to new + preowned vinyl records at this shop you know and love for its iconic window that boasts colorful posters and stickers. Plus, take your new read with you to Cup A Joe next door.
Reader’s Corner, 3201 Hillsborough St. | Used books | This cozy used book store is rife with college textbooks, vintage prints and photos, among piles of typical fiction. Make room for new books in your personal library by selling books to the store, too.
So & So Books, 719 N. Person St. | New books | Our favorite part of this bookstore is the collection of nonfiction, including books on NC + Raleigh. Plus, peruse recommended collections for students at Redbud Writing Project, located below the store.
Quail Ridge Books, 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd., Ste. 100 | New books | This classic book store is located near North Hills and is a worthy stop on a shopping spree. Don’t miss the extensive children’s section and talks with celebrated authors that often sell out minutes after tickets go on sale.
