The Novelry’s Guide to Independent Bookstore Day 2025

In 2012, writer Samantha Schoech came up with the idea of creating a special day to celebrate indie booksellers and stores across California. This celebration was a success across the Golden State, and the national one-day party that book lovers now know as Independent Bookstore Day was born. This year, Independent Bookstore Day takes place on Saturday, April 26.

What is Independent Bookstore Day?

More than a decade later, Independent Bookstore Day is a national celebration of non-corporate bookstores across all 50 states of the U.S. and Canada, too. Taking place on the last Saturday in April every year, Indie Bookstore Day is well-loved not just by booksellers but by authors, readers, and publishers across the country. Celebrations for Indie Bookstore Day can include events, readings, contests, parties, and scavenger hunts. There are even special editions, exclusive books, and literary items available to purchase that can only be found at your local indie bookstore.

Why support indie bookstores?

Your local independent bookstore is never just a place to buy a book. These stores are often community hubs in one way or another, offering safe and inclusive spaces where readers can escape and find like-minded friends. While Independent Bookstore Day is a brilliant way to honor the place these stores occupy in our communities, local bookstores deserve to be recognized all year round, not just in April.

When you shop independently, you receive a personal touch that isn’t always found in chain stores. Indie booksellers care passionately about fiction and non-fiction, about readers and authors. Like librarians, they often know exactly which book to press into the hands of a reader who may be looking for a certain story without knowing quite what that story is.

Independent bookstores are also second to none in championing authors—particularly writers who happen to live or work in the local area. While Indie Bookstore Day is a great day to visit these stores, they are some of the best places to go all year round for in-person events, readings, and Q&As with published authors, making them a great community hub for writers at all stages of their career.

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How can I support Indie Bookstore Day?

By shopping with your local independent bookstore! Our team at The Novelry has recommended a selection of independent stores you can visit this Saturday, which you can find in the list below. If you can’t see a participating store near you, try IndieBound’s searchable map. And remember, if you can’t get to a store on Indie Bookstore Day, you can always shop with them online.

Our favorite independent bookstores

The Novelry is proud to support Independent Bookstore Day across the U.S. and Canada at a time when shopping independently with local companies can make more of a difference than ever. Many of our writing coaches live and work in North America, and here they’ve shared their favorite indie bookstores from coast to coast.

We hope you’ll find one or two new stores near you—somewhere you can meet fellow lovers of literature to celebrate independent bookstores not just on the last Saturday in April, but at any time you want to be in community with bookish friends.

Thank goodness for indie booksellers!
—Gina Sorell

Indie bookstores in the U.S.A.

California

A Seat at the Table, Elk Grove

A personal favorite of fantasy author and writing coach Andrea Stewart, A Seat at the Table is a family bookstore and cafe with an in-person and online storefront that sells books in a variety of genres, gifts, and coffee. They can ship anywhere across the country and are proud to stock books that reflect the diversity of Elk Grove, one of the most diverse cities in the country. Functioning as a community space and cafe, they particularly focus on inclusion and uplifting marginalized groups. They are the only place to see drag in their city and are proud to be a unique third space curated to give everyone a seat at the table.

Chevalier’s Books, Los Angeles

Popular for their in-house events, Chevalier’s Books is a charming community fixture in Larchmont, much loved by many in the area and warmly recommended by writing coach Gina Sorell. Being in Larchmont, Chevalier’s is home to many Hollywood stars—an element reflected in their well-loved Hollywood Island section, which honors the talent of LA with screenwriting plays, memoirs about the industry, and California-related books. They have an expansive children’s selection with a special space for kids to read, play, and learn. Chevalier’s can ship across the U.S., and their website lists full stock availability and events, such as Kids Reading Time, Book Talks with authors, and fun craft evenings like scrapbooking, sip and swap, and zine-making. To celebrate Independent Bookstore Day, they will be having a Market Place and Sip and Swap.

Wild Sisters Book Company, Sacramento

With book clubs, storytime, author signings, puzzle nights, and special events for educators, Wild Sisters Book Co. is a warm and welcoming store to both readers and authors. They are very inclusive of independently published authors and support schools, literacy non-profits, and other charitable initiatives.

Meet Cute Romance Bookshop, San Diego

Meet Cute Romance Bookshop is a queer- and woman-owned feminist bookshop that is proud to focus on genre romance. It’s a place not just for romance readers but also for those curious about romance and its many subgenres. At this store, readers and book lovers can enjoy book clubs, author conversations, and bookish events all year round.

Zibby’s Bookshop, Santa Monica

Zibby Owens’s support for authors knows no bounds—she has a podcast (Totally Booked with Zibby), a boutique publishing house, and now an indie bookstore. Recommended by Gina Sorell, Zibby’s Bookshop hosts events for authors both big and small and has recently been fundraising for libraries affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Massachusetts

High Five Books, Florence

Recommended by children’s fiction author and writing coach Melanie Conklin, High Five Books is a woman-owned bookstore in Western Massachusetts, offering a performing space for story times, parties, kids’ events, and other fun stuff. The store also hosts a creativity center for young people and their caretakers and is proud to offer an inclusively curated selection for the community that focuses on social justice and LGBTQIA+ themes.

They are known for stocking graphic novels, middle-grade readers, and picture books, and they love to collaborate with families, schools, and nonprofit groups. On Indie Bookstore Day, High Five Books will host a Shapes & Numbers Storytime with author Mk Smith Despres. 

Ten Trees Books, Natick

Ten Trees Books is an independent general bookstore that is proud to provide the local community with a warm environment to pursue literary interests. They curate their selections based on what their readers love, meaning their collection is always evolving through customer input. Located within the heart of Natick Center, one of the state’s designated Cultural Districts, the store helps to build community by offering a gathering space and hosting events, including author signings, story times, and a mixture of book clubs by genre and age.

Michigan

Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor

Literati Bookstore aims to be a lively and welcoming place for book lovers to visit, talk, and interact with each other through author readings, book clubs, poetry nights, and more. Literati believes that the right book can change a person’s life for the better (something we can all agree on).

Missouri

Webster Groves Bookshop, Webster Groves

After an outpouring of community support was received upon the store’s closing in 2016, the Webster Groves Bookshop was able to continue its legacy by re-opening just down the road from the original store, which was founded in 1965. Located in the hometown of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley, this local indie store hosts events and signings and has wonderful seasonal selections. If you liked the Shop Around the Corner in You’ve Got Mail, you’ll feel right at home here. 

New Jersey

[words] Bookstore, Maplewood

An excellent indie bookstore that engages readers of all ages and interests and welcomes patrons and employees with autism. Since its inception, [words] has supported the hiring of Americans with disabilities and has hired over 100 young people with autism as part of their vocational training program.

New York

Cafe con Libros, Brooklyn

An intersectional feminist bookstore favored by editor and author Krystle Appiah whenever she’s in New York. Cafe con Libros also has a wonderful coffee shop—the clue is in the name (‘coffee with books’)! Through their choice of books, programming, and great coffee, Cafe con Libros is a vibrant community space where everyone—specifically women, girls, and non-binary folk—feel centered, affirmed, and celebrated, and where the stories of womxn and girls around the globe are uplifted. The store hosts author events, launches, and readings, a book club designed with love specifically for women of color, and they also have their own subscription box.

WORD, Brooklyn

WORD has been a neighborhood bookstore and cultural hub since its 2007 founding, offering a carefully curated selection of titles for readers of all ages and interests in Brooklyn and Jersey City. WORD began as owner Christine’s dream to create a space where book enthusiasts could come together and has grown into a thriving community anchored by books, meaningful conversation, and the joy of discovery. WORD is proud to champion independent authors, small presses, and local talent through books handpicked with a commitment to quality and diversity. They also support the local community through partnerships with schools, libraries, and nonprofits. With book clubs, author events, workshops, trivia nights, and intimate readings, WORD is a welcoming space that is a personal favorite of The Novelry’s founder, Louise Dean.

North Carolina

Malaprop’s Bookstore, Asheville

Malaprop’s is an independent bookstore founded in 1982, bringing books, writers, and readers together in an environment that nurtures community and the joy of reading. Their selection is carefully curated, offering books and gifts for adults, children, and young adults, with a cozy cafe stocking local baked goods and coffee. Malaprop’s is proud to provide a space where freedom of expression is supported and censorship is denied, where important literature from all authors is available to everyone, where women feel safe and all are welcome—and where books are the stars. 

Oregon

Powell’s, Portland

Described by writing coach Urban Waite as ‘a Mecca for book lovers,’ Powell’s is an independent bookstore that strives to offer the same variety and richness of experience as the books on their shelves. They focus on promoting diverse perspectives, upholding the free exchange of ideas, championing the enduring power of books, and bolstering community.

Tennessee

Parnassus Books, Nashville

This independent bookstore was opened in 2011 by novelist Ann Patchett and her business partner, Karen Hayes. It’s named after Mount Parnassus of Greek mythology fame—the home of literature, learning, and music. Parnassus Books provides a refuge for anybody of any age who loves the written word, and prides itself as being a venue for writers to connect with readers and for readers to connect with books. The store stocks an extensive selection including fiction, non-fiction, children’s, and a dedicated local author section. Parnassus has a secondary store at Nashville International Airport.

Texas

BookPeople, Austin

The largest independent bookstore in Texas since 1970, BookPeople has been voted the best bookstore in Austin for 20 years. The store has a welcoming cafe and a packed schedule of author events, as well as storytimes and book clubs. They regularly partner with local schools and organizations and put great importance on fairness, diversity, and inclusivity to ensure all readers, authors, and books are treated equally.

Washington

Eagle Harbor Book Co, Bainbridge Island

Just a short ferry ride from Seattle, Eagle Harbor Book Co. is a locally owned and proudly independent bookstore that has served book lovers of the Pacific Northwest since 1970. They are always ready to support local authors and relish the chance to help readers find the next perfect book. The store also sells gifts and is able to place special orders as needed.

Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park

Founded in 1998, Third Place Books is a fun, comfortable, and safe place to browse, linger, relax, read, eat, laugh, play... or just watch the world go by! With three restaurants, free Wi-Fi, a community room, a stage, and over 1,000 free public events every year, this bookstore comes highly recommended by writing coach Tara Conklin.

Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle

The grand dame of indies in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. This independently owned store was originally founded in 1973 and is now a woman- and queer-owned business. A beautiful, spacious place to find your next great read, this store is proud to host some of the world’s preeminent writers while also seeking to feature diverse, lesser known, infamous, and sometimes controversial writers, thereby helping to put writers and readers together and ensuring that new, interesting, and diverse voices continue to be heard.

Madison Books, Seattle

The friendly neighborhood bookstore for Madison Park and its environs, Madison Books was established in 2019. The store offers home delivery by mail and in-person pickup for readers in the area who love the immediate gratification of feeling a book in their hands. With book clubs and events on a regular basis, it’s a welcoming space for any reader.

Darvill’s Book Store, Eastsound

Located on Main Street on the stunning Orcas Island, Darvill’s was originally a rare print shop started back in 1918 in Salt Lake City. Today, the little yellow bookstore continues its long legacy of connecting people with printed artifacts. As well as special events, you’ll find all manner of books and goods in this wonderful indie store.

Phinney Books, Seattle

Phinney Books is owned by Tom Nissley, a published author and eight-time champion of the TV show Jeopardy!. Favored by writing coach Urban Waite, this general interest store sells a hand-selected selection of new books across various genres, including fiction, kids’ books, essays, history, cookbooks, music, nature and science, graphic novels, and books about the Northwest. They’re also able to offer digital audiobooks via their partnership with Libro.fm.

We are so spoiled for choice in Seattle.
—Tara Conklin and Urban Waite

The Romance Era Bookshop, Vancouver

Inspired by owner Ren’s love for the Scholastic Book Fair, the Romance Era Bookshop began as a pop-up and now has a permanent location in Vancouver, WA. The store offers special orders and a vibrant schedule of community-centric events, including author signings, Stitch n’ Bitch, Silent Book Club, and craft sessions, and is an inclusive, sex-positive safe space for people of all types to explore without judgment. They are proud to be part of a mutual aid group called the Tanpopo Era Collective, which comes together to help people in the community. Their celebrations for Indie Bookstore Day will include a pop-up of local businesses and a special sale online and in-store.

Wisconsin

A Room of One’s Own, Madison

Part of the community in downtown Madison since 1975, A Room of One’s Own is an independent feminist bookstore offering a wide selection of fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, local interest titles, and gifts. They host a variety of online and in-person events all year round and partner with local organizations to support incarcerated people, as well as children and educators. The store is also dog-friendly!

Indie bookstores in Canada

Saskatoon

Turning The Tide

An independent alternative bookshop established in 2003 that comes highly recommended by writing coach Alice Kuipers. Turning the Tide is Saskatoon’s alternative bookstore, offering an excellent selection of fiction and hand-picked non-fiction with a focus on making the world a better place. The store is known for being a crucial port of call for local university and college students and can accommodate special orders.

Toronto

BookCity

A truly independent bookstore with a few locations around Toronto, BookCity is known for its fantastic selection, special orders, and loyalty program. While not having the in-store space to accommodate author signings, they often travel to venues to champion and support author launches.

Type Books

A woman-owned bookstore with three locations across the city. Type Books welcomes serious book lovers, more whimsical readers, and everyone in between. With knowledgeable staff, a thoughtfully chosen inventory, and a unique gift selection, they are a welcoming venue for literary programs and events and are very supportive of authors.

Winnipeg

McNally Robinson

Recommended by both Gina Sorell and Alice Kuipers, McNally Robinson is a pioneer in the Canadian book industry. Their Grant Park store was Canada’s largest independent bookstore when it opened in 1996 and, with two subsequent minor expansions, possibly still is. It has a full-service restaurant and a comprehensive children’s bookstore, and is a big champion of authors and hosts in-store events. McNally Robinson is proud to be family-oriented, committed to the values of community bookselling, and determined to present an alternative to corporate-chain bookstores.

For even more indie bookstores

For further recommendations on independent bookstores across Canada, check out this list from the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association.

You can also try this list from Bookshop.org if you want to visit and support more Black-owned bookstores.

We hope you’ve found a few new places to visit. Coming home from your local store with one or two exclusive books in your tote bag, some connections made and new friends met is a feeling unlike any other! Remember: if you can’t get to a store in person on Indie Bookstore Day, you can always support them by shopping online at their websites.

What about the U.K. and Ireland?

Book lovers of the U.K. and Ireland don’t have long to wait for their own literary celebrations—Independent Bookshop Week is coming in June 2025, meaning there is not just a one-day national party for indie bookstores, but a whole seven days! Subscribe to our blog (below) so you don’t miss out on another list of recommended bookshops, this time across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

Have fun this Independent Bookstore Day. Thank you for shopping small and helping to build your local bookish community.

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