Hi book friends, my brother is retiring next week after 25+ years working a 6-day week job. He's never really had a chance to travel much in the U.S. So, I want to make him a map of the best used bookstores to visit in every state. Please let me know what stores you like and I'll add them to the map. Thanks everybody.
by karriela
24 Comments
Powell’s books in Portland
I mean, McKays in Chattanooga (though they’ve since expanded) is pretty epic. Got all my CDs from there too. In Charleston, SC we have blue bicycle books but is new, used and rare not just used.
Powell’s in Portland is pretty well known, but definitely worth a visit. It’s mind-bogglingly big.
Chamblin Book Mine in Jacksonville Florida
The Strand in New York City. It has new and used books.
Strand Book Store in NYC
ReReads in Westerly, Rhode Island
Old Books on Front Street in Wilmington NC is awesome. Also Book Barn in Niantic, CT. Square Books in Oxford MS is not used books as far as I know, but it’s a cool store.
Jim Reed Books/Museum of Fond Memories, downtown Birmingham, Alabama: [https://www.jimreedbooks.com/](https://www.jimreedbooks.com/)
Argos Comics and Used Books in Grand Rapids, MI
John K King Books in Detroit
Capitol Hill Books is a great one in Washington DC.
Edit to add Gardners Used Books and Comics for Oklahoma. Spent way too much time there on my last visit to Tulsa.
Half Price books in Austin. Also BookPeople has the best bookstore in Austin.
McKay’s Used Books in Manassas, Virginia. (No relation to the one in TN, afaik)
I’m fond of a charming used bookstore called Driftless Books in Viroqua, Wisconsin. It’s housed in a rambling old brick building that was once a tobacco processing plant, and its selection is vast, eclectic, and includes music. Viroqua itself is also a surprisingly fun little town for rural Wisconsin, in one of the prettiest parts of the state.
Bookmans in Tucson, Arizona.
Bert’s Books in Ojai California, most of it is outside. On a nice day its hard to beat. Ojai is a delightful town well worth visiting. About 2 hours from Los Angeles. Also plus one for Powells.
The Book Loft in Columbus, OH.
https://www.bookloft.com/
Hyde Brothers in Fort Wayne, IN.
Second Story Books in Rockville, MD and Washington, DC. Moe’s Books in Berkeley, CA
The Book Lady in Savannah, GA
If he makes it to Anchorage, Alaska, Title Wave books is an epic used bookstore. I have found many wonderful gems there for $10 or less, including a few first editions that I paid $9 for.
Biblion Books in Lewes De. Has used books and some rare finds. Charming little bookstore on a charming little street with a bunch of shops and an old hotel. Great little beach not far from there either. Great cycling trails if he’s a bicycle enthusiast.
Savannah: Books on Bay, The Book Lady, and E. Shaver Booksellers