The Best Bookstore in Every State

Title Wave Books, Anchorage

Title Wave Books always has the books customers want, because customers supply them themselves. The vast majority of this store’s inventory (apart from Alaskan travel guides and maps) is used and comes from customer trade-ins. That means that not only does the store have a great variety of interesting books, but they also have a large quantity of books for each interest—no matter how niche. When customers come in asking for an Alaska-focused read, Angela Libal, store manager, says they are surprised and delighted to find that there is not just a shelf of reads, but a whole section devoted to Alaskan cooking, history, mining, dog sledding, and more.

Book recommendation: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. This Alaska-set adaptation of a classic Nordic fairy tale is a perennial bestseller at the store. “Its rich details create a deeply interesting narrative. It has enduring staying power for sure.” – Angela Libal, store manager.

Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe

Since it was founded in 1974, this store has become a hallmark of the Arizona literary community. And they don’t call it Changing Hands for nothing—a bustling trade-in counter supports their wonderful, varied selection. Many Yelp reviewers praise the store not only for its great selection of new and used books, but also for its unique knick-knacks, toys, gag gifts, and incredible sales. Apart from the books, many visitors flock to the vast space for readings and Q&As—the store hosts more than 400 events each year. And while the Tempe location has been open for 40-plus years, it’s not going anywhere for the next generation. The store recently opened a second location serving up books and booze in uptown Phoenix—its First Draft Book Bar serves wine, beer, and coffee to browsers.

Book Recommendation: Green Island by Shawna Yang Ryan. “Without sacrificing anything of craft or literary credibility, it’s got everything going for it—epic historical setting, multi-generational sweep, insight after lacerating insight, gorgeous sentences that will please lit snobs but won’t alienate more casual readers, and plot, plot, plot.” – Brandon Stout, director of marketing

Century Books, Pasadena

Situated in Pasadena’s historic Green Street Village, Century Books houses an eclectic selection of used fiction and non-fiction books. The bookshop also houses a small art gallery that features works by local artists. They host events, lectures, and performances by musicians, authors, and other notable figures, too.

Book recommendation: Feynman’s Rainbow by Leonard Mlodinow. “A wonderful memoir. The author recollects his time and the challenges he faced at Caltech, and his meeting with the larger-than-life physicist, Richard Feynman, who also became his mentor.” – Judith Marosvolgyi, co-owner

BookBar, Denver

If you love wine, reading, and relaxing, BookBar is the place for you. Though it started out as a bookstore and wine bar, it has since expanded to an incredible experience. In 2015, they added an outdoor patio with a firepit, sidewalk, outdoor lounge seating, a two-person hammock, a garden space (the herbs and vegetables are featured in the dishes served at the café), and an upstairs book-themed bed and breakfast—BookBed. They’ve recently acquired a bookmobile, and are planning off-site events like book fairs, markets, and on-the-road author events.

Book recommendation: Wonder by R.J. Palacio. “This children’s book delivers a powerful message of acceptance and perseverance to all ages.” – Nicole Sullivan, owner and operator

Talk Story Bookstore, Hanapepe, Kauai

Don’t plan to just make a quick trip to “the westernmost bookstore in the United States.” Talk Story Bookstore houses more than 150,000 books (both new, secondhand, and rare), a wide variety of comics, vintage magazines, and even vinyl records. If you stay long enough, you’re sure to find something that’ll suit your mood. Make sure you leave ample time for browsing the eclectic storefront. And before you head to the beach, make sure to say hello to Celeste the Cat, also known as the “boss” of the store (MentalFloss.com named her one of the top 10 bookstore cats in the world!)

Book Recommendation: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. “Books, history, mystery, adventure… what could be better?!” – Ed and Cynthia Justus, co-owners

Rediscovered Books, Boise

What sets Resdicovered Books apart from other Idaho bookstores is its staff. Each employee is skilled, passionate, and knowledgeable. Through the store’s creative events, community partnerships, and book clubs, it’s clear that they’re not just trying to sell books—they’re trying to extend the magic of reading as far as possible. As a Yelp reviewer notes, the staff at this local treasure is “as good as it gets.”

Book recommendation: Idaho by Emily Ruskovich. “This exquisite prose poem of love and tragedy in the mountains of Idaho weaves together multiple voices in a journey to understand what happened to Wade and Jenny’s daughters.” – Laura DeLaney, co-owner and events manager

The Book Peddler, West Yellowstone

What do you get when you combine an interior designer who loves to bake and her husband, an avid reader? The Book Peddler. Sit and sip a salted caramel mocha at the café or eat a homemade cinnamon roll while you browse their well-stocked shelves. Love the vintage vibe of the joint? There are antique home decor pieces available to purchase, scattered alongside the books.

Book recommendation: Blind Your Ponies by Gordon Stanley West. “This fictional story about a small town basketball team’s drive to success is well-written and well-loved by many of our customers. We sell that book all the time.” —Amy Jackson, co-owner

The Writer’s Block, Las Vegas

Looking for a kid-friendly attraction in Las Vegas? Want to escape the glitz and glamour of the Strip? Head to The Writer’s Block—the city’s only general interest indie bookshop. You and your kids can delight in its artificial bird sanctuary, where, for a nominal fee, you can adopt a faux fowl, complete with a unique biography. The store also offers free creative writing workshops (think books, comics, and screenplays) and activities for ages 5 to 18.

Book recommendation: We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride. This novel written by McBride, a Vegas-based author, is one of The Writer’s Block’s lifetime bestsellers. “It offers one of the most complex depictions of ‘local’ Las Vegas of all the literary works dedicated to the topic.” —Drew Cohen, staff buyer

Coas Books, Las Cruces

Coas Books is known among locals not just as the largest new and used bookstore in the state, but also as a beloved gathering place for members of the Las Cruces community. The store has come a long way since it first opened in 1983: The original owner Pat Beckett was an archaeologist, and the store mainly specialized in anthropology books. Now, 34 years later, it offers books in many different genres. At its heart, though it’s still a family business: Pat’s son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Veronica Beckett, are the current owners.

Book recommendation: The Book on the Bookshelf by Henry Petroski. “You’ll learn about the interesting evolution of the book and the shelves they are stored on—something one usually never questions. It gives you a newfound respect for every book you encounter, and if you’re a book-lover you’ll undoubtedly have fun reading it.” —Brandon Beckett, eCommerce manager

Powell’s City of Books, Portland

Powell’s City of Books is a mecca for any true book lover. Not only is it the largest used and new bookstore in the world, but it’s also a pretty cool place to browse around. There are nine color-coded rooms with 3,500 different sections in total, including the Basil Hallward Gallery (where dozens of writers, artists, and thinkers visit each month), and a Rare Book Room where you can find anything from autographed first editions to one-of-a-kind, out-of-print masterpieces. You’re sure to find something in the store’s selection of approximately one million books.

Book recommendation: Books for Living by Will Schwalbe. A Powell’s employee recommends Schwalbe’s celebration of books for any bibliophile. The author is a strong believer that books find us at the right times throughout our lives by lending a new perspective or simply providing encouragement when we need it most.

Back of Beyond Books, Moab

Though avid readers are often thought to be indoor-type people, Moab’s Back of Beyond Books blows that stereotype out of the water. Taking its name from Edward Abbey’s The Monkey Wrench Gang, this bookstore is all about adventure in the outdoors. Its shelves are packed with books about natural history, environmental literature, and all the guidebooks and maps you’d ever need to explore every inch of the Southwest. There’s also a fantastic, up-to-date fiction collection, among other genres.

Book recommendation: The Hour of Land by Terry Tempest Williams. “A sweeping memoir of personal experience in 12 of our national parks. Local author Williams’ writing is powerful, visceral, and personal, full of the passion for nature which causes us to respect and preserve wilderness for ourselves and future generations.” —Julia Buckwalter, book buyer

Ada’s Technical Books, Seattle

Located in one of the most densely populated areas of the city, Ada’s Technical Books & Café is more than just a bookstore; it’s a community. The shop offers the usual books, gifts, workshops, and events, but also acts as a co-working and event space. Next time you’re in the area and looking to feed your curiosity, Ada’s Technical is sure to satisfy the craving.

Book recommendation: The Book of Barely Imagined Beings by Caspar Henderson. “Written in the style of a medieval bestiary, this book is an illustrated and footnoted catalog of weird animals that actually exist. Perfect for people looking for the magic in our real world.” —Sara Davies, social media coordinator.

Night Heron Books, Laramie

The perfect mix between bustling and cozy, Night Heron Books and Coffeehouse gives you a real look at Laramie, Wyoming. The used bookstore and meeting venue also offers a bakery with drinks and pastries made with locally sourced ingredients. If you frequent this spot enough, you’ll find local groups meeting, and students reading and writing together—plus, the staff may just start to remember your name.

Book recommendation: Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. “I would recommend almost anything Atwood has written, but Oryx and Crake has a weird, patchwork structure that builds mystery and tension throughout without feeling like a gimmick. I’ve been rereading it regularly since 2005.” —Justin Varn, hospitality