Roxane Gay's Favorite Indie Bookstores Across the USA

The spokesperson for 2021’s Indies First—the annual campaign in support of independent bookstores on Small Business Saturday—was the beloved author Roxane Gay

Lucky for us, Roxane shared her favorite bookstores across the USA—read on for her thread of tweets, or skip ahead to see her full list organized by state.

Every day this week I'm going to discuss favorite indie bookstores, starting at home in L.A. @skylightbooks has a beautiful tree growing inside and amazing events. @lastbookstorela is a world unto itself. @booksoup is exceptionally well-curated. @ChevaliersBooks Is a hidden gem.
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 8, 2021

Now, these recs are not comprehensive. I have been privileged to spend a lot of time at a lot of indie bookstores, and to a one, they've offered a warm, communal space filled with books and book lovers. What are some of your favorite indie bookstores?
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 8, 2021

In Chicago, my first stop is always @wcfbook. They are one of the most accessible stores, in every way. They truly care about fostering a generous, feminist, book loving community. Also a fan of @QuimbysBooks, @BookCellar and @UnabridgedBooks. Down in STL, @LeftBankBooks!
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 9, 2021

Boston is teeming with bookstores. @HarvardBooks, @PorterSqBooks, and @booksmithtweets. Down in D.C., @politicsprose has killer events. @busboysandpoets brings awesome food to the book experience. @kramerbooks also has a café alongside books, books, books!
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 9, 2021

No visit to Austin is complete w/o going to @BookPeople, run by passionate book people. In Decatur, @chariscircle keeps it feminist and funky. In Miami, @BooksandBooks will sort out your beach reading. The Big Easy offers @octaviabooks and in Nashville, @ParnassusBooks1.
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 10, 2021

In Portland, I love exploring @powells; they truly have everything. In Seattle, there is the beautiful space of @ElliottBayBooks. In Santa Cruz, I always stop by @BookshopSC. And in SF, @CityLightsBooks is a must-visit. In Milwaukee, @boswellbooks with a generous staff.
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 11, 2021

There are so many incredible NYC bookstores. In Queens, @astoriabookshop. In Brooklyn, @booksaremagicbk and @wordbookstores. In Manhattan, @bluestockings, @mcnallyjackson, @192books and, of course, the massive, eclectic @strandbookstore.
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 12, 2021

I love finding bookstores in smaller towns. In Kalamazoo, @BookbugKzoo. Ann Arbor is home to @LiteratiBkstore. In Minneapolis, I've spent lovely moments at @magersandquinn. Over in Columbus, @PrologueBkshop and @TwoDollarRadio.
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 13, 2021

Before bringing this indie bookstore shout out to a close, I want to share some lovely black-owned bookstores. In LA, @EsoWon and Salt Eaters Bookshop. In Detroit, @sourcebksellers. in NYC, @SistersUptown and in Oakland, @marcusbooks!
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 14, 2021

Roxane Gay’s Favorite Bookstores

192 Books
New York, NY

Strand Book Store
New York, NY
Libro.fm Storefront

Ohio

Prologue Bookshop
Columbus, OH
Libro.fm Storefront

Two Dollar Radio
Columbus, OH

Oregon

Powell’s Books
Portland, OR
Libro.fm Storefront

Tennessee

Parnassus Books
Nashville, TN
Libro.fm Storefront

Texas

BookPeople
Austin, TX
Libro.fm Storefront

Washington

The Elliott Bay Book Company
Seattle, WA
Libro.fm Storefront

Washington, D.C.

Busboys and Poets
Washington, D.C.
Libro.fm Storefront

Kramer Books
Washington, D.C.
Libro.fm Storefront

Politics and Prose
Washington, D.C.
Libro.fm Storefront

Wisconsin

Boswell Book Company
Milwaukee, WI
Libro.fm Storefront

Jenna Homen

Jenna Homen works on all things related to social media and the Libro.fm community. When not reading and listening to books, she is probably painting or hiking.

2 replies on “Roxane Gay’s Favorite Indie Bookstores Across the USA“

Judith Berson

December 6, 2021 at 7:13 am

Thank you so much for the book store list by state. Having lived so many places felt like home to see
Some of my favorites listed.

- Kelsey Norris
  
  December 7, 2021 at 9:33 am
  
  Of course, Judith! So glad these bookstores feel like home!

Roxane Gay’s Favorite Indie Bookstores Across the USA

Roxane Gay’s Favorite Bookstores

California

Illinois

Georgia

Florida

Louisiana

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

New York

Ohio

Oregon

Tennessee

Texas

Washington

Washington, D.C.

Wisconsin

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2 replies on “Roxane Gay’s Favorite Indie Bookstores Across the USA“

Judith Berson

Kelsey Norris

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