April 27 brings Independent Bookstore Day, the biggest bookstore celebration of the year when bookstores around the country host events and offer discounts. Here's a selection of bookstores we love writing about.
Books on Main
Books on Main feels like you're reading inside a treehouse in a Wisconsin forest. It opened in June 2023. Local residents have a welcoming place decorated with wood, leaves and comfortable furniture to gather and discover new and beloved books.
Off the Beaten Path Bookstore
First opened more than 30 years ago, Off the Beaten Path has been through three sets of owners and three locations. Current owners Mike and Danielle Skov say one thing has never changed: The commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive space. They partner with local schools, libraries and nonprofits to reach as much of the community as possible. Changing Hands Bookstore
Too popular to be called a hidden gem (宝石), this Arizona jewel recently celebrated its50th anniversary. It first opened in a 500-square-foot space in 1974. It hosts author events, poetry discussion groups and offers a Trade Counter where customers can bring in gently used books for store credit.
The Last Chapter Book Shop
The Last Chapter is an all-romance bookstore in Chicago that opened in 2023. The store hosts author events along with community mixers like Blind Date with a Book, where you wrap one of your favorite books and swap it with a fellow bookworm in hopes of finding a new favorite and a new friend.
