Welcome to your next favorite chapter, the one where we celebrate your favorite local bookstores. So before you click “add to cart” on Amazon (for any of your next reads), stop by one of these independently owned bookstores that not only offer a variety of titles to choose from, but also don’t make you wait for shipping. Without any further ado, we won’t bury the lede.
Blue Bicycle Books | Downtown Charleston
Founded in 1995 as Boomer’s Books, it became Blue Bicycle Books in 2007 when local writer and longtime employee, Jonathan Sanchez, bought the store. Fun fact: The shop hosts 200+ authors each year.
Buxton Books | Downtown Charleston
Located on King Street, this shop is a book lover’s dream. The elegant, yet cozy space is packed with titles that span from floor to ceiling. When it comes to events, it does that too — check out the shop’s calendar for signings, chats, and tours.
Ladybird Books | Downtown Charleston
The 1,760-sqft space features shelves stocked with best-selling literary fiction, contemporary Southern fiction and nonfiction, culture-driven cookbooks, and a “How to be a Human” section for memoirs and thought-provoking reads.
Philosophers & Fools | Downtown Charleston
This Bogard Street store was created for those who love to sip wine or craft beer while they read. Did we mention there are snacks, too?
Pick a book, drink + snack, and get cozy.
Photo by Brennan Wesley
Sweeter Than Fiction | Downtown Charleston
“Dear Reader,” we may have just discovered your next obsession. Enter: Sweeter than Fiction, a bright and bubbly, pink and sparkly romance bookshop that has nods to Taylor Swift throughout.
The Archive | Mount Pleasant
The dark academia-themed bookstore, is located off Shelmore Boulevard and aims to serve as a space for folks to connect, unwind, and immerse themselves in a collection of books, coffee, and wine.
The Village Bookseller | Mount Pleasant
Loving called “The Booklady,” the owner of this Coleman Boulevard bookstore, hails from a remote Scottish island and loves creating and contributing to the local community. Stop in or check out the staff picks page for your next reading rec.
Itinerant Literate | North Charleston
This shop, which opened in 2015 as a mobile and pop-up bookstore, grew into a bricks-and-mortar store in the Park Circle area three years later. You’ll find a diverse selection of books for people of all ages on these North Charleston shelves.
Main Street Reads | Summerville
Nestled around Hutchinson Square, its shelves are loaded with books of all genres. There’s even a special section for the kiddos. Be sure to check out the events calendar — it’s packed with author events, parties, and book club details.
