bookstore tourism

I have noticed that when I travel, it can be difficult to break into the local culture.  One of the best ways I found of meeting locals and learning what they’re interested in is to stop by an independent bookstore.  There is always the chance that I’ll trip on a bookstore (I tend to notice them), but a better experience usually occurs when I do a little research beforehand.  Here are some of the tools I use:

1. Use Our Search Function – Just to state the obvious, we have a growing number of reviews of terrific stores across the country, just type in the city or state in our search function (look to the left) and all of the reviews for the area will pop up.
2. Indiebound – My favorite source for finding bookstores is Indiebound, an arm of the American Booksellers Association.  It’s location service is terrific, just put in the city or zip code and you’ll see a map with the stores in the area you’re visiting.  However, for some reason that is a mystery to me, not all bookstores are listed, so don’t stop there.
3. Bookstore Guide – Traveling to Europe?  Visit Bookstore Guide, a blog very similar to ours, that posts reviews of bookstores in Europe that sell English books.  Hint:  once the blog loads, scroll down for the content.
4. Guidebooks- I usually only buy one overall guide book for wherever I’m going and look at the shopping section to see if a bookstore is listed (if one isn’t, I’ll usually buy a different guidebook series).  Fodor’s and Rick Steves are good about pointing out bookstores.  I’ve found more than one good bookstore through Fodor’s website under shopping.
5. The Millions – This terrific literary blog has an interactive map for bookstores and literary spots.  It’s heavy on stores east of the Mississippi, so clearly us westerners need to start adding our favorites.
6. Google Search – I have found several bookstores only by a Google search that picked up a snippet of local press.
7. Keep your eyes open- Hard as it is to believe, some bookstores have no Internet presence at all.  However, bookstores tend to congregate so if you’re in one look around for another close by.

When we’re traveling, sometimes I work a bookstore in between other sites, other times we have a “bookstore morning/afternoon/day” when we visit one right after another.  I bribe my kids with a new book and they’ve learned to comfortably read sitting in a corner or perched on a shelf looking like literary putti.  When you’re at the store, talk to the staff about what is popular, people who own and work in independent bookstores enjoy finding the perfect book for you.  The charm of bookstore tourism is learning about different books and having a real conversation with someone who lives where you’re visiting. 

Love the store you found?  Write a review and send it to us, we want to share it with everyone.

Happy hunting!