Coined “the heart and soul of Asheville” by author Ron Rash, founder Emöke B’Racz opened Malaprop’s on Haywood Street in the early 1980s. She stocked the original 2,000-square-foot building primarily with poetry and Southern literature and opened a café in the basement; she wrapped every book that was purchased in craft paper and red ribbon. Decades later, author readings, book discussions, and guest speakers draw a crowd almost nightly, making this bookstore a coveted location for touring authors and locals alike.
Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe
55 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(800) 441-9829
malaprops.com
Packed with novels from floor to ceiling, this three-story shop off the Blue Ridge Parkway is full of quirky details that make visitors feel like they’re stepping into a professor’s study: Vintage lamps adorn almost every table, arched doorways lead to a labyrinth of rooms stacked full of novels, and hardwood floors creak familiarly, a nod to the steps of bibliophiles past.
Pick up a pastry and iced latte from the full espresso bar, then wander the aisles to discover your next read.
Little Switzerland Books & Beans
28749 9426 NC-226A
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 467-8107
lsbooksandbeans.com
Locals and Mars Hill University students flock to Camden’s Coffee House to read and chat over inventive coffee drinks like the Log Cabin Latte. photograph by Tim Robison
Owner Dave Bohager’s wife, Shari, is an avid reader who lent her book collection to fill the walls of this shop when it opened in 2018. Camden Coffee House’s nearly 500-title collection has grown through local donations and includes a kids’ section with tales once adored by Dave and Shari’s children. Originally called The Library Coffee House, the shop was renamed in honor of its former manager and owner, Camden, the Bohagers’ son, who died in 2020. Now, it’s a cozy spot for anyone passing through town to stop for a hot drink and warm welcome.
Camden’s Coffee House
40 North Main Street
Mars Hill, NC 28754
(828) 680-1246
camdenscoffeehouse.com
This welcoming bookstore has a wide selection of bestsellers, handpicked selections from the staff, and even sheet music and audiobooks. But what really sets the store apart is its focus on regional works. Home to a notable collection of Appalachian fiction, poetry, and folklife, with selections from North Carolina writers including Ron Rash and Fred Chappell, City Lights supports the long literary legacy of the western part of the state.
City Lights Bookstore
3 East Jackson Street
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-9499
citylightsnc.com
This shop has been a fixture in Tryon since 1952 and sells everything from national bestsellers to literary classics. Located at the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s the ideal place to settle in with a comforting cup of coffee and a new — or new to you — book. Before you go, grab a treat from their case of fine chocolates by Carolina Confections and browse their selection of toys handmade by Tryon Toymakers and Wood Carvers.
The Book Shelf
17 South Trade Street
Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 859-9304
tryonbookshelf.com
Wander through this two-story shop as you browse its collection of everything from books and educational toys to stacks of classic board games and fresh-on-the-market games. From a blind date with a book — a book covered in wrapping paper with a description to give shoppers just enough context — to fun displays around the store, you might come across a find you didn’t even know you were looking for.
Sassafras on Main
196 North Main Street
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 246-6222
sassafraspost.com/locations/sassafras-on-main
Children’s author Susanne Blumer and her family transformed a former livery stable in Black Mountain into a downtown literary haven. A space that held farm animals more than 150 years ago is now filled with rows of books, local gifts, book-themed goods, and a coffee bar. Don’t miss the toy store upstairs before you leave!
Sassafras on Sutton
108 Sutton Avenue
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 419-0677
sassafraspost.com/locations/sassafras-on-sutton
There’s nothing like a mountain view from your front door, and this bookstore on Main Street ticks that box. Check out everything from titles by local authors to hand-selected themed book boxes. If you can’t make it in person, each staff member shares a selection of their picks for book seekers on the Highlands Books website.
Highlands Books
36 West Main Street
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-2424
highlandbooksonline.com
The name of this store is a bit of wordplay: It’s a nod to both the North Carolina state dog and readers in search of a good book. While owner Ronni Lundy is best known as a food writer — she’s authored 10 books — Plott Hound’s selection offers plenty of poetry, arts and music titles, novels, and beloved classics, alongside books about food and an entire section on her beloved Appalachia (with a handy sign on the correct way to say it: “App-uh-latch-uh”).
Plott Hound Books
102 West Main Street
Burnsville, NC 28714
(828) 536-5175
facebook.com/plott-hound-books
This Chapel Hill shop’s expansive book collection — from North Carolina novels to new releases — makes it worth a visit, but locals are especially endeared to Flyleaf due to its hand in shaping the local literary community through a thriving events calendar. From educational lectures and story times to local author signings and book clubs, Flyleaf gives Orange County residents a spot to wonder and wander.
Flyleaf Books
752 M.L.K Boulevard
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-7373
flyleafbooks.com
For more than 40 years, Park Road Books has been a Charlotte landmark, and it’s now the only independent bookseller in the city that offers solely new books. For visitors looking for a new read, their list of the past year’s fiction and nonfiction bestsellers give an insight into the books the residents of Charlotte enjoyed most. The store hosts author events weekly, as well as the “Foodie” and “Geek” book clubs.
Park Road Books
4139 Park Road
Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 525-9239
parkroadbooks.com
Adah Fitzgerald and her mom bought and renovated Main Street Books in 2015 after the previous owners retired. photograph by Laura Sumrak
This former general store in the heart of Davidson has always been a community hub. Since it transitioned to a bookstore more than 30 years ago, the historic building provides a cozy space for people to listen and learn, from book club meetings to signings with local authors and events for children. Pick a spot by their floor-to-ceiling display windows and settle in with a new read.
Main Street Books
126 South Main Street
Davidson, NC 28036
(704) 892-6841
mainstreetbooksdavidson.com
The warmth of this Guilford County bookstore can be felt from the moment you step through its glass doors — from the sunlight that speckles the shop’s olive-green walls to the cozy coffee-and-wine-bar at the front of the store. Along with community events like poetry readings by local writers and Silent Book Club (bring a book to read and sip wine amongst fellow introverts!), Scuppernong also partners with the Greensboro Literary Organization to present the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival, which happens every spring.
Scuppernong Books
304 South Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 763-1919
scuppernongbooks.com
Pittsboro’s Fearrington Village is home to McIntyre’s Books, a beloved bookstore that has attracted more than 3,000 visiting authors in its 28-year history. Founded and run by Keebe Fitch, McIntyre’s selection emphasizes children’s books, mysteries, cookbooks, and local authors. Check out their extensive calendar of author events and readings, children’s story times, book club, and book festivals.
McIntyre’s Books
2000 Fearrington Village Center
Pittsboro NC 27312
(919) 542-3030
fearrington.com/mcintyres-books
This beloved Raleigh bookstore featured Charles Frazier’s books before he was on any of the best-seller lists. Nancy Olson, the late owner and founder, kept the budding writer’s books on the shelves, helped Frazier build his connections, and touted his first novel at every opportunity. From storytimes to author events to book clubs, this shop stays busy with engaging weekly programs and serves as a gathering place for book lovers of all ages.
Quail Ridge Books
4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 828-1588
quailridgebooks.com
What started in 1953 as two women selling books from their living room has blossomed into a sophisticated cultural landmark in Southern Pines. More than 70 years later, The Country Bookshop – now owned by local newspaper The Pilot – continues to serve as a gathering place and educational hub for residents and visitors, with story time, author readings, book clubs, and more.
The store also established publishing services for independent authors, expanding its commitment to local and regional writers.
The Country Bookshop
140 Northwest Broad Street
Southern Pines, NC 28387
(910) 692-3211
facebook.com/countrybooks
Above shoppers, signed caricatures by local artist Erick Huffine capture the faces of notable authors — like Winston-Salem residents Charlie Lovett and Sarah McCoy — who have attended the shop’s events. photograph by Maria West Photography
The cheery and creative aesthetic of this bookstore goes hand-in-hand with the nonprofit organization’s mission: encouraging a love of reading and writing in the community. In addition to the bookstore and gathering space, Bookmarks puts on the Carolinas’ largest annual book festival, and has hosted Pulitzer Prize winners and a national poet laureate for author events. They also founded the Authors in Schools program, connecting writers with thousands of students each year.
Bookmarks
634 West Fourth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 747-1471
bookmarksnc.org
This family-owned bookstore in downtown Wake Forest hosts author meet and greets, book release parties, and writer workshops.The shelves are lined with sticky note synopses to tell you more as you browse, and for those who want to be surprised, they offer a monthly subscription box: Just sit down with a staff member so they can get to know your preferences and get a surprise new pick each month.
Page 158 Books
415 Brooks Street
Wake Forest, NC 27587
page158books.com
Located in historic downtown Kannapolis in a former millhouse, this coffee shop and bookstore is a gathering place for a community of artists and book and coffee lovers and hosts many local events. Sip a frappe in one of the shop’s signature flavors, such as Cheerwine Frost or Coco Loco, while perusing the vast used book collection.
Editions Bookstore
217 South Main Street
Kannapolis, NC 28081
(704) 925-1406
editionsbookstore.com
Make a stop on Ninth Street to visit this curated bookshop that houses a mix of independent authors, major new releases, and local authors. Staff are eager to help readers find something new, from graphic novels to books on gardening and art to newly translated publications. Check out their Instagram account for “Dogs of the Regulator” where they showcase canine visitors.
The Regulator Bookshop
720 Ninth Street
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-2700
regulatorbookshop.com
This 900-square-foot shop — originally an 1860s kitchen house built from shipwreck timbers — houses a curated collection of books on Outer Banks and Hatteras Island heritage, history, folklore, and food traditions. And if that weren’t enough, owner Gee Gee Rosell’s wit and knowledge has charmed the generations of visitors who return to the island each year.
Buxton Village Books
47918 North Carolina Highway 12
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-4240
buxtonvillagebooks.com
Find handwritten recommendations and a welcoming porch at this soundside bookstore-café. photograph by Baxter Miller
Since 2002 this Duck’s Cottage has been home to around 2,000 books — owner Jamie Anderson Silver tapes handwritten recommendations to the shelves — and the best coffee in town. Try the cold brew or snag a bag of coffee beans, like the customer favorite, Coconut Crunch. Though the coastal community thrives on tourism, Silver keeps her business open every day except Christmas, so locals always have a nearby porch where they can read the paper or watch the seagulls.
Duck’s Cottage
1240 Duck Road
Duck, NC 27949
(252) 261-5510
duckscottage.com
An art gallery that bloomed into a bookstore, City Center Gallery and Books has been downtown Fayetteville’s literary resource since adding “Books” to its name in 2003. Thousands of titles, from military history to mysteries, share a home with a gallery of original work by local artists and photographers. The store hosts book signings, lectures, and meet-and-greets with authors, and also participates in Fayetteville’s monthly 4th Friday event, when their doors stay open until 9 p.m. to welcome friends and neighbors enjoying the downtown festivities.
City Center Gallery and Books
112 Hay Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
(910) 678-8899
citycentergallery.com
In a cozy brick cottage not far from both the Neuse River waterfront and Tryon Palace is The Next Chapter, a used bookstore that promotes the region’s authors. The shop hosts book signings, seminars, and workshops throughout the year, and also displays the work of local artists, including an “artist of the month.”
The Next Chapter Books and Art
320 South Front Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 633-5774
thenextchapternc.com
Behind the signature red door of Books to be Red, owner Leslie Lanier sells everything from new and used books to pottery and toys to craft supplies and handmade gifts. Her hair is no longer the bright red from which the bookstore gets its name — a clever play on words — but her passion for books is as vibrant as ever. Housed in an 1898 cottage on the Ocracoke Island, Books to Be Red opened in 1995 in conjunction with Deepwater Pottery as the island’s only full-service independent bookstore.
Books to Be Red
34 School Road
Ocracoke, NC 27960
(252) 928-3936
ocracokebookstore.com
The quotes “Every book is a world.” and “Reading is better by the river.” welcome visitors into this shop with a painting of a boat cruising down the Pamlico at sunset on the back wall. After browsing the variety of books in-store, drop by for author book signings, read-along events, bookish arts and crafts, and periodic fill-a-bag used book sales.
Pamlico Books
149 North Market Street
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-1377
pamlicobooks.com
No matter the time of year, a trip to the beach is always a good idea — in fact, the off-season can elicit an even stronger temptation to pop into a cozy bookshop and look around. The employees at this Sunset Beach spot are always happy to share recommendations on everything from best-selling novels and used books to jigsaw puzzles and greeting cards.
Pelican Bookstore
1780 Chandlers Lane Unit 10B
Sunset Beach, NC 28468
(910) 579-8770
pelicanbookstore.com
This spot is a one-stop shop for baked goods, farm-fresh eggs, local produce, house-roasted coffee, and new and used books. Walk along the checkered black-and-white floors to browse packed bookshelves with antique collectibles placed throughout, and grab a bundle of sweet treats after your book search — we won’t tell if they happen to disappear before you leave the store.
Sugar Island
206 North Topsail Drive
Surf City, NC 28445
(910) 254-1110
sugarislandnc.com
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