Austin's independent spirit is alive and well in our community-owned, new and used bookstores. Make time to visit one of the many independently owned bookstores located around the city. All of them have something different to offer—here’s a list of the best indie bookstores to visit in Austin to find your next favorite read.
Alienated Majesty Books
Located near the University of Texas at Austin, Alienated Majesty Books is a specialty bookstore and community space made for perusing and gathering. The shop specializes in small-press fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, and works in translation.
Austin Books and Comics
Adventures! Super villains! Tights! You can find all of these things and more at Austin Books and Comics, home of all the comics your heart desires since 1977. Find collectibles, attend comic book signings and enjoy central Texas’ longest-running pop culture retailer.
Black Pearl Books
Find your next favorite read at Black Pearl Books, an independent bookstore promoting diversity, inclusion, equality and cultural awareness through literature. The shop also hosts events like open mic nights where guests can enjoy live poetry and book reads.
BookPeople
Voted best bookstore in Texas for more than 15 years, BookPeople is a must-see destination for book lovers. It hosts more than 300 events every year featuring local and national authors, and visitors can always enjoy a nice espresso from the coffee shop as you flick through the pages of a paperback.
BookWoman
Have you been looking for a feminist bookstore? Look no further! BookWoman has been proudly supporting Austin feminists and members of the queer community for almost 50 years and gives voice to local authors, selling “books that will change your life and the world!”
First Light Book Store
First Light is an old post office turned beautifully re-designed book shop with colorful books adorning the walls, tables and shelves. Spend time on their outdoor patio, order a drink at the walk-up coffee bar and wine-bar, and browse a variety of carefully selected titles. First Light is the perfect place to find your next great read, grab a drink and stay a while.
Monkeywrench Books
It doesn’t get more indie than Monkeywrench Books. Monkeywrench is an all-volunteer, collectively run, nonprofit bookstore and social space that's pushing the boundaries of what a bookstore can be.
Resistencia Bookstore
Resistencia Bookstore brings together the voices of traditionally unheard people, including Native American, Latino & Latina, African American and Chicana literary artists, making Resistencia the coolest place to read some truly unique work and widen your world view.
Reverie Books
Reverie Books is a neighborhood, queer-owned book shop in South Austin featuring a mix of new and used titles and a robust children's section. Reverie makes it their mission to uplift marginalized voices and promote social justice and community building.
South Congress Books
There’s nothing quite like South Congress Books. It boasts value and quality over quantity and welcomes curious minds to sit in its aesthetically pleasing space, browse through its unique selection of used books and maybe even pick up a unique, collectible or vintage gift for someone back home.
Time Being Books
Located in East Austin, Time Being Books focuses their collection on unique reference materials, eclectic monographs, and rare books. Find a mix of new and used books, then grab a bite from neighboring food truck Lynny's for coffee and biscuits or stop in MASS Gallery to view exhibitions in collaboration with LGBTQ+ artists and organizations.
Vintage Book Store & Wine Bar
Owner Jean has long been a fan of Texas wine and great stories, so opening a book shop and wine bar in a historic building was a no-brainer. Stop into Vintage's cozy space to grab a glass of wine and start reading your next fave book in their aesthetic living room.
Texas Book Festival
Each fall, the Texas Book Festival brings hundreds of local, national and international authors to Austin for an all-out celebration of literacy, ideas and imagination. This beloved event features a rich variety of literary readings and panels, book signings, cooking demonstrations, live music, local food trucks, a young adult headquarters, children’s activities and exhibiting vendors - not to mention thousands of books! Don’t miss this year’s stand-out literary talent. Visit the website for more information about this year's festival: texasbookfestival.org
