Midwest Bookstores

Submitted by TheSavoryMillennial t3_116m9mv in books

I’m thinking about possible Summer road-trips and I’d love the opportunity to check out cool bookstores that are within driving distance. I’d prefer to keep it within the Midwest, as I’ll be driving from Michigan. If you know if any locally owned book shops I should check out, I’d be super appreciative!!!

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Ron_deBeaulieu t1_j978pn2 wrote

Minneapolis-St. Paul is a great spot for independent bookshops. Magers & Quinn in Minneapolis, and Next Chapter in St. Paul, are the biggest in each city, I think, but there are also specialty bookstores, like Once Upon a Crime, which only stocks crime fiction, and Birchbark Books, owned by Louise Erdrich, which sells a tightly-curated selection of books by Native authors and crafts by Native artists.

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[deleted] t1_j97bld3 wrote

Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago is wonderful for new books. Myopic Bookstore in Chicago for used books (kind of pricy for used books though) but has good older books.

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devilinthedetails t1_j97bmsl wrote

Bit of a drive, but Prospero's in Kansas City is one of my favorites.

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anastasia_dlcz t1_j97hf6x wrote

John K King Used Book store in Detroit is an experience.

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Bridalhat t1_j97lj01 wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#1,874,451)

Seconding Unabridged! One of my favorite bookstores in the country (and I travel for work usually get books rather than souvenirs). Also 47th St in Hyde Park near UChicago is pretty much as close to a bookstore neighborhood as you will find. It’s worth it for The Seminary and Powell’s alone.

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Bridalhat t1_j97m5p3 wrote

I already have some Chicago recs, but Prairie Lights in Iowa City is worth a visit if you in the state. The Writer’s Program at UofI is a heavy hitter and the bookstore matches. Also booze.

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omggallout t1_j97x4li wrote

I live in Michigan, and have been wanting to go to a local bookstore called Flying Bear Books in Newaygo.

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NermalLand t1_j97y4ld wrote

If you come through Tulsa, Oklahoma, bring all the books you no longer want and trade them in at Gardner's! The store is huge and has a massive selection of books. One of my favorite places to be!

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PaperDagger678 t1_j98058e wrote

On the western edge of Wisconsin, but… Driftless Books and Music in Viroqua, Wisconsin is definitely one of the most interesting used bookstores I’ve ever visited. In an old tobacco warehouse building. Do NOT go on a very warm day - no a/c and not a lot of ventilation, either. But a great used bookstore, inside and out. If I remember correctly, they’re only open late spring through autumn.

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Throwaway-231832 t1_j98928a wrote

Prarie lights and the Haunted Bookshop in Iowa City Mystery to Me and Leopolds in Madison Wi

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Fennchurch42 t1_j98dhrz wrote

Kurt Vonnegut museum & library in Indianapolis

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Hms-chill t1_j98fgz7 wrote

A Room of One’s Own in Madison is a personal favorite of mine! There’s also a map of Midwest independent bookstores available that shows most/all of them; I picked it up at my local indie bookstore (formerly Bookends on Main, now Dragon Tale Books in a small town near Eau Claire) but it’s probably available online as well. It makes great wall decor too 😊

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badwolf-usmc t1_j98gwsn wrote

If you like used books then Lowry's Books in Three Rivers, Michigan is nice. Another good used bookstore is Von's Bookstore in West Lafayette, Indiana.

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Tea_4_thee t1_j98h8j5 wrote

Minneapolis is bookstore heaven! So many independent bookstores

My favorites: magers and Quinn (used book store), irreverent bookworm (used book store), and moon palace (new books).

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kbot95 t1_j98l13h wrote

If you pass through Ann Arbour I really enjoyed The Dawntreader Bookstore

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Caleb_Trask19 t1_j98p92t wrote

There’s a lot of very cool indie bookstore owners on TikTok, one of the most amazing is Bettiespages from Lowell, Michigan. You can find other stores with #indiebookstore #bookseller

The Independent Bookseller did a printed map of stores a few years ago, here’s an electronic version:

https://www.theindependentbookseller.com/bookstore-map.html

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caitcakes t1_j9937ll wrote

Des Moines, IA: Storyhouse Bookpub, Reading in Public, and Beaverdale Books

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LoquaciousLethologic t1_j99ciok wrote

Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City both have little cozy bookstores. Saint Ignace used to have one but it closed a few years ago sadly. If you go up to the Straits you should check them out.

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jessupfield t1_j9a4mmv wrote

I came here to say THE BOOKLOFT!!! I have lived in Columbus, STL, and Minneapolis and I miss The Bookloft most of all…while in German Village, stop in any of the bakeries also.

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am_glo t1_j9a7yka wrote

Prospero's in Kansas City.

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RoninPrime0829 t1_j9aygah wrote

Prairie Lights in downtown Iowa City, IA. It's a well-stocked independent bookstore that also has a rather nice café/ coffeeshop on the second floor. Iowa City is a really cool college town with lots to do and plenty of opportunity for people-watching.

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the-other_guy t1_j9az40f wrote

Replying to PatrickAplomb (#1,874,073)

While you're in Columbus be sure to check out Hoffman books! Primarily older books, and just a neat store. Half Priced Books also seems to rotate through their stock frequently so it's always worth a look. I'm new to the area so I still haven't made it to The Book Loft yet.

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britta-unfiltered313 t1_j9bnsge wrote

Fenton Michigan had a cute one called open book, it’s small but since you’re already in michigan it wouldn’t be much of a trip!

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