Best-loved Indie used/rare bookstores visited to date

Identified below are my favorite independent used bookstores that have been visited thus far. Not included are chains like Half-Price Books. Several of those listed are also sellers of rare and collectible books, as well. While many bookstores today sell some used/rare books, this list emphasizes those shops that primarily focus on used and/or rare books.

As more used/rare bookstores are visited both here and abroad, the treasured ones will be added to this list. Stay tuned!

Peace!

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Big Star Books & Music – Santa Fe, New Mexico – added 4/19/26

Big Star Books & Music

Curious Book Shop – East Lansing, Michigan

Defunct Books – Nashville (Five Points), Tennessee

Defunct Books

East Nashville Books – Nashville, Tennessee – added 5/10/26

Grimey’s Preloved Music and Books – Nashville, Tennessee

Hyde Brothers Booksellers – Fort Wayne, Indiana – wonderful store with two kitty greeters (Scout and Sherlock) – added 5/18/26

Landmark Books – Traverse City, Michigan – books and vintage typewriters, oh my!

Open Door Bookshop – Roma (Trastevere), Italy – I love this store and my favorite outside the USA.

Open Door Bookshop Open Door Bookshop

Legatoria/Libraio Prampolini – Catania, Sicily, Italy – ‘literally’ an Italian institution

Quirky Used Books – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Second Story Books – Durango, Colorado – none better in the USA. Two floors of absolute perfection. So much charm and uniqueness, including books displayed in three old vaults. An absolute gem! – added 3/24/26

One of three vaults in Second Story Books View of the second floor at Second Story Books

Under Charlie’s Covers – Albuquerque (Bernalillo), New Mexico – sadly now closed (May 2026) due to a substantial rent increase. – updated 5/18/26

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