The ultimate guide to Nashville's independent bookstores
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Nashville has a bevy of community events this summer. But for the introverts among us, a bookstore might be more inviting.
- Plus: They're usually air-conditioned.
Why it matters: Independent bookstores are booming in Music City, offering lots of options depending on your mood and interests.
- You can pick up used books at Rhino Booksellers and McKay's. But if it's a brand-new book you're after, we have some local shop recommendations.
Catch up quick: Longtime Nashvillians still lament the 2010 closure of Davis-Kidd's in Green Hills.
- (Fun fact: I used to write book recommendations for its placards during breaks from my hostessing gig at their in-store bistro.)
🐶 Parnassus: Ann Patchett and Karen Hayes filled the Davis-Kidd void in 2011, even opening across the street in Green Hills. Patchett's stature in the literary community has helped attract plenty of major authors.
- "People still want books," Patchett wrote. "I've got the numbers to prove it."
- If you go: 3900 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 14. Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 12-6pm.
🦆 Duckbill Bookshop: The Old Hickory shop is newer to the local literary scene yet is already making a mark with book clubs, author events and story times.
- If you go: 1206 Donelson Ave. Open Tuesday-Thursday, 12-6pm; Friday, 11am-6pm; Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm.
🕶️ Novelette: This queer-owned bookstore with an emphasis on inclusivity is employing a Beanie Babies theme for its 2026 reading challenge.
- If you go: 1101 Chapel Ave., Suite 108. Open Sunday-Tuesday, 10am-6pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 11am-7pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-8pm.
📖 The Bookshop: The Bookshop creates a literary experience for its patrons: author events, reading challenges, book clubs, stickers, iron-on patches, themes ...
- If you go: 1043 West Eastland Ave. Open Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9am-6pm.
- The latest: They're also planning a major expansion, and hope to move into their new location on Meridian Street by the end of the year.
🧚 Fairytales: The East Nashville children's bookstore is a tiny 168 square feet, but it's big on celebrating kids: It's co-hosting the second Kids' Makers' Market this fall, at which age 13-and-under crafters can sell their homemade wares.
- If you go: 1108 Woodland St., Unit G. Open Monday-Wednesday, 11am-5pm; Thursday, 10am-5pm; Friday-Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm.
💏 Slow Burn: What began as a "smut truck" is now our city's very own romance-focused bookstore. It's organized by sub-genres as specific as Sports Romance, so "Heated Rivalry" fans, assemble!
- What they're saying: "I was never represented in any mass media growing up," owner Tonya Pineda, who's Black and Puerto Rican, told the Nashville Scene earlier this year. "I hope that people feel [represented] when they come in here."
- If you go: 604 Gallatin Ave., Suite 208. Tuesday-Thursday, 11am-5pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-6pm; Sunday, 12-5pm.
💭 Katie's thought bubble: My biggest fear is that life won't be long enough to read all the books on my TBR list.
- I've participated in the library's Summer Reading Challenge every year since childhood and still regularly use my prized mug.
- No library card? No problem: Grab your limited-edition Nashville SC card while supplies last.
