Connecticut bookworms have numerous options when it comes to browsing the bestsellers or picking up the next book in a series. With several independent bookstores offering staff picks, readers are certain to find their next favorite book. Spend a cozy evening chatting about favorite books at a book club or event, or bring your kids to story time at one of the great events at your local independent bookstore.
RJ Julia has been serving Madison’s need for independent book needs for nearly 30 years. The staff suggestions and handwritten reviews provide excellent tips to potential readers. For young readers, RJ Julia also has a children’s room that promotes lifelong readership. Readers interested in meeting a favorite author should be sure to check out their packed events calendar, as they frequently hold book signings with local and indie authors.
Located in the beautiful downtown Mystic, Bank Square Books recently opened a glorious second storefront in the nearby Westerly, Rhode Island. A local institution, Bank Square Books sells a good selection of indie titles, local interest, travel guides, and bestsellers. Bank Square Books also has an excellent children’s section and has a large selection of gift options.
Both a café and bookstore, Atticus is for the true bookworms who’d like to cozy up with a book and a great cup of coffee. Though not as large as some of the other bookstores on this list, Atticus Bookstore and Café has an excellent selection of titles, from bestsellers to young adult. Located near the Yale University campus, it also carries a selection of educational texts.
Barrett Bookstore is certainly one of Connecticut’s top bookstores with its excellent community events. In addition to selling a wonderful selection of adult and children’s books, Barrett Bookstore has story time every Tuesday at 4 p.m. as well as a book club for adults. Barrett Bookstore is proud to be Darien’s oldest independent bookstore. Additionally, adults holding their own private book clubs can notify the staff of the upcoming books to ensure that books are kept in stock for clubs.
Byrd’s Books is another wonderful independent bookstore in Connecticut. Located in Bethel, Byrd’s Books focuses on local authors and new titles. A quarter of the books on sale are children’s books including poetry. They also have a gift section with puzzles, toys, cards, and local interest items.
Where can you find the best selection of pre-owned books in Connecticut? The answer is absolutely the Book Barn with its four stores in the shoreline town of Niantic. Each store focuses on a specific genre of books, with the original store holding the largest collection. Spending a few hours browsing the titles at the Book Barn proves to be an excellent adventure.
Serving northwestern Connecticut for over 60 years, Hickory Stick Bookshop is a local favorite. Hickory Stick Bookshop sells the best new titles on wonderfully organized wooden shelves and tables. To help readers pick the right book to take home, they also have an excellent selection of new and old staff picks.
This beautiful independent bookstore has been in business for over 30 years. Books on the Common draws in visitors with its bright window display and keeps them browsing for hours with their excellent selection. Like many of the stores on this list, Books on the Common provides staff picks to guide readers. For the little ones, there is story time every Thursday morning at 11 am. They also have a frequent buyer club for children’s and young adults books providing discounts to shoppers.