In an ever-increasingly digital world, sometimes it’s nice to relax with a good old-fashioned book. You know, the real deal, with paper and a cover.
Ditch the big-box corporations and support local with our curated list of independent bookstores in and around the Cleveland area. And as any true book lover will tell you, a bookstore isn’t just a bookstore — it can be a safe, community-driven space to go, a place for the representation you’re looking for, or even just a spot to chill with a good cup of coffee for the afternoon.
Whether you’re looking for fiction or nonfiction, romance or fantasy, Cleveland has a plethora of unique independent bookstores that will help you scratch your literature itch.
(Photo courtesy AppleTree Books)
AppleTree Books
Cleveland Heights’ Appletree Books uses art and the written word to transport readers to adventures beyond imagination, with illustrated goods like greeting cards and journals as well as candles, puzzles, bookends and more from a variety of local and national businesses. The shop also partners with local organizations like Seeds of Literacy and Reach Out And Read, in hopes of encouraging more readers. 12419 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, appletree-books.com
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Book Brothers
Located in Lakewood, Book Brothers offers top-quality used books, records, games and movies. Stocked with a selection of fiction, literature, art and pop music, pop culture, history, nature, sci-fi, YA and children’s, there is something for everyone at this laid-back bookstore. They also offer cash payouts for trade-ins. 15408 Madison Ave., Lakewood, facebook.com/bookbrothersohio
Browsing Room Bookstore
Owned by sisters Catherine Kassouf and Jean Khoury, Browsing Room Bookstore is a recently opened bookshop that anyone can find cozy, even if they aren’t much of a reader. “For me it is simple,” says Jean Khoury. “To the person that says ‘I don’t like to read,’ I say they simply have not found the right book. Our bookstore is here to help everyone find the right book.” Located in Downtown Cleveland’s Galleria at Erieview Tower, Browsing Room is a place for anyone to curl up with a coffee and enjoy a good book. 1301 E. Ninth St., First floor, Cleveland, thebrowsingroombookstore.com
Clevo Books
Located in Downtown Cleveland, Clevo Books focuses on translated fiction and nonfiction books. Founder Cathryn Siegal-Bergman is passionate about translated books and sharing them with others. “Some people are intimidated by the fact they don’t see familiar authors right away,” says Siegal-Bergman. “I want them to know that we can help them find something they’ll like.” 530 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevobooks.com
(Photo courtesy Elizabeth's Bookshop & Writing Centre)
Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre
Based in Akron, Elizabeth’s is an indie bookshop with a mission to represent and celebrate marginalized voices. “It’s really special to be a part of a national network of Black bookstore owners that, together, uplift the voices we value so much,” says shop owner Rachel Cargle. “Traditional canons have left certain voices in the margins. Not only Black voices but indigenous voices, queer voices, disabled voices, immigrant voices, among others. It is an honor to open a space that seriously takes these thoughts and perspectives and talents.” With a lively selection of writing and reading workshops, it’s a solid place for anyone to foster their creative talents. A portion of Elizabeth’s proceeds also go toward The Loveland Foundation, which provides free therapy to Black women, girls and gender non-conforming individuals. 647 E. Market St., Akron, elizabethsofakronshop.com
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Fireside Book Shop
An important community staple, Fireside Book Shop has been in Chagrin Falls since 1963, seeing a lifetime of good books and friends to share them with. They proudly stock fiction, nonfiction, school-required reading and everything in between, and also offer a trade-in program where you can trade a gently-used book in exchange for store credit. Bonus: parents can also participate in their Monthly Subscription Program for their children ages 0-5, receiving a book once a month for six months to a year. 29 North Franklin St., Chagrin Falls, firesidebookshop.com.com
(Photo by Valerie Akins)
Index Books and Coffee
You can’t have a good book without a good cup of coffee, and Index Books and Coffee offers exceptional selections of both. With an always-rotating selection of unique and specialty coffees, it’s the perfect place for a cup of Joe and a quiet moment to read at a table. The shop’s distinctive pricing structure gives a 50% discount for buying one book, and goes all the way up to a 70% discount for buying three or more books, meaning you can buy an entire stack to take home without breaking the bank. 1921 W. 25th St., Cleveland, indexcleveland.com
(Photo by Valerie Akins)
Learned Owl
Learned Owl Bookshop is nestled in the community of Hudson. With a decadent three floors, there’s surely something for everyone at this shop. Nervous about stopping in? You can take a virtual tour before you go. 204 N. Main St., Hudson, learnedowl.com
Loganberry Books
Larchmere’s mixed inventory bookstore Loganberry Books carries new, used, rare and collectible books. “It’s quite a place to explore,” says store manager Toni Thayer. “And we do have some really beautiful [shop] details that are salvaged from houses being torn down, so we have beautiful arched bookshelves in the front and rolling ladders and things like that, that I think are charming to people when they come in.” The store is managed by Alice, a friendly white cat who prefers most days to work from home. 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland, loganberrybooks.com
Mac’s Backs Books on Coventry
Located in Coventry Village, this is a book lover’s dream: three floors of books, top to bottom. The shop hosts readings, book clubs, writing workshops and more in its basement space, and is considered beloved by many. “We’ve got a ton of loyal customers and Cleveland has always been a city that really espouses the ‘buy local’ philosophy,” says owner Suzanne DeGaetano. “People understand that in order to keep your retail experiences, you have to patronize the shops and we really benefited from that ethic.” Mac’s Backs also offer a free community meeting space for your group’s latest gathering. 1820 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights, macsbacks.com
RELATED: Mac's Backs Books on Coventry Celebrates its 40th Anniversary
(Photo courtesy The Reading Room)
The Reading Room
A nonprofit bookstore, The Reading Room collects gently used books and resells them. The profits are used to fund literacy and literary programs. Instead of having one concrete storefront, they prefer to keep it exciting by showing up at pop-ups, events and programs all over Cleveland. The Brownhoist, 4403 St Clair Ave., 3rd floor, Cleveland, readingroomcle.org
(Photo courtesy Visible Voice Books)
Visible Voice Books
What’s better than a good book? A good book and a slice of pizza. Visible Voice Books is located above Crust pizza shop, making the prospect of a visit all the more enticing. Maybe even a beer, too: The staff at Visible Voice can help you find the perfect literary companion that will pair nicely with your glass of wine or IPA. 2258 Professor Ave., Cleveland, visiblevoicebooks.com
Walls of Books
Walls of Books aims to make the world a better place through literacy and education. They do this by offering fair prices and trade-in options, by creating a family-friendly environment, and, of course, by promoting the many benefits of reading. Walls of Books has several locations throughout the country, including Parma. 7783 W. Ridgewood Dr., Parma, wallsofbooks.net
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