By I have been meaning to do this for a while. I love supporting local: from the small vendors at a farmer’s market to the local indie bookstores. As someone who reads a lot, I have few favorite bookstores (also, I do love the library too).
Indie Bookshops
Patchouli Joe’s Books and Indulgences
Located just off the Denton Square, this is a veteran owned bookstore. I am in here so often that they know me on sight. They are always happy to provide book recommendations or order books that are not in stock. This bookstore also throws great events, from book signings to midnight book releases and even monthly poetry nights. This book store is also pet friendly and they have a section of books in Spanish!
Talking Animals Books
This bookstore is located just off Main Street in Grapevine. The staff always have great book suggestions and they have a really good selection. This shop is also dog friendly as long as they are well behaved. Bear has always gotten plenty of scratches when visiting. I know they do events as well, I happened to be in the store when an indie author was signing her book. Also, they always have the best signs.
Specialty Bookshop
The Plot Twist
This is a romance only bookshop, similar to Blush in Dallas but with a bar! They have a great selection of romance novels but they also have a Spanish sections that is right near the front. I know that one of my friends that I visited this shop with was really excited that she would not have to ask for books in Spanish to be special ordered. This shop also has a cute little lounge in the back where they also host events such as book signings and Tarot readings. The Plot Twist is located just off the square in Denton on Oak St. next to the 3 Roses Tearoom.
Used Books
Recycled Books
This bookstore is why I fell in love with Denton. Three stories and a maze of bookshelves. If a book exists on a topic, Recycled probably has it. They also sell CD, DVDs, and records along with some other fun merch. You might be wondering, is it worth it to sell “out-dated” forms of entertainment. As a customer I say yes, because streaming services are getting greedy and sometimes it’s nice to put in a DVD or put on a record and slow down for a bit. Occasionally, Recycled does have events as well from author readings to book signings, the writing group also did a reading here once (and hopefully again). Well behaved dogs are also welcome here.
Honorable Mentions
These are bookshops that aren’t local to North Texas but they deserve some love. Make sure to check them out as well either in-person or online.
- Burrowing Owl Books – Canyon, TX – this bookshop is inside an old bank, it’s super adorable.
- The Book Burrow – Pflugerville, TX – this is a woman owned business.
Supporting Local Online
If you can’t make it in person to a local indie bookstore or you just want to buy online, consider using Bookshop.org. A percentage of profits from purchase go to local indie bookshops. This is not an ad, just another way to support local.
Thank you KW Photography for allowing me to use your wonderful photos!
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McGee Travel Tales 
Those all look like great book shops. Totally love local bookstores and try them first. After Barnes & Noble nearly wiped out little shops, I make it a point to support small independant book stores. There’s a used book store a couple of blocks away and they ordered new books for me-yay to learn they could do that!
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Funny enough B&N saved themselves by reorganizing their stores to be more similar to indie bookstores. I’m glad that you have a good local bookshop.
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Yeah, once they put so many out of business, the only competition was Amazon. One of the finest independent bookstores in the country is in Denver (The Tattered Cover) and after more than 50 years, it was sold to a group who have unfortunately run it into the ground. I think it was resold to B&N last summer. I just pray they can survive in some fashion-they were simply amazing. 🤞🏼
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Amazon is the reason I made sure to mention bookshop.org. Because,at least for books, it is a good competitor and it does give back to indie bookstores while also offsetting the carbon footprint.
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That was fun, love bookstores.
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Thank you! I love visiting local bookstores when I travel as well!
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