North Carolina has long been known as the “writingest state”, and the thing about writer’s is — we read, y’all. So having a good bookstore or twenty is as essential to us as air. It’s no secret that pre-COVID you would find me haunting a book store at a minimum once a week. Often times I would traverse the length of North Carolina to visit a particular book store because I had not been there in a long time, or never visited. My husband and son are wise men and they always set aside half a day of any vacation / trip for me to explore the local bookstores within reasonable driving distance.
Reading is the one thing that has kept me sane during the COVID pandemic and I have placed orders, trolled bookstore lists, and kept my eyes peeled for anything new and interesting to add to my already groaning nightstand. Not only has it kept me sane, it has helped, one book at time, keep small, independent bookstores open in hopes they continue to operate long after our life returns to normal.
Bookstores are essential businesses, gathering places for people who all have one thing in common — reading. It doesn’t matter what you read, and yes, I am aware there are groups of people who certainly think that it is important. Reading is fundamental and it is something we do every day. Even if you say you hate to read, if you’re using the Internet, chances are you’re reading something! We owe books and the people who create them so much. Books are created by artists who pore their blood, sweat, and many, many tears into a finished project they hope to one day see on the shelves of a bookstore.
This list is always changing. If you have books to add to this list or updates, please send us a message!
Independent Bookstores in North Carolina:
- Foggy Pine Books, Boone http://www.foggypinebooks.com
- Park Road Books, Charlotte https://www.parkroadbooks.com
- The Curiosity Shop, Murphy https://murphybookstore.com
- Books to Be Red, Orcracoke https://ocracokebookstore.com
- McIntyre’s Books, Chapel Hill https://fearrington.com/mcintyres-books/
- The Next Chapter Books and Art, New Bern https://thenextchapternc.com
- Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh https://www.quailridgebooks.com
- The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines https://www.thecountrybookshop.biz
- City Lights, Sylva https://www.citylightsnc.com
- Blue Ridge Books, Waynesville https://blueridgebooksnc.com
- Quarter Moon Books, Topsail Beach https://www.quartermoonbooks.com
- Bookmarks, Winston Salem https://www.bookmarksnc.org
- Main Street Books, Davidson https://www.mainstreetbooksdavidson.com
- Malaprop’s Bookstore, Asheville https://www.malaprops.com
- Paper Skyscraper, Charlotte https://www.paperskyscraper.com
- Highland Books, Brevard https://www.highlandbooksonline.com
- Island Bookstore, Corolla http://www.islandbooksobx.com
- Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill https://www.flyleafbooks.com
- Epilogue Books, Chapel Hill https://epiloguebookcafe.com
- Buxton Village Books, Buxton https://www.buxtonvillagebooks.com
- Page After Page, Elizabeth City https://pageafterpagebookstore.indielite.org
- The Regulator Bookshop, Durham https://www.regulatorbookshop.com
- Golden Fig Books, Durham https://www.goldenfigbooks.com
- Island Bookstore, Kitty Hawk http://www.islandbooksobx.com
- Duck’s Cottage, Duck https://www.duckscottage.com
- Emerald Isle Books and Toys, Emerald Isle http://www.emeraldislebooks.com
- Books Unlimited, Franklin http://www.booksunlimitednc.com
- Unlimited Books for Kids, Franklin http://booksunlimitednc.com/unlimited-books-for-kids-franklin-nc.html
- Scuppernong Books, Greensboro https://www.scuppernongbooks.com
- Wonderland Books, Greensboro https://www.wonderlandbookshopnc.com
- Sunrise Books, High Point https://sunrisebookshp.indielite.org
- Downtown Books, Manteo https://www.duckscottage.com
- Adventure Bound Books, Morganton https://www.adventureboundbooks.com
- Read With Me, Raleigh https://www.readwithme.us
- South Main Book Company, Salisbury https://www.southmainbookcompany.com
- Page 158 Books, Wake Forest https://www.page158books.com
- Pomegranate Books, Wilmington https://pomegranatebooks.wordpress.com
- Two Sister’s Bookery, Wilmington https://www.twosistersbookerync.com
Leave a Reply