HomeAustin, TX5 Best Bookstores in Austin 🥇

5 Best Bookstores in Austin 🥇

Below is a list of the top and leading Bookstores in Austin. To help you find the best Bookstores located near you in Austin, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.

Austin’s Best Bookstores:

The top rated Bookstores in Austin are:

  • BookWoman -specializes in books targetted for women that are mostly written by women
  • BookPeople -one of the largest independent bookstores in Texas
  • Malvern Books -an independent bookstore and community space in Austin
  • Balcones Books -sells used and rare books
  • Kinokuniya Austin -Japanese-based retailer bookshop that sells a collection of Asian books and magazines

BookWoman

https://www.facebook.com/bookwomanaustin/photos/a.10150839047747975/10158251770977975/?type=3&theater

 

BookWoman is a premiere feminist bookstore in Texas. Started as an upstairs shop about 44 years ago, it is now an established bookstore for women and by women. A locally owned, independent bookstore, this shop specializes in books about women and feminism that are mostly written by woman authors as well.

Aside from books, they also sell nice gift items like t-shirts, calendars, pieces of jewelry, arts and posters. They also cater to an in-store book group with members that usually meet every 4th Thursday of the month for book pick sharing and to discuss it further. Looking for a book to bring out the girl power in you? Do not hesitate to drop by their store and check their latest collection.

Products/Services:

BookWoman books, BookWoman Gift Certificate, BookGroups, Speaking Engagements, BookWoman T-shirts and Jewelry

LOCATION:

Address: 5501 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 
(512) 472-2785
Website: 
www.ebookwoman.com

REVIEWS:

“I love this place. To me, it feels safe, considerate, supportive and creative. Great books, gifts and events. They are local and support many local businesses too. I love taking my 9 years old daughter as well. Plenty there for raising strong and caring children.” – Amy Fariss

BookPeople

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9epbxDnmn7/

BookPeople is one of the leading independent bookstores in Texas. Established in 1970, this bookstore that is located in the heart of downtown Austin has won many accolades for the past 15 years including “Bookstore of the Year” by Publisher’s Weekly in 2005.

This bookstore caters not only great books but also good author events and storytimes for children. They also have a cafe where you can read your newly purchased book over a nice cup of coffee and dessert. BookPeople also prided themselves as a destination bookstore where a lot of prominent people and important authors go and visit. Want to add books to your library at home? Better check their store now and buy a book or two and savor the nice ambiance of the place.

Products/Services:

Book Clubs, Donations, Consignment Program, Affiliate Program, Educational Resources, Coffee Shop, Gift Shop

LOCATION:

Address: 603 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Phone: 
(512) 472-5050
Website: 
www.bookpeople.com

REVIEWS:

“Came all the way from Jackson, Mississippi, to see Marissa Meyer at Book People. Really great independent book store with a huge selection and a friendly staff. A great venue for a book signing. Well worth the trip.” – Andrew Forbes

Malvern Books

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9VGm3qBiwE/

Malvern Books is a bookstore that specializes in visionary literature and poetry from independent publishers. They prided themselves in uplifting and advertising on much lesser-known but emerging authors to the reading public. Offering a vast range of book titles, you would certainly enjoy a visit to this store to try something new for your reads.

Not just a bookstore, they offer a community space for book enthusiasts for different events that will surely make the bookworm in you excited. Hosting book and poetry reading, book clubs meeting and musical performances, this shop is a haven for all book lovers and old souls out there. Planning on buying a book but is not sure of what to buy? you may check their Staff Picks, their book blog on the latest store releases for recommendation and guidance.

Products/Services:

Malvern Events, Book Reviews, NYRB Classics Spotlight, On Music, Tributes, Misc. Wafflings

LOCATION:

Address: 613 W 29th St, Austin, TX 78705
Phone: 
(512) 322-2097
Website: 
www.malvernbooks.com

REVIEWS:

“A great neighborhood bookstore. I can spend hours in there just wandering and looking for books. The staff is super friendly and the selection is great. I’m so glad I live around the corner from this place.” – Jone Corbett

Balcones Books

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRv5hu2DEva/

Balcones Books is a second-hand bookstore that caters to old but rare books. A family-owned and operated local bookstore, this shop is manned by a father and son duo, Erwin and Albert McGee. Both experts on different subject matters as well as customer service, customers will certainly enjoy small talks and book recommendations from them as they go and check the store offerings.

Presenting a wide selection of awesome books, Balcones Books displays an extensive inventory of materials. From ambiguous hardbound and hard to find first editions to pocketbooks, you can find plenty of readable materials here at a very reasonable price. Visit their place now and indulge in some limited editions and hard to find books.

Products/Services:

Americana & Texana, Cooking & Art, Fiction, Nerdville: Science, Political Economy, Oversized Non-Fiction, Paperbacks, Poetry, Short Story, Books on Writing, Religion, Philosophy, Foreign Policy, Youth

LOCATION:

Address: 5430, 3313 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78731
Phone: 
(512) 792-9260
Website: 
www.balconesbooks.com

REVIEWS:

“Excellent neighborhood bookstore. Delightful, carefully made selection of books! This store fills an important retail need.” – John Hrncir

Kinokuniya Austin

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Z0wLjgduH/

Kinokuniya Austin is an international book chain that was first established in Japan. A bookstore that specializes in Asian books, they offer extensive collections of manga, graphic novels, magazines and stationeries from Japan. Expanded overseas with their first bookstore in California in 1969, they have now branched out to Texas and offer the products that they have.

Catering books that are both in English and Japanese language their main goal is to introduce Japanese literature in their US bookstores by offering a different assortment of book titles and genres. They also host events that introduce Asian authors, artists and illustrators to showcase their latest work and market it. Fond of manga and graphic novels? Then be sure to drop by their store to check their latest manga collection.

Products/Services:

Kino Event Series, Manga and Art Book, Japanese Magazine Subscription Service

LOCATION:

Address: 6929 Airport Blvd #121, Austin, TX 78752
Phone: 
(512) 291-2026
Website: 
www.usa.kinokuniya.com

REVIEWS:

“The first time I’ve ever been to such an authentic Japanese bookstore! They have a big collection of manga (in Japanese) but there is also an English option available, which I love so much. The prices of all items are pretty high but they do come with quality. I especially adore the stationary section of this store. The bonus is that the restroom is pretty nice and clean. Overall, I had such a good experience.” – Vivian B.