There are a few things that online book retailers can’t replace: the expertise of booksellers who know just what bibliophiles are looking for and the wonderment one feels when wandering through an independent bookshop. Consider heading to one of these bookstores for a November to remember.

Photo By: Strand Bookstore

• Strand – New York City, NY
  You’ve probably heard a good bit about Strand in the heart of downtown Manhattan. Home to “18 miles of books”, Strand is every booklovers dream. Whether you’re searching for a rare find, a new release you’ve been looking forward to, or a tattered book that could use a new home, Strand Bookstore has it all, and then some.

• Magers & Quinn – Minneapolis, MN
  Minneapolis is home to Magers & Quinn—a bookstore that started out selling solely used finds until it grew to be the largest family-owned shop in the city, with collections both old and new. With nearly 8,000 square feet of space, you’re guaranteed to find at least one book that you won’t be able to put down.

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  Photo By: Faulkner House Books

  Faulkner House Books – New Orleans, LA
  If you want to peruse through a historic building where William Faulkner himself once lived and wrote, head to Faulkner House Books in New Orleans. The building, which was built in 1840, is small, but packed to the brim. The chandeliers and books shoved into every nook and cranny makes for one cozy bookish experience.

• Off the Beaten Path – Steamboat, CO
  Sometimes you want a really good book, but you don’t know where to start. The staff at Off the Beaten Path are full of knowledge and more than willing to help with whatever book needs you have. The store sells many books written by local authors, as well as classics and new releases on your radar.

• The Elliott Bay Book Company – Seattle, WA
  For night owls who favor a cup of coffee with a good book over a bar crawl, Elliot Bay’s late hours will appeal to your bookish ways. There are readings almost every night, featuring authors both well-known and up and coming. Get lost wandering through this Capitol Hill store!

Up Next:

Share the page-turning fun with family and friends with this round-up of some of the nation’s best indie bookstores.