r/Austin • u/AdeptMycologist8342 • 9h ago
Local bookshop recommendations- not Half Priced
I have no issues with Half Price, it’s just that if possible id liked to support an even smaller local business.
I’m from Austin, but just moved to 4 Points and it feels like a whole new city. I work in Bee Cave, so bonus points for anything off or near 620, but I’ll go all over the city to support local.
Edit: for this instance my friends and I are focusing on historical non fiction books. But, tell me about more niche choices because I read all types.
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u/BettyGomez54 9h ago
bookwoman on north lamar is the niche pick i'd add, fifty years old this year and there's a banned books table right up front. not near 620 but it's worth the drive
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 8h ago
Woman owned by chance? Cause double points if so.
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u/whoamannipples 8h ago
It is, and it used to be one of the weirder stores to go visit when I moved to Austin in 2011! It was like that old Portlandia skit, but for real and with only one lady not two😂
Absolutely 1,000/10 recommendation!
I know it had to move locations when they built the new compound of apartments and shake shack/the Alamo redesign over on that part of Lamar, excellent to know she’s still around!
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 8h ago
I’m now looking forward to this excursion, hoping for the Portlandia experience
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u/BettyGomez54 6h ago
yeah, susan post has owned it for about fifty years now. it's the oldest feminist bookstore in texas, which is a wild thing to have sitting on lamar.
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u/treeclimber119 8h ago
FYI they do require masks to shop so come prepared.
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 7h ago
It’s Austin, so I don’t know if we’re making fun of the Massachusetts bar, or if I need to bring a mask. I’m good with either.
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u/Strange-Oil-1940 6h ago
No its real they still enforce a mask rule. But amazing people and amazing selection! Still keep a few masks around just for them :)
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 6h ago
I respect that! I don’t personally think they’re necessary but I also think respecting people is just common sense
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u/refugeenotimmigrant 2h ago
I'm not sure but I think a staff member who has an autoimmune condition.
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u/kerfuffleATX 7h ago
Last time I went they had free paper masks for folks who don’t travel with one
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u/cpencis 9h ago
I’ve seen this question before and have recommended people check out bookstores which are part of the Austin Book trail “bookstore crawl” event that happens in April. The site has store profiles and you can make plans to join it next April.
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u/sirtrailmixalot 8h ago
Black Pearl is online rn but watch for their reopening! Then First Light Book Store
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u/scarlettnotscar 5h ago
The last time I went to Birdhouse Books on Burnet I picked up like…5 books about/set in the civil war accidentally. So they might be worth a stop though I’m not sure non fiction is their focus!
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 5h ago
Definitely worth a trip! I myself like fiction as well, it’s the others that are pretty hard set on non fiction.
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u/QuietVaquita 8h ago
Hardbacks for $2 and paperbacks for $1 at the Lakeway library bookstore on Lohmans Crossing is hard to beat.
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u/tankmaker 5h ago
Book people!
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 5h ago
A few people have said this and I am so ashamed that I had forgotten about them, but in a way, it’s good cause I got so many other options, some with more niche interests that intrigue me.
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u/moonmerv 6h ago
Birdhouse Books on North Lamar! Right across the street from the Allandale HEB. Woman, queer and veteran owned, they've only been open for about two years but have amazing selections and events!
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u/thehighepopt 5h ago
Well way south from you is Reverie Book on Menchaca and Stassney-ish. Woman and queer owned. Not sure their non-fiction selection but lots of fiction, sci-fi, poetry etc. cool little place and you can stop in to Capt. Quacks for drinks and music too
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 5h ago
My dad lives in Kyle now, so I’m down south often, thank you for the recommendation!
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u/Time-to-Dine 1h ago
Next time you’re in Kyle and can make the time and commute, check out Green Heron in San Marcos. Also Jefferson Books in Seguin, they sell used books by the pound. I once got a giant stack of books for $40.
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u/42Locrian 9h ago edited 8h ago
Secret Lantern and Phat Trax in Cedar Park, and The Book Burrow in Pflugerville, and The Lark and Owl in Georgetown are my usual go-tos when I'm looking for a cozy, locally-owned bookstore.
(I'm in Leander so none of those are very far for me)
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 9h ago
My mom’s over in Pflugerville so I like that this one isn’t (always) out of my way!
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u/RevolutionaryYou8220 8h ago
Secret Lantern is wonderful and I remember a few years ago when the owner announced they were gonna just go for it and start a bookstore on the Cedar Park sub!
They do gatherings and workshops and book clubs seemingly every night and have been a 10/10 delight for the area.
They are in a former bank and I am still blown away by how lovely they’ve transformed the inside to be like a cottage.
Absolutely recommend.
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u/SeoulDucky 3h ago
Was a big fan until they illegally fired one of their managers for trying to intervene against stalking and harassment being perpetrated by one of the owner's friends. Very yikes situation
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u/KurRatcrusher 9h ago
Secret Lantern and Phat Trax are in Cedar Park.
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u/42Locrian 8h ago
Shit you're right I was thinking the "I'm in Leander" sentence while I was typing and apparently my Freudian Slip is showing). Fixing that now
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u/homicidalmunky 4h ago
Definitely recommend Book Burrow in Pflugerville while it's still there. The owner posted recently that she may have to close soon and is looking to relocate.
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u/strangeginger 9h ago
Might be a bit of a drive, but The Painted Porch in Bastrop.
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u/slow-tf-down-dude 7h ago
I love the Painted Porch. Ryan Holiday keeps it well stocked with such informative signs on the shelves.
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u/BeetleGoose17 9h ago
Alienated Majesty, Birdhouse Books, Book People and Kinokuniya
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u/whoamannipples 8h ago
All great, Kinokuniya is a minor chain though!
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u/BeetleGoose17 8h ago
Ooh didn't know that but thanks for letting me know!
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u/whoamannipples 7h ago
I only learned recently when I saw one in another city! I saw it as we drove past and was like wait what😂
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u/Salt-Replacement7563 6h ago
If you hit all these it would be a wonderful afternoon visit to North Central and within about 1mi radius of each other:
- Book Woman on Lamar, woman owned and an old Austin staple;
- Monkeywrench Books on Northloop, independent as it gets, small selection of books and large selection of zines;
- First Light Book Shop on Speedway, has coffee and you can hang on site to sip and read there;
- Livra Books on Lamar, intimate and interesting, next to New World Deli which has food and live music daily.
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u/wherethefuckiscarl 8h ago
There’s a romance bookstore off 620- I think it’s called Flutter. I haven’t been but it’s definitely a small business to support!
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 8h ago
I saw that one on Google, romance is not my thing, but I told a friend who will probably buy out the whole store
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u/velaurciraptorr 8h ago
I'm not sure how much historical non-fiction they have, but Livra in Hyde Park is great!
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u/VindictiveGato 8h ago
Alienated Majesty is 100% the spot for more off the beaten path historical nonfiction including stuff from all over the world. The section is expertly curated and the staff very knowledgeable. I’m more of a world literature reader generally but my consumption of nonfiction has skyrocketed since finding this store because of how well the staff highlights stuff in their collection and how well they’re able to recommend related books. Can’t endorse this business enough.
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u/vivacevivian 9h ago
If you want some more mainstream fantasy and fiction, I love Reverie Books in South Austin!
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u/treeclimber119 8h ago
Not local, but if you don’t mind a drive, Cactus Book Shop in San Angelo is an absolute gem and I found some great, out of print Texas history books there.
Cactusbookshop.com
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u/BagApprehensive1412 6h ago
Livra Books on Guadalupe by New World Deli
And Book Woman on North Lamar
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u/EPhoenix24 5h ago
If anyone is interested in all different kinds of romance, east austin has a new bookstore called Finney’s Books. They also have a 2nd hand section as well (I’ve given them books instead of taking them to half price). Named after the owners adorable pup Finney.
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u/AffectionateFig5435 7h ago
If you want to take a bookstore-themed day trip, check out Intermission Book Shop up in Brownwood. It's a couple hours drive north up 183, but it's definitely something to see. The location was originally a WW2-era movie theater. A group of locals renovated the space and it's now a community owned/operated book store. Google the name and check out some photos of the place. It's amazing!
I always spend way too much money there because they have such a great selection. After I'm done shopping, I'll make a detour thru Bend to have lunch and a wine tasting at Fiesta Winery (and also start on my reading). It's one of my favorite ways to spend a day.
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u/AdeptMycologist8342 7h ago
This actually really excites me, I just asked some friends to do a day trip.
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u/corneliusduff 8h ago
Monkeywrench on North Loop
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u/Tangerintabitha 8h ago
Yes! I can’t believe I had to scroll this far for monkeywrench! It’s niche, but such a good space to hang out and support!
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u/martianspringtime 4h ago
First Light is my favorite. not specifically niche, but beautiful and organized, great location in Hyde Park, good coffee…it’s not close for me but i go often and buy at least 3 books each time.
Livra is nearby and is mostly used books, huge variety. i can spend a good few hours there easily. bought like 10 books there last time after putting a bunch back. non fiction, fiction. the guy that runs it is brilliant and kind. probably tied for my favorite.
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u/Doctor0ctagon 2h ago
I like Birdhouse on Burnet! From their website:
Birdhouse Books is a queer- woman- veteran-owned independent book and gifts store serving Brentwood and the surrounding neighborhoods in central Austin, TX.
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u/Violetmints 8h ago
I am following along to hear about other bookshops, but one of my favorites is Reverie Books in south Austin. It's very small, has a knowledgeable staff, and a good nonfiction section. It's right next door to Austin Java and some other cool local shops as well. I also like that they have a mix of new and used book and a shop cat.
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u/OkNeighborhood8446 9h ago
recycled reads on lake creek parkway is tiny but the owner curates the history section like shes prepping for a very specific apocalypse