Part of keeping Austin weird is making sure to support local small businesses, including our awesome independent bookstores! There are lots of great book shops in the area, and they always have the most fun, friendly and knowledgeable staff.
If you’re looking for local Austin book stores for kids and adults, try one of these favorites below.
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Best Book Shops in the Austin Area
1. BookPeople
603 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Local-favorite bookstore BookPeople is in downtown Austin and hosts so many cool events and authors throughout the year. There’s a cafe downstairs and the children’s area upstairs where they hold kids events, including monthly story times with a small-animal petting zoo!
The staff there is great at providing recommendations too.
2. First Light
4300 Speedway Unit 104, Austin, TX 78751
First Light is a relatively new book store, opened in an old post office building in Hyde Park in Central Austin. It’s super cute, with a little cafe, outdoor seating, and small children’s area where they host story times.
3. Recycled Reads
5335 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
Don’t let a book go to waste! When Austin Public Library books are weeded and retired, you can buy them at a big discount at Recycled Reads. There are also CDs, puzzles, games, sheet music and more. Most of it is under $2.
They also take donations if you have good-condition books to give away.
4. Black Pearl Books
7112 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
This black-woman-owned bookstore in Austin promotes inclusion through literature. What started as as an online store in 2019 has grown to its own standalone shop on Burnet.
5. Reverie Books
5330 Menchaca Rd Ste D, Austin, TX 78745
Reverie is a little book shop dedicated to social justice and community. They have both new and used books, as well as a children’s section. The community focus makes it a safe space for local teens, with a Young Adult Banned Book Club and a high school internship.
6. Paper Bark Birch in Cedar Park
601 E Whitestone Blvd Suite #218, Cedar Park, TX 78613
The cutest little book shop, just for kids! You can grab your kid’s next favorite book, let your little ones play on the little climbing triangles or in the play kitchen, and catch character story times. They’ve had so many different princesses come entertain the kiddos!
(Ok, there ARE some adult books — there’s a small selection of novels, because they owner says moms never get the chance to read and she wants them to treat themselves!)
7. Lark and Owl in Georgetown
205 6th St Suite 101, Georgetown, TX 78626
This is a great bookstore in the same building as Monument Cafe, just off the square in Georgetown. There are so many thoughtful touches for the community, like a community phone to use, local vendors, great book picks and even a recipe exchange. Plus there’s a cafe and a whole kid’s corner with a reading nook, chalkboard, toys and more.
8. The Painted Porch in Bastrop
912 Main St, Bastrop, TX 78602
Head to downtown Bastrop to find this gorgeous bookstore with the show-stopping brick fireplace! There’s a kids corner in the back room with a little treehouse reading nook and other spots to read.
Love reading? Check out local summer reading programs!