Celebrating Houston Independent Bookstores

In our world of online shopping, one-click purchasing, and two-day shipping, it’s easy to avoid going into an actual store altogether. Pull up at the curb and have my groceries brought out? Have toys, books, household goods, even clothes delivered to my doorstep? Yes, please!

Convenience is a busy mama’s best friend. However, sometimes I can’t help but feel we’ve taken a step in the wrong direction by sacrificing human interaction and community involvement in the name of convenience. Don’t get me wrong: I am supremely grateful for fast online shopping and all that it offers me in this overwhelming season of life with littles. But one thing I really want to focus on is awareness and support of the local businesses which serve as an anchor of support for the community.

One type of independent business about which I feel particularly passionate is the independent bookstore {also known as an “indie” bookstore}. With the advent of chain bookstores and online shopping, it looked like these small, locally owned bookstores would be run out of business. And they were, at first. From 1995-2000, the American Booksellers Association {ABA} reported a 43% decline in independent bookstores. But about a decade ago, indies began to make a surprising comeback: from 2009-2015, the ABA noted a 35% increase in the number of stores, from 1,611 to 2,227. The question is: why?

I think it has to do with bringing back the community involvement and interest that indies can provide. Due to the majority of their business being face to face, local stores have the ability and resources to tailor their merchandise and events to their community. While a retail chain might provide a cup of coffee and almost every book you might want at a discount price, they still feel so…detached. Efficient. Cold. Indie bookstores, by contrast, give off a cozy, warm, and personal vibe.

Even better, each location, because they are owned, well, independently, is completely different! Some focus on books of a certain genre; some offer weekly story times and book clubs; some feature local authors and handmade goods; some even offer refreshments {I found one that served beer and wine!}

Independent Bookstore Day {IBD} is coming up on Saturday, April 27th. It’s a day to celebrate, support, and give back to the local bookstores that provide so much for our community. And after the last few years, these local gems need all the support we can give them. And good news! There are several indies here in the Houston area. Below, I’ve listed the local stores participating in this year’s IBD. If you live close to one, be sure to drop by for some fun swag, themed events, and exclusive sales. Even if you can’t get out to these stores on the 27th, consider looking for your next great read {either in person or online!} at your local indie bookstore!

Katy Budget Books

KBB is a used bookstore that has been serving the Houston community for over 30 years. You can buy new or used, and they offer a system of trading in your gently used books for book credit on future used purchases. The store itself gives off a fun, quirky vibe with shelves and shelves of books and locally made crafts. This year, KBB is offering exclusive IBD merchandise, in store or online, available only on April 27th {while supplies last!}. If you drop by in person, you can check out their adorable custom made cookies on sale just for IBD. If you’re there in the afternoon, be sure to stop by for Texas Tarot Lady, who will be doing readings from 3-7pm. Additionally, all you detectives out there will love searching for the Libro.fm Golden Ticket! If you find it, you will win 12 {TWELVE!} free audiobooks! It’s like Willy Wonka, but with books. Kiddos are included too! They are hiding Goldbugs in the children’s section, and anyone who finds one will be entered into a raffle for a Richard Scarry card game. Finally, all of their clearance items are going to be 75% off that day. What more can you ask for?

Blue Willow Bookshop

Blue Willow Bookshop has been serving the West Houston and the Greater Houston area for more than 25 years. This whimsical store features new books, games, puzzles, and toys for all ages! They host author events, book clubs, a weekly story time, and much more. This year, in addition to offering exclusive IBD merchandise, they are featuring blind dates with a book, a libro.fm audiobook listening station, and a recommended new reads table! And like KBB, they are also hiding a Golden Ticket in their store for twelve free audiobooks! As a new lover of audiobooks, I am so excited for this fun giveaway. Run, don’t walk, to check out these fun deals!

The Book Readers Venue

The Book Readers Venue is a relatively new indie in Houston. This unique gem is a Black owned bookstore located in the Humble area. Its owner is a proud United States Army Veteran and voracious reader since the age of 4. She loves romantic suspense, but was struggling to find these books written by African American authors. After a chance encounter with a book by an independently published author, she realized she wanted to open her own bookstore devoted to celebrating diverse authors and independent publishers, and encouraging the next generation of aspiring authors. While the majority of their inventory is romance and romantic suspense, they do have a small selection of multiple genres. For IBD this year, they are hosting a meet and greet for authors Pamela Hawkins {self help}, Breonna Brownlee {romance}, and Tracie Momie {romantic suspense}. This store is a new find for me, and as a longtime lover of romance, I cannot wait to check them out!

Murder by the Book

Murder by the Book opened its doors in 1980 and has been serving the Houston community from its location near the Medical Center and Rice University ever since. This niche store features mystery books of all kinds, mystery magazines, gift items, and collectibles. Their staff is incredibly knowledgeable on all things mystery related, and they also host tons of mystery-themed events and author signings, including authors such as Dick Francis, P.D. James, and Patricia Cornwell. Join them on the 27th for Murder by the Book Brunch, where they will serve mimosas, pastries, and their new Murder by the Book coffee blends! The store will be hosting several local Houston authors in the morning to sign books and offer recommendations. In the afternoon, join them for Murder by the Book Recommends, where each staff member will take turns recommending some of their favorites. In addition, all recommended titles will be 20% off, and if you spend $100 on Saturday, you will be entered into a giveaway to win #1 in line, reserved parking, and reserved seating for an event of your choice. If you’re a mystery fan, you should definitely check out this gem among Houston independent bookstores!

Copperfield’s Books

Copperfield’s Books has been proudly serving the Spring area for all their new and used book needs for the past 30 years. They offer a trade credit program that discounts used books to 75% off the cover price! Copperfield’s also hosts a number of fun author events, and sells adorable bookish merchandise. This year, in addition to the IBD merchandise, they are also participating in the libro.fm Golden Ticket hunt to win a year’s worth of audiobooks. There will be fun free swag, sweet treats, and sale items throughout the store. Finally, you’ll have an opportunity to spin for a free IBD gift of discount. If you’re in the Spring area, be sure to stop by!

Brazos Bookstore

Located less than a mile from the Rice Village, Brazos Bookstore has been a stronghold of literary wealth for almost 50 years. In 2006, the store was one of the lone indie holdouts; the store almost closed down when the original owner announced his retirement. The local community would have none of it though, and 27 Houstonians came together to save the day. Brazos Bookstore continues to be a pillar of the community by investing in local authors through Imprint!, the University of Houston creative writing program, as well as several other local writing groups. This year, they will have the exclusive IBD merchandise, and they are hosting a special morning story time with author and visual artist Ajuan Mance, who will be reading her book What Do Brothas Do All Day? Be sure to check out Houston’s oldest indie bookstore this weekend!

The Book Nook

This sweet bookstore in downtown Brenham offers all that small town charm while still curating a diverse stock of new and used books. The Book Nook is cleverly designed, with bookshelves creating cozy little reading nooks all over the store. This year, they are featuring all of the exclusive IBD merchandise! Take the family on a quintessential Texas day trip. Have a picnic near the bluebonnets, cool off with some Blue Bell ice cream, and swing by The Book Nook to grab your latest read!

Hyperbole Bookstore

Hyperbole Bookstore is a newbie to the Houston area indie scene. This mother/daughter owned shop opened just last fall in College Station. Mother and daughter lived there over a decade ago, with mom working as a professor and her daughter attending school. After working in careers in writing, editing, and publishing all over the United States, this dynamic duo decided to pursue their dream of opening a bookstore. For their first IBD, they are offering fun treats, a few giveaways, and a free bookstore tote bag with a purchase of over $50. If you’re in Aggieland this weekend, be sure to show Hyperbole Bookstore your support and pick up a great book!

Are there any Houston independent bookstores that we missed? Let us know about it in the comments!

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