Find Your Favorite Story at Connecticut's Independent Bookstores

Athena Books, Old Greenwich:  Named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena Books is intended to be a source of inspiration and gathering place for members of the Greenwich community and beyond. The store carries a wide selection of adult and children’s books, as well as a thoughtful selection of curated gifts.

Atticus Bookstore Cafe, New Haven: The bookstore-cafe's original location, with a full-service kitchen and coffee bar, is at Chapel and High streets, on the first floor next to the Yale British Art Museum. The bookstore offers a curated selection of fiction and nonfiction books, puppets, crafts, trinkets, and cards for every occasion.

Bank Square Books, Mystic: Bank Square Books is a locally owned, "fiercely independent" bookstore committed to providing quality books and audiobooks for all types of readers, as well as gifts, toys, and cards. In addition to providing a welcoming space for book lovers, Bank Square hosts author events, children’s storytimes, book clubs, and workshops.

Barrett Bookstore, Darien: Barrett Bookstore is the largest and oldest independent bookstore in Fairfield County. The 3,600-foot store carries literary fiction, nonfiction, and a robust selection of other genres, as well as books and games for children of all ages.  

Black Rock Books, Bridgeport: Located in Bridgeport's historic Black Rock neighborhood, Black Rock Books aims to be a neighborhood haven for readers of all ages, with a curated selection of new and used books. The store also hosts a variety of community events, from family storytime to author talks, wellness workshops, and monthly poetry nights.

Book Barn, Niantic: Browse a selection of over 350,000 books at Book Barn's three locations, all within a mile of each other. Nestled in a charming oasis, the Main Barn bookshop boasts a collection of gently used and rare books, surrounded by gardens, games, and even adorable farm animals. 

Books on the Common, Ridgefield: Ridgefield's proudly independent bookstore has been open since 1984, with books on all subjects for adults and children (over 18,000 titles in stock, with millions more just a day away.) The store also features a large selection of stationery, unique greeting cards, and gift items.

Breakwater Books, Guilford: The store originally opened in 1972 and now thrives in its town green location, offering a curated selection of books along with author events, play readings, music events, open mic nights, and book clubs.

Byrd’s Books, Bethel: Byrd's, across the street from the Bethel Public Library, carries only new titles: bestsellers, independent favorites, poetry, children's, a selection of deep discount books, and more.

The Curious Cat Bookshop, Winsted: This indie bookstore is "dedicated to serving the Northwest Corner of Connecticut’s literary needs, bringing authors and bookish events to our community and building literacy and community connection."

Diane’s Books, Greenwich: Open since 1990, Diane's has around 35,000 titles on its shelves, and its knowledgeable staff "prides themselves with helping all our customers-young, old and just in-between, book lovers of all ages, find just the right book."

Elm Street Books, New Canaan: Elm Street Books opened in 2003, and carries about 22,000 books, along with gifts, cards, and toys. The shop also regularly hosts author events.

The Golden Owl, New London: This eclectic bookstore also features a plant bar, cozy gathering spots, herbs, teas, and "other curiosities."

Goods & Curiosities at the Griswold Inn, Essex: Goods & Curiosities features an eclectic mix of products inspired by the Inn and New England, including a selection of books. The store hosts literary luncheons and other special author events.

Harbor Books, Old Saybrook: The store on Main Street sells new and used titles on all subjects, including a nautical selection, local interest books and a wide variety of books on Katherine Hepburn, a lifetime Old Saybrook resident. 

Hickory Stick Bookshop, Washington Depot: Hickory Stick has been a staple in Washington Depot for 70 years, with books for everyone in the family — and a dedicated Gilmore Girls section, as the town was the inspiration for the show's fictional town Stars Hollow.

House of Books, Kent: The western Connecticut bookstore has been a literary landmark in town for more than 45 years, with a wide selection of books, games, and activities and a full schedule of author events.

House of Books and Games, Windsor: The "littlest store with the biggest heart," which opened in 2018, offers titles on general fiction, science fiction, biographies, romance, hobbies, cookbooks, history, and a big selection of children's books.

Mermaid Books, Milford: The women-owned bookstore in downtown Milford is "a neighborhood spot for new books and bookish gifts, toys, bits and bobs," with weekly storytime, book club gatherings, and other special events.

Montgomery & Taggert, Chester: Founded in 2024, the small-town romance bookshop offers books from the romance genre, literary gifts, and enticing events.

Obodo Serendipity, Stratford: The shop is a "safe space for our community of readers who seek wonderful books and connection," with titles for all ages.

Possible Futures, New Haven: Possible Futures provides a curated collection of books, artwork, events, and goodies that "feed the mind, nourish the body, and sustain the soul." It prioritizes shelf space primarily for authors and topics that have been historically underrepresented in publishing and on public shelves.

River Bend Bookshop, Glastonbury and West Hartford: The indie shop, which got its start in Glastonbury in 2018, launched a "book truck" during COVID to get out into the community and expanded with a second location in 2022. 

RJ Julia, Madison and Middletown: RJ Julia, founded in 1989, is "fiercely committed to putting the right book in the right hand." The business has won national "bookseller of the year" awards, and hosts more than 300 events per year, welcoming authors and specials guests from around the country. Its second location serves Wesleyan University and the city of Middletown.

Telegraph Autonomous Zone, New London: This indie record and book shop, performance space and community room was established on Bank Street in 2010.