Home » Independent Bookstores

  • Search Bookstores

  • or Filter by City

  • Reset

Independent Bookstores in Connecticut

NewPages.com guide to the best Connecticut indie bookstores

Independent bookstores in Connecticut are sorted by City as you scroll through. If your favorite indie bookstore is missing, please contact us.

If you are the owner of an indie bookstore, you can submit a free enhanced listing for your bookstore in our Guide here.

Since 1948, Whitlock’s Book Barn has offered quality used and rare books in all price ranges (25 cents to $500+) and areas of interest. The Lower Barn offers thousands of better books for scholars, collectors, and readers, as well as all of our CT/New Haven/Yale material, children’s books, ephemera, postcards, and LP records. In the Upper Barn, 20,000+ paperbacks and hardcovers in a range of subjects are all under $5.00, and a second floor contains old prints and thousands of nineteenth-century town maps (viewable by appointment). Please come and browse!

Byrd's Books
  • Byrd's Books
  • 178 Greenwood Ave.
  • City: Bethel
  • Phone: (203) 730-2973
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Magazines
  • Facebook
  • Website

Byrd’s Books is your local independent bookstore. We carry only new titles with a specialty in Connecticut authors, illustrators, poets, and publishers. We host regular events, including author talks, writing workshops, and more.

  • Relay Bookhouse
  • 102 Greenwood Ave.
  • City: Bethel
  • Phone: (203) 791-9747
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts
  • Website

Relay Bookhouse is Bethel’s oldest and largest independent bookstore specializing in new, used, rare and out-of-print titles. We house a large selection of contemporary and hard-to-find titles in all subjects. We carry gift items, fine bindings, and book-related clothing and accessories. Come in and browse, or submit a request on our website.

 

Black Rock Books
  • Black Rock Books
  • 3030 Fairfield Ave
  • City: Bridgeport
  • Phone: (203) 549-8144
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Readings, Storytime
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Website

Located in the heart of Bridgeport’s historic Black Rock neighborhood, Black Rock Books aims to be a neighborhood haven for readers of all ages. We offer a curated selection of new and used books for children and adults, as well as community events.

We are a vegetarian restaurant and bookstore with a seasonal local and organic menu.

We are Bridgeport, Connecticut’s only bookstore with a focus on African-American literature and cultural events that support our community’s interests and promote both academic and professional growth and success.

ReRead Books is a used book store that is also a job training site for young adults with special needs.

  • Colebrook Book Barn
  • 657 Colebrook Rd.
  • City: Colebrook
  • Phone: (860) 379-3185
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Website

Established in 1955 at its present location in Colebrook, Connecticut. Open seasonally during the warmer months, usually from March through mid-November. In the summer we are open by chance or appointment, so it’s best to call ahead.

The Booksmiths Shoppe
  • The Booksmiths Shoppe
  • 100 Reserve Road
  • City: Danbury
  • Phone: (203) 241-0050
  • Type: New books, Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Crime/Mystery, Literary
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Stationery, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings, Storytime
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Website

Located in Danbury, CT, our woman-owned independent bookstore is aimed at offering quality used and new books and sidelines to the general public, moderately priced, shipping quickly and with special care in packaging. We hold book signings, poetry readings, story time, and book clubs. We view ourselves as contributors to the reduction of landfills, promoting literacy, and keeping the physical book alive in a digital age. We donate a portion of our proceeds to local nonprofit organizations.

Pourings and Passages is a not for profit used bookstore featuring five large rooms of gently used books, cds, dvds, vinyl, vintage and handmade jewelry, greeting cards, jigsaw puzzles, gift books, and household items.

Barrett Bookstore

Founded in 1939, Barrett Bookstore is a community-supported independent bookstore that offers a curated collection of books, cards, puzzles, and gift items. Author events and literary discussions are hosted both in-store and in partnership with local nonprofits and businesses.

Bennett's Books

  • Bennett's Books
  • 171 Main St.
  • City: Deep River
  • Phone: (860) 879-2665
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Alternative/Political, Children's, Educational, Feminist
  • Sidelines: Greeting Cards/Postcards
  • Facebook
  • Website

Nestled in the heart of Deep River, we are a community focused bookstore that provides affordable used books in an awesome, old-school atmosphere. Come visit today!

Bibliolatree Books, a unique bookshop in East Haddam Village, carries used, signed, and hard-to-find books for every interest.

River Bend Bookshop LLC

Glastonbury’s own independent bookstore is now open! Come browse our great selection of books and gifts for all ages, and join us for one of our events!

  • Athena Books
  • 228 Sound Beach Ave.
  • City: Greenwich
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts
  • Facebook

An independent book store located in Old Greenwich, CT. Books, gifts, and more!

Diane’s Books of Greenwich has the largest selection of family books in the country. We specialize in family books for all ages and offer free gift wrapping.

Breakwater Books, an independent bookstore located on the historic Guilford Green, has been assisting generations of readers since 1972.

Like-New Used Bookstore in the Whitneyville section of Hamden, CT. We are a community store with fantastic local support. We offer in-store trade credit for books and sell a wide array of greeting cards and gift items.

The Jumping Frog

The Jumping Frog is the internet’s perpetual paper show, specializing in postcards, magazines, and ephemera. It is also a used bookstore in Hartford, CT. We are always buying from estates, spring cleanings, etc. across the state of Connecticut.

The Key Bookstore

The Key Bookstore is a fully interactive bookstore experience. The Key engages readers through curation, activities, subscriptions, events, events, and community engagement. The focus is to lead readers on a path to Self Mastery and the cultivation of connection on and offline with respect to the mission, “Divine liberation one page at a time.” This store is curated on for the pillars Afrocentricity, Spirituality Environmentalism, and Entrepreneurship.

House of Books

  • House of Books
  • 10 N. Main St.
  • City: Kent
  • Phone: (860) 927-4104
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Newspapers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Website

We features wuality literature, books on art, history and politics, biographies, and fiction, with a special room featuring children’s literature. We also carry cards, music and gifts for the discerning reader, while hosting regular author events.

RJ Julia Independent Booksellers, located in the shoreline town of Madison, Connecticut, is a place of discovery where words matter, where writer meets reader, and where the ambiance and selection of books creates a welcoming atmosphere. We pride ourselves on having knowledgeable staff, an opinionated and varied book selection, and a consuming passion for reading. Ultimately, we are fiercely committed to putting the right book in the right hand.

Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore is a place for discovery, enlightenment, and entertainment! Come browse our Staff Suggestions, listen to an author, join us for Children’s Story Time, or grab a delicious bite to eat at Grown cafe!

  • Turning the Page
  • 477 Main St.
  • City: Monroe
  • Phone: (203) 459-1579
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Educational
  • Sidelines: Newspapers
  • Website

Children, parents, and educators, let us help you search for the book you need, and discover the book you didn’t know you needed. Explore, imagine, and grow by Turning the Page.

Located in the heart of downtown Mystic, Connecticut, Bank Square Books is a locally owned and operated bookstore with a great selection of books and helpful, knowledgeable staff. A cornerstone of the community for over 25 years, the store has something for everyone, including bestsellers, classics, children’s books, gifts, cards, and toys, plus a wide range of author events.

New Canaan CT’s community bookstore

  • Atticus Bookstore
  • 1082 Chapel St.
  • City: New Haven
  • Phone: (203) 776-4040
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
  • Sidelines: Café/Food, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Magazines
  • Facebook
  • Website

Atticus Bookstore Café has been an independent New Haven institution since 1976. Our bookstore offers a carefully curated selection of books for children and adults as well as a wide variety of greeting cards, stationary, notebooks, and magazines. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is always happy to help you find just the right book for any occasion.

Feed your body & your mind! Opened in 1998, the Book Trader Cafe is an independent used bookstore and cafe in the heart of the Yale University campus. Contact us for information on catering your next event or selling your library!

The newest location for Grey Matter Books, carrying quality used books.

Possible Futures
  • Possible Futures
  • 318 Edgewood Ave
  • City: New Haven
  • Phone: (203) 446-2070
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Educational, LGBTQ+
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Toys/Games
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Website

Possible Futures is a place for books, building, and beloved community. In other words, it is a neighborhood bookspace that is grounded in respect for the dignity of all beings, the importance of reciprocal relations, and the transformative power of radical love. It is a place to purchase, yes, but also encounter, trade, talk about, and fall in love with books, especially books for children, youth, and “reluctant” readers and books that might not be as easily found elsewhere, such as books by authors of color, Indigenous authors, LGBTQ+ authors, bi/multilingual authors, local authors, and poets of all kinds.

  • Honeybee Books & Tea
  • 27 Main St.
  • City: New Milford
  • Phone: (860) 350-3006, Option 7
  • Type: New books, Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Coffee/Tea
  • Website

Honeybee Books & Tea is an indie bookstore located in historic downtown New Milford, Connecticut. Enjoy used and new books, a delicious assortment of organize teas, used and new LPs, and carefully curated, organic, hand-made gifts.

The Main Barn is located just on the outskirts of downtown Niantic, and has five additional buildings: Ellis Island, the Annex, Hades, the Haunted, and the Lat Page.

We have been providing rare and scholarly books to institutions, researchers, collectors and the booktrade for 58 years. Please search our website and be pleasantly surprised by the exotic range of titles being offered. As we only have 5000 books online, we invite your inquiries via email ([email protected]) which will promptly be checked against our 200,000 volume inventory. Our primary specialty is out of print Yale University Press books of which more than 50,000 individual volumes are in stock.

Burgundy Books

  • Burgundy Books
  • 1391 Boston Post Rd.
  • City: Old Saybrook
  • Phone: (860) 391-9525
  • Type: New books,
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Literary, Metaphysical/New Age, Regional
  • Sidelines: Coffee/Tea, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards
  • Facebook
  • Website

Burgundy Books is an award winning bookstore hosting bestselling authors and cultural events.

Harbor Books

  • Harbor Books
  • 146 Main St.
  • City: Old Saybrook
  • Phone: (860) 388-6850
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Greeting Cards/Postcards
  • Facebook
  • Website

Harbor Books is situated on Main Street in Historic Old Saybrook, CT. Where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound. Selling New & Used Books on all subjects, we have an interesting Nautical Section and a wide selection of books on Katherine Hepburn, a lifetime Old Saybrook resident.

Small, independent bookstore featuring new fiction and nonfiction, with locations in Shelter Island Heights, NY and Southport, CT. Special orders are welcome!

Hickory Stick Bookshop

Washington Depot’s local independent bookshop for over 60 years! The Hickory Stick Bookshop has a great selection of books, music, calendars, greeting cards, book accessories, and gift items.

  • House of Books & Games
  • 1073 Palisado Ave.
  • City: Windsor
  • Phone: (860) 219-0393
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Science Fiction/Fantasy
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Newspapers
  • Facebook

Used games and books. Open weekends and occasional week day evenings.

  • Mondazzi Books
  • 570 Hayden Station Rd.
  • City: Windsor
  • Phone: (860) 285-0538
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: Metaphysical/New Age
  • Sidelines: Curiosities, Gifts
  • Website

Mondazzi Books is a body mind spirit book warehouse located in Windsor, Connecticut. We also specialize in crystals, beads, jewelry, salt lamps, and more.