All of the indie bookstores in the Tampa Bay area

There are few experiences more serotonin-boosting than stepping into a bookstore, breathing in the crisp scent of untouched paper or cozy used paperbacks, and picking out a new read to take home.

The experience is even better at a local bookstore.

Luckily for us, the Tampa Bay area has more than a dozen independent and used bookstores, filled with both new and pre-loved treasures.

Editor’s note: Want to support local bookstores without leaving your home? Find your favorites, including the ones below, on Bookshop.org.

Tampa

Oxford Exchange The luxurious, European-style bistro and bookshop is a destination for both locals and visitors. The small bookstore is part of the main entrance to Oxford Exchange and its dark shelves and cover-facing displays allow the books’ colors and titles to pop. The shop also frequently hosts book clubs and author events. 420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa

Mojo Books and Records The largest indie new and used bookstore in the city, Mojo is known just as much for its book restocks as it is for its solid collection of records for sale. Mojo, which also hosts local music at nighttime, is right down the street from the University of South Florida Tampa campus, so its cafe and stacks are popular among the college-aged youth. 2554 E Fowler Ave., Tampa

Black English Bookstore City Councilwoman Gwen Henderson opened this indie bookshop with a focus on works by Black authors. The selection in Tampa Heights is 98% African American or Black-authored books with more than half written for children. 401 E Oak Ave., Tampa

Bookends: Literature and Libations While they anxiously await permit approvals to open in a historic Ybor bungalow, Bookends is busy connecting with the Tampa community through a mobile bookstore. 2208 E 2nd Ave., Ybor City

Steamy LitThe women-owned, South Florida-based Steamy Lit collective expanded north with its first Tampa location. The romance-only bookstore is focused on showcasing authors of color, queer and nonbinary writers and exploring and celebrating sexuality and self-love. 2832 S MacDill Ave. Unit C, Tampa

Brandon

Book Corner Tampa Bay Book Corner Tampa Bay has been around for more than 30 years and is a go-to spot for those wanting to hunt for vintage and collectible books. Amid displays of more-than-100-year-old leatherbound tomes and pulp paperbacks you’ll find stacks of classic children’s books and even some of the most popular fantasy and romance books. 728 W Lumsden Rd., Brandon

Lakeland

Little Bus Books The Pippen family brings its Little Bus Books mobile store all around the central Florida community. Inside the mini airstream are new and used books from local authors, popular national writers and curated collections based on current events and interests. The bus frequently guests at many Polk County markets and also has a storefront location at The Nectary. 1047 E Main St., Lakeland

Pressed Founded in 2021, Pressed got new owners in 2024, and Mack and Kaylin Fowler aim to expand the store’s reach even further. Besides selling books and being a beloved “third place” in the community, Pressed partnered with Ethos Coffee Roasters, Honeycomb and Bandidas to have a coffee bar and offer locally made baked goods. 213 E Bay St., Lakeland

St. Petersburg

Tombolo Books A community-focused bookstore if there ever was one, Tombolo has become the go-to space for Florida authors to show off their new works and connect with readers. It’s got very artsy St. Pete vibes, and locals love it for that. 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg

The Story Garden When Megan Kotsko left teaching after nearly two decades to raise her son she never imagined one of her longtime dreams would come true. The Story Garden, the area’s first children’s bookstore, opened this year. With new windows, fresh coats of paint—navy blue outside, pale peachy pink inside—and an interior space filled with fresh bookshelves, books and cozy reading spaces, The Story Garden is informed by what Kotsko learned as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher—knowing how to connect with kids and presenting stories to them in an appealing way. 832 14th St. N, St. Petersburg

Wilson’s Book World The oldest bookstore still open in St. Petersburg, Wilson’s is known for its vast, always growing collection of used books for sale. It’s in a smaller shop now, but there’s always something interesting to be found in the stacks. Wilson’s alsos get new items every week—from vintage hardcovers to TikTok favorites and comics. 535 16th St. N, St. Petersburg

Book + Bottle The trendy shop in downtown St. Pete is a bookstore with wine pairings and a wine store where you can also buy books. It’s a popular spot for happy hours, book clubs and wine tastings. 17 6th St. N, St. Petersburg

Greater Pinellas

The Book Rescuers The Book Rescuers do what their name implies—rescue books and other mixed media and direct them to new homes. They get new and pre-loved inventory from local shops and libraries as well as donated personal collections. Most of their books cost $1-$3. In 2024, The Book Rescuers finally opened in a new indoor (air-conditioned) location with more room for their thousands of books. 8325 Ulmerton Rd., Largo

The Gilded Page The cozy-cool small bookshop in downtown Tarpon Springs boasts both classics and the newest popular releases. The Gilded Page, like any successful and beloved indie, is also a literary community space with events every week—from silent book clubs and kids storytime to local author events and collabs with other local small businesses. 123 E Court St., Tarpon Springs

Safety Harbor

Portkey Books Possibly the smallest local bookshop in the area, Portkey Books is a one-owner, one-employee store with big heart and love for the Safety Harbor community. Owner Crystel Calderon is always organizing book clubs, author events and now midnight release parties for the most popular reads. 404 Main St., Safety Harbor

Dunedin

Back in the Day Books A go-to spot for Dunedin locals, Back in the Day Books offers a curated selection of new and used books and bookish gifts like t-shirts, bookmarks, mugs and socks. The store will also buy used books and collections by appointment. 355 Main St., Dunedin

Palm Harbor

Book Swap A hidden gem of a bookstore off the busy highway, Book Swap has a large collection of used books and a knowledge staff ready to offer recommendations. As the name implies, it’s also a good local spot to sell and trade your used reads. 32840 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor

Dade City

The Book Shack The family-owned shop has been around for over 30 years and continues to stock new inventory every day. Most of its pre-loved books are 75-90% off the original cover price, and The Book Shack also has a trade-in program. 14145 7th St., Dade City

Port Richey

The Paperback Exchange This shop’s shelves are filled with discounted used books, rare pieces and collectibles and works by local authors. There’s always new inventory posted to social media, and the store’s trade-in program offers up to 50% off used books. The owners are also knowledgeable and supportive of diverse, inclusive reads and efforts to provide safe spaces for the LGBTQ community. 6412 Ridge Rd., Port Richey

Lakeland

Inklings Book Shoppe A cozy treasure trove of new and used books of all genres—including an entire shelf of indie published books signed by their respective authors. 243 N Florida Ave., Lakeland

The Unbound Bookery A cozy bungalow got turned into an indie bookshop with antique, vintage, new and used books and collectible editions. The women-owned shop also offers services to help readers find rare and hard-to-find books. 1026 Florida Ave. S, Lakeland

Sarasota

Bookstore 1 The trendy, spacious Bookstore 1 offers all the latest and greatest in new books as well as community events, book clubs and an annual local author book fair. The booksellers also help run a book lovers podcast and newsletter. 117 S Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

Book Bazaar The cozy and classic bookstore boasts towering and overstacked shelves and the comforting scent of old books. It’s got a little bit of everything in pre-loved form—from collectible classics to pulp paperbacks. For over 35 years, the Book Bazaar has been “improving Sarasota’s shelf-worth.” 1488 Main St., Sarasota

UPDATED 12/23/24 8:34 a.m. Updated to coincide with our 2024 books issue.

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This article appears in Dec 7-13, 2023.