An A-to-Z List of the Most Popular Independent Bookstores in Michigan

The Mitten State is blessed with an abundance of indie bookshops, each exuding unique charm and specialties. Whether you’re searching for rare novels, an all-romance store, or a reading spot with a café or bar, you’ll find it among these Michigan bookstores. With our A-to-Z list of independent bookstores in Michigan, we’ll help you find your new favorite spot in each city, township, and county to shop for your next read!

The Importance of Supporting Independent Bookstores in Michigan

We know that shopping online and at big-brand storefronts is convenient—but it doesn’t support your community. When you make the decision to browse an independent bookstore in Michigan, you’re pouring money back into your local economy and making a real difference in the lives of your neighbors.

Many Michigan bookstores even act as third spaces for the members of the community. With comfy seats, tasty treats, and thoughtfully curated aisles based on the interests of authentic book sellers, every visit feels special. Supporting your local independent bookstore in Michigan is the key to keeping the spirit of book lovers alive!

Pro tip: If you’re a tech-savvy reader, you can still make the swap from chain stores to Michigan bookstores and small businesses! Exchange your Kindle for a different e-reader, get rid of your Goodreads account, sign up for an alternative book tracker app, and try a highly rated audiobook service that isn’t connected to Amazon.

Our A-to-Z List of the Best Independent Bookstores in Michigan

The next time you need to pick up the latest Brandon Sanderson novel or are searching for a self-help book for your friend's birthday, skip the name-brand shops and head to one of these independent bookstores in Michigan:  

A:

• Alcott's Attic – Detroit, MI
• Another Look Books – Taylor, MI (used books)
• Argos Book Shop – Grand Rapids, MI

B:

• Balcony Row Books – Holly, MI
• Ballyhoo Books – Alma, MI (complete with a cozy coffee shop within!)
• Beloved Books – Linden, MI (used and new books)
• Bettie's Pages – Lowell, MI
• The Bluestocking Bookshop – Holland, MI
• The Book Cellar – Grand Haven, MI
• The Bookman – Grand Haven, MI
• Bookmarks – Midland, MI
• The Book Nook & Java Shop – Montague, MI
• The Book Nook of Saugatuck – Saugatuck, MI
• The Book Pile – Sparta, MI (used books)
• Books & Mortar – Grand Rapids, MI
• Books on the Ave – Wayne, MI
• Bromley’s Books – Marquette, MI
• Brooks Books – Wyandotte, MI (new and used)
• Brown’s Family Bookstore – St. Clair Shores, MI
• Buy the Book – Kawkawlin, MI (used)

C:

• Cellar Bird Books – Grand Rapids, MI
• Coreander's Children’s Bookshoppe – Grosse Pointe Park, MI
• Cottage Book Shop – Glen Arbor, MI
• Crazy Wisdom Bookstore – Ann Arbor, MI
• Curious Book Shop – East Lansing, MI

D:

• The Dawn Treader Book Shop – Ann Arbor, MI (used and rare)
• Deadtime Stories Books & Gifts – Lansing, MI
• Deadtime Stories: The Sequel – Charlotte, MI

E:

• Elephant Ear Books – Plymouth, MI
• Epilogue Books – Rockford, MI
• Eras Bookstore – Oxford, MI

F:

• Fable Lane Books and Hobbies – Owosso, MI
• Fine Print Bookshop – Saline, MI
• Flyleaf – Grosse Pointe Farms, MI (offers coffee and boozy libations)

G:

• Gilbert and Ivy – Vicksburg, MI
• Glendora Bookshop – Buchanan, MI

H:

• Hello Books – South Haven, MI (mostly used)
• Hidden Nook Booksellers – Grayling, MI
• Hooked – Lansing, MI (known for books, coffee, and wine)
• Horizon Bookstore – Traverse City and Cadillac, MI

I:

• Inscribe Books – Clarkston, MI
• Island Books & Crafts – Sault Ste. Marie, MI

J:

• John K. King Used & Rare Books – Detroit, MI

K:

• Kazoo Books – Kalamazoo, MI

L:

• Literati Bookstore – Ann Arbor, MI
• Lizz's Books – Fenton, MI (used books)
• Love and Other Books – Ferndale, MI

M:

• McLean & Eakin Booksellers – Petoskey, MI
• Midland Street Books – Bay City, MI
• Mon Coeur: A Romance Bookstore – Canton, MI

N:

• Nacho Mama's Bookshop – Hamilton, MI
• New Story Community Books – Marshall, MI
• Next Chapter Books – Detroit, MI
• Novel: A Book and Sandwich Shop – Rochester, MI (has fresh panini sandwiches, coffee, and other eats)

O:

• Orchard House Books and Cafe – Grand Rapids, MI (sister store to Plumfield Books)

P:

• Pages & Grapes – Wyoming, MI (romance bookstore with exquisite wine selection)
• Pages & Peonies – Grand Rapids, MI (romance books)
• Parallel 45 Books & Gifts – Alpena, MI
• Plumfield Books – Ada, MI

R:

• Reader’s World Bookstore – Holland, MI
• Read It Again Books – Novi, MI (used)
• Read My Lips Bookshop – Marquette and Birmingham, MI (romance books)
• Road Less Traveled Bookstore – Farmington, MI

S:

• Schuler Books – Grand Rapids, Okemos, Ann Arbor, and West Bloomfield Township, MI
• Serendipity Books – Chelsea, MI
• Sidetrack Bookshop – Royal Oak, MI
• Sleepy Dog Books – Mount Pleasant, MI
• Snowbound Books – Marquette, MI
• Source Booksellers – Detroit, MI
• Squirreled Away Books – Armada, MI
• Stirling Books & Brew – Albion, MI

T:

• Tammy’s Bookworm – Houghton Lake, MI (used)
• This is a bookstore – Kalamazoo, MI
• Til Death Books – Shelby Township, MI (romance books)
• Toadvine Books – Berkley, MI
• Tropetastic Books and Gifts – Adrian, MI

U:

• Unicorn One Used Books – Brighton, MI (new and used)

V:

• Van Dyke Books – Detroit, MI

W:

• The Wandering Librarian Bookstore – Monroe, MI (mobile store that serves SE Michigan)
• Wayfaring Booksellers – Lansing, MI
• Words on Pages Bookshop – Paw Paw, MI

#s:

• 2 Dandelions Bookshop – Brighton, MI
• 27th Letter Books – Detroit, MI

Get Inspired: A Few Ways to Support Your Favorite Michigan Bookstores

There are plenty of ways to become a patron of an independent bookstore in Michigan! Besides purchasing physical books in person, you can:

• Sign up through the Michigan bookstore’s affiliate link on Bookshop.org to browse online.
• Stop in for events at your local independent bookstore in Michigan throughout the month to show face and make friends.
• Shop at an independent bookstore in Michigan for everyone on your list during the holidays, instead of online.
• Make an account through the Michigan bookstore’s link on Libro.fm and listen to audiobooks wherever you go.
• Leave rave reviews online and tell your friends to stop by—word of mouth is key!

Well, what are you waiting for? Stop by the Michigan bookstores on our list to find your next favorite bookish spot in town. We can’t wait to see your smiling faces and help you find what you’re looking for at Novel!