For literature nerds like me, bookstores are our happy place. Everything about them – from the long rows of shelves to the beautiful smell of ink and paper – comes together to create one of my favorite places. Independent bookshops are a place for fiction lovers to create a learning community while supporting local businesses. If you’re in Dallas, here is my list for the best bookstores around.

Moon Palace Books is an independent bookstore, a cute, colorful, and cozy little place. Quaint and comfortable, it is the perfect neighborhood bookshop. You can either browse the shelves in-person, have your items shipped to you, or come by the pick-up window and get them there.

Elliott Bay Book Company is located in the heart of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood and is a full-service bookstore with over 150,000 titles. Founded in 1973, this cozy, eclectic shop has provided readers with a quirky yet inviting atmosphere for over four decades.