The Best Bookstores in Dallas

Jun 11

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.

Deep Vellum

Founded in 2013, Deep Vellum Bookstore offers an impressive selection of works focusing on Dallas writers. While they offer books of all genres, they specialize in books from small presses, poetry, works in translation, and zines. A few years ago, Deep Vellum Bookstore opened a cultural community center to host many events, such as book club meetings, poetry readings, book signings, and private concerts on the roof. This independent bookstore is the largest publisher of literature in translation in the US!

Open daily from 12 PM to 6 PM. || Location

Interabang Books

One gem in the heart of Dallas is Interabang Books, an independent bookstore known for its knowledgeable staff and diverse selection of books, e-books, and audiobooks. The small but dedicated team of book enthusiasts love their jobs and are always ready to read a new book and share their recommendations with customers. In addition to its welcoming and lively atmosphere, Interabang Books offers various services for its patrons. Speakers and authors with current titles for sale can hire a bookseller to help promote their work. The staff will also help set up book fairs and other literature-themed events at schools and organizations. If you are part of a book club and require book recommendations and/or discussion suggestions, the adult book buyer on staff can provide book club concierge services.

Open Monday - Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 12 PM to 6 PM. || Location

Lucky Dog Books

Lucky Dog Books is a local bookshop that buys and sells all types of media. They have a fantastic selection of used books, movies, and music as well as a collection of comic books, magazines, sheet music, DVDs, videotapes, manga, CDs, cassettes, and songbooks. Lucky Dog Books has two brick-and-mortar bookstores: East Dallas and Oak Cliff. Each store has rows upon rows of books you could get lost in – the perfect place for book lovers!

Open daily from 11 AM - 7 PM. || East Dallas Location || Oak Cliff Location

Poets Bookshop

Poets Bookshop is a cozy bookstore where you instantly feel at home. Located in the heart of the Bishop Arts District, this store is charming and colorful and offers a well-curated selection of popular and unique books and literature-themed novelties such as bookmarks, notebooks, stickers, and patches. The staff are highly knowledgeable and love talking books with customers. If you're searching for a memoir, literary fiction work, or poetry book, Poets Bookshop is the store for you.

Open Sunday - Thursday from 10 AM to 8 PM and Friday - Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM. || Location

Read Shop

This two-story space fuses a quaint bookstore with a cozy coffee shop. Read Shop began in Atlanta and as a result of tremendous growth, opened a second shop in Dallas. Their curated book collection primarily focuses on non-fiction titles like art, history, and cookbooks, but they have a decent selection of fiction as well. It’s also a great place to shop for gifts - they sell literary accessories, games, mugs, toys, kitchen utensils, and candy. While you shop, enjoy an espresso-based drink and a delicious pastry.

Open Monday - Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 8 AM to 6 PM. || Location

The Wild Detectives

Located in the Oak Cliff district, The Wild Detectives is a place where visitors of all backgrounds can engage in conversation and share ideas with each other while browsing a 100% community-curated literary selection. Every event they host, from book presentations and poetry readings to wine tastings and backyard shows, revolves around this idea. The Wild Detectives is a place where books and drinks come together to create a unique reading experience.

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10 AM to 12 AM (Midnight) and Monday 2 PM to 12 AM (Midnight). || Location

Whose Books Neighborhood Bookstore

Founded by Claudia Vega, Whose Books Neighborhood Bookstore was created to celebrate diverse representation and perspectives in literature for people of all socio-economic backgrounds. This bright and intimate space has an excellent selection of books, from picture and early reader books to books in Espanol and memoirs. A dedicated reading lounge is filled with comfortable chairs and benches for book lovers to sit back and read to their heart's content. Open during regular business hours for all customers, The Lounge is also available by reservation for any book club or group.

Open Wednesday - Saturday 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 5 PM. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. || Location

Dallas

Jordan Kiefer