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.

Magers & Quinn Booksellers is a combination bookshop selling both used and new books. The inside of the store is much bigger than you would expect when you walk up to the doors. With different sections separated by walls, each room inside the bookstore has a unique feel.

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.