Remember 2011? It was a dark time for Nashville readers, who were left without an independent bookshop for the seemingly endless months between when Davis-Kidd closed in late 2010 and Parnassus Books set up shop toward the end of the following year. Fast-forward to 2019, and not only is Parnassus bigger and better than ever, but now there’s also an indie bookstore on Nashville’s East Side. Joelle Herr’s literary oasis The Bookshop is small, but the selection is sublime, with bestsellers sharing shelves with the offerings from cutting-edge indie presses. The Bookshop also plays host to bookish events galore, often in conjunction with local writers’ collective The Porch or the neighboring Kettner Coffee Supply. Parents will love taking their baby bookworms to Saturday story time, while events for older readers — which include wine — make The Bookshop an indispensable hub for Nashville’s ever-expanding literary community. BRITTNEY McKENNA
Best East Side Literary Oasis
The Bookshop
