Bookstores

The Bookshop

The best bookstore in Nashville if you’re looking for a tightly edited selection of literary fiction and nonfiction essay collections — with a smattering of cookbooks and books for kids to round things out — is conveniently located next door to Hanna Bee Coffee.

The Green Ray

A niche shop that stocks a wide array of photo books and art books, plus the occasional poetry collection and chic cookbook. And don’t get us started on the luxe fragrances and home goods. 

McKay’s 

A book lover’s paradise, the ground floor of McKay’s is crammed with worn classics, paperbacks, DVDs, cookbooks, Xbox games and how-tos of every description; overlooking it is a balcony ringed with thousands of CDs and records.

Novelette

This well-curated queer-owned spot specializes in contemporary fiction and has some of the coolest indoor murals in town.

Parnassus Books

Owned by internationally renowned writer Ann Patchett, Parnassus is the pride of Nashville’s literary community. The Green Hills shop offers a wide selection of books and some of the best author events in town.

Rhino Booksellers

One of the greatest used bookstores around, Rhino has a massive selection of high-quality secondhand books. There are lots of out-of-print titles and first editions too. 

Slow Burn

The only bookstore in town that specializes in romance novels, erotica and straight-up smut.