Do you need a selection of the best bookstores in San Antonio? Take a look at the list below. We’ve selected and featured 9 top bookshops you should visit.
1. Nine Lives Books
Nine Lives Books is situated in the Oak Hills Shopping Center after moving there in 2020. They don’t just have books though, as you can also pick up other media such as CDs, DVDs, magazines, and more.
Their stock is always changing regularly and they are always happy to buy your old books from you for store credit if the items match what they are looking for. With tens of thousands of items in stock at any one time, you are always guaranteed to find books on all manner of subjects, and from all sorts of genres.
Get in touch with Nine Lives Books.
2. Cheever Books
Located on Broadway in the heart of the city, and founded in 1986, Cheever Books have been selling second-hand volumes for over 35 years. Their friendly staff is always happy to help you, especially if you are looking for something in particular.
‘Eclectic’ is the word that Cheever Books best uses to describe themselves, which reflects the sheer variety of titles you can find on their shelves. As a result, they might just have a book you might never have come across unless you stumbled in the store!
Explore Cheever Books.
3. Dead Tree Books
Dead Tree Books is located in Colao Plaza and is run by two book-loving friends. They have all sorts of second-hand books on offer for a good price and always aim to make sure everyone leaves the shop with a new story to dive into.
There are regular events held in store, such as book signings and readings. You can also pick up some handmade soap with a variety of themes and scents as a gift or as a treat to yourself!
Reach out to Dead Tree Books.
4. The BookCellar
If you head down into the basement of the San Antonio Public Library you’ll find The BookCellar. This used bookstore is run by the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library in order to support the library above and the community.
You can find second-hand and new books here on all sorts of topics, including foreign language editions and some rare finds! They are also happy to accept donations to support their cause if you are looking to free up some shelf space and want to do good at the same time.
Connect with The BookCellar.
5. The Twig Book Shop
The Twig Book Shop started out in 1972 and is situated in the Pearl Brewery. They have all sorts of books for young and old alike, including lots of events suited to different age groups, including Miss Anastasia’s Twiglets for the younger ones.
The Twig Book Shop is also home to the Texana collection, perfect for any history buff to take a browse through. Thanks to the space formerly being home to an old brewery, it means that it makes a great location for local and national writers alike to visit.
Say hello to The Twig Book Shop.
6. Nowhere Bookshop
Located on Broadway, Nowhere Bookshop was set up by Jenny Lawson. They aim to be a book lover’s paradise and offer new books for both adults and children in a variety of genres and formats.
If you are stuck on what to read, there are plenty of curated lists by their booksellers, as well as their ‘blind date with a book’ offering, where you can pick up a random wrapped-up book, with no clue to what you are getting save a short description! Also, look out for a whole host of events held in the store.
If you are going to go somewhere, go to Nowhere Bookshop.
7. Guadalupe Latino Bookstore & Gift Shop
The Guadalupe Latino Bookstore is part of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, which aims to celebrate Chicano/a culture within the city of San Antonio. They work to help artists and writers to reach their full potential.
As a result, a lot of authors visit the store to give readings of their books and carry out signings. The store features all sorts of books by not just Latino authors, but also the latest bestsellers. Books are also in all sorts of languages, including English, Spanish, and Spanglish! Their main specialty though is celebrating the local Latino voice in Texas on their shelves.
Head on by Guadalupe Latino Bookstore & Gift Shop.
8. Half Price Books
Half Price Books have quite a few stores across the city of San Antonio, and all of them are top-rated. Look out for them in Brackenridge Park, North Central, Huebner Road, Bandera, and Stone Ridge Market. Although there are many stores across the states, the business is still family-owned and keeps this at its core.
As they sell used books and media, their selection is always changing, so what you find in one store will be different from the next! Their friendly staff is always happy to see if something is in stock for you. Additionally, if you are looking to free up some shelf space, they will buy books and other items from you, so long as they meet their requirements.
Take a look at Half Price Books.
9. Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble is in a few locations across San Antonio, and across the US. As you would expect from this chain, there are all sorts of books available with fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books all readily available for purchase.
However, the main thing to look out for here is the range of events, with readings, book signings, and lots of storytime occasions for the little ones. You can find them mainly in the north of the city, in places like Bandera, La Cantera, Northwoods Shopping Center, and San Pedro.
Check out Barnes & Noble.