Lin NormanMusic City runs on creativity, and that energy spills right into its local literary scene. I’ve spent a lot of my downtime hunting for new reads and hidden gems around town.
I put together this guide to highlight the best bookstores in Nashville for avid readers and casual browsers alike. So grab your tote bag and a warm cup of coffee. We’re going to explore the best literary hideaways in the city.
How Much Do Books Cost In Nashville?
Book prices in Nashville vary widely based on condition and rarity, ranging from less than a dollar to over fifty dollars.
| Book Type | Price Range |
| Used & Discount Books | $0.75 – $15 |
| New Paperbacks | $12 – $20 |
| New Hardcovers | $25 – $35 |
| Rare & Antique Books | $50+ |
1. McKay’s Nashville
Website: https://www.mckaybooks.com
Address: 636 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
Contact: (615) 353-2595
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
McKay’s Nashville operates a massive warehouse based entirely on a community trade-in model. You can bring your old media and exchange it for store credit to fund your next read. I actually traded in a stack of old thrillers here last month and walked out with a crisp hardcover.
The sheer size of this place feels overwhelming in a fun way. You can spend hours digging through towering shelves of fiction and music. Every visit feels like a brand-new treasure hunt.
That said, you have to be flexible with your shopping list. Because they rely exclusively on trade-ins, you won’t always find a specific title. The constantly rotating stock means you just have to embrace the mystery.
Wow! This bookstore is huge and is loaded with gems. Its a bit overwhelming at first. The parking lot is decent sized, but there were multiple people driving around waiting for a spot to open up. And for good reason. This store has so much inventory. We even found a few books for impossibly cheap (5 cents and 10 cents) that were in good condition and something we would enjoy. The line was long but moved quickly.
Rachel Boyd | Google Review
This is a very fun secondhand bookstore, but they also carry games, music, movies, musical instruments, gaming stuff, toys, Legos, and all sorts of other things! It’s a huge store and I highly recommend stopping and checking it out if you’re in the area!
Anna Moss | Google Review
2. The Bookshop
Website: https://thebookshopnashville.com
Address: 1043 West Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
Contact: 615-485-5420, [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
A boutique reading experience awaits you at this beautifully curated space. The Bookshop focuses heavily on visually stunning editions and highly anticipated releases. Every single title on the shelf seems hand-picked for great visual appeal.
The staff hosts engaging community gatherings like silent reading clubs. They’ve also got a dedicated section for children to help build early reading habits.
This aesthetic focus does come with a minor drawback. Their small footprint means they carry a much narrower selection than massive retailers. You’ll find incredible quality, but maybe not sheer volume.
This such a cool local bookstore in East Nashville. They have an incredible selection of literary fiction and are attached to a great coffee shop, too! The booksellers are friendly and knowledgeable. When I travel, I have a general rule that when you’ve found a great local bookstore, you’ve also found the best neighborhood in town, too. This is certainly true for The Bookshop and East Nashville! Highly recommend!
Wes Blake | Google Review
Hey, you. Yes, you. Just take a moment or 10 to stop by. Rain + The Bookshop = Vibes. I visited 45 minutes before closing and had the bookstore to myself. I was able to take my time browsing. Staff was the sweetest. They have an email list to learn more about events and book club. Just check it out.
Alex Dior | Google Review
3. Parnassus Books
Website: https://parnassusbooks.net
Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 14, Nashville, TN 37215
Contact: (615) 953-2243
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Bestselling author Ann Patchett co-owns this famous local hub. Parnassus Books champions independent literature and serves as a premier venue for major author events. I attended an amazing panel discussion here recently and loved the intimate, community-focused energy.
The booksellers here really shine when you need a personalized recommendation. They write detailed review cards highlighting hidden gems. You’ll even find specialized subscription clubs for tailored picks.
However, the immense popularity of this shop creates one noticeable downside. High-profile author signings often draw massive crowds. You might find navigating the aisles difficult during packed events, so try visiting on a quiet morning.
This is my favorite airport bookstore anywhere. Parnassus offers the best selection of books I’ve ever found in an airport—thoughtful, well-curated, and far beyond the typical travel reads. I make a point to stop in before every trip because I can always count on finding something great to read, along with discovering new titles I might never have picked up otherwise. It’s such a gift to have a bookstore of this quality right in the airport.
Michael Ponce | Google Review
What an incredible and amazing bookstore. Extremely well designed with everything made to be easily found. Roxie, the bookstore dog, was a welcome addition, and a newfound friend to read with, in an already great establishment. Will definitely be back when I’m in the area again.
Jay Smith | Google Review
4. Novelette Booksellers
Website: https://www.novelettebooksellers.com
Address: 1101 Chapel Avenue, Suite 108, Nashville, TN 37206
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Sunday to Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Wednesday to Thursday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Dedicated entirely to diverse voices, this vibrant shop focuses heavily on marginalized literature. Novelette Booksellers is a queer-owned space that creates a highly welcoming environment. You immediately feel a sense of safety and inclusion walking through the doors.
The colorful interior design makes browsing an incredibly cheerful experience. The bright space always looks remarkably tidy and clean.
They shine a spotlight on niche genres like graphic novels and contemporary romance.
That said, you should know they only stock brand-new inventory. Shoppers hoping to buy cheap used books won’t find those specific options available here.
The best place ever. The owners are amazing and so friendly. They’ve helped me find everything I’ve ever looked for. This bookstore has been a staple since I moved to Nashville almost 4 years ago.
Alexis Gibboney | Google Review
I went out of my way to go to this bookstore when I was visiting Nashville and I’m so glad I did. This queer owned bookstore is colorful, whimsical, and cozy. I bought a book that’s been on my list and I can’t wait to read it! Just shows that atmosphere creates such a difference, and the murals and use of color really makes this place stand out. Thank you for such a great experience! 💙💜🩷
Sarah Beth Cardin | Google Review
5. Half Price Books
Website: https://www.hpb.com/store?storeid=HPB-133
Address: 21 White Bridge Pike, Ste. 107, Nashville, TN 37205
Contact: (615) 352-4005
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Building your personal library feels very affordable at this large discount retailer. Half Price Books offers a vast mix of pre-owned and overstock titles. You can easily walk out with a tall stack of novels without emptying your wallet.
The store features an active buy-back counter to help you clear off crowded shelves. Local educators can even take advantage of dedicated discount programs throughout the year.
They also host fun, family-friendly gatherings like puzzle days.
On the downside, their reliance on public trade-ins creates a minor challenge. Tracking down a specific new release can be highly inconsistent. You’ll need to visit with an open mind rather than bringing a rigid shopping list.
Great experience! A little short on the books i was looking for specifically but you cant expect a used or new bookstore to hold a ton of books on occult magik and frequency healing through solfeggio frequencies. Still ended up with 12 books to come home with! Hopefully they expand into MTG! Loved the comics section and will definitely be back.
Billy Reynolds | Google Review
This is such a cool store. They have a variety of new and used books for great prices. Their books are very well organized and they have all of the popular books and the classics, as well as more obscure texts. They also have records and video games. I was thrilled to pick up some of my favorite childhood Gameboy games for $5-$10 each. I will definitely be returning and would highly recommend this bookstore!
Katherine F. | Google Review
