Whether you’re looking for a sizzling page-turner to lounge with poolside or a literary escape to curl up with in air-conditioned bliss, Phoenix has some fabulous independent bookstores to get your summer reading fix.
These bookstores are not just about buying books, they’re full-on tactile experiences, where you can flip through pages while browsing, mingle with likeminded people passionate about storytelling, catch a live literary reading or even grab a glass of wine (or iced coffee) and see some local art.
From bookmobiles on wheels to community-run bookstores centering diverse voices, here are seven of Phoenix’s leading independent book sources for your summer reading pleasure.
Changing Hands Bookstore
Since 1974, Changing Hands has been Phoenix’s leading independent bookstore. With its original location in Tempe as well as a second location in Uptown Phoenix (which also houses First Draft Book Bar), Changing Hands is a hub for the Valley’s literary community. With a vast selection of titles, ranging from independent fiction, queer stories, art books, graphic novels, young adult fiction, BIPOC voices, non-fiction and more, this is the perfect bookstore to spend hours browsing. Summer events include author readings, trivia nights and book club discussions. changinghands.com
Grassrootz Bookstore & Juice Bar
Nestled in Downtown Phoenix’s Eastlake Park neighborhood, Grassrootz is Phoenix’s only Black-owned bookstore. With warm vibes, colorful art adorning the walls and a vibrant community culture, this bookstore is a center for vital knowledge, empowerment and uplifting of important Black authors, stories and voices. With a juice bar, co-working space, event center and art gallery, Grassrootz is a bustling hub for independent knowledge seekers and those looking to learn more about social justice and community. Black authors have been seminal to the American canon, from Zora Neale Hurston and trailblazing poets of the Harlem Renaissance to James Baldwin and modern social critics like bell hooks to the prescient fiction of Octavia Butler and Marlon James. Grassrootz specializes in rare, banned and unique books from Black writers and changemakers. The shop will also be hosting author readings and community events throughout the summer. grassrootzbookstore.com
The Poisoned Pen Bookstore
In historic Old Town Scottsdale, The Poisoned Pen has been a hub for booklovers since 1989. Specializing in mystery, thrillers and fiction of the American Southwest, this unique locally run bookstore also has a charming ambience. Signed photographs of visiting authors decorate the spaces between stacked bookshelves, giving a personalized touch to the space. With a passionate and dedicated staff who can help guide you to your next favorite detective story or paranormal thriller, The Poisoned Pen is the best spot for addictive mysteries á la Gone Girl. The shop is known for its intimate, cozy author discussions, which also stream online in case you don’t feel like leaving the house in Phoenix’s summer heat. poisonedpen.com
Palabras Bilingual Bookstore
Palabras is an independent bookstore, community refuge and cultural hub, which centers and celebrates Black and Indigenous voices and communities of color. Books enable us to imagine the lived experiences of others, and diverse storytelling is a vital and beautiful part of reading. With a uniquely curated selection of books from historically underrepresented communities, Palabras aims to heal, liberate and uplift through creative expression, knowledge sharing and collective care. With an art gallery, workshop, event space and mutual-aid garden in the heart of Downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row, Palabras shares a collective space called Casa Caracol, which also includes Cuentos Café, Andria’s Tienda, Sow Art Collective and the coming-soon Xochitl PHX. Upcoming events include book clubs about dismantling and reimagining capitalist systems of oppression, as well as poetry and song open mics. palabrasbookstore.com
Book Gallery
If you’re into bibliosmia, the delicious smell of old books, you’re not alone. This unique blend of earthy paper and fibers has so enchanted people, it’s been made into chic perfumes and bottled. But if you’re craving the real deal, Book Gallery on Mesa’s Main Street is the place for you to get a local whiff of antique tomes. Surrounded by woodsy oak bookshelves and featuring vintage bookends, curios and hidden gems, this is a lovely place to spend a quiet afternoon getting lost in the stacks. Ideally located in the heart of downtown Mesa, Book Gallery is also a great bookshop to browse while checking out other nearby cultural hotspots such as the Mesa Arts Center, Arizona Museum of Natural History or local visual artists at OneOhOne Gallery. downtownmesa.com/go/book-gallery-in-mesa
Mesa Public Library Read Runner Bookmobile
This summer, Mesa Public Library will be debuting its Read Runner Bookmobile, a colorful van bedecked with a mural of rainbow books. This library on wheels will be making the rounds of schools, public parks and Phoenix neighborhoods, with the aim to make reading more accessible, especially for those who may have difficulty reaching a library. Public libraries are just as important as bookstores in the support of authors and readers alike. An incredible resource, libraries provide free education, independent research sources, a treasure trove of physical archives and community programming. Learn more about Mesa Public Library’s summer programs and keep your eyes out for the Read Runner Bookmobile zooming through your neighborhood. mesalibrary.org/about/hours-and-locations/read-runner-bookmobile
Little Free Library
Little Free Libraries are tucked all over the Valley, from quiet palm tree-lined residential streets to public parks, businesses and culture institutions. These quaint boxes where people can both drop off and take books for free, are a beautiful karmic exchange for readers. Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota that’s grown to more than 200,000 community-run free libraries across the world. Often tended by a passionate local resident in the community, these free libraries are full of unique character, with folks decorating their boxes, and a diverse selection of books. Find your closest LFL using its world map or enjoy the fun of going on a search through your neighborhood. You never know what stranger-than-fiction adventures you’ll have along the way. littlefreelibrary.org
