Independent bookstores are having a moment thanks to trends like #booktok and Indie Bookstore Day. In Madison, we've loved our indie bookstores long before it was cool.
Different pieces of Madison's identity collide in our indie bookstores. You can find hints of our academic culture, our thriving arts scene, our inclusive spirit and even our love for handcrafted beverages represented in the cozy corners of these local shops. And while we encourage you to check them all out, there might be one or two best suited for your style. The unique spirit of each shop creates a colorful tapestry of businesses that are complementary to, not competitive with, each other.
Jump around to find a bookstore that matches your vibe:
Radically inclusive
A Room of One's Own
Bookstores throughout history have been safe spaces for creativity, expression and love, and A Room of One's Own carries that mantle with pride. "Room" (as locals call it) is a trans-owned feminist bookstore that offers books across genres and for all age groups, with groups, specializing in children and young adult books, women's studies and LGBTQ+ fiction and non-fiction.
Room aims to build community through special events like book clubs, open mics, author presentations and programs specifically held for the LGBTQ+ community. The shop holds space for local artists, authors and zine creators to sell and share their creations.
And while we love their physical space, Room's online presence has made huge waves. Owner Fawzy Taylor was featured in the New York Times for their viral book recommendation flowchart posts and literary memes.
The vibe: One-of-a-kind, electric and radical, perfect for people with elite senses of humor who want to be more engaged in social issues, current events and/or queer culture.
Creative and colorful
Kismet Books
Inside the oldest building in Verona is a bookstore that combines two passions: local art and books. Kismet Books is located in the historic Matts House built in 1848, the same year Wisconsin was granted statehood.
The second story of Kismet houses Brick House Studio where local artists can work and sell their art on consignment. The space rotates artists every few months. The downstairs bookstore has adult and children's sections spanning genres with special callouts celebrating trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming authors.
The vibe: Colorful and charming, great for people who love local art as much as they love diving into a great book.
Downtown oasis
Lake City Books
Just off the Capitol Square sits a quaint and convenient bookstore named for Madison's greatest natural asset: its five lakes. Lake City Books is divided into three sections: children's and young adult, fiction and fantasy and one for nonfiction called "the deep end." The store's lineup of books and gifts makes it an easy one-stop shop for locally-made Madison souvenirs.
The passionate team of book lovers at Lake City Books hosts clubs, author talks, release parties and other events throughout the year. The team also hosts the Book Pop! podcast where they talk about what they are reading, what they are recommending, reading trends and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. And if you're lucky, you might catch the cutest Lake City team member, owner Molly's dog Bowie, among the shelves.
The vibe: Classic, comfy and welcoming, ideal for visitors looking to take a piece of Madison home with them.
Cozy, cool and caffeinated
Leopold's Books, Bar, Caffe
Envision a swanky midcentury modern themed bar that serves coffee AND cocktails with a bookstore on the other side of the room. Sound dreamy? Well we're here with great news: it's real.
Leopold's is a night-owl friendly bookstore, bar and coffee shop on Madison's iconic Regent Street. The book section in front of the store is creatively organized by country of origin, which makes it a great place to discover new authors and new cultural perspectives.
At the bar, you can order coffee drinks made on their gorgeous and elegant Elektra espresso machine. The cocktail and mocktail menu is vintage-inspired and includes signature creations alongside classics like grasshoppers, Manhattans and their beloved espresso martini.
The vibe: Effortlessly cool and cozy, perfect for small groups to gather and discuss a great book (or great gossip 😏).
Mysterious and joyful
Mystery to Me
Author Arthur Conan Doyle once said “The love of books is among the choicest gifts of the gods.”
Based on that, we think Conan Doyle would have loved shopping at Mystery to Me. The Monroe Street shop is known for specializing in mysteries, however its selection ranges across genres and includes a fantastic children's section. Browsing at Mystery to Me is made easier with help from Post-It Notes on books across the store giving personalized descriptions and recommendations from the staff.
Alongside book clubs and special events, Mystery to Me also offers book subscriptions. You can pick from subscription themes, then give the team a description of what you (or the person you're gifting a subscription to) is into and the team will send a carefully selected book once a month for the duration you subscribe to.
The vibe: Energetic and welcoming, great for bookworms who love chatting about their most recent read and getting great recommendations.
Soft and Sweet
Madison's newest bookstore was started by a mother and daughter who have turned their passion for books into a creative space for community. Ink and Ivy Book Boutique is home to a selection of books and gifts carefully curated by owners Eden and Shannon. Eden's passion for books and Shannon's love for gift giving are combined in a cozy and welcoming space that radiates major "Gilmore Girls" energy.
The shop goes above and beyond a bookstore by hosting events including artist talks and themed book clubs. The duo's love for gift giving shines through with special items like handmade book bouquets and the Ink and Ivy tote bag, which grants owners $1 all future purchases every time they bring the bag into the store.
Pro tip: Healthcare workers and teachers with a valid ID receive a 10% discount on books.
Used bookstores
Several Madison booksellers have special appreciation for pre-loved books. Discover great deals and unique finds at the following shops:
The Book Deal
The folks at The Book Deal have a mission: to foster literacy in our community through affordable and free access to books. Every purchase made goes toward providing free children's books to kids in the community. The resell used books, primarily bestsellers and classics, that are considered to be in good condition and free of damage.
The vibe: Generous and community-oriented, perfect for someone who loves getting a great deal.
Frugal Muse Books
It's easy to get lost in Frugal Muse's deep selection of used books, DVDs, CDs, LPs, graphic novels and audio books. The store has been a part of Madison's indie bookstore scene for more than 30 years.
The vibe: Straightforward and full of options, great for people who akin book shopping to a treasure hunt.
Madison Paperbacks
Madison Paperbacks has three specialties: old books, weird books and good books. This hidden gem on the city's far east side sells "interesting editions of good books" across niche genres like philosophy, occult, erotica and more.
The vibe: Subtly eclectic, perfect for people looking for off-the-beaten-path titles and conversations.
Comic book stores
Capital City Comics
Packed with hundreds of titles transcending eras, Capital City Comics is a small, but mighty, comic book store on Monroe Street. It's the perfect store for the most dedicated comic book fans looking for unique finds.
The vibe: Old school shop that's perfect for the most passionate comic book enthusiasts.
Westfield Comics
The idea of your neighborhood comic book store is alive and cranked up to 11 at Westfield Comics. The store is a mecca for nerdy interests and fandoms, with aisles and aisles of graphic novels and toys.
The vibe: A whimsical place for people of all ages to share in the joy of comics.
