Did you know that Saturday, April 27 is Indie Bookstore Day, which pays homage to all of the independent bookstores across the country? This year, 18 Houston-area indie bookstores are also participating in a Houston bookstore crawl. If you visit 10 bookstores before April 30, you can be entered into a raffle for special prizes. So, let’s break down some of the bookstores you can visit this month and beyond!
Classic Houston Bookstores
📚 Brazos Bookstore
This Houston gem in Rice Village has been around since the 1970s, when Karl Kilian decided to open a bookstore that would help stimulate the city’s growing literary scene. Since then, the bookstore has been a central location for readings, programs, and other events that recognize local authors. This month, check out their new Voices of Asia Book Club, which meets every fourth Thursday of the month.
📚 Murder By The Book
This old favorite first opened in 1980, and it’s one of the country’s oldest and largest mystery speciality bookstores. For all you mystery fans, Murder By The Book, near Rice University, hosts authors for book signings and discussions all year long. On Friday, check out this enlightening discussion with Robin Peguero, author of “One in the Chamber,” who currently serves as Chief of Staff to a member of Congress.
📚 Blue Willow Bookshop
This bookstore, on the corner of Memorial and Dairy Ashford, has been around for a while — since 1973. It has remained a staple in the west Houston community, bringing in local and national authors for decades. I love how cozy and quaint this bookstore is and how it always reminds me of the one in “You’ve Got Mail” with Meg Ryan. Next month, celebrate the launch of author Diana Lopez’s new book, “Los Monstruos: Rooster and the Dancing Diablo.”
New Bookstores On The Block
📚 CLASS Bookstore
A book-loving Houston couple originally started their bookstore as a pop-up highlighting Black authors. In late 2022, the couple, who originally met at Borders, decided to open a brick-and-mortar location on Texas Southern University’s campus. Next month, they will host a conversation with former congressman Beto O’Rourke.
📚Basket Books & Art
This cozy bookstore in Montrose opened in May 2022 and makes a point of celebrating Houston’s local authors. For the art lovers, take a stroll through their art gallery. On Friday, they will celebrate the launch of new local Houston publishing company Abode Press’s first chapbook “Quererme en la Luz” by Farrah Fang.
📚 Kindred Stories
Terri Hamm first started the bookstore as a pop-up and online store in 2021 and later that year opened the brick-and-mortar location. Since its launch Kindred Stories, which celebrates Black authors, has become a haven for author talks, readings, and other community events throughout the year.
One final shout-out to Lit Java, a new bookstore and coffee shop opening in Pearland on Saturday.
Tell me about your Houston Bookstore Crawl experience. Also, is there a bookstore I missed?
