A good old-fashioned bookstore is sometimes the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Bookstores will never go out of style, despite the popularity of shopping online at popular retailers like Amazon. Visiting a local bookstore is the only way to buy your books in a quirky, classic, independent shop that isn’t the same place you’d buy your groceries, clothes, or home goods.
It’s always nice to enjoy the local flair and personality of a unique bookstore, find a book you’ve never heard of, and enjoy a little bit of spontaneity in your week. When you’re looking for a great bookstore in Tampa, you’ll find everyone recommending stops like Small Adventures Bookshop and Lighthouse Books, AABA. Take a look at these favorites and more when you’re looking for a great Tampa bookstore.
Old Tampa Book Company – 507 N Tampa Street, Tampa
Try the Old Tampa Book Company for your first stop in search of a great bookstore in the Bay-area. This charming bookstore has been in Tampa for years offering rare and out-of-print books. Find great options for your used book needs visit after visit; it seems that most never quite make it through the whole collection offered here. You’ll love finding an old gem for yourself or for a really great gift for someone else. You can even sell your own old books here by talking to the owner.
Book Bank USA – 13002 Seminole Blvd, Suite 8-9, Large
Over in the Largo area, you’ll find Book Bank USA, another stop with thousands of books. This one has been open since 1992 featuring new, used, and audio books in just about every genre you can imagine. You can request special books to be ordered and shipped to the store if you can’t find it offered. You can even trade your own books for something new or join in on the fun of the book clubs and reading groups found here.
Lighthouse Books, ABAA – 1735 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Over in the St. Pete’s area is the old Lighthouse Books store that has been around for over 35 years. This family-owned store tends to have a lot of books of an educational nature, such as books on the history of Florida or American history. You’ll find other genres too of course, such as sports, literature, philosophy, and the arts.
If you’re at the largest fair of rare and antique books in the spring, the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair, you’ll find Lighthouse attending. This is a great chance to stock up on rare books from dealers like Lighthouse that attend the fair.
Small Adventures Bookshop – 3107 Beach Blvd South, Gulfport
If you love a funky bookstore that offers a cozy feel, try Small Adventures Bookshop for your used book needs. You’ll find any genre you can think of making it perfect for someone with specific taste. Choose a book from everything like mystery, non-fiction, and comedy. You’ll love the bookshop cat, Emily Dickinson, which hangs out while you take a seat and enjoy some new reads.
Don’t forget to stop into Tampa Christian Supply, Inc. for your Christian books, gifts, and videos, as well as Haslam’s Book Store in St. Pete’s for the perfect place to enjoy meet and greets with local authors. All of these bookstores are the best places to go in Tampa for a book lover’s paradise!
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