Jen Campbell says it best: “Bookshops are dreams built of wood and paper. They are time travel and escape and knowledge and power. They are, simply put, the best of places.” Exploring a new city wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a bookstore, and Greenville, SC, just happens to have several excellent options. Whether you’re looking to get lost in an eclectic maze of rare, antique books or track down the newest, hottest book of the season, these bookstores have got you covered. Connect with others during a launch party, author pop-up, or conversation with the bookstore owners. They are helpful and friendly, ready to help you find your next literary treasure. Check out our list of local bookstores below to help you get started on your next visit! 

1. Angel’s BookShoppe

Angel’s BookShoppe started as a personal book collection, but Angel and her husband decided to begin the store when the collection outgrew their home. Now they get to share their finds with others! Their maze-like shop houses around 16,000 books, many of them used and rare. Some books are even from the 18th and 19th centuries! Angel’s offers to buy books back, making it a great spot for trade-ins, too. It’s the perfect place to get lost for a rainy afternoon. 

2. Fiction Addiction

Fiction Addiction is a smaller bookstore in Greenville, SC, that sells new books, specifically in categories of mystery, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian YA, nonfiction, and Southern Lit., more so than academic texts. It was established in 2001 by Jill Hendrix and her husband, and they have built a community around their business through local events, such as book launches and Boozy Book Fairs. Fiction Addiction has a personal touch that makes each customer feel special.

3. 2nd & Charles

Because 2nd & Charles is a bookstore chain, it is huge! Everywhere one looks, there are colorful treasures, like funko pops, squishmellows, loungefly backpacks, toys, and games. They lean heavily into pop culture, celebrating characters from Disney, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, and more. In addition, they also buy and sell items like books, DVDs, video games, vinyls, etc. One could get lost for a long time in this quirky emporium.

4. Mr. K's Used Bookstore

Mr. K’s is a friendly, family operated business that has four locations. The one in Greenville, SC, is located in Verdae Village, a quick walk from Legacy Park. It is cozy, affordable, and truly adorable. In store and online, they sell books from all genres, making it super convenient, too. They offer store credit for buy backs, making it easy to trade the books you have read for books that you haven't read yet. Mr. K’s is a tidy, medium sized store with a huge heart for words. It’s enough to bring out anyone’s nerdy side.

5. M. Judsons Bookseller

No bookstore list for Greenville, SC, would be complete without M. Judson Booksellers; it is arguably the most popular bookstore in the city. Located in a renovated County Courthouse on Main Street, it is just a short walk from surrounding shops, restaurants, and Falls Park. They sell new books from every genre: bestsellers, new releases, fiction, nonfiction, Southern Lit, and more. Enjoy a coffee, wine, or sweet treat from Camilla’s Kitchen as you pursue the shelves. Finally, M. Judson’s is an excellent place to connect with the community through one of their many programs: pop-ups, Open Mic Nights, Silent Reading Parties, and more. No one does hipster book hub like M. Judsons.