Bal Harbour

C O U R T E S Y I M P R I N T B O O K S H O P ; P H OTO BY R U B I O ' S S T U D I O S ( P H I LO S O P H E R S & FO O L S ) ; P H OTO BY J U L I A N B A S S E R M A N N ( T I TC O M B ' S ) UNITED STATES BROOKLYN, NY BOOKS ARE MAGIC Bestselling author Emma Straub and her husband opened this—yes, magical—bookstore in Carroll Gardens in 2017, and its cult following is deserved. More than 300 annual events (at now two locations) up the ante: This Fall, look for Hernan Diaz chatting with Jennifer Egan; the poets Hieu Minh Nguyen and Elizabeth Metzger with new collections; and Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor grappling with fascism. Booksmart: A poetry gumball machine dispenses poems for a quarter, like literary fortune cookies. Neighborhood Tip: Order a Kir at mainstay Bar Tabac, down the street from the original shop, and watch the neighborhood go by. PORT TOWNSEND, WA IMPRINT BOOKSHOP On the Olympic Peninsula, seaside Port Townsend looks like a Victorian beauty but acts like a comp-lit major: three independent bookshops cohabit in a town roughly the size of Key West. Imprint Bookshop, the oldest, has been under new ownership since late 2024, and continues to be a vibrant hub that champions local authors and titles about the Pacific Northwest. Booksmart: (Re)read "Is, Is Not," the evocative collection by the poet Tess Gallagher, who lives nearby. Neighborhood Tip: Centrum, a nonprofit arts organization in Fort Worden State Park, hosts year-round cultural programming and trails with breathtaking views across Puget Sound. NASHVILLE, TN PARNASSUS BOOKS Owned by beloved writer Ann Patchett, Parnassus Books is one of the country's most influential indies, with first-rate curation that powerfully exists way beyond the cheerful shop. There's a plethora of book subscriptions, and a robust online magazine (who knows when Patchett sleeps, seeing as she also produces one beautiful bestseller after another). For serious readers, this is it. Booksmart: Kids love the shop dogs with their cute bandanas. Neighborhood Tip: You're already in a car (it's Nashville), so drive your purchases to Radnor Lake State Park, along with a pick-me-up from Fox's Donut Den. CHARLESTON, SC PHILOSOPHERS & FOOLS Anyone who enjoys a new novel alongside a craft libation will love this indie bookstore and bar, The best indies are places where travelers transform from visitor into local. FROM TOP Jenny Ferrara and Michael Bourke, the owners of Philosophers & Fools; Imprint Bookshop in seaside Port Townsend; a display at Titcomb's Bookshop in Cape Cod opened in 2024 by a husband-and-wife team. Everything about it is deeply personal, from the teal-colored walls and hand-selected collection to the weekly changing beverage menu, with a focus on local brewers and organic wine. Booksmart: Meet the neighborhood during weekly trivia nights, bingo, and Crosswords & Croissants brunches. Neighborhood Tip: Sunset on Bogard Street is a photographic gem: The light makes the restored Charleston shotgun homes (from the 1890s) look like veritable movie backdrops. LOS ANGELES, CA SKYLIGHT BOOKS The ficus tree that grows beneath a soaring skylight is famous (on Instagram and beyond), but it is only one of many reasons this Los Feliz mainstay is a cultural institution. Two in-person book clubs, creative membership programs (including a Signed First Editions Club), and a slew of top-author events create consistent buzz, and for LA visitors, the extensive section on the city's history is a treasure trove. Booksmart: Don't miss the dedicated Arts Annex, two doors down, for zines, art books, and graphic novels. Neighborhood Tip: An iced matcha latte at nearby minimalist coffee house Maru is a must. EAST SANDWICH, MA TITCOMB'S BOOKSHOP When Nancy and Ralph Titcomb opened a used bookshop adjacent to their Cape Cod home in 1969, little did they know it would grow into one of New England's most beloved indies. The family DNA still imbues every corner of the shop, now run by granddaughter Rae, and the staff is enviously well-read (subscribe to the newsletter to get an excellent bimonthly reading list). Booksmart: The rare-book section is small but mighty. Neighborhood Tip: Pick up sandwiches at Café Riverview, a community favorite that employs students from a local school that specializes in serving young people with neurodiverse learning styles. EUROPE AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS ATHENAEUM BOEKHANDEL Opened in 1966, this institution isn't a secret, nor is it a single shop (Athenaeum acquired Scheltema in 2024, uniting two historic Dutch booksellers). But the flagship on Het Spui remains a beacon of independence: a multi-level maze whose beautiful chaos encompasses every conceivable topic (esoteric culinaria and oversized photography tomes, anyone?). Bring 212 212 BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M

• Cover