On June 20, 2026, a beloved north Austin bookstore will cease operations as a brick-and-mortar…read moreshop. Their online presence will continue during the transitionary period. Black Pearl Books, one of Austin's few Black-owned independent bookstores, is closing this chapter of their physical operations. Husband-and-wife owners Eric and Katrina Brooks stated that this move comes as they "rethink life as empty nesters." I got an opportunity to chat with the couple. Eric said their daughter, Alicia, will be going off to college. He said they still continue to do pop ups with community partners like ACC Highland campus and the Austin Public Library. The owners will work toward their future plans and continue to host authors through the fall. The closing celebration on Saturday will include live illustrations, henna, matcha, and a live reading and book signing. Importantly, the City of Austin has designated June 20, 2026, as Black Pearl Books Day. This bookstore has been a beacon of light in the Austin community and will be sorely missed! For me, it is a bigger issue...we see more and more smaller businesses closing especially over the last few years. Big box national book sellers seemingly are expanding. While Black Pearl Books owners are closing their brick-and-mortar shop, I am excited for the new opportunities that await them. We say so long for now...not goodbye!

Now that they're about to close, I decide to write my review. Well, it's another one that has been…read moresitting for SO LONG as a pending draft, I may as well get to it. Though they are closing the brick & mortar, the owners say they aren't going anywhere and this makes me happy. I am hoping this means we will continue to see them involved in all things books, social justice, and more. This is a place I started going to when I first started coming to Austin on twice-yearly visits (prior to relocation here). For several years in fact. It is one the best places to obtain banned books. The collection is impressive and IMPORTANT. Though it is a small shop, they have EVERYTHING. If they don't they get it for you. They go above and beyond! I write this as if they are still in existence and that's because as I write this, they are. While there is still time, get out and support this local, Black-owned, glorious bookstore! When they're gone and doing other things, continue to support them. We need MORE people and MORE places like this. Period. They walk the walk and talk the talk! A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Cute neighborhood bookshop :)…read more Lots of community events for adults and kids. There's always something for everyone. They carry a lot of book titles and if they don't have it in store, you can order online as well. They also sell notebooks, cards, merch, and lots of knick knacks. Seating inside can be limited but there's lots of outdoor seating too. There's a parking lot across the street if the parking lot next door is full and they also have lots of neighborhood parking. Overall, great place to browse books, stationary, read, and grab a drink!

First light books is everything & more I wanted in a modern bookstore…read more Great selection with staff notes in every genre. Easy to navigate and choose. Additionally there's cards, magazines, stationery, merch, etc. It's bright, relaxing and just a space you want to stay in all day. The outside seating is nice on a cooler day as well. Their cafe serves great coffee & matcha. I love first light and recommended it to everyone.

Heartbroken to live in cedar park now. Reverie was the first local book store to make it on my map…read moreas an absolute must frequent. Stormy the cat is in for visits often. The space is cozy and the shelves are full of fairly priced adventures for all ages. The store does include a reading corner for younger ages. Staff is fun and helpful. 10/10 recommend.

I've been to a decent amount of bookstores, and this one is one of favs hands down. The selection,…read morethe price, the ambiance. It all just pairs so well. I immediately went to check out the candles and they smelled so good, but if I had to pick a favorite it would have to be the Raven. Everything is neatly organized on the shelves and the amount of LGBTQ+ products was such a refreshing taste to other places I've gone. Everyone is so nice and they greet you the second you come in, and they give some killer recommendations. Good selections and prices with some incredible inclusivity!! Amazing

We came here as our city is being a jerk and closing this down. I know some of that is that our…read moreolder generation didn't want any new taxes on anything as they are selfish and don't want to pay taxes on the 3 houses they own or whatever. Still it sucks to see this going away. We came in, bought some books and browed a bit. They place had a fair amount of people, still quite a few books, music, and movies. I couldn't find much I was intersteied in but Shana did and even found me a book or two. The bathroom is weird, it is around a corner that looks like you are not allowed to go to and there is a key on a hanger that you take in with you, you don't need to unlock the door and I am not sure it even locks. If the key is missing that is how you know the bathroom has someone in it, there is a small hook on the inside to hang the key while you are in the restroom. So you have to hope people notice it is gone and you have to hope everyone puts the key back. But they are clean and they have a sign in the bathroom that the front desk can supply you with pads if needed. The one misstep here was the guy running the front desk, he was not super friendly, I heard his reaction to a lady gushing about how great the place was and how many books she found for such a good price, some were gifts and he could care less. He wasn't rude but he was doing that thing where you just nod and say uh huh. I also heard him later say he was from another branch of the library, I don't know which but I hope we don't run into him again. We got something like 7 or 8 books for 9 bucks which is fantastic. He checked us out fast, as he had better things to do and we headed out.

Recycled reads is a really interesting place. I found out about it from Google when I was looking…read morefor a used copy of a specific book. Let me start with - it's not a big place, and the selection isn't huge so it's not terribly likely you'll find something very specific, much less a popular title. However, it's a nice concept. They sell retired library books for VERY cheap, so if you're list looking for a new book in general, this is actually a pretty decent spot to get some and save money. They have a small lot out front but I had no trouble finding parking. The staff there were really friendly and helpful; they don't have a catalog because of all the turnover but they do have things arranged by genre so they could point me toward where I might find the book I was looking for.

I regularly hang out at this B&N even just for vibes. The book prices are pretty expensive so I…read morerarely buy things here, but sometimes I'll get a book as a gift for someone when I want it to be in new condition. I like to look around the bestseller areas to get inspiration for books to find at the library, and sometimes I'll read online books on my phone in the Starbucks area after getting a drink. The shopping center it's inside of has lots of other stores too, it's not a bad place to take a little walk.

Where do I even begin? Firstly, I am a big philosophy guy, and the selection at this barnes and…read morenoble for philosophy is very vast! The translations present are only of the finest quality. and these translations are in abundance! Value is very good, the price is that which is in the label. Thank you!

This is a a great little bookstore and boutique focusing on LGBTQ topics. I don't know how long I…read morehad it bookmarked but it caught our attention some time ago and it was great to pay a visit here. The selection is great as it has fiction and nonfiction books. I also spotted some photo books and coffee table books which I do enjoy getting from time to time. The accessories are various items and they are fun and unique. There is cards and if I recall correctly socks for example. The gentleman that worked here was very nice and helpful with all of our questions. This bookstore reminds me and take me back to the 1990's as I just came out to myself and was curious and eager to learn about LGBTQ history and I would come across these little independently owned stores that specialized in this and I learned so much. So coming here was a slice of nostalgia of my younger years which was a pleasant reminiscing.

This store is genuinely great for gift shopping. If you need a present, you'll probably find…read moresomething perfect without the usual chaos of fighting traffic and crowds on Congress. Much easier to just slip over to 12th Street, do your shopping, and then reward yourself with a drink next door (as you should). Highly recommend for a relaxed, feel-good browse. Also, I've heard about their Pride Market in June ...definitely on my list to visit!

This bookstore is one of Austin's best hidden-in-plain-sight gems…read more It's tucked away just three blocks from downtown in a beautiful old two-story house that has been turned into a bookstore, wine bar, and coffee shop. Each room has its own type of books, along with original artwork, so it feels fun just wandering from room to room. There are plenty of places to sit inside, plus outdoor seating on both floors. If you head upstairs, you'll find a great view of downtown while you sip a glass of wine and flip through your newest book. The staff really know their books and their wine, and I love that you can walk around the store with your glass in hand while you browse. My only suggestion would be to add a small collection of vintage magazines. I'd probably never leave.

This place is such a gem! A bookstore, cafe, and study spot all in one...house? Amazing! In…read moreaddition, they become a wine bar at night! I come here to study and love this place, but this time I got their salted caramel iced latte, which was average, I'll probably get something else next time!!

This bookstore is incredible! It's part of my North Loop Jaunt (every few months I head over to the…read moreneighborhood and hit up my favorite places). Did you know it's run by volunteers? Yep, how wonderfully Austin. The book selections focus on social justice, economic justice, etc. It's a gathering space for like-minded people and I feel so at home when there. They have different events like creative art nights and study groups. There's an area that has a shelving unit containing free items. Sofas, lounge area, coffee/tea area. Space for kids to create. It's a welcoming and inclusive shop that's important in today's world. Support local.

The staff is so friendly- this is a great example of an ATX bookstore and has a purpose . It is a…read morebit hippyish but that's what's so great about it. But also the other best part: VEGAN DONUTS- get them! You can really find some books that are a gem here and very good prices.