Another visit, another t-shirt for my teen - this time a Stone Temple Pilot album cover. This Gen X…read moremom approves. The store has a wall of books and tucked into a corner is also a clearance area. I snagged two books for a total of $1.50! During any visit there's always a lot of visitors and the team greets you at the entrance. Fat Rabbit is a classic store and always fun to browse for clothing, home decor, records, books and more. Street parking.

This place is fun. It is very cool. It is a feast for the eyes. And they have a lot of new stuff…read morebut you can also run into a lot of really great vintage clothes. Music selection is broad and eclectic. Kitchy stuff abounds. And when you are done, head to Jays for a burger or the Barret Bar for incredible wings and pool.

If you're a horror fan, you have to check out Butcher Cabin Books! It's a small, super cute…read morehorror-themed bookstore, and even the outside of the building is painted with a horror theme. The whole place has such a fun, spooky vibe. They have a section dedicated to Kentucky authors, which I thought was really cool. The owner has also written a couple of books herself and has a section dedicated to her work where you may even be able to pick up a signed copy. I went in without anything specific in mind and ended up taking the associate's recommendation--and I walked out with a new book! I love when someone can point you toward something you probably wouldn't have picked out yourself. Parking is on the street and was relatively easy to find, and there are a bunch of other little shops along the same area, so it would be easy to make an afternoon out of exploring. Definitely worth stopping in if you love horror, books, or both!

I love this place and the darling neighborhood its in. Really cute horror bookshop with great decor…read moreand little knick knacks and strong community presence. I wish I lived locally because I'd be here all the time, joining the bookclubs and just soaking up the cool atmosphere. But! They do ship, so next time I'm looking for a spooky read, I'm going to look to Butcher Cabin Books to fulfill that order. :)

I'm in love with A Novel Romance and all of its adorable romance sub-genre vignettes from sports…read more(!) to fantasy (!!) to filth (!!!). It's clear that so much thought went into the crafting of each setup and the rooms truly make this bookstore feel like multiple. Not to mention several adorable staged areas for photos. Staff were super kind and will help you find what you're looking for or happily provide you with a recommendation. The store gets regular visits from writers too - there was a ton of signed copies and various fun author freebies. If you're a romance reader, this is well worth driving out of your way to shop!

If you are a fan or romance books, this store is for you! Located in the cute area of J-Town, this…read morebookstore is a large building converted so each room houses a sub-genre of romance books (like sports, YA, Queer, Contemporary, Dark etc.). They have a great selection, and also have a lot of other fun romance themed goodies in store. They host A LOT of author talks, brining in visitors from states away, and host a audiobook walking club on sundays. The staff is so kind and funny, clearly they love their jobs, and the prices are also appropriate. I find the books to be normal priced, but the goodies to be a little more on the expensive side, so more like gifts you would occasionally purchase (like a $8 book mark). Great spot though!

VERY interesting place! Yes, it is run out of the owners house, but you would swear he sleeps on…read morebooks! They are wall to wall, first editions, etc. It's not your typical bookstore with a rack for popular sci-fI, or fantasy, he has complete rooms dedicated to history, arts, self-help, etc. but they are mostly old. The smell of old books permeates the entire house. It's a beautiful thing. Go spend an hour looking at historic Louisville books, (I found a courier journal cookbook from the mid eighties here!) or go upstairs to peruse a wall of art! It's a fantastic place!

From the owner: Buying and Selling Used and Rare Books--Specializing in History, Military, Kentucky, Art & Art…read moreHistory, Philosophy & Religion, Genealogy, Poetry, Fine Leatherbound, Antiquarian, Signed and Collectible, Documents, Posters and Ephemera

The Rosewater is a used bookstore that is ran by volunteers and supports the south end community…read morewith their sales. We were greeted right away by a volunteer working to organize and check-in donated books. One side of the renovated house holds fiction and another holds non-fiction. Upstairs is a kids area, restroom, and closets full of paperbacks. A few tables and the closets offered 3 or 2 books for $1. Quite a deal when you are like me, not searching for a particular book, just looking for an interesting story. In the front room near the register you can find vintage and collectible books as well as new arrivals. I also appreciated that coffee and tea were made for those that wanted to sit and stay awhile. Tell your friends about the Rosewater - I'm sure it's a hidden store. I've been incredibly close to it (across from the Streatery) and had no idea! Because it is a used bookstore, you can't guarantee they have what you're looking for, but the thrill is in finding what you didn't know you needed. Street parking is fairly easy to find. Near food and coffee shops.

a wonderful and affordable bookstore! I came for Indie Bookstore Day and i appreciate the wide…read moreselection here. All books are under the flat price of $5 for paperbacks and $7 for hardcovers with some books that are in their sales closets for even cheaper. They also have a great kids selection. This place is also nonprofit and run by volunteers!

Eclectic store over Decca Restaurant on East Market Street in NuLu stocking boutique wine, curated…read morebourbon, unique books and unusual vinyl albums. Soon to offer wine tastings this shop is worth a stop when you're exploring all NuLu has to offer. Check it out!

They always have a book I pick up and LOVE! And staff is always so friendly, kind, and…read moreknowledgeable! Great experience!!

Carmichael's is a must-visit every time I am in Louisville. The booksellers are some of the nicest…read morepeople I have ever met (to the bookseller who complimented my Dan and Phil shirt-- you rock!). Everyone I have met there has been an avid reader and offered great recommendations. The store is laid out in an inviting and cozy way. It's easy to browse and get lost in the rows of shelves. I specifically found myself lost in the religion and spirituality section for over an hour last time because they had such a great collection of books. I especially loved all the local and regional authors I was able to find! I don't ever expect indie booksellers to have sales, so seeing so many discounted options was a treat for me! Everything is reasonably priced without the sales, too. Do not miss Carmichael's if you're in Louisville; it's simply the best!

I have spent more money recently at Carmichael's perhaps than ever before, and I couldn't be…read morehappier about it! Over the past two years, reading has become my favorite past time, and I've started buying books I really love (that I've likely listened to the audiobook of) to keep, and I've been buying other books that I'm excited to dig into. And through this, I have tried to shop local as much as possible -- Carmichael's being where I largely go. Along with loving it's selection, I've also been using its website more and more so that I can just go in to pick them up. This proved helpful late last year when I had a few hundred dollars left of my professional development budget to spend. I had several titles I had been eyeing to read for work, and I was able to put in a large order and pick these up at once. I also appreciate the kids section in this Carmichael's. I love the Carmichael's Kids store in the Highlands, but considering this store is near by house, it's proven great for when I want to buy a kid a book on the way to one of my kids' friends' birthday parties. All of my nieces and nephews also got books as part of their Christmas presents. And one more bit of praise: I have inquired twice recently about books that ended up being out of stock, a best-selling novel and a local cookbook. With both, I was able to add my name to a list, and they called when they were back in stock, holding a copy for me. You don't get that kind of service at corporate stores. Louisville wouldn't be Louisville for me without Carmichael's. It is such a source of joy, and I'm so thankful for it!