Ann Patchett's independent bookstore, co-owned with Karen Hayes. Opened in 2011 after Nashville lost its last two independents — a deliberate act of putting a bookstore back. Thoughtfully stocked, author events most weeks, a resident dog or two. The standard-bearer, and the one I actually shop at.

A 500-square-foot "nook for people who love beautiful books," curated by owner Joelle Harr, a former book editor with two decades in the business. Tight, carefully-chosen stock across science, literary fiction, cooking, history, memoir. Runs an annual reading challenge.

Used, out-of-print, and rare. Started in Iowa City in 2003, moved to Nashville in 2015. Strong across mythology, graphic novels, biography — the kind of shop where you don't arrive with a specific title and leave with three.

The children's and YA specialist. Colorful, child-friendly, and — convenient for a double-stop — just steps from Defunct Books.

Woman-owned, open since June 2022. Fiction, graphic novels, nonfiction, romance. Monthly book clubs that come bundled with the book. One of the newer voices in Nashville's literary scene.

Used and rare, owned by songwriter Fred Koller (who co-wrote with Shel Silverstein). Opened 2001. Specializes in the arts, photography, music, and film. Floor-to-ceiling stacks you could disappear into.

The two-story juggernaut. Used books across every imaginable genre, plus vinyl, CDs, movies, games, instruments, electronics. Bring maps (they supply them at the end of each aisle). Trade-ins for cash or store credit. An institution.

Downtown Franklin, on Main Street — the oldest commercial building in town, with columns made from solid poplar trunks. Classic novels, Southern Americana, local authors, rare books. Started in 2005 by Joel and Carol Tomlin as a post-kids-grown "life calling" they could do together. Worth the drive even if you don't buy anything.

Lebanon's only independent. Weekly specials, staff picks, strong YA and romance sections, a cozy kid-reading corner. Accepts used books and media for store credit. A real small-town indie of the kind that's getting rarer everywhere.