Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. These spots are worth supporting this weekend in the spirit of the concept.
We are so lucky to have so many great options in and around the seacoast to shop local for books!
Shop your local bookstores!
Exeter, NH
Water Street Bookstore
A friendly downtown neighborhood bookstore is a treasure and has a whole children’s section dedicated to all the classic favorites and the fun new releases. The staff here is very friendly and knowledgeable.
125 Water Street, Exeter
603-778-9731
Portsmouth, NH
G. Willikers! Books & Toys
This is one of our favorite local book & toy shops on the Seacoast! They help build curious young readers and healthy, playful children by offering books, toys, games, puzzles, crafts and fun creative activities too!
13 Market St, Portsmouth
603-436-7746
Sheafe Street Books
Called the “Best Small Bookshop” in New England by Yankee Magazine. You’ll be able to find books on Beat literature, Poetry, New England and the classics.
29 Sheafe St, Portsmouth
603-498-5202
RiverRun Bookstore
Such a friendly neighborhood bookstore to visit and get lost in. Open daily from 10am-6pm.
32 Daniel St, Portsmouth
603-431-2100
Dover, NH
A Freethinker’s Corner
Not only a new and used bookstore, you’ll find work and design space for art lovers in The Gallery.
652 A Central Ave., Dover
(603) 343-2437
Lee, NH
Avenue Victor Hugo Books
WMUR’s nightly news magazine profiled our transition from Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay to our new home in the quiet town of Lee, minutes away from downtown Durham, the University of New Hampshire, and Flag Hill Distillery & Winery.
1 Lee Hill Road, Lee
(603) 331-4365
Newburyport, MA
Jabberwocky Bookshop
Located in the Tannery Marketplace this wonderful book shop offers a special children’s section where you will find all the books for every age. They offer a 20% discount to teachers on books that will be used in their classroom too!
50 Water St #22, Newburyport
978-465-9359
York, ME
Book Tenders
463 US-1, York
(207) 361-4386
Wells, ME
Annie’s Book Stop
From Classics to Best Sellers, Romance, Mystery, and Westerns, current Biography, heart pounding Thrillers and Science Fiction. A perfect browsing place for book lovers of all ages and sizes.
676 Post Rd # 7, Wells
207-646-3821
Worth the Extended Trip?
Here are some other wonderful independent bookstores that are a little bit more of a drive from the seacoast area but definitely worth the trip for readers who love to visit a great bookstore.
Concord, NH
Gibson’s Bookstore
45 South Main Street, Concord, NH
Manchester, NH
Bookery
844 Elm Street, Manchester, NH
North Conway, NH
White Birch Books
2568 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH
Bonus! Do you like audiobooks? Well, I absolutely love my Libro.fm membership. It is a website that allows you to purchase audiobooks and they split the profits with the local bookshop of your choice. To celebrate independent bookstore day, you can earn a free audiobook by submitting proof of purchase of books at your local indie. Find out more here.
What are some of your favorite children’s books? Let us know in the comments below!
