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Independent Bookstores in Rhode Island

NewPages.com guide to the best Rhode Island indie bookstores

Independent bookstores in Rhode Island are sorted by City as you scroll through. If your favorite indie bookstore is missing, please contact us.

If you are the owner of an indie bookstore, you can submit a free enhanced listing for your bookstore in our Guide here.

  • Barrington Books
  • Barrington Shopping Ctr., 184 County Rd.
  • City: Barrington
  • Suburb of: Providence
  • Phone: (401) 245-7925
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Regional
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Stationery, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Storytime
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Books, toys, gifts & a whole lot of soul since 1986! Voted Best Independent Bookstore by RI Monthly, Barrington Books is known far and wide for its knowledgeable book-loving staff, vast selection of books, toys, and gifts.

Island Bound

Located next to the post office, this full-service bookstore offers lots of room to relax and browse. Island Bound stocks the island’s widest variety of fine literature for all ages. We are open everyday until Christmas. Call for store hours.

Books on the Pond

  • Books on the Pond
  • 289 Narrow Lane
  • City: Charlestown
  • Phone: (914) 450-9598
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Magazines
  • Website

We are an independent bookstore growing its collection by customer recommendations. Please come in and give us yours! We offer 2.2 acres of safe space and a reading room for young adults/adults.

Curiosity & Co. in Jamestown, Rhode Island, not only offers books, but also a collection of croissants and cookies, wine, coffee, tea, and soda. We frequently host events and offer space to host your own.

  • Island Books
  • Wyatt Sq., 575 E. Main Rd.
  • City: Middletown
  • Phone: (401) 849-2665
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Literary, Regional
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Stationery, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings
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Island Books is a locally owned bookstore serving Newport County since 1993. We have a large and unique selection of new books for adults and children as well as cards, gifts, puzzles, and games.

Books on the Square

We carry over 20,000 titles in store and have a searchable database with 3,000,000 more at our website. We host many in-store events with authors, book clubs, and children every month. For more complete information, including discount programs, check out our FAQ.

Cellar Stories Bookstore

We have have been buying and selling all types of books for over 30 years. We have a stock of approximately 60,000 volumes covering all categories from vintage paperbacks, pulps and collectible ephemera to antiquarian volumes on many subjects. 

Heartleaf Books
  • Heartleaf Books
  • 374 Atwells Ave
  • City: Providence
  • Phone: (401) 477-2294
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Feminist, LGBTQ+
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Stationery
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings
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Heartleaf Books is more than a bookstore — it’s a cooperative: a place for people to gather, learn, and explore. Heartleaf Books offers a thoughtfully curated selection of new & used books, art, and gifts for everyone, from babies to centenarians. We exist to inspire and challenge our members and customers with the power of the written word.

Riffraff

  • Riffraff
  • 60 Valley St, Unit 107A
  • City: Providence
  • Phone: (401) 421-4371
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Coffee/Tea
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Riffraff is a bookstore, coffee shop, and bar in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence, RI. We aim to stock diverse books by underrepresented voices, including a lot of books from independent presses and titles in translation, and especially books that you might not have heard of before. All our events are free and open to the public.

Symposium Books

  • Symposium Books
  • 240 Westminster St.
  • City: Providence
  • Phone: (401) 273-7900
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Art, Literary
  • Sidelines: Greeting Cards/Postcards, Magazines
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New, used, and remainders. Located in the heart of Downtown Providence, RI since 2003. We focus on independent presses, academic publishers, art publishers, and other quality presses. New book ordering. Shipping available worldwide. Symposium Records – We also carry new and used vinyl records. Second location – Symposium Books @ Waterfire Arts Center. 475 Valley Street, Providence, RI. Curated collection of Art, Design, Photography, and Architecture.

Home of WaterFire Providence. An unparalleled event space on Valley Steet in Olneyville. In partnership with Symposium Books, bringing you select art titles.

Twenty Stories

  • Twenty Stories
  • 107 Ives St.
  • City: Providence
  • Phone: (401) 216-7380
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Feminist, LGBTQ+, Literary
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Magazines
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Twenty Stories is an independent bookstore. Every month the two owners, Alexa Trembly and Emory Harkins, curate twenty new book titles in the genres of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, as well as literary and cultural magazines. The book selection values innovative and emerging writers and presses, as well as established authors in the literary community. During the warmer months, their mobile bookstore, which operates out of renovated vintage van, pops-up in a new location every weekend and can be located with their online schedule, updated weekly, on their website and social media platforms.

Wakefield Books

At Wakefield Books, we are dedicated to providing our community with a friendly atmosphere and a great book shopping experience. We cater to all interests and ages. If you’re not sure what you want, we can help you out by providing information, recommendations, or placing a special order.

Ink Fish Books

Located in downtown Warren, RI, Ink Fish Books is a locally owned independent bookstore serving the East Bay community since 2018.  Ink Fish Books carries a wide range of bestsellers, classics, children’s books, cookbooks, cards, toys, locally made art, and food items.  Named Rhode Island Monthly’s best independent bookstore. Ink Fish Books is open for browsing during normal business hours with curbside pickup, local delivery, and shipping of your prepaid purchases. If you prefer to browse alone in the bookstore we are offering appointments during non business hours.  Please reach out [email protected]. You can always shop online 24/7 at our website with curbside and shipping options.

Full service new and used bookshop located across from Slater Mill in downtown Pawtucket.

  • ReReads Bookshop
  • 53 High St.
  • City: Westerly
  • Phone: (401) 596-4111
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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Quality Pre-Read Books