It goes without saying that Baltimore is a place with a unique character, and unique characters, literary and otherwise. But who can resist quoting John Waters?

“I would never want to live anywhere but Baltimore,” the renowned filmmaker and writer, whose stories have helped define the city, once said. “You can look far and wide, but you’ll never discover a stranger city with such extreme style. It’s as if every eccentric in the South decided to move north, ran out of gas in Baltimore, and decided to stay.”

So it only makes sense that a city of characters (and great storytellers) would play host to a plethora of independent bookshops. Here, we’ve rounded up 19 of the best places in the area to find your next read:

Baltimore Architecture Foundation
The Baltimore Architecture Foundation is home to a small but excellent bookstore specializing in the city’s architectural heritage. 100 N. Charles St., Suite P101 

Atomic Books
All you need to know is that John Waters receives his fan mail through the Hampden bookstore and stops by regularly to pick it up. 3620 Falls Rd.

Barnes & Noble Johns Hopkins
The official bookstore for Johns Hopkins University is also open to the general public—with all the coffee, snacks, and amenities you’d expect from the national bookseller. 3330 St. Paul St.

Bird in Hand Café & Bookstore
This Charles Village café, with a tea bar and an espresso bar, is the perfect stop for a bite and a book. 11 E. 33rd St. 

The Book Escape 
The cozy storefront in Federal Hill has the new titles that you’re looking for and is crammed with thousands of used and unexpected finds. 925 S. Charles St. 

The Book Thing of Baltimore
What’s not to love about free books? The beloved Baltimore institution is currently open one day a month, so check their website for upcoming dates. 3001 Vineyard Lane

Busboys and Poets
Founded in D.C. in 2005, the restaurant, bar, small bookstore, and community gathering place’s name is a homage to Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy prior to gaining fame as poet. 6251 Mango Tree Rd., Columbia. 

Charm City Books
The historic Seton Hill bookseller has all the character and charm that you’d hope for from an independent, family-oriented bookshop. 426 W, Franklin St. 

Co_Lab Books
The bookstore offers an eclectic selection of art, architecture, and design titles. 2209 Maryland Ave. 

Everyone’s Place
This warm, inviting space in West Baltimore is the place for books on local Black history and remains a broader center of African American culture in the city, offering music, art, jewelry, and more. 1356 W. North Ave.

Greedy Reads
Opened in Fells Point in 2018, and in Remington in 2019, both shops are curated for readers looking for books from Baltimore writers and national titles. 1744 Aliceanna St. | 320 W. 29th St. 

The Ivy Bookshop
Long a Baltimore favorite, the Ivy not too long ago moved to a new home, a renovated Mt. Washington house, with one of the best backyards for reading—and readings—in the city. 5928 Falls Rd. 

Normals Book & Records
For more than 30 years, Normals has remained an eclectic and essential wonderland of used books and music. 425 E. 31st St.

Protean Books & Records
A massive warehouse space filled with a curated collection of new and used books, records, movies, video games, nostalgia, and curiosities. 836 Leadenhall St.

Red Emma’s
The 21-year-old community coffeehouse, bookstore, event space, and worker cooperative recently moved to Waverly. 3128 Greenmount Ave. 

Snug Books
Snug Books, which opened in November 2021, replaces The Children’s Bookstore, a beloved Northeast Baltimore institution. 4717 Harford Rd. 

Station North Books
Open until the early afternoon, the fun, quirky, shop is a can’t-miss collection of art, literature, fine binding, and Marylandia artifacts. 34 E. Lanvale St. 

Urban Reads
A community bookstore, café, and event space—not far from Waverly’s Saturday farmers’ market—dedicated to Black authors and prison authors. 3008 Greenmount Ave.

Viva Books
A small downtown storefront with a low-key vibe offering a range of used books, with a specialization in the arts. 800 N. Charles St. 

➜ Clothes

THE PIED PIPER. Thanks to high- end brands like Ella Moss, Lilly Pulitzer, and Polo, tiny fashionistas ock to this one-stop shop in the Village at Cross Keys. The store offers a wide variety of styles, with sizes for children ages infant through 14. Village Square, 410-435-2676

WEE CHIC. If you are looking for the latest designs and gear for your toddler or tween, consider taking
a drive to Green Spring Station to check out the goods at Wee Chic. With clothing, candy, bags, books, and toys, there’s something for every age and size kid in this store. 2360 West Joppa Road, Lutherville-Timonium, 410-878-7400

BELLE BAMBINI. Serving the Baltimore community for more than 10 years, Belle Bambini Children’s Boutique has everything from suits and occasion wear to pajamas and onesies for your mini-me. The store carries sizes from infant to teen
and is even developing a section for moms. The experienced and friendly staff will make sure you never leave empty-handed. 1330 Reisterstown Road, 410-653-5437

THE LILY PAD OF TOWSON. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on clothes your children will quickly grow out of—or if you have a closet full of stuff that doesn’t t any of your kids—the Lily Pad of Towson is the place for you. Whether you’re looking to consign or to shop, this store specializes in gently used and affordable kid’s clothing and furniture. 6907 York Road, Towson, 410-377-0025

AWW BABY ORGANICS BOUTIQUE. With a mission to sell only the best eco-friendly products, Aww Baby Organics Boutique does all the work for you when it comes to finding quality items that are environmentally safe for your growing family. 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, 443-540-8377

TINY TOES. Tiny Toes is a one-of-a-kind children’s store situated among the quaint boutiques on Bel Air’s Main Street, offering clothes, swimwear, and accessories. Considered a Harford Country treasure, the shop focuses its efforts on providing the community with only the highest-quality merch for kids. 4 North Main Street, Bel Air, 410-420-6727

BABY PEA. Baby Pea Clothing specializes in pint-sized outfits for all occasions, from family photos to baby showers, weddings, and more. But the best part? If you don’t see an ideal design for your baby pea, they will create a fresh one for you! Based out of Damascus, Baby Pea Clothing is not exclusive to babies, with designs for teens and even adults.

➜ Toys

SMART KIDS TOYS. Great for teachers and conscientious parents, Smart Kids Toys is dedicated to the learning development of children. In addition to timeless favorites, the store has educational activity books and placemats, as well as remote-control cars and outdoor activity sets. Run by the former owner of Learning How, it’s the place for unique and high-quality toys. 11121 York Road, Cockeysville, 443-286-4975

AMUSE TOYS. With a carefully curated selection of cool stuff to play with, aMuse Toys is a go-to store for kids. But these toys are more than just fun distractions. Offering award-winning, smart toys from around the world, aMuse encourages creativity and innovative thinking for children aged newborn to 10-plus. 1623 Thames Street, 410-342-5000

➜ Bookstores

THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSTORE. Recognized as one of the top 50 indie bookstores in America by The Huffington Post, this Lauraville bookstore carries children’s chapter books and illustrated books of various genres for a range of ages. A hub for young readers, The Children’s Bookstore also partners with local schools for book fairs and author book signings. 4717 Harford Road, 410-532-2000

OLD FOX BOOKS. Seeking that rare quiet afternoon with the kids? Old Fox Books & Coffeehouse is where you’ll want
to go. Little ones are able to browse books while you grab an afternoon caffeine pick-me-up. When the weather is nice, settle out on the back patio for a magical garden view and relax with a good read. 35 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, 410-626-2020

Art direction, prop and set styling: Limonata Creative
Hair and makeup: Janet Stephens & Rachael Weaver from Studio 921
Location: Home of Judy Sulisufaj Kelly, co-owner of Studio 921
Book club host: Katharine Scrivener from @readwithkat and @thebooklyclub
Guests: Krystal Mack, Marisa Dobson, Jenné Afiya, and Anastasia Keramidas.
Cocktail: Baltimore Spirits Co. Szechuan “BaltAmaro”
Book club finger food: Anastasia Keramidas from @landofpleasanteating
Interior Design: Stephanie Bradshaw

Some of Our Favorite Baltimore Bookshops

• Greedy Reads
• Red Emma’s Bookstore
• Coffeehouse
• The Book Thing of Baltimore
• Atomic Books
• The Children’s Bookstore
• in Lauraville
• Old Fox Books &
• Coffeehouse
• Bird in Hand
• The Ivy Bookshop

Crème de la Crème
Walls of lavish linens, kitchen accessories, and ornate conversation pieces await you in this Mediterranean-inspired home store. 207 N Market St., 240-651-1714.

Tiara Day
Unleash your inner Marie Antoinette in this ultra-femme, ultra-French boutique full of apparel, accessories, gifts, and jewels. 153 N Market St., 301-694-4911.

En Masse Luxe
Part florist, part gift shop, this self-care mecca carries swanky bath and beauty products, as well as gifts and accessories. 141 N Market St., 240-379-7100.

Velvet Lounge
You’re guaranteed to find something you have to have in this women’s contemporary boutique filled with popular brands such as Free People, Hudson, Wildfox, and Rebecca Minkoff. 203 N Market St., 301-695-5700.

The Muse
The Muse makes it easy to support artists locally and beyond with its carefully curated selection of handmade goods. 19 N Market St., 301-663-3632.

Curious Iguana
This independent bookstore is chock-full of newly released titles and globally diverse works. 12 N Market St., 301-695-2500.

Cafe Nola
With a vast selection of coffees and teas, this cozy café will fulfill all of your caffeine needs. You won’t want to miss out on their signature lattes—try the delectable coconut and vanilla creation they call “Hot Betty White.” 4 E Patrick St., 301-694-6652.

Dancing Bear Toys + Gifts
Children and adults alike will get a kick out of this shop full of battery-free toys and games. 15 E Patrick St., 301-631-9300.

Relish Decor
If Anthropologie’s home selection had a little Frederick baby, this store would be it. It’s loaded with pretty little things for your kitchen, table, or bar. 38 E Patrick St., 301-698-7360.

Venus on the Half Shell
Expertly curated, beautifully merchandised, and full of one-of-a-kind apparel and accessories, Venus on the Half Shell is vintage heaven. 101 E Patrick St., 301-662-6213.

Anam Cara Apothecary
The sign outside of Anam Cara Apothecary reads, “When science meets magic,” and that is exactly what you’ll find when you enter this bright shop with modern fixtures, an array of essential oils and herbal blends, holistic services, and one very friendly feline. 113 E Patrick St., 240-527-1627.

Maven Beauty Bar
Owned by a former cosmetic buyer for Nordstrom, this trendy beauty bar will make you feel like you just stepped off the streets of New York. Get your brows threaded, enjoy a makeup tutorial, and browse the great selection of organic skincare and beauty products, all in one trip. 118 E Patrick St., 240-578-4192.