Bloomington has no shortage of places to find a good book, but for readers, finding the right spot to pick up your next read can still be challenging.
From budget-friendly options to carefully curated collections, each location has its own charm. Here are some of my favorite spots in Bloomington to find your next read.
Caveat Emptor Used and Rare Books
For a truly vintage aesthetic, I always suggest Caveat Emptor Used and Rare Books. Located at 112 N. Walnut St., the shop offers a wide selection of used books and specializes in academic titles as well as unique and rare reads. The store also carries a strong selection of books by local authors and stories about Indiana.
The space is beautiful and full of character. With shelves from floor to ceiling and ladders to help visitors reach the higher shelves, customers can spend hours searching through the many stacks of interesting books, uncovering special editions and hidden gems throughout the shop.
Located at 3120 W. Susan Drive, the Half Price Books Outlet offers a massive selection of used books at affordable prices. Unlike a typical Half Price Books, the Bloomington location operates as an outlet store, with a warehouse-size space filled with aisles of discounted and used books.
The store doesn’t just carry books though. It also offers magazines and other physical media, including CDs, DVDs and vinyl albums, making it a great place to browse for anyone looking to expand their collection of movies and music.
Because the outlet is so large, it can take quite a while to look through everything. But if your ideal day involves wandering through countless rows of bookshelves, the Half Price Books Outlet is definitely worth a visit.
Friends of the Library Bookstore
The Friends of the Library Bookstore is part of the larger “Friends of the Library” nonprofit organization, which offers a range of events and volunteer opportunities along with the bookshop itself. Proceeds from the shop go toward supporting the Monroe County Public Library.
The bookstore is located inside the downtown library branch and is open Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The store carries a wide range of books and magazines, all of which are donated by either community members or the library itself.
With some of the lowest prices around, the Friends of the Library Bookstore is a great option for expanding your book collection. The bookstore offers plenty of items, including hardcovers priced at $3 and paperbacks at $1.50. I especially love visiting this bookshop because it supports the community, and the volunteers who run the shop are usually incredibly kind and welcoming.
The Book Corner is a cute and cozy independent bookshop located at 100 N. Walnut St. in downtown Bloomington. The small shop focuses mainly on bestsellers and new releases, making it a great stop for readers to pick up their next book while exploring the downtown area.
Established in 1964, the shop has a long history of being a trusted book seller in Bloomington and has become a city treasure. The store has a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with many creative book-related displays throughout the space. Their collection is also carefully curated with a variety of books, magazines and journals, making browsing both fun and easy.
A great place to pick up your next read or enjoy a delicious coffee is Morgenstern Books & Café, located at 849 S. Auto Mall Road. The shop has plenty of seating areas, making it a great place for studying, working or just sitting down with a good book.
The bookstore has a fun and playful environment, with a vast variety of reads throughout the shelves. Their collection includes a wide range of titles, from new releases to classics, as well as a particularly large selection of cookbooks that you won't find at every bookstore.
Morgenstern Books & Café also hosts a variety of community events, such as author meetings, poetry readings, and other gatherings that bring book lovers together. Many events support local authors, giving readers and writers a space to connect and share within the community. For more information about these events, visit the calendar on their website.
