If you’re looking for a place to cozy up this fall with a literary treat, look no further than these locally-owned Fort Worth bookstores. With titles ranging from antique to the latest releases, these bookstores will have the perfect gift for the bibliophile in your life. Browse long enough and you may even find something for yourself.
Monkey & Dog Books
Though Monkey & Dog Books started as a children’s book shop, it now has titles for middle grade, young adults and adults. With book clubs for various ages and interests, author readings, coffee and some of the coziest couches in West Fort Worth, Monkey & Dog Books is a great spot to browse the shelves for your next favorite read.
The Dock Bookshop
The Dock is the largest African American owned, full-service bookstore in Texas and the Southwest. They inspire, inform and entertain customers through books and book-related events in a relaxing environment. They have a huge selection of titles, as well as audiobooks and eBooks. Through their hosted radio shows, Onshore and Dock Power Hour, they discuss and analyze current issues and non-fiction books of interest to various communities. The shop also hosts Open Mic Nights, book clubs, readings and children’s events.
Leaves Book & Tea Shop
Leaves is a community gathering space for lovers of good books and great tea. They sell only new books but maintain a Little Free Library outside for customers to share used books. Leaves hosts LitGoggle, a literary-focused festival, every year at various locations within walking distance of the shop. They also host book clubs, story times, an Afternoon with Authors series with a panel of Fort Worth authors, and a Harry Potter Read-Aloud.
Barber’s Bookstore
If you’re looking for used or rare books, head to Barber’s Bookstore. Opened in 1925, the basement bookstore has that wonderful old book smell and you might get lost among the shelves as you search for a rare book. It’s a great stop to make if you’re wandering downtown. Their open hours are limited so check the website before you go.
Fort Worth Public Library
The Public Library is an incredible resource for book lovers and anyone looking for a community interest group. With over a dozen convenient locations around the city, it’s easy for Fort Worth residents to get a library card. The library also hosts book clubs, family story times, writing workshops, classes like origami and robotics, chess club, craft time, and so much more. This author is a member of the Books and Brews book club, a book club for adults that meets at a different local brewery every month. Click here to find your nearest location and join in on these fun community events.
Fairmount Community Library
This library in the Fairmount Historical District in Near Southside operates by the work of volunteers. They offer free wi-fi, reading lounge, library with coffee bar and a patio perfect for relaxing with a book. They also host writing workshops, sewing socials, D&D get-togethers, fun activities for kids and event spaces for rent. After closing for renovations in 2019 and staying closed during the pandemic, the library is now open as of this fall. Stop by to check out a book, study or relax in this library that has become a central gathering place of the neighborhood.
