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Before you get lost in your next book, you need to be able to find a Michigan town with an adorable bookshop or library where you can browse for that perfect title.

Throughout the state, you will find plenty of places that are a bookworm’s dream come true. These are the Michigan towns with unique bookstores and must-visit libraries that you simply have to check out.

Marquette

Along the northern edge of the Upper Peninsula, Marquette is a college town with a relaxed pace — making it the ideal spot for a local bookshop.

Snowbound Books

Located on Third Street in historic downtown Marquette, Snowbound Books has been providing residents, college students, and visitors with the best book recommendations in the Upper Peninsula for more than 35 years.

The store opened in 1984 as a used bookshop, and over the past several decades, it has grown into a beloved local gem that sells new and used books, as well as unique gifts and reading accessories.

Known for its cozy, homelike atmosphere, Snowbound Books is the kind of bookstore where you can get lost among the shelves as you pour over the latest staff recommendations and try to decide on the next book to read.

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island invites visitors to take a step back in time and enjoy the moment. Whether you are resting in Marquette Park after a ride around the island or simply enjoying an afternoon on the porch of the Grand Hotel, you will want to have a book in hand.

The Island Bookstore

Discovering The Island Bookstore in the Lilac Tree Bookstore is like finding an oasis in the desert — upon arrival, you will instantly know that a new book is the exact piece that is missing from your island vacation.

It is a tiny, yet charming, shop that is full of popular fiction, historic reads, and children’s books, as well as unique souvenirs and gifts.

Most notably, though, this bookstore has an extensive collection of novels that are set on Mackinac Island, giving you a chance to indulge in an immersive and enlightening reading experience during your trip.

Mackinac Island Public Library

On the edge of Main Street — just before the Mighty Mac comes into view — you will encounter a robin’s egg blue building that houses the Mackinac Island Public Library.

Not only does this library boast an extensive collection of books and resources for locals and visitors to enjoy, but it also features some of the most spectacular waterfront views on the island.

Guests are invited to grab their favorite books and sit on the Adirondack chairs on the library’s back deck where they can read a few pages as they listen to the waves lap onto the rocky shores.

Petoskey

Most travelers come to Petoskey in search of its famous fossilized stones, but you can also go hunting for your next great read in this charming Northern Michigan town.

McLean & Eakin Bookstore

Found in the city’s historic Gaslight District, the McLean & Eakin Bookstore is a community staple that has been operating in Petoskey since 1996.

Not only does this bookstore seek to connect avid readers with popular books written by their favorite authors, but it also actively works to promote the works of Indie writers who may not get as much attention or bravado.

In addition to having hundreds of book titles available, the store sells vinyl records, puzzles, greeting cards, and board games, making it the kind of place where people can indulge in all of their favorite interests and hobbies.

Glen Arbor

Famously known as the gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Glen Arbor is also a book lover’s paradise.

Cottage Book Shop

Housed in a historic log cabin, the Cottage Book Shop is open year-round and is known as the best place to grab lakefront vacation reads.

Featuring an array of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s book titles, this store is sure to have something that you love. If you are having trouble making a decision, the helpful staff will point you in the right direction — they love to make personalized recommendations.

Traverse City

Traverse City may be known as the Cherry Capital of the World, but with three locally owned bookstores, it’s also a haven for avid readers.

Horizon Books

Conveniently located on Front Street, Horizon Books has been serving the local community for more than 60 years. Not only is it beloved by locals, but it’s the kind of place that travelers cannot resist.

Its extensive collection of Michigan books, as well as its personalized lists of staff picks, makes it a worthwhile destination for anyone.

Brilliant Books

More than a decade ago, Brilliant Books opened its storefront in downtown Traverse City to provide summer residents and guests with their next vacation read.

Today, the bookstore has earned a reputation for being a long-distance local bookstore because it ships books to customers across the country who love to support locals and appreciate their personalized recommendations.

Higher Self Bookstore

For more than 35 years, Higher Self Bookstore has been known as the go-to bookseller for those seeking New Age books that focus on wellness, enlightenment, growth, and healing.

This bookstore wants every customer to find specialized books and products that will nourish their minds and rejuvenate their spirits.

Saugatuck

Ideally situated on Michigan’s Sunset Coast, Saugatuck is the perfect place to settle into the sand and get lost in the pages of your next favorite book.

The Book Nook of Saugatuck

Selling both used and new books, The Book Nook of Saugatuck is a tiny bookstore with a surprisingly extensive collection.

In addition to serving as a gathering place for book lovers in search of their next paperback adventure, this bookshop hosts community events, book club meetings, and author signings for people of all ages to enjoy.

East Lansing

While the magnitude of Michigan State University often shadows East Lansing, this city offers an experience that is unlike anything that can be found on campus. With locally owned shops that have anchored downtown for generations, the community that exists outside MSU is worth exploring.

Curious Book Shop

What began as an entrepreneurial endeavor by an MSU student in the late 1960s grew into one of the most beloved rare and used bookstores in Mid-Michigan.

The Curious Book Shop has been operating from its Grand River Avenue location for more than 50 years. With three floors to explore and more than 50,000 books in its collection, it’s easy to spend an entire day treasure hunting at this bookstore.

Chelsea

Located just 15 minutes away from Ann Arbor, Chelsea is one of Michigan’s best-kept secrets. This small town features eclectic boutiques, flavorful restaurants, and of course, a fantastic bookstore.

Serendipity Books

Known for its expertly curated collection of books, Serendipity Books is an intimate bookshop that promotes local authors and connects readers with incredible titles they might not have otherwise discovered. This bookstore sells both used and new books and is often hosting community events, such as author signings, costume costs, and book discussions.

Port Huron

In Michigan’s Thumb, there is no better place for book lovers than Port Huron, where you will find one of the most innovative libraries in the state.

Raven Cafe

While not a public library, the Raven Cafe has created a unique system for borrowing and enjoying books. Boasting a collection of hundreds of titles, this coffee shop — which doubles as a cafe and bar — allows customers to grab books off the shelf and read while they enjoy their meals.

When they are done, they can use a special bookmark and place their book on the “Book Lovers Shelf” where it will be waiting for them for the next 30 days.

Detroit

It’s not surprising that you can find some of the most intimate and inviting bookstores and libraries in Michigan’s largest city. Detroit has long been a place where people can discover exciting ideas within the pages of a good book.

Pages Bookshop

The staff at Pages Bookshop has a goal — for patrons to become comfortably lost as they explore the shelves of their bookstore.

They have worked to create a community where people can receive recommendations but also make new discoveries. In addition to having an extensive collection of books, this shop keeps with tradition and includes a bookshop cat as a valued team member.

John K. King Used & Rare Books

John K. King Used & Rare Books is not the kind of bookshop where you are going to pop in, grab the latest title from your favorite author, and be on your way.

With more than 1 million used and rare books in its collection, the experience of browsing the shelves is sometimes more valuable than the books you discover.

The smell of the weathered pages and the haphazard organization simply adds to the ambiance, inviting patrons to stop in, stay a while, and enjoy the process of searching for something unexpected.

Detroit Public Library — Main Branch

Housed in a breathtaking Italian Renaissance building designed by Cass Gilbert, the main branch of the Detroit Public Library was once considered to be the most beautiful building in the city.

Today, it is an iconic symbol of strength and perseverance, as well as the power of education. In addition to its comprehensive collection of books and resources, the main branch hosts community events and offers critical services, such as career help, printing services, and study zones for teens.

Grosse Pointe Farms

A charming Metro Detroit town on Lake St. Clair, Grosse Pointe Farms sets the scene for one of the most intimate and upscale book browsing and dining experiences in Michigan.

Flyleaf

As an independent bookstore, bistro, and bar, Flyleaf is a three-story haven for foodies and bookworms promising “Literature + Libations” for guests.

Does every kid dream of secret rooms full of books, or was that just me? For us bookworms, Flyleaf is a childhood fantasy come to life plus the grown-up delight of cocktails and charcuterie.

I met a few book-loving friends to explore the shelves and the menu. Really, we were there for a too-infrequent catch up – the kind of meeting that never fails to reinvigorate our friendships and our souls. Everything else was a bonus.

Flyleaf’s unassuming facade would be easy to miss if we weren’t looking for it. Only the logo, with the letter F and a beguiling bird, marks the outside. Upon a closer look, a small plaque defines “Flyleaf” – the blank page at the beginning of a book.

Inside, tables nestle between dark-wood-paneled walls with built-in shelves. Comfy chairs beckon near fireplaces. The menu offers literary-themed cocktails and sharable small plates. The bar is worthy of the fanciest speakeasy. Even the bathrooms are worth seeing.

My friends and I explored all three levels, occasionally pulling at books to see if any triggered a hidden door to reveal more treasures. So such luck, though we did find a few titles to take home, along with full bellies and renewed spirits.
Stefanie Caloia

Find Your Next Great Read in These Michigan Towns With Unique Bookstores & Must-Visit Libraries

The journey toward your next unforgettable read begins today. Choose one of these Michigan towns, plot out your next day trip, and begin organizing your to-be-read list. The process of discovering your next book in Michigan is sure to be as enjoyable as the story itself.