Book Smart
Every bibliophile knows the importance of a good indie bookstore.
Maybe it’s the romance books on the shelves that draw you in or the honey vanilla latte you can grab at their in-store cafe. The good news is, whatever you’re looking for in a bookstore, there’s one just for you in the area. Check out our round-up of some of our favorites!
Roebling Books & Coffee
306 Greenup St., Covington
601 Overton St., Newport
www.roeblingbooks.com
WIth two locations, Roebling Books offers that homey and classic bookstore feel. A coffee shop to your left as you walk in welcomes you to find rooms of various topics. You can grab a bite (or a drink!) to enjoy as you hunt for the best summer reading.
Roebling caters to multiple interest groups, from Teen Thursdays to a room full of children's books and toys, Roebling has a spot for everyone. Another specialization is local author highlights, where writers from the Tristate can have their works shelved specifically to showcase their books to fellow Cincinnatians.
Downbound Books
4139 Apple St., Northside
www.downboundbooks.com
Head up to Northside to check out Downbound Books. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the bright green exterior. Downbound specializes in books chosen specifically for their audience: the more niche the better, to reflect their indie roots.
In June, Downbound is partnering with Transform Cincy to aid in their work of supplying wardrobes for gender non-conforming teens. Through the end of the month, 10% of your purchase will go to the non-profit, plus the Downbound Pride Pack (bookmark and sticker) further supports Transform Cincy.
Household Books
5824 Hamilton Ave., College Hill
www.householdbooks.org
With a mixture of books, vintage shopping, and vinyl records, Household Books has got it all. The one-stop-shop recently reopened in College Hill, but its charm and charisma are as old as time.
Their curation of used books and vintage knick knacks create an timeless environment, giving you a “wow, I should change my entire aesthetic” sort of thinking. In addition to their vintage selection, Household also creates pop-up bookstores for clients, bringing a captured-in-time storefront straight to you.
Blue Marble Books
1356 S. Ft Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas
www.bluemarblebooks.com
If you’re raising a book lover or you’re a child at heart, Blue Marble Books is the place for you! From sponsoring school book fairs to summer reading incentives, Blue Marble keeps the next generation of readers engaged by creating a positive and engaging environment.
Blue Marble offers baby showers, birthday parties, and craft and storytime events for the little ones, as well as traveling book fairs to schools in the district (and a Book Fairy!). Going strong since the late ‘70s, Blue Marble Books is the perfect place to bring an avid young reader.
Tome Books and Novelteas
6089 Salem Road
www.tomebooksandnovelteas.com
Bringing it back to book shopping with a little treat, Tome Books and Novelteas has that dark academic aesthetic that makes you want to curl up in a loveseat with an entire series and not get up until you’ve finished it. From reading-themed T-shirts to murals that reflect a room’s genre Tome Books is for true readers.
In addition to their large book selection, Tome Books also has writing workshops concentrating on worldbuilding, dialogue writing, editing, and more. They also feature “blind dates with a book,” where the mystery is finding out what book lies under the plain brown wrapper.
Joseph Beth Books
2692 Madison Road
www.josephbeth.com
The godfather of all Cincinnati-area bookstores, Joseph Beth Books has been running the local book world since 1986. Books for all ages, a large toy selection, musical instruments, and even the Bronté Bistro can be found inside, truly offering something for everyone. JB also has a membership for the dedicated book-buyers, giving rewards with every novel you purchase.
Joseph Beth also has a Joseph-Beth Gives Back Rewards Program that allows donors to choose a community partner to receive a percentage of the purchases, including , ArtsWave, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Zoo, and more. With a new coffee shop, Nourish, opening in Good Samaritan Hospital and Bethesda North Hospital, you can be well read and do good in even more locations.
– Annabelle Dilts