One of my book goals for 2026 is to visit and support 12 new-to-me independent bookstores in different cities throughout the year. The inspiration for this challenge came from an Instagram post by Anna | All Too Well Read, who set it as her goal for 2025.
I have always been a supporter of independent bookstores, so I make a point of learning about and regularly visiting the ones in my area. Quail Ridge Books and Golden Fig are two favorites. I also don’t have much travel planned for 2026, so I knew that finding new independent bookstores this year would require some research and creativity. I looked for inspiration on an Our State Magazine list, did some online research, and here’s where I’ve been so far in 2026.
January 2026: Fable Books and Cafe
Luckily, I didn’t have to go far to find my first indie bookstore: Fable Books and Cafe in Holly Springs, N.C. The book I chose is a hardback edition of Kiran Desai’s The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, whose jacket design reminded me of the store.
Fable Books is located in a charming historic house, complete with a front porch and rockers, and has everything a book lover needs – indoor and outdoor nooks to sit comfortably and read, a cafe to grab coffee or a pastry to enjoy while reading or chatting with book friends, and generous hours that allow reading and browsing on your schedule. Fable opens at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and at 10 a.m. on Sunday, which is perfect for early-morning readers among us.
The staff in the cafe and at the register were extremely helpful, and the place was alive with community and character. I will absolutely plan to return to Fable Books and Cafe, which supports remote work and offers a variety of events that foster creativity and community.
February 2026: Scuppernong Books
My February visit to an independent bookstore took me a little farther afield to Greensboro, N.C., where I made my first visit to Scuppernong Books. This bookstore has been part of downtown Greensboro since 2013, and regularly hosts writers and artists from around the world.
The long, narrow store features a bar at the front, to the right of the entrance, serving locally sourced wine, beer, organic coffee, and espresso. I didn’t have a chance to sample any of the goods at the bar, but the selections certainly looked intriguing.
In the middle of the store, you can find specialty sections, including poetry, a children’s section, and a rare bookshelf. I definitely want to spend more time perusing the poetry section on my next visit!
In the back of the store, shoppers will find a used book section that doubles as a community room for book clubs and other discussion groups. There was a lively discussion happening about Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings when I visited.
I enjoyed the store’s eclectic, artistic vibe and would love to come back for one of the writing groups or artist talks advertised on their website. Among the books I picked up on my visit was an autographed copy of Ashley Elston’s Anatomy of an Alibi, in a tribute to the store’s reputation for hosting renowned authors.
I have several book stores on my radar to visit this spring, and I can’t wait to share them with you. What are your favorite characteristics of bookstores? Which ones have you visited that you would recommend?