These Are Cincinnati’s 10 Best Independent Bookstores, as Voted by CityBeat Readers

No. 10: Downbound Books

4139 Apple St., Northside
Between online shopping and a bevy of large chain retailers with massive inventories, it can be hard to make up your mind on what to read and where to buy. That’s why an independent bookstore like Downbound Books is so important in this age of overwhelming information: think “less is more,” with an abundance of thoughtful variety. Owner Gregory Kornbluh, a Cincinnati native, returned from a 13-year stint on the East Coast where he worked as a bookseller at a shop outside Boston and later in sales and marketing for Harvard University Press. With a focus on intentional curation and comprehensive subheads, Kornbluh says Downbound's inventory “forces people to see stuff they might not have been looking for.” Downbound also offers crafts, stationery and novelty items from local purveyors.
Photo: Kaitlyn Handel

No. 10: Downbound Books

4139 Apple St., Northside
Between online shopping and a bevy of large chain retailers with massive inventories, it can be hard to make up your mind on what to read and where to buy. That’s why an independent bookstore like Downbound Books is so important in this age of overwhelming information: think “less is more,” with an abundance of thoughtful variety. Owner Gregory Kornbluh, a Cincinnati native, returned from a 13-year stint on the East Coast where he worked as a bookseller at a shop outside Boston and later in sales and marketing for Harvard University Press. With a focus on intentional curation and comprehensive subheads, Kornbluh says Downbound's inventory “forces people to see stuff they might not have been looking for.” Downbound also offers crafts, stationery and novelty items from local purveyors.
Photo: Kaitlyn Handel

No. 9: Homestead Used Books

65 W. Main St., Amelia
You have to love an indie bookstore that has hours “weekends noon-6 or by chance or appointment.” Amelia’s Homestead Used Books is a quaint escape that started as a passion project for its owner, Harold Tuch. Harry began selling books at a flea market before opening a brick-and-mortar in 2014. What does he sell? As per the description on the website, “Whether you want to read about history or indulge in some children's literature, we have something offered for everyone. During your visit with us, it'll be like a treasure hunt because you never know what you may find on our bookshelves.”
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 9: Homestead Used Books

65 W. Main St., Amelia
You have to love an indie bookstore that has hours “weekends noon-6 or by chance or appointment.” Amelia’s Homestead Used Books is a quaint escape that started as a passion project for its owner, Harold Tuch. Harry began selling books at a flea market before opening a brick-and-mortar in 2014. What does he sell? As per the description on the website, “Whether you want to read about history or indulge in some children's literature, we have something offered for everyone. During your visit with us, it'll be like a treasure hunt because you never know what you may find on our bookshelves.”
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 8: Ohio Book Store

726 Main St., Downtown
If you’re like us, there’s nothing quite as intoxicating as the smell of old books — and there’s no better place to find them than downtown’s five-story Ohio Book Store. It’s easy to get lost among the racks of classic literature, cookbooks and secondhand fiction, but wherever you wander, be sure to take a look at the glass cabinet in the middle of the first floor. It’s full of rare and wonderful tomes. And if you have some vintage books of your own you’d like to learn more about, be sure to ask about their appraisal services. The Ohio Book Store can appraise rare books, documents and other literary ephemera.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 8: Ohio Book Store

726 Main St., Downtown
If you’re like us, there’s nothing quite as intoxicating as the smell of old books — and there’s no better place to find them than downtown’s five-story Ohio Book Store. It’s easy to get lost among the racks of classic literature, cookbooks and secondhand fiction, but wherever you wander, be sure to take a look at the glass cabinet in the middle of the first floor. It’s full of rare and wonderful tomes. And if you have some vintage books of your own you’d like to learn more about, be sure to ask about their appraisal services. The Ohio Book Store can appraise rare books, documents and other literary ephemera.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 7: Cincy Book Bus

Check their social media for upcoming pop-up locations
Housed in the bed of a vintage Volkswagen pickup truck, Cincy Book Bus delivers the joy of reading via pop-ups at cafés, flea markets and nonprofit events. Owner Melanie Moore, a former teacher, also helps schools in the area stock their libraries and participates in community literacy programs. If you can’t get to the bookstore on wheels, you can shop it online.
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 7: Cincy Book Bus

Check their social media for upcoming pop-up locations
Housed in the bed of a vintage Volkswagen pickup truck, Cincy Book Bus delivers the joy of reading via pop-ups at cafés, flea markets and nonprofit events. Owner Melanie Moore, a former teacher, also helps schools in the area stock their libraries and participates in community literacy programs. If you can’t get to the bookstore on wheels, you can shop it online.
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 6: Iris Bookcafe

1331 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
Iris Bookcafe in Over-the-Rhine specializes in local eats, good coffee and vintage books. In addition to dining on vegan soups and vegan peanut butter cookies, patrons can peruse shelves of books covering everything from architecture to fashion and philosophy to cooking. They also carry titles for children and a large selection of Polish books. The storefront doubles as an art gallery.
Photo: Francisco Huerta

No. 6: Iris Bookcafe

1331 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
Iris Bookcafe in Over-the-Rhine specializes in local eats, good coffee and vintage books. In addition to dining on vegan soups and vegan peanut butter cookies, patrons can peruse shelves of books covering everything from architecture to fashion and philosophy to cooking. They also carry titles for children and a large selection of Polish books. The storefront doubles as an art gallery.
Photo: Francisco Huerta

No. 5: Blue Marble Books

1356 S. Ft. Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas
Open since 1979, this independent children’s bookstore offers toddler through teen books, games and activities. It’s also home to “The Great Green Room,” a recreation of the bedroom in Goodnight Moon. In this whimsical space, children can immerse themselves in the world of the classic nighttime tale, as well as find special collectible books (not necessarily for kids to handle).
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 5: Blue Marble Books

1356 S. Ft. Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas
Open since 1979, this independent children’s bookstore offers toddler through teen books, games and activities. It’s also home to “The Great Green Room,” a recreation of the bedroom in Goodnight Moon. In this whimsical space, children can immerse themselves in the world of the classic nighttime tale, as well as find special collectible books (not necessarily for kids to handle).
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 4: Shake It Records

4156 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Named one of the 30 best record stores in America by Rolling Stone, Shake It is a record label and shop that offers two floors of CDs and vinyl. But in addition to music, they also carry fanzines, magazines, Japanese-style figures, T-shirts, guitar strings and more — including comic books and book books. According to their site, they have more than 3,000 books in stock. Check the basement for fiction, vintage paperbacks, music and culture books and the other types of titles you’d expect to find an indie record shop.
Photo: Francisco Huerta

No. 4: Shake It Records

4156 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Named one of the 30 best record stores in America by Rolling Stone, Shake It is a record label and shop that offers two floors of CDs and vinyl. But in addition to music, they also carry fanzines, magazines, Japanese-style figures, T-shirts, guitar strings and more — including comic books and book books. According to their site, they have more than 3,000 books in stock. Check the basement for fiction, vintage paperbacks, music and culture books and the other types of titles you’d expect to find an indie record shop.
Photo: Francisco Huerta

No. 3: Roebling Point Books & Coffee

306 Greenup St., Covington
As the name suggests Roebling Point, is both an indie bookstore and community coffee shop. Owner Richard Hunt likes to refer to it as a “third place” — that space that isn’t work or home but feels just as comfortable. Roebling Point has created its niche by providing fair-trade, organic coffee in addition to books and by sharing profound quotes on the chalkboards on the building’s exterior. Multiple rooms house a customer-influenced book inventory. Fiction and non-fiction works rest among local authors, poetry, children’s books and a handful of classics.
Photo: Francisco Huerta

No. 3: Roebling Point Books & Coffee

306 Greenup St., Covington
As the name suggests Roebling Point, is both an indie bookstore and community coffee shop. Owner Richard Hunt likes to refer to it as a “third place” — that space that isn’t work or home but feels just as comfortable. Roebling Point has created its niche by providing fair-trade, organic coffee in addition to books and by sharing profound quotes on the chalkboards on the building’s exterior. Multiple rooms house a customer-influenced book inventory. Fiction and non-fiction works rest among local authors, poetry, children’s books and a handful of classics.
Photo: Francisco Huerta

No. 2: The Friends of the Public Library Warehouse

8456 Vine St., Hartwell
The Friends of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is a nonprofit organization with a warehouse in Hartwell that sells gently used books and other media — DVDs, CDs, LPs, 45s, audio books — that have been privately donated or discarded by the public library. That means warehouse shoppers get paperbacks, hardcovers, kids books, vinyl records and more at a fraction of the price, all with the added benefit of supporting the library and its programs.
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 2: The Friends of the Public Library Warehouse

8456 Vine St., Hartwell
The Friends of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is a nonprofit organization with a warehouse in Hartwell that sells gently used books and other media — DVDs, CDs, LPs, 45s, audio books — that have been privately donated or discarded by the public library. That means warehouse shoppers get paperbacks, hardcovers, kids books, vinyl records and more at a fraction of the price, all with the added benefit of supporting the library and its programs.
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 1: Blue Manatee Literacy Project

3094 Madison Road, Oakley
Several years ago, the Blue Manatee Bookstore underwent a rebirth for the goal of childhood literacy. Now called the Blue Manatee Literacy Project, the charming children’s bookstore is a nonprofit with a new mission: To get books into the hands of kids who need them. For every book sold, another is donated to a school that lacks age-appropriate reading materials for students. The program specifically targets children between ages 4 and 8 in order to improve literacy rates by third grade. And the inventory isn’t just for kids; adults will find some books geared toward grown-ups while they shop with their tots.
Photo: Francisco Huerta

No. 1: Blue Manatee Literacy Project

3094 Madison Road, Oakley
Several years ago, the Blue Manatee Bookstore underwent a rebirth for the goal of childhood literacy. Now called the Blue Manatee Literacy Project, the charming children’s bookstore is a nonprofit with a new mission: To get books into the hands of kids who need them. For every book sold, another is donated to a school that lacks age-appropriate reading materials for students. The program specifically targets children between ages 4 and 8 in order to improve literacy rates by third grade. And the inventory isn’t just for kids; adults will find some books geared toward grown-ups while they shop with their tots.
Photo: Francisco Huerta