As any avid reader will attest to, there’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book. Reading can transport us to another world and provide an escape from everyday stress. The benefits of reading, obvious to the bookworm, are now also being backed by science. It ignites our imagination; it improves empathy; it can reduce stress; make us happier and smarter — it might even make us live longer.
Despite all these perks, Americans are reading less than ever. What’s also been dwindling in the past few decades is the amount of independent booksellers. In the five years following the 1995 launch of Amazon, the number of independent bookstores fell by 40 percent.
But, in difference to our reading habits, the brick-and-mortar bookstores have bounced back in recent years. Between 2009 and 2015, the number of independent bookstores in the United States grew by 35 percent, despite challenges in the form of big box stores, online retail and e-books. In 2023, over 200 new stores opened across the country.
This recent increase seems to indicate that, despite the infinite distractions of the digital world, there are some things that can’t be replaced by an easy search and click. Thumbing the pages of a book, chatting with the bookseller, discovering a rare treasure on a shelf; there’s a sense of authenticity in a bookstore often lost in the digital space. Beyond the benefits of this individual experience, independent bookshops also play an important role in our community as businesses supporting the local economy and as gathering places for a diverse group of people.
To celebrate our local independent booksellers, and to encourage more reading, we’ve created a book-lover’s guide to Sonoma County. Enjoy these fabulous local bookstores on National Independent Bookstore Day, April 26, or any day of the year.
Treehorn Books, Santa Rosa
Founded by two Sonoma State graduates in 1979, Treehorn Books has an extraordinary selection of used books, specializing in classical literature. An ever-expanding inventory lines the shelves and tables. It’s hard to find a book-free spot in this tiny Santa Rosa shop. Treehorn caters to its many regulars, whose tastes are kept in mind for new purchases. The store buys books from customers but is selective in doing so, considering the shelves are already overflowing. Teachers receive a 10 percent discount. 625 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-525-1782.
Paperbacks Unlimited, Santa Rosa
Founded in 1972, Paperbacks is Santa Rosa’s largest used bookshop, and the oldest in Sonoma County. The store specializes in popular fiction but also has nonfiction on its well organized shelves. The mystery/suspense and science fiction sections are among the most popular in the store and there are also great books for young adults. The owners, Howard and Jill Brown, are now in their 70s but hope to keep the store open as long as possible for their many loyal customers. Customers who donate books to the store get a store credit and seniors receive a discount. 4625 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-539-8102, paperbacksunlimited.net
Levin & Company Community Booksellers, Healdsburg
“A good bookstore should be the nexus of a community – a place where friends and strangers can come together for a while and feel like an extended family,” says the family behind Levin & Company. Bookworms have come here for over 30 years to browse more than 2,500 titles in the fiction section (the largest of any independent bookstore in Sonoma County) while audiophiles enjoy the curated vinyl and CD selection. There’s nonfiction, too: history, science, biographies, eastern and western philosophy, gardening, cooking and more. The store hosts literary events such as book signings with authors, and upstairs is a collection of local art, jewelry and crafts. 306 Center St., 707-433-1118, levinbooks.com
Copperfield’s Underground, Petaluma
Paul Jaffe and Barney Brown purchased Sebastopol’s Myst Bookstore in June of 1981 and changed the name to Copperfield’s Books. Over 40 years later, there are 10 Copperfield’s across the North Bay, including in Healdsburg, Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. In the Petaluma store, there’s a downstairs underground shop, a “haven for treasure seekers looking for used and rare books.” The cellar space is packed with thousands of titles, including some rare editions, covering a variety of subjects: art, history, science, fiction, poetry and more. 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-782-0228, copperfieldsbooks.com
Word Horde Emporium of the Weird & Fantastic, Petaluma
Ross Lockhart founded Petaluma’s Word Horde Books during the pandemic after realizing there’s never a perfectly convenient time to start working on your dreams. He worked in book and music stores for much of his life and dreamed of one day opening his own shop and doing things differently. From a humble blog to a brick-and-mortar store in the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, Word Horde specializes in “weird, horrific, fantastic and speculative fiction for all ages.” Beyond books, there are also toys, puzzles, board and card games, accessories, candles, bath and body products and other “fantastic” gifts. The bookstore and emporium also hosts literary events, typically spooky in nature, such as a Poe poetry reading on Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday in January. 2200 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite 805, Petaluma, 707-981-9110, weirdandfantastic.com
Readers’ Books, Sonoma
This Sonoma bookstore opened in 1991 with the mission to create a space for locals to hang out, in addition to their homes and workplaces. Its most popular sections are literary fiction, cooking and, more recently, politics. Customers can read books on the patio in the garden, and bring their dogs for company. The bookstore hosts weekly author events and offers a 15 percent discount to teachers. Used books are accepted in exchange for store credit. 130 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-939-1779, readersbooks.com
Russian River Books & Letters, Guerneville
The location for this bookstore has been a destination for avid readers since the ’70s. The bookshop (previously named Mockingbird Books then Twice Told Books) was bought by new owners in 2021. Russian River Books & Letters boasts a collection of both used and new books and is connected to next door neighbor Coffee Bazaar. The bookstore hosts regular community events and writing workshops, as well as monthly book club meetings. 14045 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, 707-604-7197, booksletters.com
Poet’s Corner Book Shop, Duncans Mills
This woman-owned shop might be the smallest bookstore in the United States — but what it lacks in space, it makes up for in community togetherness. Beyond the mix of books and poetry, the shop also offers calendars, stationery, puzzles, coloring books and other novelty gifts. For an extra cozy reading session, pick a book from the tiny shop and enjoy it in the outside sitting area with a cup of tea from the nearby Duncans Mills Tea Shop.
25195 B St., Duncans Mills, 707-503-8865, duncansmillsvillage.com/merchants/poets-corner
Second Chances Used Books, Sebastopol
Located on the same block as everyone’s favorite ice cream shop, Screamin’ Mimi’s, Second Chances is Sebastopol’s only independent used bookstore. The owner of the store, Brandy Mow, previously owned Copperfield’s Used and Rare bookstore in Sebastopol. Mow has filled her new store with good books and added cozy armchairs for customers to enjoy a quiet reading moment. Brandy keeps a digital itinerary of the store’s books so that she can easily inform customers of available titles and she organizes open mic poetry nights in the store. 6932 Sebastopol Ave., Suite E, Sebastopol, 707-827-8291, 2ndchancesusedbooks.com
Many Rivers Books & Tea, Sebastopol
Many Rivers Books specializes in high-quality loose leaf tea and spiritual books, said Ellen Skagerberg from Santa Rosa. This Sebastopol store has an extensive selection of tea and incense, as well as some rare and niche books. 130 S. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-829-8871, manyriversbooks.com
Maci Martell contributed to this article.
