A Room of One’s Own
315 W Gorham St, Madison, WI 53703
12 pm-6 pm daily for phone orders
608.257.7888
Friendly staff that only want their customers to find the book they are looking for. If the Room does not have it, the employees will order it and ship it out if necessary. A Room of One’s Own independent bookstore that is passionate about what they do. Before covid, customers were allowed to sit around and read, participate in community events, and even book readings with the authors. Staff recommendations are posted throughout the store, so you will be sure to walk away with a score. Closed to the public for the foreseeable future; however, the staff is still in between noon and six o’clock to fulfill online orders.
Browzer Bookshop
668 State St, Madison, WI 53703
Mon-Fri 11am-5pm
Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 12pm-5pm
608.255.5521
A non-nonsense bookstore with commendable customer service. Across the street from City Bar, State Street Brats, and Kollege Klub takeout. Grab a book, get some food, and walk two blocks to the UW Goodspeed Family Pier. Or, if it is raining outside, go straight to the Memorial Library. Exclusive discounts occurring on Sunday make it worthwhile to get out of the house. A unique selection of one-dollar books in the doorway, as well as rare titles and authors that you cannot find anywhere else.
Paul’s Book Store
670 State St, Madison, WI
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
Sun 11am-5pm
608.257.2968
Paul’s Book Store has been a State Street staple since 1954. When Paul Askins passed in 1975, his wife, Caryl Askins, was unsure what to do. Caryl took over the reins with less than half the knowledge her husband had but trudged on, nonetheless. To this day, she will say that “it’s still Paul’s store.” With a large inventory, Caryl is still very particular about what she wants to stock the shelves with. Paul’s is willing to buy your used library or even just a single edition. Books are purchased and sold daily. Paul’s is proud to stock books that are no longer being printed today. Caryl, here is to you for enduring the trials and tribulations over the last sixty years as Paul’s bookstore.
Mystery to Me
1863 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711
Tues-Sat 10am-4pm
Sun 11am-2pm
Mon Closed
608.283.9332
The first thing to know about Mystery to Me is that there is free two-hour parking on the side streets. While having a vast Mystery collection, they stock non-fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and even children’s books. Booksellers are available in-person, email, or phone to help you with recommendations as well as curbside pick-up. Thanks to Crowdcast, Mystery to Me can host an author visit with Jonathan E. Martin Wednesday, March twenty-fourth virtually. Be sure to show-out Wednesday, March thirty-first for An Evening of Poetry. Use the Bookshop and Libro.fm portals to buy online while still supporting Mystery to Me. If you would rather be more direct with your charity, you can go to their website and click on the “Donate!” link. Follow Mystery to Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter as well.
Barnes & Noble
West Towne Mall, 7433 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI 53717
Sun 10am-8pm
Mon-Sat 9 am-8 pm
608.827.0809
Barnes & Noble opens one hour early for senior and at-risk citizens Monday through Saturday. Aside from fresh text, Barnes & Noble additionally carries used books, toys and games, and even newly released vinyl. Pick up a turntable or speakers, too. With Starbucks now onsite, enjoy free wireless internet and free eBooks. Furthermore, members save ten percent at the Starbucks café. Next time you go shopping for music, movies, or toys and games, remember that Barnes & Noble is more than just books.
