Local author events, such as this one at Gramercy Books in Bexley, are one of the many ways that independent bookstores provide more than just book sales to customers.

Printed books are important, even in a world that seems to favor online media. Books are portable, tactile and personal. They provide an effective way to communicate ideas, thoughts and information that is traditional and yet up to date. And if you’re a bookworm, they provide hours of enjoyment, both in the discovery of books and in reading them.

Independent bookstores provide places for people to buy, sell and trade used books and comic books, as well as a place for gatherings like book clubs, writing workshops, local author events and more. In addition, they are small businesses that keep dollars in the community where people live and work. Here is a list of many independent bookstores in Ohio.

Akron

Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre – Innovative literacy center designed to amplify and celebrate marginalized voices. 647 E. Market St., Akron.

Little Sparrow Bookshop – Sells new and used books; buys and trades used books; works by local authors. 1200 N. Main St., North Canton (330) 967-2142.

Berlin

Gospel Book Store – Full service Christian bookstore located in German Village Center. Great selection of the latest inspirational Chiristian books, Bibles, gifts, dvds and music. Located behind Sol’s in Berlin. 4900 Oak Street, Berlin (330) 893-2523.

Cincinnati

Downbound Books – Neighborhood bookstore on Cincinnati’s Northside. 4139 Apple St., Cincinnati (513) 541-1394.

Iris BookCafe and Gallery – Vintage books, coffee and fine photography gallery in Over the Rhine. 1331 Main St. (513) 381-2665.

Joy and Matt’s Bookshop – Small, independent bookstore with a great selection of books. 1515 Vine St., Cincinnati.

Joseph-Beth Booksellers – Books, toys, paper, gifts, cafe and special events. 2692 Madison Road (513) 396-8960.

Chillicothe

Wheatberry Books – An independent bookstore for independent thinkers, new and used books for all ages in downtown Chillicothe. New, used books, audio books, books clubs, works by local authors. 9 W. Second St., Chillicothe (740) 771-3369.

Cleveland area

Appletree Books – Store carries a selection of books and gifts. 12419 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights. (216) 791-2665.

Attenson Antiques & Books – Family-run antique shop and bookstore in Coventry Village neighborhood. 1771 Coventry Road (216) 321-2515.

B&L Comics Cards & Nostalgia – Comics bookstore. 5591 Ridge Road, Parma (440) 886-3077. Connect on Facebook.

The Bookshop in Lakewood – New and used books, online ordering, delivery, special orders and audio books. 15230 Madison Ave., Lakewood (216) 221-5222.

Book Brothers – High quality used books, games, movies, music. 15408 Madison Ave., Lakewood (419) 357-9005. Connect on Facebook.

Fireside Book Shop – Three floors of new and gently used books to explore; established 1963. 29 N. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls (440) 247-4050.

Horizontal Books – A place to find new books at deeply discounted prices. 1921 W. 25th St., Cleveland (216) 298-4411.

Learned Owl Book Shop – Founded in 1968, the Learned Owl is a locally run community bookstore with three floors of books for all ages and interests. 204 N. Main St., Hudson (330) 653-2252.

Loganberry Books – Independently owned and operated bookstore featuring carefully selected new, used and rare books. 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights (216) 795-9800.

Mac’s Backs, Books on Coventry – Used book store and book exchange founded in 1978. 1820 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights (216) 321-2665.

Snowball Bookshop – Largest bookstore in Northeast Ohio for used and out-of-print books. 564 Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton (330) 745-9292. Connect on Facebook.

The Village Bookstore – Store with a variety of old and out-of-print books. 8140 Main St., Garrettsville (330) 527-3010.

Visible Voice Books – Independent bookstore with relaxed, inviting environment conducive to discovery. Books, café, coffee, beer and wine, events. 2258 Professor Ave., Cleveland (216) 961-0084.

Columbus area

Capital City Comics – Buy, sell and trade comics, toys, collectibles. 7530 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg (614) 577-0220.

Comic Town – Store with comics, trade paperbacks, games, toys, collectibles. 94 Dilmont Drive, Lewis Center (614) 262-5006. Connect on Facebook.

Cover to Cover Books – Store offers the very best in classic and new literature for children and young readers. 2116 Arlington Ave., Upper Arlington (614) 263-1624.

Kafe Kerouac – Café and bar that sells used books and records. 2250 N. High St., Short North (614) 299-2672.

Karen Wickliff Books – Rare and used book seller. 3527 N. High St., Clintonville (614) 263-2903. Connect on Facebook.

Gramercy Books Bexley – New and used books, works by local authors. 2424 E. Main St., Bexley (614) 867-5515.

Hoffman Books – Seller of quality hard to find, used and out of print books, by appointment only. 4167 N. High St., Clintonville (614) 262-0059.

Iqra Bookstore – Books for Islamic schools and students. 3252 Cleveland Ave. (614) 247-2000.

Laughing Ogre Comics – Comics and collectibles store. 4258 N. High St. (614) 267-6473. Connect on Facebook.

Packrat Comics – Comics and games store. 3864 Lattimer St., Hilliard (614) 527-8450.

Phoenix Books – Spiritual, metaphysical, self-discovery books, out-of-print finding service. 3110 N. High St., Clintonville (614) 268-3100.

Prologue Bookshop – Neighborhood bookstore. 841 N. High St., Short North (614) 745-1395.

Reedman’s Book Store – Buys, sells, trades books. 3488 Indianola Ave., Clintonville (614) 586-0092. No website or Facebook page.

Serenity Book Shop – Bookstore that also sells gifts and self-help items. 1806 W. Fifth Ave. (614) 741-0041.

The Book Loft – Unique bookstore in pre-Civil War buildings that stretch an entire city block long with 32 rooms. New, rare and bargain books, cards, gifts. 631 S. Third St., German Village (614) 464-1774.

Two Dollar Radio – Independent bookstore, performance space, fully vegan bar and café. 1124 Parsons Ave. (614) 725-1505.

World’s Greatest Comics – Comic book shop, buys comic books and toys. 5974 Westerville Road (614) 891-3000.

Dayton

Bell Book and Comic – Store with books, comics, gaming. 458 Patterson Road, Dayton (937) 643-9006.

Delaware

Beanbag Books – An inclusive, family-centered space that brings books to life. 25 W. Winter St., Delaware (740) 363-0290.

Dover

The Bibliophile – A family-owned and operated independent bookstore in downtown Dover with new and used titles from just about every genre. 241 W. Third St., Dover (330) 440-6443.

East Liverpool

The Pear Tree Shop – Curated selection of books and hand designed gifts and products from artists and makers, many local to the area. 433 Broadway St., East Liverpool (330) 708-2189.

Granville/Heath/Newark

Holland’s Book Nook – Small, independent book shop. 225 S. 21st St., Newark (740) 344-6224. Connect on Facebook.

Cindamar Books – Used and rare books. 218 Granville St., Newark (740) 345-6327.

Comic Shop Plus – Central Ohio’s best comic and game store. 771 S. 30th St. #309, Heath (740) 344-5471.

Kick’s Mix Bookstore – Store selling used and rare books. 38 S. 3rd St., Newark (740) 345-9800.

Readers’ Garden Book Store – Independent bookstore in the heart of Granville that sells new and used books and related merchandise. 115 N. Prospect St., Granville (740) 587-7744.

Lancaster

Epilogue Bookery – Formerly Paperback Exchange, book store that buys, sells and trades books, specializing in used books and local authors. 201 W. Main St., Lancaster (740) 654-5856.

Lima

Brunner’s News Readmore Bookstore – Lima’s original bookstore with books, cards and gifts. 217 Flanders Ave., Lima (419) 225-5826. Connect on Facebook.

Logan

Fox’s Book Adventures – Books, games and toys, and sweet treats. 12793 SR 664, Logan (740) 385-0400

Medina

The BookShelf – Used book stores operated by Project LEARN in Medina County: 831 Pearl Road, Brunswick; 105 Liberty St., Medina; 130 Main St., Wadsworth. (330) 723-1314.

Mount Vernon

Paragraphs Bookstore – New books for readers of all ages and interests, greeting cards, journals, puzzles, gift items. 229 S. Main St., Mount Vernon. (740) 392-9290.

Tiffin

Pan Yan Bookstore – Small, independently owned bookstore in downtown Tiffin with new and used books, works by local authors, free wi-fi. 144 S. Washington St., Tiffin. (567) 220-6700.

Toledo area

Gathering Volumes – Community-based independent bookstore with literary fiction, graphic literature, non-fiction and children’s books, new and used, works by local authors. 196 E. South Boundary, Perrysburg (567) 336-6188.

Wheelersburg

Paint Your Story – Local independent bookstore in New Boston. 3608 Rhodes Ave., New Boston (740) 876-4200

Wilmington

Wilmington Christian Book Store – 1643 Rombach Ave. (937) 556-4942. No website or Facebook.

Wooster

Books in Stock – A fixture in downtown Wooster for more than 30 years, bookstore offers 85,000 used and rare books in a clean, bright, organized store. Buys, sells and trades books. 140 E. Liberty St., Wooster (330) 262-2665.

Yellow Springs

Dark Star Books – Dark Star has been buying and selling books and comics for more than 35 years, with more than 40,000 used and rare books. 237 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs.

Epic Book Shop – New and used books on most subjects with unusually good selections on religion, philosophy, healing, literature and occult. Also a great selection of children’s books, puzzles and other items. 232 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs (937) 767-2091.

Sam and Eddie’s Open Books – A gallery store for readers and writers, featuring books, cards, journals, gifts and other artistic and literary items. Yellow Springs.

Youngstown area

Paperback Shack – Community-minded used bookstore with creative space, writing workshops, book groups, more. 6058 Youngstown Warren Road, Niles (330) 544-5937.

Zanesville

A New Beginning Bible Book & Gifts – Local Christian Bible, book and gift store. 1204 Brandywine Blvd., Suite A, Zanesville (740) 450-0574. Connect on Facebook.

Mass Media Comics – New and back issue comics and graphic novels. Family friendly! 631 Main St., Zanesville. (740) 868-8040. Connect on Facebook.

Slack’s Book Barn – More than 600,000 books, lots of Western, Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Mystery. 1124 Wayne Ave., Zanesville. (740) 297-7133. Connect on Facebook.

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