How to support Texas independent bookstores

March 16, 2020

Due to COVID-19 concerns, many businesses across the United States are shutting their doors or modifying their offerings — including independent bookstores. Here’s a (by no means complete) list of indie bookstores that have temporarily altered their services throughout Texas and how you can help them from your home as we practice social distancing and work to stop the spread of the virus.

BookPeople (Austin) has closed its store and is selling books online via Bookshop.org. Visit their Bookshop.org page here! BookPeople is also registered on Libro.FM, an online audiobook retailer which gives 100% of proceeds to the independent bookstore of your choice.

Austin Books & Comics (Austin) is also offering curbside pickup if you go to their website and submit a pull list or email info@austinbooks.com. You can pay via Square or Venmo. Find more information here.

Bookwoman (Austin) is offering curbside pickup for customers who place orders over the phone. Customers can also buy books delivered to their home on Bookwoman’s website or buy books via Libro.FM and choose Bookwoman as the beneficiary.

Literati (Austin) is a book club that delivers five children’s books for $9.95 for you to use for a week, plus the cost of any books you choose to keep. Join here.

Malvern Books (Austin)  has closed its doors until “at least” March 21, according to their website. There are no current plans for selling books, so we recommend stopping by and supporting Malvern when it is once again safe to do so!

South Congress Books (Austin) lists some available items on their website, and customers can purchase the listed items by calling the store or emailing scongressbooks@gmail.com.

The Book Nook (Brenham) offers online and phone purchases, as well as curbside service and online shipping. The Book Nook is also listed as a beneficiary on Libro.FM, and the store owner urges customers to buy a gift card to help support the store and its employees. They’re offering a free $5 gift card with every $50 gift card purchased.

The Published Page (Cleburne) is offering free deliveries for online orders over $20 and $5 delivery for orders under $20. More information is available here.

Interabang Books (Dallasoffers online ordering, free shipping with the code FREESHIP and curbside pickup. The store is also a beneficiary on Libro.FM.

Commonplace Books (Fort Worth) is accepting online orders for curbside pickup or shipping.

Lark and Owl Booksellers (Georgetown) has reduced their hours and is a beneficiary on Libro.FM.

Blue Willow Bookshop (Houston) is offering curbside pickup, $5 shipping on all online orders and free shipping on orders over $50. They’re also a beneficiary on Libro.FM. You can find more details here.

Murder by the Book (Houston) is offering curbside pickup and free shipping on orders over $50, and they’re a beneficiary on Libro.FM.

The Book Haus (New Braunfels) is offering online sales through Bookshop.org.

Books Ink (Portland) is offering curbside service if you call ahead and pay by cash or check.


Here are all the Texas bookstores which offer audiobook purchasing via Libro.FM:

  • Beauty & Brains Books (Houston)
  • Bibliobar (Garland)
  • Blue Willow Bookshop (Houston)
  • Bookish (Malakoff)
  • BookPeople (Austin)
  • Bookwoman (Austin)
  • Brazos Bookstore (Houston)
  • Burrowing Owl Books (Canyon)
  • Copperfield’s Book Shop (Spring)
  • Fabled Bookshop & Cafe (Waco)
  • Fleur Fine Books (Port Neches)
  • Front Street Books (Alpine)
  • Interabang Books (Dallas)
  • Katy Budget Books (Katy)
  • Lark & Owl (Georgetown)
  • Monkey and Dog Books (Fort Worth)
  • Murder by the Book (Houston)
  • Nowhere Bookshop (San Antonio)
  • Paragraphs on Padre Boulevard (South Padre Island)
  • Patchouli Joe’s Books (Leander)
  • Sententia Vera Bookshop (Dripping Springs)
  • Texian Books (Victoria)
  • The Book Attic (Tomball)
  • The Book Nook (Brenham)
  • The Dock Bookshop (Fort Worth)
  • The Twig Book Shop (San Antonio)