Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Blue Bicycle Books

    4.2 (86 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 7:30 pm

    Blue Bicycle Books Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Blue Bicycle Books

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Beto O'Rourke talk and book signing, March 2, 2024.
    Amy Lauren S.

    Blue Bicycle Books is a fun independent bookstore in the heart of downtown Charleston. After walking by many times, I visited for the Beto O'Rourke "We've Got to Try" talk and book signing in March 2024. The store is quite small, with a long hallway and a couple of rooms to the side, including a children's room. Thankfully the talk was held outside in a courtyard beside the bookstore, and I was glad it didn't rain. Local bookstores host authors and have experiences that you can't get online or from big box stores. Blue Bicycle frequently has authors sign and speak about their books. I'm not sure how the prices run for used and rare books, but the ticket for a book plus the talk was very reasonably priced. Parking is much easier in the local garages- I recommend the Charleston Visitor's Center garage or the Francis Marion hotel's garage.

    James Z.

    One of my favorite bookstores that I've been to and that's saying a lot! They seem to be very involved with the community and book festivals. You can see pictures of the owner and employees with various authors throughout the store. The bookstore itself has a very unique layout with little rooms, including a kids room with toys. A lot of local authors and books as well. Highly recommend checking them out!

    Main hallway.
    Jeffery B.

    Excellent bookstore on upper King. The layout is super long and narrow, with several "rooms" on the right side where you can sit and browse (one room is even designed for kids). It ends up being a cozy and comfortable space, with a huge selection of books of all types.

    Elizabeth M.

    I highly recommend visiting this independent bookstore just north of Marion Square - a great mix of new, used, and rare books.

    My gorgeous Dutch-English dictionary from the 1890s I bought at BBB!
    Kevin H.

    This bookstore is such a charming and unexpected jewel in Charleston. It's small and cozy, and the staff is very helpful. I am an ongoing, endless student of Dutch and a dictionary lover to boot, so when I saw a Dutch-English dictionary from the 1890s here I almost collapsed. Totally unexpected in South Carolina! This store is one of the special things that makes Charleston such an attractive and unique city. Any bibliophile must definitely make it part of their itinerary here!

    Ashton M.

    Blue Bicycle Books is by far the best local bookstore. As they state in their tagline, they have new, used, and rare books available for purchase. Their local section and YA section are my favorites. All the stacks are organized well and clearly marked. I wish they'd be a bit more competitive on list price of new books with other sellers, but I understand you can't be that competitive if you'd a locally-owned business. (Generally, online sellers seem to price new books I buy at about 50% off list, while BBB is at list.) In addition to the day-to-day operations, Blue Bicycle operates YALLFest, Charleston's stupendous YA lit festival on Upper King Street the second November annually. Their writing camp for kids has an excellent reputation. It can be a hassle to find parking in this area, but it's worth a trip to BBB.

    Ryan L.

    BBB is a great bookstore in downtown Charleston on King Street. When I stopped in here, the store was pretty busy as it's the heart of Y'all Fest in Charleston. The bookstore is decent sized with a long hallway to different rooms in the back. The booksellers were nice and the selection was good with a lot of great YA books, local authors, and some swag. While we were here, my friend and I waited for the bathroom in the back with some teens who were volunteering at the festival. While the girls were using the bathroom one of them stood outside the door and counted how long they were in there. At first I thought it was a joke, but then the girl kept counting and counting and counting. Finally, the counting teen used the restroom and she was in there the longest. When the next person went in, they said she left a floater. This doesn't really reflect on the bookstore at all, but it was so weird I will always remember this incident in my mind.

    Ami A.

    This local bookshop located on King Street is a little gem! It always has lots of local authors, staff suggestions, and nooks & crannies for browsing. Great place to pick up a gift to yourself or a fellow book lover!

    There are security cameras in his eyes... watching you... judging you...
    Timothy A.

    This IS the book store I've been looking for. I walked by, driven by, ridden by, but never stopped in until I arrived to another event early and had some time to kill. I wish I had more time to kill. The bookstore keeps going further and further back, with more rooms and walls of books lining every nook and cranny. What I like about this store, aside from the atmosphere and smell, is that they have both new and old books, which many bookstores around here don't do. Lots of local authors are featured, and although I couldn't make it, there was a book signing by the author of Glimpses of Charleston, so I'm going to pay more attention to future events and hope to be a part of them. BBB also plays a big part in Y'all Fest, so it's fun to see their pictures on the walls with all of the authors and guest speakers who come to town.

    Bookshelves

    See all

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andi P.
    4563
    1374
    7357

    1 year ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 2
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 45
    Thanks 12
    Love this 35
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Elizabeth M.
    394
    123
    175

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Delightful little ( not so) bookstore. Used options, rare options, autographed options.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan L.
    550
    1464
    6718

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave C.
    14
    215
    0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ami A.
    387
    672
    1474

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 1
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Very kind staff and an interesting collection of books. The staff was very kind and helpful.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Wonderful selection of local authors and delightful staff! Am so glad we stopped here.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Evan G.
    128
    4800
    28754

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andi L.
    0
    14
    25

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John B.
    211
    387
    1430

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Zack F.
    0
    17
    10

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Graham D.
    16
    89
    50

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eppy S.
    142
    73
    396

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T C.
    0
    13
    2

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S A.
    1
    28
    4

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of AJ S.
    57
    81
    20

    16 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob P.
    2627
    3395
    1879

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Blue Bicycle Books

    Review Highlights - Blue Bicycle Books

    When I was walking along King Street in Charleston and spotted this little shop, I had to stop in!

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Bookstores 486 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Buxton Books

    Buxton Books

    4.8(64 reviews)
    0.7 miFrench Quarter
    $

    Buxton Books on King Street is everything you want in an independent bookstore and more. From the…read moremoment you walk in, it's clear this place is thoughtfully curated and deeply rooted in the Charleston community. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely friendly--the kind of booksellers who actually listen to what you like and then point you to something you end up loving. Their recommendations are spot-on, whether you're looking for a well-reviewed new release, a literary classic, or something a little off the beaten path. The selection is excellent, with a standout focus on local authors and Southern voices. It's one of the best places in town to discover Lowcountry history, regional fiction, and signed copies you won't easily find elsewhere. You can tell real care goes into what makes it onto the shelves. What really elevates Buxton Books is their community involvement. They regularly host author events, readings, and conversations that make the store feel like a true cultural hub rather than just a retail space. If you're a reader--or even just book-curious--Buxton Books is absolutely worth a visit. A Charleston treasure and a reminder of how special a great independent bookstore can be.

    Lovely indie bookshop on King Street!…read more Cozy, welcoming, nice staff, clean, well organized, great book selection, some are signed by the author, I could spend hours and hours in here. I didn't have lots of time, but my visit was enjoyable, although short. They were holding a Literary Festival in Charleston and Buxton Books was part of it! One of the best bookstores in town!

    Photos
    Buxton Books - Inside

    Inside

    Buxton Books
    Buxton Books - Author event

    See all

    Author event

    Philosophers & Fools - The selections from the shelves.

    Philosophers & Fools

    4.8(28 reviews)
    0.6 miCannonborough

    Absolutely love this place! The owners are both super kind and give great recommendations for books…read more& wine. I love that their wine menu rotates so there's always something new to try. Great selection of books and if they don't happen to have a book you want in stock, you can order it and they'll text you when it comes in. (Mine arrived super quickly & my preorder arrived the day the book was out) I need to get in there on a trivia or bingo night.

    Nestled in a quaint neighborhood, the one of a kind Philosophers & Fools is a total gem. Let me…read morestart by saying this is not a place where you need to whisper, like at a library... There's music and people socializing... The ambiance, especially at night completely transports you to a different place. A place that feels distant, but welcoming and cozy. Speaking of cozy, there's a nice lounge area in the back that's perfect for a small group, maybe even a book club. If the lounge is occupied, no worries, the bar is quite large too. And there's about 4 small tables near the entrance. The menu has the perfect amount of items. I personally love their entire wine list and their popcorn is out of this world! As for the books, their selection is quite impressive. There's truly something for everyone, even kids. Two of my favorite things are that they had a section to honor black history month. And the other cool thing is, even though I'm married, their "Blind date with a book" table was the cutest thing ever. I've never seen anything like that before. Lastly, this place is perfect for a date night, a pre dinner drink, book club, a first date, or to just have some alone time. There are a couple of similar places in Charleston, but Philosophers & Fools has perfected the concept and they're definitely in a league of their own. I also appreciate that it's woman owned.

    Photos
    Philosophers & Fools - Towards the back.

    Towards the back.

    Philosophers & Fools
    Philosophers & Fools

    See all

    Trade-A-Book - Walking into Trade A Book is like stepping into a fairy tale.

    Trade-A-Book

    4.8(17 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $

    Trade A Book is Charleston's oldest bookstore. As of 2025 Beverley has been in business for 36…read moreyears. Her first store under the same name was located in Summerville on Trolly Rd which she later sold. (That new owner has since moved the location and kept the same name though they are not affiliated.) Trade A Book is a used bookstore where readers are able to bring in their books in exchange for store credit. There is a limit of 25 books per person per day that can be brought in. (Please don't be one of those that tries to sneak more in.) You May find new books on the shelves when someone trades them in but TAB does not order stock of new releases. What books should you expect to find? A little bit of everything. - general fiction - fantasy / sci fi - Upper YA - Lower YA - Children's books (grade school as well as picture books for the little kiddos) - Historical fiction - Classics - Romance (historical, contemporary, fantasy) - Mystery/ thriller - Horror - Religious / Christian - non fiction (this space is very small and limited) - Westerns - Local authors - and much more!! At this time operating hours are Thurs-Fri 11-4P. It is best to call the store ahead of time to confirm they are open as Beverley runs the store by herself and can take leave while she assists with family care. Beverly is one of the nicest store owners and is super knowledgeable about the books on her shelves. Readers are always welcome to request temporary holds if something comes in. There is a special charm to this place that you won't find anywhere else in the Charleston area. 10/10 recommend visiting yourself. There is a coffee shoonnex

    Tons of selection. I went to return a few days later and was bummed she wasn't open! I would returnread more

    Photos
    Trade-A-Book - Beverly, shop owner and book enthusiast, is always so helpful. She has all of the best recs! 33 years in business and still counting!

    Beverly, shop owner and book enthusiast, is always so helpful. She has all of the best recs! 33 years in business and still counting!

    Trade-A-Book - Beverly with her niece and social media manager/marketing director, Paige.

    Beverly with her niece and social media manager/marketing director, Paige.

    Trade-A-Book - It is always cool to see customers come in with swag.

    See all

    It is always cool to see customers come in with swag.

    Blue Bicycle Books - bookstores - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...