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!

I went to this bookstore on a recommendation from a friend and my experience could've been much…read morebetter. Like other reviewers have mentioned, I was not greeted upon entering. While that wouldn't necessarily affect my overall experience, the fact that the staff never stopped to ask me (or any of the other browsing patrons) if we needed help with anything was disappointing. The selection of items was okay, though books marked as "new" that had clear damage to them (most likely done in shipping, such as bent corners, red marks on the tops of paperbacks, etc) were still marked at resale value. I understand local bookstores need all the support they can get, and while I didn't end up purchasing a book, I did buy one of their heavy duty canvas totes. I didn't look at the price of the used titles except for a copy of Gone with the Wind, so I can't attest to how those prices are in conjunction with other used book stores. Would I go back? Yes, and hopefully the visit will be better. I would also like to see more diverse fiction titles as well.

We popped into Blue Bicycle Books while exploring Charleston last Sunday, and it was charming! The…read morestore isn't large and a bulk of the store is contained within a hallway (so you'll be saying excuse me to a few people as you browse - it's impossible not to get in someone's way), but it has a very good selection of used books, good service, and a little seating where you can sit and read a bit of your maybe purchases. (They also have some rare books - like a signed Vonnegut for $2k!) It's a charming used bookstore, work checking out if you're exploring Charleston!

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.

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

Great Indy bookstore with unique selections. Also a nice place for Corgi toe licks & tummy pets…read morewhile selecting your next read to devour. There are fun finds tucked in every corner. The books are priced as is. The other items are a little pricey but you know you're supporting your local independent seller and that is a good thing. Help is provided if asked, otherwise you are free to peruse without pressure which is much appreciated and welcomed.

The best little bookshop around! There is typically plentiful street parking around. Staff are so…read morekind and helpful. I think they even have a book club which sounded really fun! Support local booksellers!

What a marvelous little bookstore! Exudes the love of reading culture in every corner!…read more Now this is a small bookstore with mostly newer releases but very well curated and the staff is very personable and are engaging in lovely literary conversations the whole time you are there. Ample kids books and basic collection of classics. They also have coffee and tea as well as it looks like book club programming. I left feeling very good!

I went straight in and asked for local fiction. She directed me right to the spot and I asked for…read moreher favorites and she gave them to me. I am through chapter one of her recommendation and it is perfect! A cute little local bookstore!

If you want to get a nice souvenir for someone and support the lovely city of Charleston, this is…read morethe place to do it! I bought a Brackish bracelet for my wife here and she liked how unique it was. You can't get something like this anywhere else. The bracelet I chose was exclusively made for Preservation Society of Charleston. If I'm ever back here, I'll probably have to pick up one of the awesome Brackish bowties or other fun item here.

The Preservation Society is my go-to for gifts! Everything in here is of high quality and offers a…read morevariety of price ranges. The staff is always helpful and ready to explain the background of each manufacturer. The Smithey cookware is iconic. During this visit, I purchased a few jewelry pieces from Brackish for my girls. They are absolutely the most unique jewelry! I also bought some cards, spiced nuts and oyster Christmas ornaments for gifts. I bring all of our guests downtown and we always include a trip to the Preservation Society. It's a fav for sure!

CofC + Barnes and Noble…read more I went in the store trying to pass some time waiting on the parking office to open one morning and wasn't disappointed. There's a large selection of clearance and not-clearance CofC apparel, a mini B&N book area, a selection of school supplies at moderately reasonable prices, and the textbook area. I was pumped to find a clearance area of the B&N area which included recent books, not just outdated books of no interest.

The College of Charleston Bookstore is a great place to get all things College of Charleston in…read moreplace. Besides getting textbooks and other things required for class they have a wonderful selection of CofC gear and apparel that has everything you need to be head to toe Cougar. This is a great place to find gifts and other quick items. They also have a good choice of College of Charleston related books and other Charleston area items here. I really like the layout of this store as everything is wide open and easy to find. The staff here is very knowledgeable and able to help you find any particular item you are looking for or answer any question that you may have. I have always liked this store and enjoy being able to come here often.

I went into Barnes and Noble today to return a book. Per the Barnes &. Noble website - returns…read morewithout a receipt will receive a store credit in the form of electronic gift card. It also states items purchased at a Barnes & Noble store must be returned to a Barnes & Noble store, but you are not required to return it to the same Barnes & Noble store where the purchase was originally made..... well this Barnes & Nobles refused to give me a store credit because it wasn't purchase at this store. They do not stand behind their own policies! So save your receipt and maybe they will give you a refund but possibly not since they do not honor their polices!

Books and coffee. Can you think of a better combination? I have always loved Barnes and Noble. I…read morelove looking through the books to find the perfect late-night read. The staff is usually very helpful and nice. I enjoy browsing in a bookstore while I am still able to:)

If you love romance books you have to visit Sweter than Fiction! Tons of trinkets (stickers,…read moreapparel, book themed items, pins, etc) and tons of romance book in all tropes! The staff is super sweet and helpful willing to talk about your favorite book with you!

This bookstore was so adorable! The store was very vibrant and had such a great selection of…read moreromance novels. The staff were friendly and gave great recommendations. Prices were reasonable.