This is a really cute little bookstore we found while exploring Kitty Hawk on our recent trip. It's rare to find these days! The kids and I picked out a few things for our beach reading. The store itself is REALLY cramped - very crowded. I kept knocking into shelves and stuff. Kind of wish there were more spaces to sit and browse, relax, read - it's more of a get what you want and get out kind of vibe. Plus, I found it kind of hard to find things I was looking for. Several authors I follow I couldn't find in their sections. Maybe they have a different niche than what I'm typically drawn to - but there was a nice selection of books in the kids section including a decent showing in teen fiction. Staff was super friendly. Oh, and there was no bathroom. Part of why we had to leave is my little one needed to go, so we had to cut our browsing time short. read more

Island Book Store-Kitty Hawk - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

See all

The bookshop is so cute and quaint. They have a great selection of stickers, bookmarks and tote bags in addition to books. The book sellers are very personable and helpful, as well as knowledgeable. I wish the space was a little bit bigger to sit and hangout but they use what they have well! Stop by if you're ever in the area and need a good book. read more

Great shop for local authors, buy a book read a free before posted title, and so many more merch finds! A nice retreat away from the bustle of the shops! Good prices and nice collection of books, magazines, and novelty book items! read more

See all

Bottom Line:  A charming and well organized local bookstore packed full of books, magazines and related goodies. I'm a big fan of Island Bookstore! The store in Kitty Hawk is relatively small but it is packed full of books and it is super organized. I always check out the local books up front before meandering to the kids section to relive my childhood. On my most recent visit I just explored on my own but on previous trips when I was on a mission I found the staff to be very helpful. Overall, visiting this store is a great experience. read more

First time checking this book store out and I will be back! Something about the feeling of entering a little book store is the best! I wish I had taken some pictures. They have lots of options! Including a little section of Reese Witherspoons book club books! Also top picks, employees picks, and childrens books! I will definitely be back! I also received two bookmarks with my purchase. read more

See all

Great book store! They had a great selection, including a great religion selection. The staff was really nice. It seemed like there was a gym or workout class next door, but the noise was certainly not their fault! read more

It's so refreshing to see a small bookstore that isn't a Barnes and Noble or Amazon store. We were browsing things to do while in Outer Banks and everyone in my family wanted to come here. I think every one of us walked out with something. My daughter got birthday money from her grandpa and I let her pick out multiple books with it. She very methodically looked at all of it before selecting. I appreciated that they also had a few language books for kids that weren't just Spanish. There are also gifts by the register if you want OBX souvenirs. I purchased a fun magnet for our cat sitter watching the kitties while we were on vacation. My favorite thing about here was the bookcase full of ARCs at the entrance of the store. If you make a purchase, you can pick one. I probably browsed that shelf as extensively as the rest of the store :) read more

Cute bookstore, great service and everything was reasonably priced just wish they offered more local handmade items like the Manteo location and had the blind date with a book option. Still found some great things that I'm super happy with! read more

Been going here for years. Sometimes I find new authors that I enjoy. Browsing is fun and relaxing. We like to walk around Scarborough Faire then go to book store. Their store in Corolla is also full of the latest books. The Corolla store is near the lighthouse and an old ( but still used) school. This is where I found Henning Mankell and Gary Disher books. read more

This is the second summer I've gone to this bookstore after discovering it last summer. They have a fabulous selection - everything from the latest bestsellers to an array of biographies and nonfiction to robust genre sections for the size of the store. I can never resist the bookish magnets, tote bags, and accessories they keep up front. There's truly something for everyone! read more

My family had moved to KHD 6 months ago and this was our go to place for books. Today I went into the store to pick up a book that was set aside for us and also browse for something new to read. I then overheard the cashier telling a white mom and her white daughter if they want to sign up for a loyalty program, if you spend $150 you will get $10 back. I subsequently picked up a new book and went to get rung up, the cashier did not mention anything about a loyalty program. I thought again, and remembered vaguely that we might be in the system. I asked her about the program and she said oh, yes we have that and proceed to help get my points into my account. She wrote down the amount that I spent and upon locating my last name, she did nothing to verify if it was the right account and told me that she will get it into the system. I'm a minority living in OBX, and everyone had been respectful but this by far was the most discriminating experience I have had in OBX. We all might have a 'moment', a lapse in judgement and try to explain and excuse away any unconscious bias but this is really unacceptable. This is why people gets pushed to online shopping because online shopping doesn't make you feel like crap. I will be sending my white husband to return my purchases tomorrow. read more

I visited this shop after stopping in Beach Bread Co. I'm surprised at how many books they could cram in here! They had books lined up in little nooks everywhere, even the space between the floor and bookshelves. I was also surprised at some of the weird things they carry. My brother asked for this obscure graphic novel and they said they had just sold the last copy. This place has a lot of stuff, but it's not really organized. I feel like they haven't visited other bookstores and they organize things in a way that makes sense to them. There were cooking books in the non-fiction, but some non-fiction books in the cooking section, etc. There's also a "new" section, but since they only have about 1 copy of each thing, that's just a catch all. After looking all over for a memoir, I sighted it behind another book on this "new" turnstile. I didn't end up buying it because I felt bad getting the last copy. Some of the people that work here are nice, but some of them are not nice at all. read more

Island Book Store-Kitty Hawk - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

See all

I've recently had a chance to visit all of the Island Book Stores (there are two other locations in Corolla and Duck), this is by far my favorite location. While this store is smaller, the aisles are wide - easy to navigate, the location feels fresh and modern, and the collection has great depth, you'll be challenged to NOT find a book for every member of your family. The store does not have a coffee shop or comfy chairs but you'll find lots to love in this bookstore if you love books. They have the newest of the newest books published, bestsellers, and carefully curated titles for every category you can thing of: from military history, southern fiction to cookbooks, spirituality and everything in between. If you have children, they have an extensive collection of picture books, middle grade and YA. Your young reader will have much to choose from. There is of course, a nice selection of stories sets in the Outer Banks and the south generally. While all of the Island Book Stores have a great collection, if you can only visit one location on the island, I suggest you make this your stop. You won't be disappointed. read more

The staff is incredibly friendly. I was impressed by the large selection they had available considering the store's small size. If I had any cons, I would say the store is a bit cramped. It's hard to move around without bumping into shelves and displays. I would also like to have seen a larger collection of Outer Banks-related materials. However, these were not enough to discourage me from visiting again. I love this little bookstore. read more

What a charming bookstore! I enjoyed browsing the surprising large selection and found two excellent beach reads during our vacation. I plan to make this store a regular stop when we visit the Outer Banks! read more

I adore this book store!! Such a fun and friendly spot! Great selection of books from a wide variety of categories. I love all the lists posted throughout the store. Best of all, if you buy a book from them, you can choose from a selection of advanced reader copies from publishers, for free! Love it! read more

I love independent bookstores and was so pleased to find this cute store in the OBX. I found some great books about local lighthouses. The store offers a good selection of new releases and lots of paperbacks that are perfect for the beach! read more

It looks small from the outside but it's not! There are so many different book categories. Fiction, non fiction, diy, children's, etc. outer banks gift ideas also. Great place! Friendly staff. I will visit again. read more

Wonderful book store at OBX. It was nice to be able to find the next book in the series I am reading while at the beach. The staff is awesome. If they don't have your title right away- they can check the other 2-3 locations on obx and have it for you by the next day. I wish books stores like this were everywhere instead folks going online- there is just something great about discovering your next read in a place like this. read more

I finished my book sooner than I expected, so I needed another to get me through the rest of my vacation and this bookstore was the only one with reviews on Yelp. Don't let the exterior fool you, its nicely packed with plenty of books from new releases to magazines. You'll find something in here for sure. read more

Poor religion & theology section & absolutely no discounted books or clearance/sales at all. Expensive. Felt like we were being "watched" the entire time we browsed with our two well-behaved children. Clerk was congenial, though robotic in her greetings and offer to assist. read more

Amazing little bookstore with a great selection, including many local books signed by their authors.

Fun little " old time" bookstore that carries something for everyone! Good rainy day kid activity. All it needs is a cat!

Love this little book store in KDH! We stop here every year and always find great books to read. We LOVE the "staff picks" and suggestions and always end up getting something they recommend and enjoy it (even my husband who only reads once a year). Staff is always friendly and helpful and the selection is great given how small the store is. Definitely recommend!! read more

Cute, good selection, and a great opportunity to shop at a locally-owned book store. Is the selection comparable to Amazon? Obviously not, but it's more eclectic and far-ranging than most Barnes and Noble and far and away better than the Cotton Gin, the touristy souvenir shop that was also recommended online as a "book store" in the OBX. read more

Visited the Island Bookstore at the Scarborough Faire shops today. We were not looking for anything specific- just some interesting reads to enjoy during some precious days off of work for a fall beach getaway. The store sign showed "closed" although it was after 11:00 am. We turned to leave when some folks hanging out on the sidewalk stated they were actually open so we gave it a try and they were indeed open - just not owning up to it. The charming store was chock full of excellent offerings from many genres and was nicely arranged and inviting. We easily found 4 books of interest to purchase. Sadly the customer service was almost non-existent. Barely a "that'll be X dollars". And when I inquired about some bookmarks I was met with a curt retort that there was already 1 in each book. While I do appreciate the bookmarks I did not appreciate the lack of enthusiasm or appreciation for my business. So if you go there expect a good selection of books and some gift items. Do not expect anyone to be happy or appreciative that you sought them out and are choosing to spend money there. One would expect the small independents to make customer service or at least basic courtesy a priority. Sadly that was entirely lacking today at the Island Bookstore. read more