This cute women-owned shop in Green Hills is the perfect spot to pick out a new book (or three). My husband and I braved the Hillsboro Pike traffic on a Sunday afternoon and ventured to Parnassus for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It was busy but not packed when we arrived, and it looked like the staff was setting up for an event. Books are arranged by genre, with newer titles near the front of the store. I found a few novels I've been eyeing, and the prices are fair. I could have easily spent a few hours browsing ... as easily as I could have spent a small fortune on books. It is worth noting that my husband was disappointed at the graphic novel selection (it was only one small end cap), and sadly he left empty-handed. Even still, this is a great spot to pick out a new novel, and a great chance to support an independent bookseller! read more

as a Nashville native, this is truly one of the best book stores! it is always neat and organized with a selection of both new and classic books. Aside from books, they have stationary, pens, stickers and more! Everything here is great quality and totally worth a book store run! read more

Loved this store! I wanted to buy everything they had. Along with books, divided by genre, they have cute stationary and gifts. Loved the sticker selection. The store even has a dog named Miller who roams around and its likes to get pet. read more

Parnassus Books - Bookstores Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This place is the greatest! If you're looking for a beautiful, welcoming independent bookstore with a great layout full of so many great options: this is the place for you. I love the vibe here. The booksellers are all SO authentically friendly that I walk away with a smile on my face every visit. Parnassus is so great for the community with all the events they host. I think that's my favorite part! They've also got a bunch of signed books in store, too! read more

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Parnassus books embodies the iconic bookstore image - neatly organized stacks, tall shelves with rolling ladders, and kind staff members. I was greeted warmly when I arrived (even a few minutes before closing!) and easily found what I was looking for. I didn't have time to wander the aisles this time around, but I will definitely do so next time and hopefully find my new favorite read. read more

Parnassus Books - Bookstores Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This bookstore is in a shared plaza and parking can be limited when busy. Loved the bookstore from the moment I walked in. Each book genre is well marked and I liked the bookclub section. You can definitely find all the latest releases. These are all new books. The service was friendly and lovely. The only issue was finding the correct entry point to get in the check out line and I noticed I wasn't the only one to get in the wrong line. read more

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A great book store worth browsing when you're in Nashville! Loved the local author section, cute children's area, and the great selection of books. Can't wait to stop in again next time we're in town! read more

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Gorgeous independent bookstore! Every employee was friendly and helpful. Such a huge selection in so many genres and lots of bookish items to choose from. The children's section is dim and cozy with a small little kid size entrance. It's so inviting and makes the choices intriguing. There is a good size stage where they hold many author events and seem very organized for special event orders. Ann Patchett has a section of signed books as she is one of the owners. I highly recommend Parnassus books if you live in or are visiting Nashville! read more

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Two retired librarians from Virginia have long talked about visiting Ann Patchett's bookstore and this past week we did it. Before taking the trip, I contacted the store about a hotel recommendation and Cat recommended three, all within walking distance. Once we arrived at the store, we were impressed with the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff and with the huge selection of books and book-related merchandise. When we checked out, we asked the young woman at the cash register if she would recommend a place for us to eat lunch. Not only did she recommend the Green Hill Grille, but she went outside and showed us how to get there. Then we made one last request of her and asked her to take our picture. It was such a wonderful experience for two book nerds, and one we will never forget. Thanks to all who made our trip so special. read more

Super cute bookstore. Lots of signed books and many local authors. We drove in for Independent Book Store Day for a special release and left with a few more. read more

A Nashville gem!! Parnassus Books is so special and we are so lucky to have them here. The book selection is great and anything that you cannot find there can be ordered online. I know that it can be tempting to get very cheap books from online retailers, but it is so important to support local bookstores. I always appreciate that the Parnassus staff is there to provide recommendations and love that they always have a staff recommendations shelf set up. I appreciate that they have so many community offerings as well - author talks, book clubs, story time, and nonprofit shopping nights. It has become a place that I take visitors and everyone loves visiting! I hope that they stay a Nashville institution for a very long time. read more

Parnassus Books - Example of theme shelf - Bookstores Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I've never felt so welcomed in my life! i spoke to Patsy (i think that's her name) over the phone and she is a gem. I've been on the hunt for the Dairy of Saint Maria Faustina but hadn't been able to find it anywhere at a decent price. She helped me order it and was so quick and willing to get me what i wanted! read more

Wonderful booksellers with great recommendations. And for us out of towners, Thanks for your great service too.

Found myself browsing some books and found something that I knew my Mom would love. With that being said, the woman at the register was no muss, no fuss. No hi, hello, no can I help you find anything. Here's your purchase, and have a nice night. Friendliness in customer service goes a long way... read more

You've just flown in to Nashville. What's the first thing you do? If you're a word nerd you head to Parnassus. That is exactly what we did on a recent trip. THIS IS THE BEST BOOK STORE I HAVE EVER VISITED. I think my luggage was overweight on the flight home because of all the books I bought. Of course, every Ann Patchett book in the story is signed by the author but there's a ton of other author signed books for sale (I'm sure b/c of her connections). There are a lot or local authors but I was also able to pick up a first-edition signed copy of Tommy Orange's latest book. I found books and books that I coveted no matter where I looked in the stacks. The staff was great and so helpful. There was an author talk and book signing after closing and they allowed us to stay. I would be a member of every single one of their book clubs if I lived in Nashville. Make this a tourist stop! read more

Parnassus Books - Bookstores Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Great service and selection of books; cozy place and convenient Green Hills location. We visit each time we are in Nashville.

Very nice, local bookstore. I went there planning to get one book, asked one of the employees for a recommendation, and ended up leaving with ten. One of which became my favorite books of all time. Absurdly low prices for the hardbacks, same as the paperbacks! It has a really nice smell, you know the one I mean, fresh books. Great staff, and a very cozy store. read more

I LOVED this book store! This was our first tourist stop in Nashville because of Ann Patchett fan girling! It's beautiful inside with a huge selection of books and gifts. Incredible deals because of so many signed books by lots of different authors. Very nice and very passionate staff. We happened to be there right before an evening book signing/author talk, so we stayed. It was awesome to get to hear from two romance authors and pick up signed copies of their new books! I can't wait to read the armload that I bought. Love love! read more

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This is a delightful place full of of carefully curated books and a small amount of bookish gifts. Worth the trip and plan to stay for a spell read more

Best kids section EVER!! Such a great and diverse selection. Staff is so friendly and sometimes there's even a pup to pet!

This is a cool old school book store that should not be missed. Very friendly staff! Very cool vibe! Very nice selection of books! read more

Parnassus Books - Bookstores Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Parnassus Books is heaven on earth for book lovers! This is a huge bookshop with a wide variety of books, so it is easy to find something for everyone. In addition to pretty much any book you could possibly want, they have a great selection of bookish gifts including shirts, totes, notebooks, and stickers. This is a great place to find gifts! Service was really friendly and I appreciated that the staff were willing to help with finding the right book. The entire store is super clean and cozy with lots of comfy chairs to sit in while you make your selection. Pricing was fair and I'm always thrilled to support a local business. read more

Adorable book store with lots of selection. Worth the visit! Was in from out of town and the recommendation was correct!

The books up the wall, the themed tables, the ladders hanging on! This place is a book lovers dream. The detail that is put into this book store is noticed and admired. While I was in, I picked up a nifty book club journal and fourth wing. Already can't wait to go back! read more

Great variety of books and very well organized. Lots of signed and special editions. Great spot for book lovers.

Everything you could want in an old-fashioned book store. Well stocked with classics and current best-sellers. Nice YA and children's sections. I spent some of my time shopping in the nice gift section. (Perfect for your friends and family who are readers). I Would love for this store to be as big as the big-box stores are someday. Location is easy to find. Parking is on the street or in a nearby free garage. read more

I love supporting a local bookstore. And Parnassus makes it easy to support as one of the most beautiful indie bookshops I've ever visited. It's well organized, and their online presence makes it easy to figure out what books are in stock. They host great events, encouraging reading at all ages. It's quite whimsical inside, beautifully decorated. The staff are oh so friendly, readily available to help. And the price is to be expected, a bit more than Amazon, but to be expected at an indie store that is curated so well. read more

Parnassus Books - Bookstores Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I stopped here after reading the reviews and because independent book stores are incredible. This space did not disappoint. I loved the spacious layout that filled every space with creative displays. Their music and arts sections were fabulous. My favorite section for younger readers was superb. I found great new reads and a solid collection of newer classics. The dog was on a level of its own... that sweet thing! read more

Unfortunately we made this our last stop on our bookstore day, did not give ourselves much time before closing :( This is a really lovely bookstore, helpful and friendly staff, large selection. We will definitely be making Parnassus a priority next time we're in town! read more

This is one of my favorite local bookstores in Nashville. There is always a good selection of books no matter the genre you are interested in. They also host monthly events with authors and have a shop dog! There are two locations, one in Green Hills and one in the airport. Highly recommend! read more

What a fun bookstore. Clean, full of people and lovely displays. Found more than I came for. Purchased a signed book of the owner/author and cant wait to give it to my daughter as a gift! We asked about the dogs and they kindly went and got one out of the office for us to see and pet! Would recommend and return the next time in town. read more

Superb bookstore -- indy and proud. Staff were highly knowledgeable, even asked me for further recommendations. So thankful to have a superbly stocked independent bookstore in Nashville!! read more

Parnassus Books - Books - Bookstores Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

While I haven't been to this location, I wandered into the one in the airport and fell in love. I was in Nashville for work for less than 24 hours so I mostly saw the airport and wanted to kill some time.The selection inside blew me away. Amazing options one after another, including ones that I'd never heard of and can't find in any bookstores around my hometown. I walked out with a few greats greats, but actually had to start taking photos of books because there were so many good ones that I couldn't fit them all in my suitcase. I hope to visit Nashville again to be able to see the main location, but until then I'll follow on Instagram and keep suggesting Parnassus to anyone who visits. read more

I am still in shock it took me this long to go to Parnassus. What an elegant bookstore! Sleekly laid out. Very open and inviting. The decor is just like the library from beauty and the beast in a smaller scale. The host lots of events and book clubs. Check it out if you are a book lover. read more

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Opened in 2011 by novelist Ann Patchett, I can understand why Parnassus gets such glowing reviews! This is the kind of charming little bookstore you cheer for, the antithesis of the giant stores that also serve a purpose but aren't nearly as cozy. The children's section is adorable and you'll find a lot of cute knickknacks, not just books. The genres of literature etched out in chalk are so indicative of a quaint, locally-owned bookstore and that literally brought a smile to my face. There is an impressive array of books for a store this size, and the only category I found lacking was the culinary genre. There are practically no cookbooks, maybe three or four. That's a shame, because it's my favorite kind of book to buy. But Parnassus is doing a fabulous job of bringing local flavor to Green Hills! read more

Everyone was super nice!! I loved that they have recommendations for every genre!!! Personally my favorite was the romance section

My mom is a fan of author Ann Patchett, and when she discovered that she owned Parnassus Books in Nashville she insisted we visit. When we walked in I automatically was drawn to their displays and all of the different book selections. I enjoyed their book display on local authors and books about Nashville, so I selected a book by a radio DJ in Nashville Bobby Bones which I really enjoyed and never would've thought to read otherwise. After all, that is what bookstores are great for is discovering new books! I came back to Parnassus with a coworker once I saw that they have book signing events. I was shocked that a noticed a few authors of very popular novels had book signings here. I decided to come here to have Delia Owens sign my copy of her book 'Where the Crawdads Sing'. Although I know that some book signings are ticketed events, no tickets were required for this one. They do ask that if you come to a book signing that you purchase the book from their bookstore, which makes sense. I was definitely grateful they had two employees going around with post-it notes so that your spelling of the name would be corrected once the author got to sign your book. One of the employees also took photos of us and the author which was nice and efficient. Parnassus is a great local bookstore and I am so glad that I discovered it. They have a wide variety of books and hold events here which all ages would appreciate. read more

Parnassus Books - Delia Owens at Parnassus - Bookstores Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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So, here's the thing--I love books, bookstores, and reading and spend a lot of time exploring those loves. So if Parnassus is your local independent shop and you can get what you want here and the price point works for you, please support them! For me, I'm particular on what I buy (versus check out from a library) and what I pay for that book. I know less prominent authors and especially independent retailers depend on your support, and am not above paying list price for a book I want especially from a local retailer. However, I tend to be more open to shelling out bucks for books if they're either on the specialty side (signed, limited, deluxe) OR on the economical side (used or discounted). To pay list price for a current bestseller or hardcover? It has to be a favorite author, special occassion, or something because $30 for a new hardcover is just a luxury I don't allow myself when there are so many other affordable options. Maybe they have a loyalty program? If so, and this is your neighberhood bookstore, terrific. Just offering 10 or 20% off list price or "buy one get one 30% off" is apt to make me pull the trigger on a book purchase I'm on the fence over, but I didn't see that as an option here. I didn't see a discount or clearance section either, or used (but that's okay, that's a different type of bookstore). I did see a "local authors" section and did see some signed books. If I make a purchase in the future from here, it will likely be from one of these categories. I did notice they have in-store readings and signings, and I'd also be very likely to purchase something during one of those events, so I'll keep my eyes on their event calendar in the future. I did dig all of those staff recommendation notes and placards, that always makes me smile and consider new books when in a store like this one. Perhaps my only major quibble is the lack of a "horror" section. I mean, I read a lot of different genres and styles of books all across the gamut of fiction and non-fiction. But when it comes to fiction, I have a soft spot for genre fiction, especially horror, and we're living in the midst of a horror fiction renaissance right now (2022) in which the genre is more diverse, inclusive, and expansive than it has ever been and there's not a section here for it--and I didn't see many of those authors represented in the general "fiction" section either. There's a "mystery" and a "fantasy" section, and I know some literary snobs are more apt to "approve" of those genres, but authors like Malfi, Malerman, Quigley, Piper, Golden, Moreno-Garcia, et. al. are just as literary as any of the current popular Fantasy series. read more

If you are an avid reader or just looking for a book to kill some time at the airport, then this is the spot for you. As a fan of Ann Patchett, I have longed to go to her bookstore in Nashville. Time was not on my side this trip, however, I was able to spend some time browsing in the Parnassus on Wings location in the Nashville Airport. The store is located right where Concourse A and B intersect. Super easy to find. There's an incredible selection of books and some bookish gifts as well. I always love looking at the staff picks as it gives me lots of titles to add to my TBR list. Hopefully, I can make it to the larger location in the near future. read more

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I've been hearing about Parnassus Books for years and it was one of the first places I thought to visit when I heard I was going to Nashville. I really enjoy visiting new independent bookstores whenever I'm in a different city. Parnassus was easy to find and very welcoming. It's a great size - you can browse for an hour and find a few things you like. There's a generous but not overwhelming selection. Tons of literary fiction, some displays like new release highlights and book club suggestions, and well curated sections for non-fiction interests. It was pretty busy while I was there and the booksellers were doing a great job of checking in with everyone to say hello and make themselves available. The seller who checked out my purchases was very friendly too. They also had a gift wrapper at the back of the store since it's holiday season. The children's and young adult sections looked like they'd be great for those age groups to browse themselves or to pick up gifts for people in those age brackets. There's also some cute knick-knacks, notebooks, and branded merchandise in there, along with some unique cards for unusual occasions. Lovely store. read more

Parnassus Books - Inside - Bookstores Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee