The 10 Best Bookstores in North Carolina — 2026
We compared all 535 bookstores in North Carolina on the data that matters: services offered, posted hours, and how easy each one is to reach. No pay-to-play — this ranking comes straight from the listings data, updated November 2026.
#1 · Dancing Moon Earthway BookstoreBoone
Mon–Thu 11am–5pm, Fri–Sat 10am–6pm
#2 · Comic MonstoreSalisbury Comics
Mon-Tue 11am-6pm, Wed 11am-8pm, Thu 11am-6pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 1pm-6pm
#4 · Bagatelle BooksAsheville Used
Mon–Thu 11-5, Fri–Sat 11-6, Sun 11-5
#5 · Barnes & NobleCharlotte Children's
Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 10am-8pm
#6 · Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne BarAsheville Used
Mon 12-6, Wed–Sat 12-8 PM, Sun 12-6 PM
#8 · Cleary's BookstoreMt Holly UsedChildren's
Tue-Thu 9am-7pm, Fri-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-4pm
#9 · Dancing Moon Books and GiftsRaleigh Metaphysical
Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 1pm-6pm
#10 · Downtown Books & NewsAsheville Used
Mon–Thu 10-6, Fri–Sat 10-7, Sun 11-5
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How we rank: every listing earns points for listed services
(used, comics, christian, children's, manga, metaphysical),
posted hours, and working contact details. The ranking is recalculated with every data update.