Welp, Independent Bookstore Day looks a little different this year for everyone—not just for us at the Melville House Bookshop. But that doesn’t make it any less important. While people have been terribly kind about buying books from us online (which has proven to be so important during a time when we had, you know, no revenue?), the irl Melville House Bookshop has not been in operation since the brink of COVID-19, although our staff is still cranking out books left and right despite all that’s happening in the world (maybe, because of all that’s happening). Man do we miss it, and we’re excited for the day that we can announce a reopening. But for now our bookstore looks a lot like … home. 

Melville House has always been a social justice publisher, with a mission of contribution to a diverse marketplace, leftist intellectualism, racial justice, and LGBTQ liberation—which is why we are so keen on supporting our neighboring Brooklyn indie booksellers, who share our mission during this special day. 

Navigating indie bookselling during the pandemic has been tough, but independent bookshops are known for their nimble ways. So raise a glass. Here’s to bookstore culture—and all that it embodies. We’re glad to call these folks our neighbors. 

Greenlight Bookstore

Tune into free, virtual events with authors all day Saturday. Pre-registration is required for the webinars, but it’s easy to do here.

686 Fulton St,

Brooklyn, NY 11217

Follow Greenlight Bookstore on Twitter and Instagram 

Community Bookstore 

These folks have been around since 1971, and their bookstore is arguably more than just a bookstore. It’s—as the name suggests—a community. Right now they’re offering curbside pick-ups. 

143 7th Ave, 

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Follow Community Bookstore on Twitter and Instagram

WORD Brooklyn Bookstore

Get first dibs at an “epic sidewalk sale” (weather permitting) and pick up a t-shirt to commemorate the day. 

126 Franklin St, 

Brooklyn, NY 11222

Follow WORD on Twitter and Instagram   

The Center for Fiction Bookstore

Get your hands on books via curbside pick-up & in-store browsing with the kind services of this not-for-profit organization. 

15 Lafayette Avenue 

Brooklyn, NY 11217

Follow The Center for Fiction on Twitter and Instagram

McNally Jackson Books 

Owned and operated by a former editor, it makes sense that the staff is cultivated with diverse tastes making a connection with every shelf and every book. Shop online or in-store. 

Brooklyn Locations: 

445 Albee Square W, 

Brooklyn, NY 11201

76 N 4th St Unit G, 

Brooklyn, NY 11249

Follow McNally Jackson on Twitter and Instagram

Unnameable Books 

Now allowing two customers in at a time (with masks on and 6 feet of distance—OBVIOUSLY), Unnameable is excited to be open to the public again. 

600 Vanderbilt Ave, 

Brooklyn, NY 11238

Follow Unnameable Books on Instagram