Most Community-Centered Bookstores in Pittsburgh
It's a great time to be a booklover in Pittsburgh. Local bookstores are thriving, new stores are opening and book clubs are plentiful. Whether it's new or used books, a specific genre of writing or local or national authors you seek, there is a shop in Pittsburgh that will meet your needs. Stop by any one of these stores to pick up a book from your wish list and read up on all of the special events held in these shops that engage the community of booklovers in Pittsburgh.
Penguin Bookshop
420 Beaver St.
Sewickley, PA 15143
(412) 741-3838
www.penguinbookshop.com
Located in Sewickley, just a short distance from downtown Pittsburgh, Penguin Bookshop has been a vibrant cornerstone in the community for decades. The shop itself is an LEED certified "green" building, a nod to the owner's desire to see more sustainable construction and buildings in our area. Join one of Penguin Bookshops book clubs or start a book club yourself and you can hold monthly meetings at the store for free and get a 20% discount on the book that is the topic! Join the monthly mailing list to get detailed information about all of the community-driven book clubs at the shop.
Journeys Of Life
810 Bellefonte St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 681-8755
www.journeysoflifeonline.com
Journeys of Life in Shadyside is not a typical neighborhood bookstore. Here, you'll find a wide variety of books, gifts and collectables and most notably a very deep, thoughtful collection of 12-step recovery program books, pamphlets and multi-media. Journeys of Life began as a place where people in the community could go to find self-help books while on their way to recovery in AA, NA, Al Anon and other addiction recovery groups. Step one foot inside of this lovely store and you'll feel the calm, judgement-free environment that Jean, the owner, works hard to sustain. A sample of the 12-step items available is online.
East End Book Exchange
4754 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
(412) 224-2847
www.eastendbookexchange.com
The East End Book Exchange in Bloomfield opened its doors in 2010 with the intent to become everyone's favorite friendly neighborhood bookstore. Founded originally as a popup store, the EEBX has become a permanent fixture on Bloomfield's main street. EEBX routinely holds monthly poetry readings, kids book discussions and art shows — all with the purpose of bringing together Pittsburghers who love books. Check EEBX's website and Facebook pages for its packed activities calendar and to see the constant additions to the collection and upgrades to the shop itself.
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Mystery Lover's Book Shop
514 Allegheny River Blvd.
Oakmont, PA 15139
(412) 828-4877
www.mysterylovers.com
Oakmont is home to one of the few bookstores in the country dedicated to the mystery book genre. The shop opened its doors in 1990 and is nationally recognized for its contributions to the genre. In addition to the extensive collection of titles in stock, this shop prides itself on the book clubs it sponsors. Seven regularly-held book clubs meet at the store each month so Pittsburghers with a passion for mystery books have a place to network. Join one of the welcoming clubs or even form your own. See the website for a listing of current clubs, ways to join a club or even a suggestion list of books if you want to start your own club.
Bradley's Book Outlet
2019 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 281-3014
www.bradleysbookoutlet.com
With 10 locations throughout the area, Bradley's Book Outlet may seem like just another chain, but in reality, it is a locally owned book distributor business with retail locations. If bestseller books are what you're seeking, stop into Bradley's before heading to a national chain store. The goal of the shop is to keep book business local in a market that has moved to online retailers. Locally owned by the former owners of a downtown bookstore, Bradley's always offers 30% off of New York Times Best Sellers in hardback, 20% off of best sellers in paperback and 15% off of all special orders. Check the website for a list of locations.
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Sally Turkovich Wright lives in her beloved city of Pittsburgh with her husband, Jason and German Shepherd, Zeus. She is a policy analyst by training, an eyewear stylist by trade and an amateur healthy-living advocate by choice. She also writes a column for Twoday Magazine. Catch up with her there at twodaymag.com. Her work can be found at Twodaymag.com.
