Welcome!

This website is dedicated to promoting Houston's active literary scene by providing a comprehensive listing of book events taking place in the greater Houston area. Please visit the independent bookstores listed below for more information about their specialties.

Blue Willow Bookshop is a locally-owned independent bookstore that has served the greater Houston community since 1996. Staffed by a merry band of avid (and opinionated) readers, Blue Willow facilitates and organizes over 350 author events for adults, students, and children each year, partnering with a wide variety of Houston schools and organizations. Our West Houston shop encourages a passion for reading in all ages - come chat about books or browse our selection of games, puzzles, stationery, and more.

We look forward to welcoming you to our happy place!

In 1974, Karl Kilian opened Brazos Bookstore to encourage the growth and development of the emerging Houston literary scene with a clear focus on personalized service, community engagement and passionate curation. 
Brazos Bookstore supports writers and readers through long partnerships with Inprint!, the University of Houston Creative Writing Program, the Academy of American Poets, and the Annual Poet and Writer’s Ball. We additionally collaborate with many of Houston’s premier cultural organizations, including the American Institute of Architects, Rice University and the Baker Institute, the Houston Public Library, and the Asia Society, to produce and promote their literary events. Brazos Bookstore continues to be locally owned by a group of twenty-seven Houstonians. 

Kindred Stories, founded in 2021 by Terri Hamm, was born of a love for reading and a passion for community. The store is here to give kids and adults alike a space to explore the wide-open world of literary content and creative works fashioned by black and brown hands. We are a bookstore committed to amplifying Black voices and bringing diverse stories from throughout the African diaspora to our local community in Houston, TX. Located in the Third Ward neighborhood, we provide a well-curated offering to edify the swelling appetites for authentic stories as told by those who have lived them.

Murder By The Book is one of the nation's oldest and largest mystery specialty bookstores, established in 1980 by Martha Farrington, and purchased by McKenna Jordan in 2009.  The store stocks over 25,000 books -- new & used, hardbacks & paperbacks, first editions, collectibles, gift items, mystery magazines, and more.  We host over 200 of the hottest mystery, crime, and fantasy authors for book signing events every year.  We've had everyone from Dick Francis to P.D. James, Sue Grafton to Robert Crais, Michael Connelly to Patricia Cornwell, James Lee Burke to Daniel Silva.