5 Hidden Gem Bookstores Worth Exploring for a Self-Care Day!

Written by: Lourdes Parra

Image Source: Collage made by Lourdes Parra

While staring at your screen and clicking the purchase button on Amazon books might be more accessible, the adventure of exploring a bookstore awaits you. Going outside also helps avoid that excess screen time you don’t need as well. According to Forbes Health, “limiting social media use to less than 30 minutes a day to improve your well-being”. All of these bookstores cater to each book reader, widen your book knowledge, and even help you have a self-care day without even realizing it. Self-care and love do not have to be anywhere from luxurious, it can be wholesome and fun. Whether you are a music, romance, or nonfiction lover of reading, these bookstores have it all. From having a solo date or with loved ones, in this post, we’ll be talking about the 5 Hidden Gem Bookstores waiting to be discovered that are worth exploring!

1. Fingerprints

A photo of Fingerprints bookshelf. Photo by Lourdes Parra

For all music and book lovers, Fingerprints is the place for you! When you walk in, instantly you will feel at ease with the store playing the latest music, “Research shows that music can have a beneficial effect on brain chemicals such as dopamine, which is linked to feelings of pleasure. Fingerprints, located on Fourth Street in Long Beach, CA does not only have a great selection of music but also a great selection of books. Music and books, what a great combo!! They have majority of music books but also have sprinkled in some fiction books, EVEN some used books for a great deal of one dollar! Along next to Fingerprints there is a nice coffee shop where you can hang after! Already sounds like a fun day.

2. Bel Canto Books

A photo of Bel Canto and Hangout store. Photo by Lourdes Parra

Need a day to relax, Bel Canto is your best friend for the vibe of a nice chill day. Further down Fourth Street is Bel Canto Books. Bel Canto Books is a lifestyle indie proud Women and BIPOC-owned independent bookstore. Bel Canto is in combination next to the Hangout(which is an apothecary store/cafe and garden). The shelves are curated with a selection of fiction, non-fiction, diverse books, and even children's books. Every month they have a theme, pictured here is for Black History Month–Bel Canto is big on celebrating books by women and People of Color. In addition, Bel Canto hosts monthly bookstore events and bookstore clubs. Since Bel Canto is on fourth street, it is next to other shops and other small businesses to support as well! Lisa Nisbet, Ph.D., a psychologist at Trent University in Ontario, Canada who studies connectedness to nature recommends, “You can boost your mood just by walking in nature, even in urban nature. And the sense of connection you have with the natural world seems to contribute to happiness even when you’re not physically immersed in nature.” After your trip at Bel Canto, have fun and go take a stroll to the other shops around Fourth Street.

3. The Ripped Bodice

A photo of a LBGTQ+ romance bookshelf at The Ripped Bodice. Photo by Lourdes Parra

Are you a lover of love?? Do you love to romanticize your life and make the most out of the present moment?? The Ripped Bodice is a romance bookstore located in Culver City, CA. This bookstore makes you feel like the main character and will make your inner hopeless romantic self happy!! From the latest romance book to diverse books for all ages. You name it…Rom Com enthusiasts, from Jane Austen to Emily Henry and from inclusive books, to LGBTQ+ reads and more, this bookstore is for you. Everywhere you turn, the shelves are stacked with the latest reads, cute bookish merch and just SO aesthetic!! Also an added plus, the Ripped Bodice has so many instagrammable spots too! This bookstore calls for a fun solo self-love date or even a date with your loved ones.

4. Pulp Fiction

A photo of Pulp Fiction comic store. Photo by Lourdes Parra

Embrace that inner child and visit your favorite superhero! Pulp Fiction located in Long Beach, CA is a comic bookstore. They have awesome deals on comics and even Magnas. From everything Marvel, DC, anime Mangas, just to name a few. Pulp Fiction also has a variety of funko pops, pop culture entertainment merch and other collectibles. Take a trip and do things for yourself as you would if you were a child. It makes life less serious and more enjoyable. Comic book lovers! This comic bookstore may look small but it is mighty, do not judge a store by its cover!

5. Once Read Books

An outside photo of bookshelves in front of Once Read Books. Photo by Lourdes Parra

Have you ever thought about thrift stores but for books? That is what a used bookstore is! Located in Long Beach, CA, Once Read Books is a trip to the past but also to the present and future. This store has lots of books, magazines and CDs from each decade. Like a thrift store, when you enter a used bookstore you need to be open-minded and patient because you never know what you can find. It is almost like a puzzle, to have to figure out what piece will be next–what book will be next for you.

There you have it, these bookstores have a book for anyone and everyone. From the Latest Contemporary Romance to the Newest Superhero Comic Movie Tie-In, they cater to each genre and are fun to explore the community. Have a solo date or a date with loved ones, these bookstores will help you have a self-care day. If you want to just grab a book and go, rest and read, or have a sip of coffee while enjoying modern fiction, these bookstores have it all.

So what are you still reading this, go and venture out to these hidden gem bookstores!! P.S. follow them on social media too :)

Keywords: Books, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Self-care, Community