Unearth The Voyage
Tennessee is quietly one of the best states in the country for used book hunting. From Memphis to Chattanooga, the shelves are packed with hidden gems, rare finds, and enough paperbacks to keep you busy for years.
I once walked into a Tennessee used bookstore looking for one title and walked out with nine. Whether you are a serious collector or just love a good browse, these 13 stops are absolutely worth your time.
McKay’s, Nashville, Tennessee
McKay’s Nashville is the kind of place where you show up for one book and leave with a shopping cart full of surprises. This store is one of Tennessee’s biggest used media destinations, and it earns that title every single day.
Books, music, movies, games, and more fill the shelves from floor to ceiling.
Every item comes from other customers, which means the inventory is always rotating. No two visits feel the same, and that unpredictability is honestly part of the fun.
Bargain hunters especially love the pricing here.
I spent three hours in McKay’s once and only made it through half the store. The Nashville location is still fully active and buying, selling, and trading daily.
If you are anywhere near Nashville and love used books, this stop is completely non-negotiable. It is big, busy, and absolutely worth every minute you spend inside.
McKay’s, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Same beloved chain, totally different city vibe. McKay’s Chattanooga brings the same massive used-media energy to a town already known for its quirky, creative personality.
The selection covers books, music, movies, games, and collectibles, all sourced directly from other customers in the community.
Because everything on the shelves came from local people, the inventory shifts constantly. You might find a rare paperback one week that is completely gone the next.
That unpredictability keeps collectors and casual browsers coming back regularly.
Chattanooga McKay’s is perfect for anyone who enjoys browsing without a specific plan. No shopping list required here.
Just wander, flip through covers, and let the shelves surprise you. The prices stay budget-friendly, which makes it easy to justify picking up more than you planned.
If you are road-tripping through Tennessee, this location deserves a dedicated stop, not just a quick peek through the window.
Burke’s Book Store, Memphis, Tennessee
Burke’s Book Store has been selling books in Memphis since 1875, which means it has been around longer than most of your favorite authors were alive. That kind of history is rare, and Burke’s wears it well.
The store sits at 936 South Cooper Street and carries new, used, and rare titles under one roof.
Walking through Burke’s feels like flipping through 150 years of Memphis literary culture. The staff knows their stock, the shelves are thoughtfully organized, and the atmosphere has that perfect worn-in bookstore charm.
It is the kind of place that locals are fiercely proud of.
Burke’s is not just a bookstore. It is a Memphis institution.
Whether you are hunting for a specific rare edition or just want to browse with no agenda, the store delivers every time. Check the official site for current hours before visiting, and go with a flexible budget because you will not leave empty-handed.
The Grumpy Bookpeddler, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Do not let the name fool you. The Grumpy Bookpeddler in Murfreesboro is actually one of the friendliest used bookstores in Middle Tennessee.
The grumpy branding is pure charm, and the store backs it up with a massive inventory of over 50,000 used books spread across well-organized shelves.
Open since 2012, this locally owned shop buys and sells used books regularly. The stock covers a wide range of genres, so whether you read thrillers, history, romance, or science fiction, there is something waiting for you here.
Prices are reasonable, and the selection stays fresh.
Murfreesboro is often overlooked on Tennessee bookstore road trips, but The Grumpy Bookpeddler makes a strong case for changing that habit. The shop has built a loyal local following for good reason.
Pop in with a short wish list and a long afternoon, and you will understand the hype almost immediately.
The Spine Bookshop, Smyrna, Tennessee
The Spine Bookshop in Smyrna is proof that small towns can host seriously impressive bookstores. This shop carries both new and used titles, with a strong focus on local authors, independent voices, and hard-to-find books you will not spot at a chain retailer.
That curatorial approach makes every visit feel curated rather than random.
The store also hosts community events, and its official site already shows programming lined up for 2026. That level of forward planning tells you everything about how active and community-rooted this shop really is.
It is not just a store. It is a local literary hub.
Smyrna sits between Nashville and Murfreesboro, making The Spine Bookshop a natural add-on to any Middle Tennessee book crawl. The staff genuinely cares about connecting readers with the right titles.
If you love supporting independent shops that champion local writers, this one belongs at the top of your Tennessee list.
The Book Eddy, Knoxville, Tennessee
Since 1991, The Book Eddy has been Knoxville’s go-to source for used, rare, antiquarian, and out-of-print books. That track record is not an accident.
This shop has lasted decades because it consistently delivers the kind of inventory that serious book lovers cannot find anywhere else in the area.
Visit Knoxville specifically calls out The Book Eddy as a must-see stop, noting it is open seven days a week. That accessibility is a big deal for travelers passing through who do not want to plan around limited hours.
You can just show up and start browsing.
Antiquarian and out-of-print books are the real draw here. If you are hunting for something specific and long out of circulation, The Book Eddy is worth a call or a visit before you give up the search.
Knoxville’s book scene is underrated overall, and this store sits right at the top of it.
Southland Books and Cafe, Maryville, Tennessee
Southland Books and Cafe holds the title of largest used bookstore and cafe in Blount County, and it is not shy about it. Located at 1505 E Broadway Ave in Maryville, this place combines two of life’s greatest pleasures into one very satisfying afternoon outing.
Books plus coffee is a combination that basically cannot fail.
The used book selection is extensive, covering a wide range of genres and reading levels. Whether you are shopping for yourself, your kids, or a gift, the shelves have options.
The cafe component means you can browse, sit down, recharge, and then browse some more without ever leaving the building.
Maryville sits near the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, making Southland a natural stop on any East Tennessee road trip. It is the kind of store where two hours disappear without warning.
Bring snacks, bring a tote bag, and plan to stay longer than you originally intended.
Rhino Booksellers, Nashville, Tennessee
Rhino Booksellers might be the most eclectic stop on this entire list. This Nashville neighborhood shop combines used, rare, and collectible books with vinyl records and musical instruments.
That combination sounds unusual until you realize it makes complete sense for a city like Nashville.
The store is still actively buying gently used hardbound and paperback books by appointment, which means the inventory keeps growing and evolving. Collectors will appreciate the focus on rare and collectible titles, while casual readers can find affordable used books across a range of genres.
What sets Rhino apart is the atmosphere. It feels like a creative space rather than just a retail shop.
The mix of books, vinyl, and instruments gives it a personality that is hard to replicate. If you are a reader who also loves music, and let’s be honest, that describes a lot of us, Rhino Booksellers is a genuinely exciting place to spend time in Nashville.
Landmark Booksellers, Franklin, Tennessee
Historic downtown Franklin is already one of the prettiest small-town main streets in Tennessee, and Landmark Booksellers fits right into that charm. The shop sits on Main Street and carries new, old, and rare books in a curated setup that feels carefully considered rather than randomly assembled.
Local visitor sources highlight the large volume of titles available here, which is impressive given how thoughtfully the store is organized. This is not a warehouse-style browse.
It is a focused, intentional bookstore experience with real range across genres and eras.
Franklin attracts a lot of day-trippers and tourists, and Landmark is consistently mentioned as a highlight worth planning around. Whether you are looking for a specific rare edition or just want a well-edited selection of quality books, this shop delivers.
Pair the visit with a walk down Main Street and lunch nearby, and you have yourself a near-perfect Tennessee afternoon.
Elder’s Bookstore, Nashville, Tennessee
Elder’s Bookstore in Nashville is not for the casual browser. This is a specialist shop, and it wears that identity proudly.
Located at 101 White Bridge Pike, Elder’s focuses on rare and collectible books with a deep emphasis on Southern history, Tennessee history, genealogy, and Civil War titles.
Biblio lists the store with current hours and a brick-and-mortar address, confirming it is very much open and active. For researchers, history buffs, and collectors, this level of specialization is genuinely valuable.
You are not wading through general fiction to find what you need. The focus is tight and the quality is high.
I have heard from multiple Tennessee history enthusiasts that Elder’s is simply irreplaceable for finding titles you cannot track down anywhere else. If your reading interests lean toward the American South and its complex past, this Nashville shop belongs on your list.
Come with a specific interest and leave with something you have been searching for.
The Book Shelf, Tullahoma, Tennessee
Every book you buy at The Book Shelf in Tullahoma does double duty. This used bookstore is operated by the Tullahoma Literacy Council, and all proceeds go directly toward supporting adult literacy and education programs in Coffee County.
Shopping here is not just fun. It is genuinely useful to the community.
Located at 114 SW Atlantic Street, the store carries a solid selection of used books across various genres. The pricing is affordable, which makes sense given the mission-driven model.
You get a good deal, and the money stays local and meaningful.
Tullahoma is a small city, but The Book Shelf punches above its weight in terms of community impact. It is the kind of place that makes you feel good about spending money on books, which, honestly, was never that hard to begin with.
If you are passing through Coffee County, make this stop a priority. Good books, good cause, easy decision.
2nd & Charles, Hixson, Tennessee
2nd and Charles in Hixson is what happens when a used bookstore refuses to stop at just books. Located at Oak Park Town Center at 5756 TN-153, this secondhand-friendly media store stocks used books alongside movies, music, games, and collectibles.
It is a full entertainment haul in one building.
The format works especially well for families or groups where not everyone is strictly a reader. One person digs through paperbacks while another flips through vinyl or hunts for vintage games.
Everyone wins, and nobody is standing around waiting for the book lover to finish.
2nd and Charles is part of a national chain, but the Hixson location has carved out its own loyal customer base in the Chattanooga area. Prices are competitive, the inventory turns over regularly, and the store is easy to navigate.
For a casual secondhand shopping trip that covers multiple interests at once, this spot is hard to beat.
The Reading Room, Chattanooga, Tennessee
A used bookstore with a bar attached is either the best idea anyone has ever had or the reason you will never finish your reading list. The Reading Room in Chattanooga commits fully to this concept and pulls it off beautifully.
Located at 3210B Brainerd Road, the shop is open Wednesday through Sunday.
The bookstore-bar combination creates a social atmosphere that most used bookstores simply do not have. You can browse the shelves, grab a drink, settle into a corner, and flip through your finds without ever leaving.
It is a genuinely relaxed way to spend an evening in Chattanooga.
Recent coverage of The Reading Room highlights both the quality of the used book selection and the appeal of the overall concept. Chattanooga already has McKay’s for sheer volume, but The Reading Room offers something completely different: a laid-back, social bookstore experience that feels like a neighborhood hangout.
It is unlike anything else on this list.
