12 Tennessee Secondhand Bookstores Every Book Lover Needs To Check Out In 2026
The best bookstores have a certain magic the moment you walk through the door. Shelves stretch in every direction.
The scent of old pages fills the air. Somewhere in the stacks, a forgotten classic or long-sought novel waits patiently to be found.
Secondhand bookstores make browsing feel like a small adventure. Some fill entire warehouses with towering rows of books, while others offer cozy rooms where every shelf holds a surprise.
Readers wander slowly, scanning spines and flipping through pages, never quite sure what treasure might appear next. For anyone who loves books, these Tennessee bookstores offer the thrill of browsing endless shelves, discovering forgotten titles, and leaving with far more stories than planned.
1. McKay’s Nashville
Walking into McKay’s Nashville feels less like entering a bookstore and more like stepping into a parallel universe where every book ever printed somehow ended up on the same shelf.
Located at 636 Old Hickory Blvd in Nashville, TN 37209, this warehouse-style shop is one of the most beloved secondhand destinations in the entire state.
The sheer volume of inventory here is almost hard to believe. You will find used books in every genre imaginable, alongside vinyl records, DVDs, video games, and comics all organized with impressive clarity.
McKay’s is also known for its trade-in program, which means you can bring in your old books and walk out with store credit toward something new to you.
Budget-conscious readers absolutely love this feature, since it turns a casual visit into a full-on literary swap meet.
The staff is approachable and knowledgeable, making it easy to ask for recommendations without feeling intimidated.
If you are planning a Nashville trip and you only have time for one bookstore stop, McKay’s has the kind of all-in-one appeal that makes the decision surprisingly easy.
2. McKay’s Knoxville
Knoxville has its own version of the McKay’s magic, and it delivers just as powerfully as its Nashville sibling.
Situated at 230 Papermill Pl Way in Knoxville, TN 37919, this location draws in University of Tennessee students, lifelong readers, and curious visitors who wander in looking for one book and emerge an hour later carrying five.
The layout is thoughtfully organized, with color-coded price stickers that make it easy to gauge what you are spending before you reach the register.
Vinyl hunters will be equally happy here, since the record section rivals some dedicated music shops in the area.
One thing that sets the Knoxville location apart is its proximity to the scenic Tennessee River corridor, making it a natural addition to a broader day out exploring the city.
Regulars say the inventory turns over quickly, so every visit feels genuinely different from the last.
For anyone passing through East Tennessee, this store is a reliable and rewarding stop that pairs perfectly with a walk along the nearby greenway.
3. McKay’s Chattanooga
Chattanooga rounds out the McKay’s trio with a location that has quietly built a loyal following among the city’s creative and outdoorsy crowd.
You will find this store at 7734 Lee Hwy in Chattanooga, TN 37421, conveniently positioned for anyone exploring the eastern side of the city.
Like its sister stores, this McKay’s offers a sprawling mix of used books, music, movies, and games, but regulars note that the Chattanooga location tends to carry a particularly strong selection of outdoor adventure and nature writing titles, which makes sense given the city’s reputation as a hub for hiking and rock climbing enthusiasts.
The trade-in counter is active and well-run, meaning the shelves stay fresh and unpredictable.
Prices are generally very fair, and the store frequently runs clearance sections where you can snag titles for next to nothing.
Chattanooga itself is worth exploring before or after your visit, with the Tennessee Aquarium and the Walnut Street Bridge just a short drive away.
Consider this bookstore the literary appetizer to a full day of Scenic City adventures.
4. Rhino Booksellers
There is something refreshingly personal about Rhino Booksellers that sets it apart from the big-box secondhand chains, and regular customers will tell you that within the first five minutes of browsing.
Found at 4918 Charlotte Pike in Nashville, TN 37209, this independent shop leans hard into literary fiction, thought-provoking nonfiction, and titles that you might not stumble across anywhere else in the city.
The curation here is clearly handled by people who actually read, and that makes a real difference when you are scanning the shelves looking for your next obsession.
Rhino occasionally hosts author events and community gatherings, giving the store a social energy that feels more like a neighborhood hub than a retail transaction.
The space itself is compact but well-organized, with enough personality in the displays to make wandering genuinely enjoyable.
Charlotte Pike is also a fun stretch to explore, with local restaurants and independent shops nearby that make it easy to build a whole afternoon around your visit.
Rhino is the kind of bookstore that reminds you why independent shops matter so much to a city’s cultural fabric.
5. Elder’s Bookstore
Elder’s Bookstore carries the kind of atmosphere that makes you feel like you have accidentally stepped into someone’s very well-read grandmother’s living room, and that is absolutely a compliment.
Located at 101 White Bridge Rd in Nashville, TN 37205, this long-standing Nashville institution has been serving book lovers for decades and shows no signs of slowing down.
The store specializes in used and out-of-print titles, which means the inventory leans toward the rare, the vintage, and the genuinely hard to find.
Collectors who spend their weekends hunting for first editions or specific out-of-circulation titles tend to treat Elder’s as a regular pilgrimage stop.
The shop has a calm, unhurried quality that encourages you to slow down and actually look at what is on the shelves rather than just scanning for familiar titles.
Staff members here are known for their depth of knowledge and their willingness to help you track down something specific.
Elder’s is also close enough to several other Nashville attractions that it fits naturally into a broader West Nashville exploration itinerary, making it a worthwhile anchor for a literary afternoon.
6. Defunct Books
The name alone is enough to make any book lover curious, and Defunct Books delivers on that intrigue with a selection that is genuinely unlike anything else in Nashville.
Sitting at 1108 Woodland St #A in Nashville, TN 37206, this shop is planted right in the heart of the vibrant Five Points neighborhood, which gives it an energy that feels both artsy and approachable.
Defunct specializes in used, out-of-print, rare, and collectible books, making it a goldmine for readers who are tired of seeing the same bestsellers recycled on every shelf in every store.
The inventory here rewards patience and curiosity. You might come in looking for a specific title and leave with three books you have never heard of but absolutely had to have.
Five Points itself is one of Nashville’s most interesting pockets, full of local coffee shops, vintage clothing stores, and murals that make the whole area feel like an outdoor gallery.
Defunct Books fits right into that creative neighborhood identity, attracting a crowd of artists, students, and curious wanderers who appreciate the value of a well-chosen secondhand read.
A visit here feels like a small adventure every single time.
7. Burke’s Book Store
Burke’s Book Store has been a Memphis institution since 1875, which means it has been selling books longer than most countries have had their current governments.
Stationed at 936 S Cooper St in Memphis, TN 38104, this legendary shop sits in the heart of the Cooper-Young neighborhood, one of the most culturally rich and walkable parts of the city.
The store is known for its impressive collection of literary fiction, Southern literature, and rare titles that serious collectors travel across state lines to find.
Stepping inside feels like entering a place where books are treated with genuine reverence rather than just stacked and priced for a quick sale.
Burke’s has hosted countless author readings and literary events over the years, cementing its role as a true community anchor in Memphis.
The Cooper-Young neighborhood surrounding the store is full of locally owned restaurants, galleries, and boutiques, making it ideal for a full day of exploration.
For anyone visiting Memphis in 2026, Burke’s is the kind of place that earns its reputation every single day, one well-chosen book at a time.
8. Second Editions Bookstore
Not every great bookstore needs decades of history to earn its place on a must-visit list, and Second Editions Bookstore in Memphis proves that point with straightforward charm.
Located at 3030 Poplar Ave in Memphis, TN 38111, this shop offers a solid and well-organized selection of used books across a wide range of genres, from fiction and biography to cooking and travel.
The atmosphere here is clean and approachable, which makes it a comfortable choice for casual readers who might feel overwhelmed by the floor-to-ceiling chaos of larger warehouse-style stores.
Prices are competitive and fair, and the inventory is curated with enough variety to keep both picky readers and spontaneous browsers happy.
Poplar Avenue is a well-traveled Memphis corridor with plenty of dining and shopping options nearby, so it is easy to build a relaxed afternoon around a visit here.
The staff tends to be friendly and willing to point you toward sections that match your reading interests, which adds a personal touch that is hard to replicate online.
Second Editions is the kind of reliable neighborhood bookstore that every city needs and Memphis is lucky to have.
9. Addison’s Bookstore
Gay Street in downtown Knoxville is already one of Tennessee’s most photogenic strips of local culture, and Addison’s Bookstore makes it even better.
Positioned at 126 S Gay St in Knoxville, TN 37902, this shop brings a thoughtful, curated energy to the downtown corridor that attracts both longtime locals and first-time visitors.
Addison’s carries a carefully selected mix of used and new titles, with a noticeable appreciation for regional writing, Appalachian literature, and books that reflect the unique character of East Tennessee.
That focus on local identity gives the store a personality that feels rooted and genuine rather than generic.
The space itself is inviting and well-maintained, with displays that change regularly and always seem to surface something worth picking up.
Being on Gay Street means you are already surrounded by excellent coffee shops, art galleries, and independent restaurants, so a visit to Addison’s fits naturally into a full afternoon of downtown Knoxville exploring.
For readers who want their bookstore experience to feel connected to the place they are visiting, Addison’s delivers that sense of local belonging with every shelf it stocks.
10. Walls Of Books Cookeville
Cookeville might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of Tennessee’s literary scene, but Walls Of Books gives this Upper Cumberland city a serious bookstore credential.
Found at 650 S Jefferson Ave Suite 110 in Cookeville, TN 38501, this store lives up to its name with shelves that seem to stretch endlessly in every direction.
The selection spans an impressive range of genres, from thrillers and romance to history and self-help, making it a genuinely useful stop for readers of all tastes.
Cookeville is home to Tennessee Technological University, which means the surrounding community has a strong appetite for books, and Walls Of Books feeds that appetite well.
The store is well-organized and easy to navigate, which is a real plus when you are working your way through a large inventory without a specific title in mind.
Prices are reasonable across the board, and the store often has promotional deals that make it even easier to justify loading up on new reads.
For road-trippers cutting through the middle of the state on Interstate 40, Cookeville is a worthy detour, and this bookstore is a big part of why.
11. 2nd & Charles Chattanooga
Part bookstore, part pop culture playground, 2nd and Charles in the Chattanooga area brings a high-energy retail experience to the world of secondhand shopping.
Located at Oak Park Town Center, 5756 TN-153 #112 in Hixson, TN 37343, this store is technically just north of Chattanooga proper but is well worth the short drive for what it offers.
The inventory here goes well beyond books, encompassing comics, graphic novels, vinyl records, video games, and collectibles, which makes it a one-stop shop for anyone who considers themselves a fan of storytelling in all its forms.
The store is spacious and brightly lit, with a layout that makes browsing feel energetic rather than overwhelming.
Trade-ins are accepted here as well, so you can cycle out your old collection and invest in something fresh without spending a fortune.
Families tend to enjoy this location particularly because there is genuinely something for everyone, from young readers exploring graphic novels to adults hunting for a specific out-of-print paperback.
Hixson itself has a solid lineup of dining options nearby, making 2nd and Charles a natural anchor for a relaxed afternoon on the north side of Chattanooga.
12. 113 Books & Info Shop
Some of the best bookstores are the ones you almost drive past without noticing, and 113 Books and Info Shop in Whitesburg is exactly that kind of quiet, rewarding discovery.
Sitting at 8004 E Andrew Johnson Hwy in Whitesburg, TN 37891, this small independent shop serves a rural corner of East Tennessee with a warmth and sincerity that is hard to manufacture.
The store carries a mix of used books, local interest titles, and informational materials that reflect the character of the surrounding community rather than the trends of a big-city market.
That community-first approach is part of what makes 113 Books feel so genuine. It is a shop that exists because the people around it love to read, and that love shows in every corner of the space.
East Tennessee’s landscape along the Andrew Johnson Highway is beautiful in its own quiet way, with rolling hills and small-town scenery that rewards slow travel.
Pairing a stop at 113 Books with a broader exploration of the region makes for a deeply satisfying off-the-beaten-path Tennessee experience.
Small in size but big in spirit, this bookstore is proof that great literary finds are waiting in the most unexpected places across the state.