15 Secondhand Bookstores In Arkansas Every Book Lover Should Visit In 2026
There is a special kind of hush that settles over a secondhand bookstore, the kind that lets you hear your own curiosity. I felt it the second I stepped through a creaky door on an Arkansas side street, that faint paper-and-ink smell hitting before the bell even stopped ringing.
On a recent drive across the state, I started chasing that feeling on purpose, detouring through small towns and busy downtown blocks just to see what I’d find. No two shops felt the same.
One had teetering stacks in every corner. Another felt like someone’s den that slowly filled with books.
The character of each place felt lived-in, shaped by years of careful curation. I left with armfuls I hadn’t planned on buying.
If you’re building a book lover’s road trip for 2026, these secondhand bookstores make the wandering half the fun.
Black Ribbon Books, Hot Springs
Morning light slid across the shelves at Black Ribbon Books and turned every dust mote into a spark. Located along Central Avenue at 239 Central Ave in Hot Springs, the shop felt like a quiet pause between bathhouse history and the buzz outside.
Narrow aisles guided me past Arkansas histories, slim poetry volumes, and series paperbacks balanced in tidy rows.
One corner held local authors while the back wall carried sturdy hardbacks with thoughtful penciled prices. In Hot Springs you can sense visitors drifting in with spa bags and leaving with mysteries instead, and I happily copied the ritual.
A soft conversation at the counter about regional lore led me to a signed paperback that now rides in my carry bag.
What I loved most was the calm pace that set in as I browsed and compared editions. Staff offered help only when I needed it, letting the shelves do the talking.
By the time I stepped out, the storefront reflected like a postcard, and the book in my hand already felt like it belonged there.
Book Traders Bookstore, Conway
Afternoons in Conway have a relaxed rhythm that suits slow browsing at Book Traders Bookstore. Set at 1120 Hogan Ln Ste 1 in Conway, the shop welcomed me with a clean layout and genre signs that made lingering feel easy.
A sweep of natural light caught the trade counter where folks chatted about recent reads.
Rows of paperbacks stood in neat formation and hardcovers lined the walls like reliable friends. In Conway I noticed families steering toward the children’s nook while college students scanned classics for the best editions.
My path led through science fiction, then detoured into cookbooks where spiral bound treasures hid near the bottom shelf.
The trade policy was explained with simple kindness, and I watched locals bring in small boxes that quickly found new spots on display. Staff recommendations pointed me toward a backlist novel I had overlooked more than once.
I left with a short stack and the pleasant feeling that the shelves would remember me when I returned.
The Friendly Bookstore, Rogers
Warm greetings set the tone the moment I stepped into The Friendly Bookstore. Located at 711 S Dixieland Rd in Rogers, the space blends community warmth with orderly shelves that invite slow paths and casual detours.
Paper signs with staff picks sat near the entrance and made choosing feel personal.
In the Rogers air there is a practical kindness, and I felt it as volunteers and patrons swapped recommendations. The children’s corner looked ready for story time while a mystery wall leaned heavy with well kept series.
I found Arkansas history tucked near the front along with slim regional essays that felt stitched to the land.
Prices were steady and fair, which encouraged me to add just one more book, then another. A volunteer pointed out a lightly used hardcover with deckle edges that felt made for my bag.
I walked out thinking about how many conversations these shelves have started and how easily a reader could make this a weekly stop.
Dickson Street Bookshop, Fayetteville
Stepping into Dickson Street Bookshop felt like walking into a living library that had learned to breathe with readers. Right on 325 W Dickson St in Fayetteville, the store forms a winding map of literature where aisles knit together like chapters.
A gentle hush draped over poetry, philosophy, and Arkansas letters.
In Fayetteville the college energy hums outside, yet inside it becomes patient curiosity. Floor to ceiling shelves turned into friendly corridors, and I moved slower as the hunt deepened.
First editions teased the eye while well loved paperbacks waited for a second act.
Staff knew the layout by instinct and guided me toward a regional shelf that I might have missed. Prices varied with condition, which felt respectful of both book and reader.
I carried out a slim collection of essays and the satisfying sense that I had only read the prologue of what this store could offer.
Bean’s Books, Conway
A quiet storefront on the highway drew me toward Bean’s Books with the promise of unhurried browsing. Sitting at 315 US-65 in Conway, the shop offered a neat floor plan with crisp genre markers that made the search feel simple.
Sunlight reached across the counter and set the paper edges aglow.
Conway’s steady pace filtered in through the door as regulars traded news and recommendations. I wandered past westerns into biographies, then circled back to paperbacks shelved by author in pleasing rows.
A rotating cart near the entrance carried bargains that made me smile at the math.
The owner shared a quick story about a rare find that had once surfaced here, and I felt that hopeful spark you get only in used shops. Pricing was friendly enough to justify a second look at the cart before leaving.
By the time I stepped back outside, my bag felt comfortably heavier and the road ahead looked brighter.
It’s A Mystery Bookstore, Berryville
Clues began at the doorway of It’s A Mystery Bookstore where covers hinted at smoky streets and clever detectives. Set on the courthouse square at 107 Public Square in Berryville, the shop narrows its focus to crime, suspense, and all the clever twists between.
A vintage typewriter on the counter played the part of silent narrator.
Berryville’s slower rhythm matched the measured steps of a good whodunit, and I let the aisles lead like a trail of breadcrumbs. Series were shelved in careful order, so it was easy to jump in at book one and stay there.
I found classic noir alongside modern thrillers that promised late nights.
Recommendations came with a smile and just enough intrigue to make me open the first chapter right there. Prices were consistent, with plenty of good paperbacks for a quick stack.
I left with a tidy bundle and the pleasant feeling of solving a small puzzle by simply choosing what to read next.
Beautywood Books, North Little Rock
Sun through the front windows gave Beautywood Books a warm hello that made browsing feel easy. Located at 1704 N Main St in North Little Rock, this neighborhood store balances popular fiction with a thoughtful local section.
Handwritten signs and potted plants shaped a calm mood that lingered.
North Little Rock’s sense of community showed in the conversations around the counter as customers compared recent finds. Genre sections flowed naturally, and the Arkansas history shelf pulled me in for longer than planned.
A small display of arts and photography titles added color to the mix.
Prices were fair and clearly marked, which kept my attention on the hunt rather than the math. Staff pointed me toward a paperback I had been chasing for months, and the moment felt quietly celebratory.
With a book tucked under my arm, I stepped back onto Main Street feeling like I had added a new neighbor to my reading life.
Between the Pages Book Shop, Fort Smith
A tidy doorway opened into Between the Pages Book Shop where the shelves seemed to breathe in an unhurried way. Right along 3201 Rogers Ave in Fort Smith, the store arranged fiction and nonfiction with a curator’s touch that still felt welcoming.
A staff picks table stood near the front like a friendly handshake.
Fort Smith’s history hummed beneath the day as I drifted between classics and newish paperbacks with soft spines. The local author shelf held surprises that asked to be sampled.
I settled into a reading chair for a few pages and forgot the time in the best possible way.
Checkout came with a brief chat about road routes and favorite bookstores across the state. Prices lined up nicely with condition and there were deals if you built a stack.
I left with two novels and a slim memoir, all ready for the next quiet hour on the trip.
Once Upon a Time Books, Springdale
Open space and high shelves made Once Upon a Time Books feel like a playground for readers. Set at 462 E Henri De Tonti Blvd in Springdale, the store spreads out with generous aisles and a children’s area that clearly welcomes families.
Colorful signage made navigation simple even with an armful of choices.
Springdale’s energy shows in the steady flow of shoppers who know exactly where their next series installment lives. I roamed through literature, travel, and science sections that kept pulling me deeper into the stacks.
Tucked displays offered surprises like graphic novels and gently used coffee table books.
Staff were quick with directions and happy to talk about editions without rushing the conversation. Prices encouraged building a tower of books then balancing it carefully to the counter.
I carried my finds to the car and felt that specific kind of contentment that only a big used store can deliver.
Dog Ear Books, Russellville
Friendly light and thoughtful displays gave Dog Ear Books an easy draw the moment I stepped in. Positioned at 312 W 2nd St in Russellville, the shop blends used and new with a layout that invites browsing on instinct.
Display tables were arranged to slow my pace and spark quick curiosity.
Russellville’s downtown felt walkable and calm, which framed a relaxed visit that lasted longer than planned. A mix of fiction, kids titles, and nonfiction shifted the focus as I drifted.
Staff recommendations steered me toward a paperback that felt exactly right for the drive ahead.
Prices matched the condition notes and the used copies were clean and carefully shelved. I appreciated how easy it was to discover something unplanned without losing my thread.
Walking out into the afternoon, I tucked a new read under my arm and felt the day click into place.
Read It Again Bookstore, Bentonville
A slim doorway hid more shelves than I expected at Read It Again Bookstore. Set at 405 S Main St in Bentonville, the space made good use of every inch, with tidy rows and a local history section that grabbed me right away.
The air carried that soft paper scent that signals discoveries ahead.
Bentonville’s artful momentum felt close by, yet inside it was simple and focused. I followed staff picks into backlist treasures and found a hardcover travel narrative that felt perfect for evenings.
Conversation at the counter was relaxed and useful without overexplaining.
Prices favored the patient browser and condition notes were honest. I admired how thoughtfully the sections were arranged so a quick stop could become an hour without effort.
Leaving the store, I liked the idea that a small place can hold a wide world when it is cared for this well.
The Electric Strawberry, Hot Springs
Color and character met me at the door of The Electric Strawberry, where books mingle with creative finds. Sitting at 500 W Grand Ave in Hot Springs, the shop mixes used titles with vintage flair in a way that makes browsing feel like a small adventure.
Displays curved and stacked with an artist’s spontaneity.
Hot Springs gives the place a steady flow of curious visitors, and I blended right in as I wandered past records toward paperbacks. Quirky signage nudged me into sections I do not always check, like art instruction and humorous essays.
The mood stayed light and surprising without losing bookish focus.
Prices were approachable and clearly tagged, which made adding a couple of wild cards easy. Staff answered quick questions and pointed out a regional author I had somehow missed.
I left smiling at the mix in my bag and at how a playful space can still deliver solid reading.
Books By The Pound, Searcy
Value hunting took on a cheerful rhythm at Books By The Pound where scale and selection shape the day. Found at 1010 E Lincoln Ave in Searcy, the space feels like a friendly warehouse with rows of tables and carts ready for serendipity.
The premise is simple and fun, and it turned my visit into a treasure hunt.
Searcy’s laid back pace fit the slow sorting that this kind of browsing encourages. I dug through paperbacks then pivoted to hardcovers stacked in generous clusters.
A cart line moved steadily as shoppers compared finds and weighed their choices with easy smiles.
Pricing by weight rewarded curiosity and made me comfortable trying unfamiliar authors. Staff kept the floor tidy so the search never felt chaotic.
I packed a box with novels and a few sturdy nonfiction titles, then walked out feeling like I had stretched my reading budget in the best way.
The Book Store, North Little Rock
Long aisles and friendly nods define The Book Store in a way that feels timeless. Nestled at 3832 John F Kennedy Blvd in North Little Rock, this spot carries sturdy shelves of used fiction, nonfiction, and series favorites.
The counter kept a small stack of recent arrivals that turned into an instant checklist.
North Little Rock’s everyday rhythm moved outside while inside I slowed down to enjoy quiet corners. Genre labels guided my route and kept me grazing without losing track.
A regional shelf added context and made the visit feel anchored to place.
Prices were reliable and condition was better than expected for many paperbacks. Helpful guidance arrived the moment I looked up, then I was left to browse in peace again.
Leaving with two mysteries and a biography, I felt like I had visited a dependable friend who understands routine comforts.
Friends Bookstore (Springdale Public Library), Springdale
Just inside the library doors, Friends Bookstore delivers the joy of discovery in a compact space. Situated at 405 S Pleasant St in Springdale, this volunteer run shop turns donations into well sorted shelves that invite quick browsing.
The setting adds a sense of purpose that made each purchase feel helpful.
Springdale’s community spirit was clear as patrons stepped in after checking out holds next door. Shelves leaned toward popular fiction, children’s books, and a tidy spread of nonfiction.
I spotted recent hardcovers alongside classics that still had plenty of life left in them.
Prices were pocket friendly and posted clearly, which made it easy to try something new without hesitation. Volunteers offered kind pointers without hovering and thanked me warmly at checkout.
I left with a couple of paperbacks and the pleasant thought that good reading can support a good place at the same time.