Charleston library society

A Literary Guide to Charleston, SC: The Best Things to Do for Booklovers

Charleston, SC. is not only one of the most charming cities to visit in the USA, it’s also a dreamy destination for booklovers! I’ve been lucky enough to visit Charleston three times, and think it’s one of the most underrated travel destinations in the USA. If you’re planning a trip around the USA, looking for a domestic getaway destination or a weekend trip for your book club (book club on tour!), Charleston is a perfect place to visit. Read on for some of the best things to do in Charleston for booklovers, including one of the most exciting literary festivals in the USA, a beautiful library and a number of charming independent bookstores.

This post is proudly sponsored by Charleston Literary Festival, one of the longest & most ambitious literary festivals in the USA.

Charleston Literary Festival

Charleston Literary Festival is one of the most exciting events on Charleston’s calendar, and is returning to the Holy City this November. From November 1-10th, more than 50 authors will gather in Charleston for a festival of talks, special events, lively discussion, parties & a film screening, as part of Charleston Literary Festival.

In 2024,  more than 50 world class authors will be in talks at Charleston Literary Festival. The stellar author line up includes a range of fiction and non fiction authors,  from Booker Prize nominees such as Claire Messud and Paul Murray, to leading scientists and health experts like Dr Sharon Malone and Charan Ranganath to award-winning journalists and Pulitzer-Prize winning historians. 

Snag your Early Bird All Session Passes or purchase tickets to individual events.

Charleston Literary Festival
Image provided by Charleston Literary Festival

Buxton Books

Buxton Books is one of Charleston’s best independent bookstores, and a pillar of the Charleston literary community. Since 2016, Buxton Books has created a space for the community to gather, whether that’s browsing in their bookstore, attending one of their many author events or joining one of their local Charleston tours, sharing stories of the community.

Evening Post Books

Evening Post Books is an award-winning publisher, that specialises in publishing high quality books written by authors from the South, or writing about the South. Evening Post Books is a division of Evening Post Publishing, which owns respected local newspaper, The Post & Courier. I love reading stories from and about the places I travel, so I think it’s so special that Charleston has a published dedicated to telling the stories of the South!

Charleston
Charleston’s historic Rainbow Row

Charleston Library Society

Founded in 1748, the Charleston Library Society is the oldest cultural institution in the South and the third-oldest lending library in the entire United States. Even if you’re not a member, the library is worth a visit for its gorgeous interiors & literary atmosphere – a dreamy spot to bring a book! The Library Society’s collection also includes significant historical artefacts such as letters by George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, a renowned collection of early American newspapers, rare maps and nautical charts.

Charleston Library Society
Charleston Library Society

Philosophers & Fools

Opening a bar & bookstore is a dream for many booklovers (myself included!), and at Philosophers & Fools they’ve made the dream a reality! Philosophers & Fools is a cosy neighbourhood bookstore & bar in Charleston, perfect for enjoying a new book & a glass of wine, whether you’re travelling solo or bringing your whole book club with you! It’s a few blocks away from King Street, so it’s the perfect spot for a late afternoon browse & wine, before heading to dinner on King.

Blue Bicycle Books

Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, Blue Bicycle Books is one of Charleston’s best independent bookstores and has been operating for more than two decades. This is an enormous bookstore, with a huge collection of new & used books and an extensive range of books from and about Charleston. They also host more than 200 author events a year!

Charleston's historic downtown
Charleston’s historic downtown

Visit Sullivan’s Island

During his time in the US Army, author Edgar Allen Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. His time on Sullivan’s Island inspired his work, such as his 1943 tale The Gold-Bug, which is one of his most celebrated stories. You can retrace Poe’s steps by visiting Sullivan Island, and enjoying more than 10 miles of beaches, wildlife and a charming village atmosphere while you’re there.

The Village Bookseller

Located in Mt Pleasant, a 15 minute drive from downtown Charleston, The Village Bookseller is one of Charleston’s best community bookstores. They host a number of author events, as well as book clubs – including a historical fiction book club, which sounds like so much fun! The Village Bookseller also serves locally roasted coffee – what’s better than a morning spent enjoying a new book over a perfect coffee?!

Itinerant Literate Books

Itinerant Literate Books is a charming independent bookstore in Charleston’s Park Circle neighbourhood. This is a super cute book shop that hosts a number of on-site and off-site events, including their Get Lit book club, which is hosted at a local wine bar or restaurant. The store started as a Bookmobile in 2015, hence the very literal name, and has since moved to permanent digs in Park Circle.

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