Beginning in the 1970s, with the popularity of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings series, a variety of independent bookstores specializing in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and related genres (often mystery, comics, games, and/or collectibles), began opening.[1] Among the first were Andromeda Books in Birmingham, England, established in 1971,[2] and Bakka-Phoenix Bookstore in Toronto and A Change of Hobbit in Southern California, both established in 1972. As independent bookstores suffered during the business shifts of the late 20th and early 21st century, many of these closed.[3] During their heyday, however, they were a key part of science fiction fandom, facilitating not just publishing, distribution, and promotion of books, but public events, social events, and community-building.

List of notable bookstores

This list is meant to include past and present "brick-and-mortar" bookstores. Bookstores that were once "brick-and-mortar", but have moved online, should be included. Bookstores that have only ever been solely online vendors should be listed separately.

Notes

  1. 1 2 Bullock, Ken (August 10, 2010). "The Other Change of Hobbit is Living in South Berkeley". The Berkeley Daily Planet.
  2. ↑ "Andromeda bookshop closes after 30 years. - Free Online Library".
  3. ↑ Lisa Pickoff-White, "Borderlands Helps Make the Bay Area a Sci-Fi Bookstore Haven", SF Weekly, April 2, 2008.
  4. ↑ Duke Helfand, "For Science Fiction Fans, Old Habit Dies Hard : Change of Hobbit Devotees Are Already Mourning Bookstore Demise", Los Angeles Times, Feb. 10, 1991.
  5. ↑ Sherry Gottlieb, "Escape Velocity: A History of A Change of Hobbit Bookstore".
  6. ↑ "Home". DreamHaven.
  7. ↑ Our Store History, last visited Dec. 29, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Rare Weird Fiction & Horror Books". Other Skies Weird Fiction.
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