You never know what (or who!) you’ll find in the stacks of your local gay bookstore

Book sales rose to nearly 783 million units last year, a reassuring sign that the collapse of cultural curiosity hasn’t bottomed out. Books carry us through lonely nights, leisurely beach vacations, and delayed commutes on public transportation.

The last Saturday of April marks Independent Bookstore Day, where bibliophiles and casual readers alike choose to support local shop owners. Our friends at GayCities compiled a list of 10 unique LGBTQ+ bookstores throughout the U.S., from Chicago’s Unabridged Bookstore to Under the Umbrella Bookstore in Salt Lake City.

Bookstores themselves have proven fertile ground for the entertainment industry, which loves to set a rom-com between stacked shelves or examine the highs and lows of small business owners. Here’s a look at four bookstore-inspired film and

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