Parnassus Books In Nashville Is Every Book Nerd’s Paradise
By Meghan Kraft|Published January 26, 2022
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Independent bookstores have slowly faded over the years, giving way to online shopping and digital library rentals. It’s as if age has passed, one in which we wandered shelves that smelled like paper and ink, one in which we knew booksellers and took their recommendations strictly to heart. Here in Nashville, Parnassus Books remains one of the only independent bookstores in the area. It’s a popular place to visit for locals and tourists alike and sets itself apart from the Nashville literary scene with events and experiences hosted throughout the year. Learn more below!
You'll find Parnassus Books tucked away between retail stores in the popular Green Hills shopping district. Although the Chipotle just a few doors down doesn't do much to add to the artistic mood, it does provide a great spot for lunch. In fact, the area is full of great eateries and coffee shops, making the strip mall location actually quite perfect if you'd like to grab a new read then head off and enjoy it with a bite to eat.
The cozy atmosphere of the bookstore is due in part to the buttery yellow lighting and warm wood tones you'll find throughout the space. Take a moment to read in one of the store's leather chairs, if you can spare the time.
Parnassus Books is owned by Ann Patchett, the author of seven novels and the winner of the 2002 PEN/Faulkner Award and Orange Prize for Fiction. Although born in Los Angeles, she spent a majority of her childhood in Nashville and claims Middle Tennessee as her home.
Patchett opened Parnassus Books in 2010 after recognizing the city's need for an independent bookstore. In 2016 the location expanded with the omtrpdictopm of a bookmobile.
Visitors rave about the great selection and helpful staff on-site, as well as the curated featured collections that cycle through the store's front windows. The booksellers are always available to help you find a great new read, so don't be afraid to ask questions!
Parnassus Books also hosts a series of events throughout the year, so keep your eyes peeled for visiting authors and lectures that take place on-site. If you're looking for a hefty dose of literary criticism and publishing know-how, then we'd highly recommend buying a ticket to an upcoming event.
