Tucked between neighborhoods and bustling streets, Little Rock’s local bookstores are quietly doing meaningful work. As independent bookstores continue to grow, supporting local has never been more important. These shops offer thoughtfully curated book selections and personal recommendations that online algorithms cannot, all while providing welcoming spaces that bring readers together. Wordsworth Books, Sammy’s Bookshelf and Paper Hearts Bookstore are just a few cozy corners for book lovers in Little Rock.
Wordsworth Books
For 30 years, Wordsworth Books has served Little Rock with books for every type of family and reader. Owner Kandi West calls it her dream job — one that allows her to spend every day talking about books and reading.
Wordsworth Books carries titles across all genres and age groups, including a children’s section curated by a former elementary school librarian. The store also celebrates Arkansas authors and culture with a dedicated space at the front.
“We are committed to giving Central Arkansas a place to see, hear and meet the authors they are reading,” Kandi says.
After a career in project management, Kandi joined Wordsworth part-time before becoming the managing owner in 2022. She now runs the store alongside co-owners Lynne Phillips and Lia Lent.
“We provide more than just a product on the shelves but also customized curation, personalized service and a sense of community through what we do both inside and outside of our stores,” Kandi says. “We all want to be able to find experiences in our neighborhoods and communities that we will not find while shopping either online or at big box stores.”
Sammy’s Bookshelf
Sammy’s Bookshelf, which opened earlier this year, has quickly become a hotspot for books and family time in Little Rock. When customers wander inside the forest-themed store, they are greeted by Sammy, a sculpture of a little girl reading, affectionately named by owner Lisa Hulett’s children.
“Independent bookstores can be the cornerstone of the community — a hub of shared ideas, different ideas and support,” Lisa says.
Sammy’s strives to make books obtainable for all types of families.
“We welcome the energized toddler, the insecure teenager, the grief-stricken parent and the ambitious 90-year-old looking for their next great adventure — reading is for everyone, and we try to make our store accessible to everyone,” she says.
The idea for Sammy’s Bookshelf came during a period of personal reflection, when Lisa asked herself what she would do if she knew she couldn’t fail.
Lisa says, “The answer was to find a job that resulted in getting more books into the community.”
For her, supporting independent booksellers keeps money in the community and sustains the value of books.
“Spending your time and money in independent bookstores, used and new, or your local library is an investment in your community,” Lisa says. “Books are valuable ... When corporations sell books at a loss, it has a downstream effect that reduces the value of books for everyone.”
Lisa adds, “Spending the day surrounded by books and people who care about books is a magical experience when I still my mind and take it all in. Remembering that magic is my favorite part.”
Paper Hearts Bookstore
For Beth Quarles, Paper Hearts Bookstore began as a conversation during the uncertainty of COVID and grew into a gathering place designed to bring people together through books.
“We think life is best when with others, so the same goes with reading,” Beth says. “We want you to yap with others about what you have enjoyed reading, commiserate with others over bad endings and find yourself in the pages of what you read.”
Paper Hearts hosts book clubs for nearly every type of reader, including a general interest club, a spooky stories club and even a Silent Book Club for introverts.
“We try to curate our collection so that you might pick up a bestselling novel, but you also can find something that is going to help you stretch in your reading comfort,” Beth says.
She says her favorite part of owning a bookstore is witnessing the personal connection readers form through books.
“That might be watching a father and child sitting in a chair, giggling over a picture book or it might be listening to a customer share about how a recent read helped them prepare for a life event like caring for a loved one,” she says.
Beth believes supporting local booksellers is an investment in the people around you.
“We employ your neighbors. We give back to our local schools and nonprofits. We are paying local taxes that help our city,” she says. “We can personalize recommendations and remember the things you tell us. Amazon is not going to remember that your child loves otters and set aside a book for them for your next visit."
For more information, visit wordsworthbookstore.com, sammysbookshelf.com and paperheartsbooks.com.
“Spending your time and money in independent bookstores, used and new, or your local library is an investment in your community." — Lisa Hulett
Supporting Local Bookshops
WordsWorth Books is located at 5920 R Street in Little Rock. Follow WordsWorth on Instagram at @wordsworth.ar and on Facebook at facebook.com/wordsworthbooks.
Paper Hearts Bookstore is located at 408 E. 21st Street in Little Rock. Follow Paper Hearts on Instagram at @paperheartsbooks and on Facebook at facebook.com/paperheartsbookstore.
Sammy’s Bookshelf is located at 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock. Follow Sammy’s Bookshelf on Instagram at @sammysbookshelflittlerock and on Facebook at facebook.com/people/Sammys-Bookshelf/61558295967647/.