Pensacola, Florida, may be known for its beaches, bars, history, fried mullet, and military roots, but it is also gaining recognition as one of the top spots in the United States for book lovers. Explore.com has listed Pensacola as the fourth-best city in the nation for book enthusiasts, with Miami following at number 17. The top three cities for book enthusiasts were Lancaster, Pennsylvania; New York City; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The report from Explore highlights Pensacola’s vibrant literary landscape, with 3.91 bookstores and 3.16 libraries per 10,000 residents. The city’s literary scene is further enriched by events like the Books By the Bay Festival, which draws over 50 authors, booksellers, and literary enthusiasts annually. Open Books, a volunteer-run shop supporting prison literacy programs statewide, also contributes to Pensacola’s unique book culture.
The president of Emerald Coast Writers, Tonya Dalhaus, expressed excitement about Pensacola’s ranking and the growing interest in the city’s book culture. The Books By the Bay festival, which hosted over 1,800 book lovers and featured numerous authors and exhibitors, is set to expand in the coming years.
In addition to the festival, Pensacola boasts a healthy West Florida Public Libraries system with seven branches throughout Escambia County. The city also has a growing number of book clubs and independent bookstores, including Open Books, Bodacious Bookstore & Cafe, Black Cafe & Bookstore, and the Idle Reader.
Open Books, a nonprofit bookstore, not only sells books but also runs a Prison Book Project, sending books to incarcerated individuals in Florida prisons. General manager Johnny Ardis expressed surprise at Pensacola’s national recognition as a book destination but acknowledged the city’s progress in fostering a thriving book culture.
Other independent bookstores in Pensacola, like Black Cafe & Bookstore and the Idle Reader, contribute to the city’s diverse literary scene. Black Cafe & Bookstore, opened by Nicole Dixon, aims to continue the legacy of Gathering Awareness, a Black and Afrocentric bookstore that operated in Pensacola for nearly 30 years.
Mrs. Jones Cold Brew, home to the Idle Reader, offers a cozy space for book lovers to enjoy coffee and peruse a selection of books. The cafe hosts book clubs and events, attracting a diverse group of readers who appreciate the welcoming atmosphere.
Pensacola’s book community also includes established book clubs like Readers & Writers Ink, which has been meeting for decades to discuss a wide range of books. The group’s founder, Mamie Webb Hixon, is a local author and educator who is passionate about promoting literacy and fostering connections through literature.
As Pensacola continues to garner national recognition for its book culture, residents and visitors alike can look forward to a thriving literary scene that celebrates the written word. With a variety of bookstores, libraries, and book clubs to explore, Pensacola offers a welcoming environment for book enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds.