Parnassus Books

Parnassus Books is not just a bookstore — it is a Nashville institution and one of the most beloved independent bookstores in the country. Co-founded by bestselling novelist Ann Patchett in 2011 after Nashville lost its last remaining bookstore, Parnassus has become a destination for families who value curated book recommendations over algorithmic suggestions.

The children's and young adult section is the reason this bookstore belongs on a family travel itinerary. Unlike big-box bookstores where the kids' section is organized by publisher and filled with whatever is trending on TikTok, Parnassus curates its children's shelves with intention. Staff members read the books and create hand-written recommendation cards that sit beside their favorites.

For parents who are tired of their kids rereading the same three series, this is a revelation — tell a Parnassus bookseller your child's age and what they liked last, and they will pull three books off the shelf that your kid will love and would never have discovered otherwise.

The store hosts regular children's events including story times, author readings, and book signings. Major children's and YA authors make Parnassus a stop on their book tours, and these events are free. Seeing a real author read from their book, answer questions, and sign copies creates a connection to reading that screens cannot replicate.

Check the events calendar on the Parnassus website before your Nashville trip — if a children's author is visiting during your stay, it is worth building your schedule around it.

The physical space is deliberately small and manageable. This is not a warehouse with 100,000 titles — it is a curated shop where every book on the shelf earned its place. For families with young children, the compact size means you can browse the entire store without anyone having a meltdown.

The children's section has low shelves that let toddlers pull books down and flip through them. There are no judgmental stares when your 4-year-old sits on the floor and starts reading aloud.

Parnassus sits in the Green Hills neighborhood, an affluent area south of downtown Nashville with good restaurants and the Green Hills Mall nearby. It is an easy stop to add to a day that includes Radnor Lake (15 minutes away), Cheekwood Estate (10 minutes), or a drive through the Belle Meade area.