About Us

Square Books is a general independent bookstore in three separate buildings (about 100 feet apart) on the historic town square of Oxford, Mississippi, home of the University of Mississippi and many great writers, including William Faulkner, Barry Hannah, Larry Brown, and, for a time, both Willie Morris and John Grisham. The main store, Square Books, is in a two-story building with a cafe and balcony on the second floor; Off Square Books is a few doors down from the main store and has lifestyle sections such as gardening and cookbooks; Square Books, Jr., the children's bookstore, is in a building on the east side of the square; above it (in the site of the original bookstore) is the more recently opened Rare Square Books, which feature collectible, vintage, first edition books across a broad price range. Square Books is known for its strong selection of literary fiction, books on the American South and by Southern writers, a large inventory of reduced-price remainders, and its emphasis on books for children. The store hosts the popular Thacker Mountain radio show and over 150 author events a year.

For visitor information on Oxford, please visit the city website.
 

Square Books logo

Founded in 1979 by Richard and Lisa Howorth, Square Books is a general bookstore located on the historic town square in Oxford, Mississippi, home of William Faulkner and the University of Mississippi. With four stores and over 10,000 square feet on the square, all readers will find something to their liking. Square Books hosts over 150 author events per year and has many signed and collectible books, a very strong literary fiction section, southern fiction and history. The second floor of Square Books has a coffee bar so browsers can enjoy a cup and, when the weather is fair, relax on the balcony overlooking the courthouse. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. all week, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Square Books is committed to matching books with readers.

 
Square Books, Jr. logo


In 2003, the children's section at Square Books needed room to grow, so Square Books, Jr. opened at 111 Courthouse Square, on the first floor of the building where Square Books operated until moving to its current location in 1986. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, the atmosphere at Square Books, Jr. is lively and a comfortable environment for all. Books for parents, babies, and kids through the teen years, along with toys, puzzles, and games can be found there. Read about the opening of Square Books, Jr.

 
Off Square Books logo


Along the short stroll on the square between Square Books and Square Books, Jr., you will find Off Square Books at 129 Courthouse Square. Our lifestyle and leisure store, Off Square Books has books on travel, cooking, art, photography, fashion, games, etiquette, hobbies, and collecting as well as magazines, gifts (some crazy), and a section of bargain and used books. Open weekdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, the majority of our author events, readings, talks, and signings are held here.

 

                                                                                                                                         Square Books logo                                       
The most recent chapter in the tale of Square Books was the opening of a fourth iteration in the Square Books "family" of stores, Rare Square Books, located in the original upstairs store setting over Square Books, Jr. The Rare inventory features collectible, vintage, and first edition books with a broad price range. Visit the Rare Square Books website here to learn more. Open Tuesday - Saturday from 10am - 5pm. Opened on the 40th anniversary of the business, September 14, 2019, Square Books became four stores on five floors in three buildings 100 feet apart on the historic Oxford, Mississippi town square — made legend through Yoknapatawpha stories of William Faulkner.