Parnassus Books

About Us
Parnassus Books is the independent bookstore for independent people located in Nashville, Tennessee. Our shop has been co-owned by novelist Ann Patchett and her business partner, Karen Hayes, since it opened in 2011. (Read all about the start of our store in Ann’s own words here!) Parnassus stocks an extensive and exciting selection of books including fiction, non-fiction, children’s, local interests, and the arts. The store also boasts an extensive local author section.

In Greek mythology, Mount Parnassus was the home of literature, learning, and music. We are Nashville’s Parnassus, providing a refuge for Nashvillians of all ages who share in our love of the written word. We provide a venue for writers to connect with readers, and for readers to connect with books. We strive to complement and contribute to the rich cultural character of Nashville, the Athens of the South.

These days, we’re actually more than just the one bookstore. We’re an airport bookshop, making sure travelers always have something to read via our Parnassus Books / Hudson Booksellers co-branded store in the Nashville airport. (It’s currently closed due to airport construction, but it will reopen with a brand-new look in 2023!)

We’re a family, too. We’d love to introduce you to the booksellers — both human and canine — who welcome visitors to Parnassus.

And we’re an online magazine. At a site called Musing, we showcase Ann Patchett’s blog, staff-picked reading lists, exclusive author interviews, shop dog diaries, and more. No matter where you live, if you love books, we hope you’ll subscribe, so you can receive all of this, FREE, in your inbox. You can also follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, where we post all this content, plus daily behind-the-scenes glimpses at bookstore life.

Speaking of email: if you live in Nashville, you won’t want to miss the hundreds of amazing author events we host throughout the year. Get calendar reminders, first dibs on tickets, and the occasional secret sale info by signing up for our email newsletter here. (You can also sign up by texing SPARKY to 22828.)

You can order any book your heart desires by typing its title or author into the search bar at the top of this screen. Our booksellers lovingly package up book orders and ship them out every day. Need some suggestions? Check out our reading lists! And if you enjoy unboxing surprises, you’ll want to sign up for our book subscriptions: the First Editions Club (adult literary fiction with the occasional nonfiction selection), ParnassusNext (young adult), Spark Book Club (middle grade), and Sprout Book Club (picture books) — all of which make great gifts for book-lovers of all ages.

Are you — or is someone you know — an Ann Patchett fan? Every single one of her books is signed at Parnassus! Ann would also be delighted to personalize any of her books. Perhaps her latest book, These Precious Days? (For a personalization, just indicate in the “notes" section at checkout that you’d like your book personalized and let us know your personal inscription request.) Add a little something to show your book-love and throw in a Parnassus mug. (Find more Parnassus-themed gifts — plus gift certificates — in our gifts section and here in the store, of course.)

We’d love to be your indie bookstore, whether you live in Nashville, you’re just passing through, or you’re up for a long-distance relationship. (Some of our favorite customers don’t even live here.) Please stay and click around, and do come visit when you can. It’s nice to meet you!

Our Booksellers
To see the latest books our booksellers are reading and loving these days, make sure to check out the Staff Picks section of our online magazine, Musing! Meanwhile, meet our wonderful booksellers:

Ann Patchett, Parnassus Books Owner
Ann Patchett is the author of eight novels: The Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, The Magician’s Assistant, Bel Canto, Run, State of Wonder, Commonwealth and most recently, The Dutch House. She was the editor of Best American Short Stories, 2006, and has written three books of nonfiction: Truth & Beauty, about her friendship with the writer, Lucy Grealy; What Now? an expansion of her graduation address at Sarah Lawrence College; and This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage, a collection of essays that examines the theme of commitment.

10 books Ann loves to recommend: Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood by Mark Harris; The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford; Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford; Endless Love by Scott Spencer; Lab Girl by Hope Jahren; True Grit by Charles Portis; Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed; Act One by Moss Hart; Independent People by Halldor Laxness; Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

See what Ann’s been reading lately — click here to read her blog!

Karen Hayes, Parnassus Books Founding Co-Owner
Quick description of what you do here: Managing Owner

Favorite book as a kid: The Once and Future King, by T.H. White

When I’m not at Parnassus, I’m … at home working or reading with my cat Fay, taking a walk in Percy Warner, or spending time with friends. I love to travel, go to live music venues and take photographs, too.

Recommend a lunch spot in Nashville? Epice.

Favorite author event we’ve had: Hard to choose between David Sedaris and Doris Kearns Goodwin. They both are a dream to work with, have a great sense of humor, and obviously love what they do.

Books I recommend most: The River of Doubt by Candace Millard; Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier; At Home by Bill Bryson; Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke; This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett; The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood; Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty; Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi; Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley.

For Educators
Welcome teachers, librarians, and educators! Parnassus Books wants to support the important work you do. We are proud to provide resources and services for schools and educators.

Educator Discounts

Sign up for our Educator Discount Card for K-12 teachers in the store and enjoy 20% off on book purchases year-round. Questions? Call the store at (615) 953-2243.