Faulkner House Books

If you are a lover of literature and history, you’ve got to go for at least the novelty if not to buy a book(s) (but you totally should). The fact that William Faulkner’s New Orleans home was turned into a bookstore is most fitting. It’s small, but atmospheric and the owner was helpful and amiable.

Good little book store with great history. Picked up an Anne Rice book and got a bag that I collect at different bookstores! Lady running store was nice.

If you ever wanted to time-travel without inventing a flux capacitor or breaking any space-time laws, just step into Faulkner House Books. Tucked away in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter, this place is less of a store and more of a sacred literary temple—formerly the home of William Faulkner himself. Yes, that Faulkner. Pulitzer Prize winner. Southern Gothic legend. Known to stroll Bourbon Street with a pistol on his hip and whiskey in hand—basically, the original Hemingway with a southern drawl. From the moment you walk through the door, you’re not just browsing books—you’re walking among ghosts, history, and the kind of atmosphere that practically narrates your thoughts in dramatic prose. The books here aren't just items; they’re artifacts of curiosity, wonder, mystery, and knowledge, meticulously selected and curated for the serious reader and the weekend wanderer alike. Positioned right by Jackson Square, the shop stands as a literary monument to the cultural aftershocks of the Louisiana Purchase, a reminder that this region is where stories ferment like good bourbon—and age even better. Whether you're in search of a rare edition, a mind-bending novel, or simply a quiet moment in the birthplace of American literary grit, Faulkner House Books delivers. So if you’re craving adventure? Don’t climb a mountain. Walk into a bookshop. And if you want to stand where giants once stood—Faulkner House Books is your next pilgrimage.

I was visiting New Orleans and had this and a few other bookstores on my "to see" list, and I'm SO glad I made it to this one! It's extremely small and a bit cramped, so there is a 6 person limit in the store (and that could even be a tight fit depending on the crowd) but it would definitely be worth a potential wait to get inside. This shop offers some new titles, a solid collection of New Orleans/Louisiana-based non-fiction, and an impressive selection of gorgeous editions of classic stories. I picked up a gorgeous copy of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, with silver page edges and matching florals embossed, and a "famous bookstores to see" book - featuring Faulkner House. My partner picked up a "things to see in New Orleans" style book, and we were both super happy with our purchases. The woman in the shop (I presume she was the owner, I'm not sure) was pleasant but not at all pushy or overly friendly (I don't want to chitchat when I'm book shopping, LOL!). They also have a cute little branded tote for sale, for anyone else who may collect those like myself. Definitely give this shop a visit, whether you're a local or visiting!

Mother in-law loved it! Neat and clean! Would definitely come back and recommend to others who are book lovers!

Adorable, super quaint looking bookshop in the Quarter. Right there on Pirate Alley, next to a fun little bar. This store crams so many books into the front two rooms of this home. It’s beautiful, with a great selection. The woman who runs it is friendly and knowledgeable. The back of the house is blocked as it is still a private residence, but I love that they’ve turned even part of where Faulkner lived into a bookshop!

The bookstore itself is adorable, tiny, and definitely worth the visit to look inside! Unfortunately, I did not buy anything there, as the man working there (I don't know if he is the owner or just an employee) was sexist towards me and assumed my taste in books, telling me unprompted where the "books for young women" are.

This adorable little bookshop, right in the historic heart of New Orleans, manages to fill its small set of shelves with a rich collection of books. We found rare tomes, early editions of timeless classics, and a hand-signed letter from Earnest Hemingway. If you like books and you're in Nola, you have to stop here.

I have been going to Faulkner House for many years. I got to know Mr. Joe Desalvo,, who was the owner before he passed away a few years ago. I went by yesterday and picked up three books from Ms. JoAnne, who has been there for many years. I was hesitant to even mention this place,, because it is so small that they allow six people in at a time. It is a great place to buy books if you're a reader.

My favorite independent book shop in the country by far. I love to just go in and soak up the history in this beautiful and quaint shop. The selections offered are impeccably curated and I love perusing the rare and first editions. Very nice selection of southern goth. I enjoying visiting Faulkner House Books every time I visit New Orleans. The location is amazing.

Small and quaint book shop located near Jackson square that's a tucked away and is a true hidden gem! Plus great service, open daily from 10am-5pm There was a sign that said only 6 people can be inside at a time, probably because of how small the space is. No food or drink is allowed too. The selection of books is fantastic, and the store is well organized too! The price for the quality books is fair as well. It's very very quiet when you walk around, and it's a breath of fresh air!

The Good: :: it's a local business that is also very charming! off the beaten path, it's a little nook that makes you feel you stumbled upon someone's private library. intimate vibe, interesting curated book selection, and you can also get recommendations from the owner :: very awesome vibe...so quaint and such a special feeling as you're perusing books. a far, far cry from the gigantor, faceless, charmless bookstores that are found in most cities :: the building itself is a special landmark :: they take credit cards The Bad: :: they limit the number of people who can be inside at one time, so don't try to come here with a large group of folks! you also can't bring in food/drinks so be mindful and plan accordingly The Ugly: :: none Would I go back? Absolutely yes! Next time I'm in New Orleans, I plan on stopping by and picking up a couple of books and saying hello to the owner. This place is IN.

Best conversation with a bookseller I've had in a long time: excellent service! Got a good recommendation for a Faulkner biography. The selection is not huge, but all very much in my area of interest: literature, history, culture. The price of the book I wanted wasn't listed, so the bookseller called the publisher directly. A paradise for Faulkner fans.

What a quaint bookstore in the French Quarter! Located inside historic home, it carries a wide selection of books for being in one main room and a hallway. It's tight so the owner doesn't let many people in at once.

This. Place. Is. Amazing! If you're a book nerd this is a good little spot hidden away in pirates alley. You won't be disappointed.

Charming little book store in wonderful Pirate's Alley. But be warned, only six shoppers allowed inside at a time which you will see why once inside. Worth the wait as there is a lot of material to choose from despite the small store and great displays makes searching for the right book interesting.

This very small bookstore is in Pirate's alley in William Faulkner's home. It's very focused on local and Southern authors, as it should be, with a smattering of classics and new books. It's a fun visit and I'm sure you'll find something.

This is an incredible gem of a bookstore tucked away. They have a really good selection of books for such a small establishment, and the woman who works there is so helpful and funny and kind.

This a book lover's treasure trove. It's tiny and a bit hidden. As I recall, there's no sign, and the outer door was partially closed. So you find it by knowing the address and seeking it out, or by being an inquisitive person.

Fantastic bookstore. Great selection. Always shop small local businesses they are the backbone of our cities. Really nice and helpful associates.

Faulkner books is my favorite bookstore in New Orleans!!! They always have rare, signed, books from authors I love. And they are always at a fair price. On this adventure to Faulkner books, I picked up four James Lee Burke books (3 signed). They were very reasonable, and I am a very happy camper!!! I always find something I've been looking for here. There is such a great selection. If you are a collector or even just an avid reader, come check them out! You won't be disappointed!

This small, charming little bookstore, is what I would want my home library to look like. Beautifully curated works line the immaculate shelves. There are two bookcases in the smaller, 2nd room, that are dedicated to poetry--I found beautiful editions of various works by Whitman, Dickinson and Milton. There is a wonderful section on just Lousiana's history, ehuch was truly exciting since I had just toured the Cabildo and wanted to learn more about some of the events I learned about at the exhibits. If you are in the new orleans area, this bookstore is a must-visit spot!

Excellent service and great recommendation for a new book in my genre of my interest. Helpful and friendly staff.

What a great gem in NOLA! Great location as well. I like how it's situated next to St Louis Cathedral. This bookstore is very small. However, it has a nice "old soul" feel to it. There was a gentleman working there when I visited and he was very friendly. I never got a vibe from him that he was too busy nor wanted to be bothered. We spoke about the history of the bookstore. The author William Faulkner lived in the actual bookstore for a summer. I was under the assumption that he lived there longer. This gentleman clarified Faulkner's length of stay and he wasn't condescending about it. I have some photos that I will definitely upload. I could've spent hours here just browsing books and being immersed in the history of the building. I ended up buying a few books after the gentleman gave me some good recommendations. I also received two complimentary Faulkner bookmarks with my purchase. It's cool to be using them as I read through books now, in Denver. I have such good memories of NOLA and this was one of them. I would love to return here. If you're a book or bookstore enthusiast, this should be on your places of "must visit." You won't be disappointed! I recommend visiting then grabbing some beignets and coffee nearby or brunch at a restaurant.

Faulkner House Books, named after the Nobel Laureate who rented a room in the townhouse while writing a novel, is a beautiful bookstore around the corner from the Calbildo. It's a small space but is brimming with books stuffed in floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, lending it a cozy ambiance. There is a great selection of contemporary fiction/nonfiction with an emphasis on Southern writers (Flannery O'Connor, John Russell, Tennessee Williams, and of course William Faulkner), as well as classics by Tolkein, Austen, Dickens, etc. I heard they have rare books and first-editions available but I did not peruse that collection. All in all, a charming bookstore with historical significance-- a must visit!

This is a small bookstore which has beautiful books. I loved that you could see the Faulkner association throughout the store with little placards. It was such a peaceful and unhurried place, which was amazing considering how much hustle and bustle is going on right outside the bookstore.

We absolutely loved visiting this store!! So charming, full of history and I love that the lady that works (owns) the store lives there. This place is something special! The books are beautiful! I was surprised when she had books for kids. My daughter was so excited to buy a book, especially when the lady made sure she had a bookmark.

The bookshop is very tiny but it's such a special experience getting to be where William Faulkner once was. The owner was very friendly and knowledgeable.

SHHHH! Please don't tell anyone about this place!!! I've been shopping here since I was a teen. It's my special secret place to take visitors from out of town!!!

This was a very tiny bookstore down Pirate's Alley in the French Quarter named after William Faulkner. It was adorable and the woman staffing the front was incredibly sweet and kind. The space is quite small, with at most 4 people being able to comfortably browse within it, and 12 people max are allowed inside. There was unfortunately no air conditioning, so I took a quick look, enjoyed the space and waited outside for the honey to book his fill. Definitely worth dropping by!

Who doesn't love good books? If you are looking for a picture perfect bookshop, Faulkner House books is the place for you. This spot is known throughout the country for their impeccable collection of Southern books and classics. Walking in you feel like you're in the library of someone who has been collecting books for years. There's a cozy feel to the place that will make you want to lurk and linger for hours. You'll want to thumb through the stacks to find that perfect book that speaks to you. You'll see signatures of authors on the wall, so you will be inspired by greatness. The bookstore is under new ownership and they are doing right by the place. Every book is perfection and fits into the City and the store with ease. They even have a subscription service where someone working at the store will pick out some books that will be sure to set your soul on fire and bring a smile to your face. Located in a cozy alley, Faulkner House books feels like a secret. Well the secrets out. This store is a must visit for any bibliophile. I wrote about this shop for Very Local New Orleans here: https://nola.verylocal.com/faulkner-house-books-new-orleans-bookstore/182301/

Cramped, cozy, and full of books - what more could you want?!?! Take a step behind the craziness of Jackson Square and enjoy a quiet moment in this wonderful shop. Although I didn't buy anything, I loved the atmosphere of this place, especially concerning it's rich history. After being in here for a few minutes, it was strange to go back out into the French Quarter and face reality. Definitely worth a stop, even if you aren't in the market for books!

This tiny book store is situated on Pirates Alley along the south side of St. Louis Cathedral. It can be accessed easily from Jackson Square, or Royal St. The bookshelves are beautifully designed and use the small space very efficiently. They seem to focus on literary authors and have a good bit of poetry but also carry some "local interest" too. The space is tiny, so don't bring your whole tribe. This is a great spot to sneak off to just to get away from the sounds of the hustle of the quarter and be surrounded by books.

Quaint, curated, quiet and clean. This is a fairly small bookstore semi-hidden down a cool alleyway. While the selection may be limited, it's absolutely quality over quantity here. Super clean and organized, and the owner was very helpful and knowledgeable once we struck up a conversation after browsing in peace. It's just a really charming place. Cool doors and custom shelving - it's what I'd want my own home library to look like one day. The selection is good, but this isn't used mass-market paperbacks - expect to pay what these used books are actually worth. Don't miss the small side room to the right, which is heavy on the Faulkner angle. You'll find books here in plastic sleeves and probably some out-of-print gems. If you've been to Arcadia, this store inside is the opposite. You can browse every book title in 30 minutes.

Delightful, hidden historic little gem. Hoary and new, wizened and fresh, comforting and thoughtful. This is a good place.

This is what a bookstore should be. Located in the French Quarter of New Orleans in the building where William Faulkner wrote his first book, this little book shop is a dream. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality. I have never been in a bookstore as well curated as this one--filled with a mix of beautiful editions of classics, intriguing new fiction and non-fiction, vintage editions in good condition, and (my personal favorite section) a well-rounded and unique poetry section, this store is a haven for book lovers. Even though I tend to buy most of my books used, I nearly left with a several hundred dollar stack of books in tow. Because I'm not a rich woman, I didn't buy all of them, but it was a close call. If you're a book lover and find yourself in New Orleans, please do yourself a favor and stop by this gem of a bookstore.

This is a wonderful book store that is hidden in the middle of the French quarter, this is Faulkner house so people go visit just for that, but they do have a great selection of books. They have autographed version of Faulkner, and they have signed picture of Hemingway. The book store can also locate other rare books. I would eventually get a signed Hemingway, they might be able to locate it.

An absolute must see for any book lover. This small shop is on the infamous (and supposedly haunted) Pirates Aly row. It's a nondescript door so be sure to look at the signage so you don't accidentally pass this gem by. Being avid readers we popped in to take a look. It's a tight space filled to the brim with books. Looking for something specific? Just ask. They are really knowledgeable about books and their inventory. I found a flex cover version of my favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Snatched it up on the spot. Hubs grabbed a couple books also. Head to the hallway side and take a peek at the limited edition / signed books section. It's very cool to look through them all. Overall: A A book lovers paradise tucked away on historic street in the quarter.

This was one of my most favorite bookshops while my husband and I were visiting New Orleans. Though I was expecting something a little bigger, it was exciting to be shuffling around books higher than the arm could reach. The lady who ran the shop was a wonderful individual, offering any assistance she could give. I will higher recommend anyone to visit this shop!

An excellent little bookstore, right next to the Cathedral, off Jackson Square. While small, it has wide selection of books, many relating to the history of the city. As a plus, Faulkner himself actually lived there while writing "New Orleans Sketches". Well worth a visit, but be forewarned-you will be tempted and will probably pick up a volume or two-as we did.

I found heaven in the French Quarter. Every other bookstore in the world wishes they were Faulkner House. If you are a lover of books you will think you've died and gone to heaven in this cozy dream of a book store. William Faulkner lived here and wrote his first novel here. That alone makes it a must see. But there's also the very cool fact that the shop is filled with rare first edition books and tons of literature from southern authors. This isn't Books A Million, folks. You're not going to find any trashy novels here. This bookstore is classy, the way a bookstore should be. Yes, it's a small space but there are books lining the shelves from the tip of your toes all the way to the ceiling. It's perfect. Just perfect. In closing, I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite Faulkner quotes... Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth." ― William Faulkner

I'm so glad I had a chance to stop by this bookstore. So named because Faulkner lived and wrote in a short time at this house, the owners have turned it into a bookstore and preserved it as a family business. The owner was pretty busy with a group making purchases ahead of me, but managed to take a moment to invite me in and offer assistance. It's really tiny, and limited to 12 guests at a time, but everyone was very courteous and I enjoyed having a browse in here. It's very cozy and there's a great selection - mostly hardcovers. If you're into pretty editions of classics, this is the place for you.

One of my fave bookstores. While it may be tiny, it is packed full of great titles and the owner is always happy to help with a recommendation. I make a point to visit on every trip to NOLA!

I have the honor to be wed to a Katrina survivor, which makes me NOLAn by marriage. We live on Jackson Square, just yelling distance from Pirate's Alley. Or as GOOGLE prefers to write it, Pirate's Aly - (I just adore capricious spelling. Look, I'm only a retired English teacher. What do I know?) Anyway, while exploring my new home city I stopped by Faulkner House. I also had another reason for doing so: a copy of a 1946 third edition of Robert Penn Warren's ALL THE KING'S MEN, which I was hoping to have appraised prior to donating it to a charity auction. The lady at Faulkner was extremely gracious and, gave me the info to make a properly valued donation. I'll be heading back there soon; I plan to buy several books. A lovely bit of New Orleans history, this tiny shop exudes a charming old time vibe. Put it on your must visit list - when you come see us!

This place was amazing. I was very impressed with their collection of sets. They had Brothers Grimm story collections, a series of 125 books that are Western Civilization must reads, and more Pablo Neruda poetry than Ive ever seen in one place. The best items were the original documents by authors hanging on the wall next to their respective portraits. A Hemingway poem edited in his own hand, an irate letter handwritten on hotel stationary by George Bernard Shaw. They even had a book of photography by Eudora Welty! A-mazing!!!

It's funny how southerners can sound so friendly while condescending and mocking you in their tone of voice. I honestly enjoyed it. I'm not much of a reader, but you shouldn't look down on me for it. Besides my wife loves reading and has very sophisticated taste. You should be sweet to me to please her.

Wow!! This bookstore was simply magical! Although it's a small spot, the owner(s) did a great job with creating an organized and welcoming atmosphere. I loved the book collections and variety of genres. My next trip to Nola will definitely include another visit to Faulkner House Books.

History and New Orleans charm on display. This spot is not exactly hidden in the French Quarter, but you can easily miss it being in the shadows of the St. Louis cathedral, and flanked by a lingerie shop on one side and a bar on the other side. Pirate Ally hosts a fantastic bookshop, with classics, new titles and great local interest selections on New Orleans that would be hard to find elsewhere. In the mid 1920s, William Faulkner rented a room in the building and worked on his first published novel, Soldiers' Pay. Carve out some time to pop in and browse.

I was so happy to get to this shop. It is not in an obvious location and it has subtle signage on its front door. I love that. It is located in a classic New Orleans house/building and has a wonderful selection of books. As a visitor, I asked the all too familiar question about Faulkner and his books. I like that the shop carries Faulkner, Chopin and Rice, but I also appreciate the other classics in the store. It carries works by classic great poets and other writers and also offers recently written books. As I was in the store, a thunderstorm hit the area and rainwater filled the streets so much so that it seemed impossible to go outside. I was happy to be 'stuck' in this shop. I would happily go back in a thunderstorm or otherwise.

Such a cute little find in the French Quarter. If it is a cute hole in the wall book store, yeah I am going to check it out. Wall to wall books (because there is not a lot of extra space in here for anything but books).

This is one of the most beautiful books stores I have ever walked into. There is obviously tremendous pride in the store's appearance from those who operate it. Attention to detail apparent everywhere, from the polished varnish of the shelves to the meticulous labels and tags throughout the store. I found and purchased a book here (opposed to my first thought of taking and picture and going to Amazon) because I wanted to support those who put so much time and effort into providing such a wonderful old time bookstore experience.

Precious, petite provincial gem. Mind what you may knock over. A bookstore could not HOPE to be more charming and picturesque as this is. At first, I had troubles locating Pirates alley (& non-----before you ask, Lafitte didnt do any pirating on this street). Located adjacent to the rear of St Louis Cathedral, it is quaint, with the ubiquitous tall, narrow doors to pass through to an absolutely perfect little space for my favorite things in the world....books! The store is small! I read about how W. Faulkner used to hang off the roof of this small little building....on the flight, was watching an episode of Criminal Minds. Faulkner quote was lifted and shared on that particular episode. Sure sign that I was to hunt this sheer piece of literary history and pleasure down. And that I did!

What a lovely little gem. Being a book lover I had to stop here on my trip. The store had a wonderful selection of all types of books including an impressive case full of rare, first editions, and signed copies. I picked up a copy of 'Soldiers Pay', the first book the man himself wrote there in the apartment above the shop. The staff was so friendly, let me use their private restroom, and gift wrapped our books for free. Please stop in here and support this wonderful store!

Tiny little jewel box of a bookstore. The location on tucked-away Pirates Alley almost makes you forget you're in the French Quarter. Well-edited, high quality collection of first editions, literary fiction, local history, poetry and then some. Of course, the fact that Faulkner House is a national literary landmark only adds to the patina of the place. The 27-year-old future Nobel Laureate William Faulkner rented rooms on the ground floor in 1925, the same space that houses the bookstore today. When traveling, I always make it a point to visit a local bookseller and this is one of the finest I've seen yet.

I've found my version of heaven, and it's Faulkner Books! I would most happily live in this store, which is gorgeous, and framed with soaring bookcases filled with my drug of choice! Great local author and local setting selections. Even an enviable selection of first edition books. This is a must for any vacationing bookworm or native. And the smell, a combination of leather, paper, & ink...Yankee needs to get smart and make a candle with that smell. I know I'm not the only one who would buy it.

Had an enjoyable time wandering through here on a rainy day. I can also find something in a book store. It's a great place and way to spend some time.

One of my grad courses at Southeastern was on Faulkner, Hemingway, and Fitzgerald (Shout out to Dr. Louth at SELU!). It was really neat to learn about Faulkner's history in the city. Little known fact...Faulkner and his buddy would perch themselves on the roof of the now Faulkner House Books building, armed with a pellet gun, and peg passersby. Visit Faulkner House Books and pick up a copy of New Orleans Sketches, a collection of Faulkner's short stories he'd imagine while sitting on a bench in nearby Jackson Square, watching people pass by and writing their stories. 5 stars for historical significance, beautiful location, selection, and helpful employees.