City Lights Bookstore

A charming and welcoming store (make sure to stop and love on the bookshop kitty who has the loudest purr I've ever heard!) that has a wonderful regional section and a wide variety to suit any taste. After your purchase, make sure to scoot over to their cafe for a wonderful warm and tasty bite to eat. A true delight for the mind and tummy!

Bookstore + Cats = Heaven. Even better when the cat hitches a ride in a fellow shopper's baby stroller. Cats are the best. Books are also great, and this store had a really wide selection.

I love this little bookstore. They carry local authors as well which is great. Love that you can order online and pick up in store. Everyone is very nice and the atmosphere is amazing! Love the events they put on as well! Definitely essential to our local community and literature lovers of all ages.

This is a great local bookstore in downtown Sylva. Amazing selection of new and used books. The used books are fairly priced. There are other trinkets such as bookmarks, pins, stickers, and many other items that make this bookstore for everyone. I am particularly a fan of their pride section- very inclusive and welcoming. The bathrooms are nice and inclusive. What makes it memorable for me is Cedric, the cat, who follows you around the store to say hello. I even bought the pin of him! He’s my favorite! I am such a fan of this place, I bring any person that comes to visit me here!

I love this place. It’s a bookstore for readers and writers alike. As a student I don’t have much money, but am so happy when I do I can spend it here. They are always kind and excited about the authors I’m exploring. Thanks to always chatting about wild men like William Gay and not looking at me like I’m crazy.

This has by far been my favorite place in Sylva for years. The staff are awesome. I love the selections they offer-and the ability to order online as well as being able to bring in my own used books to trade in for credit. My favorites are the staff picks- I’ve read some phenomenal books from this section, and you can find the used copies in the store as well. And I can’t forget about the lovely doorman Cedric, the resident bookstore cat, it’s always a pleasure to see him and to shop here. Definitely one of the best gems in Sylva.

Great little small town book store, but Sylva is popping. Our first day on our trip in WNC we grazed the store and bought some books, the battery in our van died and Arly offered to help, and ended up giving us a ride to Auto Zone and back. So generous and helpful. Sylva has a great hometown scene and amazing support of local artists and small business.

Always an enjoyable browse, good staff, small town ambiance and broad selection of new, used and regional works. And, a pleasant cafe downstairs!

Love City Lights Bookstore! Amazing inventory of new books and large selection of used books too. They will order books they don’t have of course. Staff is so knowledgeable and helpful. We are so lucky to have this caliber of a bookstore out here in our mountains.

Nice bookstore and friendly shop cat. They had a good selection of genres, and some comic books too.

I love this bookstore. They’ve got a couple copies of popular books but mostly a focus on NA and Appalachian literature and small authors (and a healthy section of old romances and fantasy stores. The tiny paper books you find in airports, you know the ones). The kitty is so cute and such a heavy purrer. Plenty of seating and nooks to squirrel away in. Also a good portion of poetry and writing memories (which I hardly ever find a section for)

Outstanding! Very friendly and helpful folks work here. Plus a huge selection of books on local history, tons of maps, and a very cute cat LOL

Best crepes in the region, coffee is pretty good too. A regular srop for us, especially for breakfast.

This is my #1 choice in bookstores in the area (I don't even live in Sylva) AND in places to just spend an afternoon. There's something about it that puts great books in my hands, even on subjects I didn't know I was looking for.
I end up finding gifts for others almost effortlessly.
LOVE this place. And the espresso drinks too.

Amazing selection and quantity of books for this lovely small bookstore.

Decided to support a small town bookstore at the suggestion of David Joy, one of my favorite authors. Spoke with Eon, who provided efficient courteous service. I will definitely be a repeat customer!

This is the most awesome small book store ever. Staff is friendly. Great choices. Bookish activities, and the used book room is fantastic! Wish I still lived close by. Highly recommend.

Great food, great coffee and great ambience. Loved the bookstore, as well.

Such a cute book store, and bigger than you would think! I didn’t have a lot of time to browse, so I will definitely have to return.

Great selection of merchandise. Love the cat!