About Mosslight

A bookstore that belongs to Burlington.

Mosslight Books is an independent shop in Burlington, Vermont, where the shelves are picked by people who read and the door is open to anyone who wants to browse.

The Mosslight Books storefront at dusk, its green-painted woodwork and gold lettering lit up, tall windows glowing with shelves of books, plants by the door and a chalkboard sign on the brick sidewalk

Inside the shop: a green tufted armchair beside a round wooden table with a mug and books, tall wooden bookshelves, plants and warm lamps by a sunny window

Our story

Independent, and proud of it.

Mosslight Books is not part of a chain. What goes on our shelves is decided here in Burlington, by the people who work in the shop and the readers who come through the door.

That freedom shapes everything. We stock the books we believe in, we talk about them honestly, and we leave space between the shelves for a chair, a lamp and a few quiet minutes with a book you have only just found.

We also host events in the store, from readings to gatherings for younger readers, and we send a newsletter with staff favorites, what is coming up and news from the shop.

Books with a person behind them.

Every staff pick in the shop has been read by someone on our team, and each one comes with a short note in their own words about why it stayed with them. If a note catches your eye, ask about it. We like nothing better than talking books.

Around the picks, the store is sorted into clear sections, from fiction, mystery and poetry to nature, kids' books and a shelf about Vermont itself. Head straight to the section you love, or take the long way around and see what turns up.

A wooden bookshelf with small handwritten recommendation cards tucked in front of the books, lit by warm lamp light

Why Mosslight

What you'll find when you visit.

Four ways we help you find a book worth taking home.

Staff picks

Recommendations from the people who read them, each with a short handwritten-style note on why it earned a place on the shelf.

Book categories

Shelves sorted so you can find your way, whether you came for a thriller, a book of poems or something for a young reader.

A particular title

Coming in with a book already in mind? Tell us the title or the author and we will help you look for it.

Something unexpected

No list at all? Tell us the last book you loved and we will point you to one you might never have picked up on your own.

Your next book is somewhere on our shelves.

Start with our staff picks, or tell us what you have loved lately and we will help you choose what comes next.

Find Your Next Read