Quade Books: A Must-Visit in South Florida

Quade Books, the beautifully curated bilingual bookstore at Aventura Mall, has just been named one of the Top 7 Indie Bookstores in South Florida by Miami New Times, and it’s no surprise. With its thoughtful collection, warm and welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to culture and connection, Quade Books is so much more than a bookstore, it’s a place where stories come to life.

Quade Books was born from a dream: to build a space for discovery, imagination, and human connection. In a world dominated by big-box stores and online shopping, Quade Books stands as a modern-day literary haven, especially meaningful in a city as rich and diverse as Miami.

“We always saw Aventura Mall as a cultural hub–vibrant, diverse, and full of life,” shares founder of Quade Books, Evangelina Montiel Bertone. “Even though it’s known for the major brands, we saw an opportunity to bring something soulful and unexpected to the space.”

Without a bookstore in the area, let alone a bilingual bookstore, Montiel Bertone found herself wanting to fill the gap and create something special for the community. Enter Quade Books.

Stories Without Borders

What sets Quade Books apart isn’t just its selection–it’s the voice. The store is proudly bilingual, with equal emphasis on English and Spanish titles, particularly in its celebrated children’s section. Every book is hand-selected to reflect a variety of cultures, voices, and experiences, with many sourced from the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and beyond.

“Being bilingual isn’t just part of our identity, it’s our responsibility,” explains Montiel Bertone, as the goal is to foster inclusion, celebrate heritage, and support literacy in both native and second languages.

The collection doesn’t just stop at Spanish. The store is gradually introducing books in French, Portuguese, Italian, and Chinese to reflect the multilingual families who call South Florida home.

Warm lighting, cozy reading corners, curated displays, and soft music transform the busy mall space into an oasis of calm in the heart of the Center. But it’s more than an ambiance–Quade Books hosts author visits, weekly bilingual story times at Rainbow Valley Playground, and other cultural events that turn a visit into a memorable experience.

“Our goal is for every person, child, or adult to leave feeling seen, inspired, and uplifted,” Montiel Bertone said.

Quade Books is located on the Lower Level near Bloomingdale’s.