Listed are some of the coolest used books shops around.
To begin, select a metropolitan area from below.
The stores associated with your selection will appear right here and on the map.
When a local artist wanted to do an art installation by rearranging all the books in a bookstore by color, Adobe Books agreed and the result was magical. Can you imagine a corporate store ever...
Do you really need a 150,000 square foot mega-bookstore to have something for everybody? Arundel Books proves that you don't. The store stocks new, used and rare books but does so in way as...
Do you really need a 150,000 square foot mega-bookstore to have something for everybody? Arundel Books proves that you don't. The store stocks new, used and rare books but does so in way as...
If you go to a bookstore to drink a caramel cinnamon super-moca-fraza-chino-mundo and peruse the magazine section then we just can't recommend Black Oak. It seems that the staff and clientele...
What would one of the oldest cities in America be without a nice used bookshop? Brattle Book Shop is not merely a nice shop, it is the oldest in the country, its proprietor Kenneth Glass an...
Dewey (think decimal system) would like have a coronary if he ever found his way to Capitol Hill Books. The cozy two-story house is overrun with books, with no nook left unfilled. The books are...
For those that are used to independent bookstores of the cramped and cluttered variety, Diesel is a breath of fresh air. The design conscious, fiercely independent bookstore stocks new and used...
For those that are used to independent bookstores of the cramped and cluttered variety, Diesel is a breath of fresh air. The design conscious, fiercely independent bookstore stocks new and used...
Phoenix, Dog Eared, and Red Hill Books represent a type of bookstore that's fast fading into extinction. They're big, lively, a bit messy and generally a good place to spend an hour or...
When you open a book store across the street from the most heralded institution in American academics, it better be one damn fine shop. Fortunately, Harvard Book Store lives up to its high...
A used book store where all the books are donated and the proceeds go to charity, Housing Works Used Books Café is more posh than most for-profit book stores we've seen. Beautifully paneled...
Idle Time Books is not the most extensive used book store you're going to find, but there's something about the cozy environs that draws you in and makes you want to linger. Its shelves...
Bill O'Reilly's head would probably explode upon walking into Modern Times Bookstore and can we all agree that that's a good thing? The decades old bookshop fills it shelves with...
While a grand old piece of history itself, Moe's Books is a great steward of literary history as well. The four-storied bookstore is full of new, used and rare books. The used book section...
There's something lovingly old school about how Myopic Books keeps its space. The several floors of used books. The people reading and drinking coffee on the upper floors. The obligatory...
Phoenix, Dog Eared, and Red Hill Books represent a type of bookstore that's fast fading into extinction. They're big, lively, a bit messy and generally a good place to spend an hour or...
Reader Suggested:
This is the first place out-of-towners go after getting off the airport. Powell's is said to be the largest bookstore in the US, maybe in the world. It sells both new and used books, so one...
Phoenix, Dog Eared, and Red Hill Books represent a type of bookstore that's fast fading into extinction. They're big, lively, a bit messy and generally a good place to spend an hour or...
Specializing in rare and out-of-print titles, Second Story Books does not have that flea market feel of other used bookstores. Here, books past their prime are given their due TLC. Titles are...
Specializing in rare and out-of-print titles, Second Story Books does not have that flea market feel of other used bookstores. Here, books past their prime are given their due TLC. Titles are...
Specializing in rare and out-of-print titles, Second Story Books does not have that flea market feel of other used bookstores. Here, books past their prime are given their due TLC. Titles are...
Competing with superstores and online shops with impossibly large warehouses is useless if you're a small bookseller so Spoonbill & Sugartown did the only thing it could do: focus. Art...
In the shadow of historic Wrigley Fields, The Bookwooks offers other forms of history. Foremost are tens of thousands of books of the used and often rare variety with a focus on, what else,...
Adobe Books
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ca/san_francisco/adobe_bookshop_1_web.jpg
![]()
When a local artist wanted to do an art installation by rearranging all the books in a bookstore by color, Adobe Books agreed and the result was magical. Can you imagine a corporate store ever agreeing to such a thing? The delightful bookstore with an art gallery in the back is a space where books, art and people can peacefully coexist. First and foremost are thousands upon thousands of used,...
»
Full Details 
Address:3166 16th Street
San Francisco CA 94110
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-415-864-3936
Arundel
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/wa/seattle/arundel_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
Do you really need a 150,000 square foot mega-bookstore to have something for everybody? Arundel Books proves that you don't. The store stocks new, used and rare books but does so in way as to not artificially bulk up their shelves with any book they can get their hands on. Their limited retail space is filled with a nicely edited selection of titles from a variety of topics, though...
»
Full Details
Address:1001 1st Street
Seattle WA 98104
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: Yes
Phone: 1-206-624-4442
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-6 Sun: Closed
Arundel
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ca/los_angeles/arundel_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
Do you really need a 150,000 square foot mega-bookstore to have something for everybody? Arundel Books proves that you don't. The store stocks new, used and rare books but does so in way as to not artificially bulk up their shelves with any book they can get their hands on. Their limited retail space is filled with a nicely edited selection of titles from a variety of topics, though...
»
Full Details
Address:8380 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles CA 90048
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: Yes
Phone: 1-323-852-9852
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11-6 Sun: Closed
Black Oak Books
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ca/berkeley/black_oak_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
If you go to a bookstore to drink a caramel cinnamon super-moca-fraza-chino-mundo and peruse the magazine section then we just can't recommend Black Oak. It seems that the staff and clientele of Black Oak actually, shudder the thought, like to read. Inside you'll find mostly used books, with a selection of new titles. We get a feeling that most of the new books they carry have...
»
Full Details
Address:1491 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA 94709
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-510-486-0698
Hours: Mon-Sun: 10-10
Brattle Book Shop
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ma/boston/brattle_book_shop_2_web.jpg
![]()
What would one of the oldest cities in America be without a nice used bookshop? Brattle Book Shop is not merely a nice shop, it is the oldest in the country, its proprietor Kenneth Glass an authority on antiquated books. Along with three levels of used of books, there is special section for rare and first edition titles. Old editions of Time, Life and other magazines line the walls, while...
»
Full Details
Address:9 West Street
Boston MA 02111
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-617-542-0210 or 1-800-447-9595
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9-5:30 Sun: Closed
Capitol Hill Books
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/dc/washington/capitol_hill_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
Dewey (think decimal system) would like have a coronary if he ever found his way to Capitol Hill Books. The cozy two-story house is overrun with books, with no nook left unfilled. The books are categorized using small scraps of paper, by category, by author, or by whatever the proprietors felt like at the moment. The law books come with a long diatribe concerning nasty lawyers and mobile...
»
Full Details
Address:657 C Street SE
Washington DC 20003
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-202-544-1621
Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:30-6 Sat-Sun: 9-6
Diesel
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ca/oakland/diesel_1_web.jpg
![]()
For those that are used to independent bookstores of the cramped and cluttered variety, Diesel is a breath of fresh air. The design conscious, fiercely independent bookstore stocks new and used books of all genres and is host to author readings, language classes and reading groups.
»
Full Details
Address:5433 College Avenue
Oakland CA 94618
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-510-653-9965
Hours: Mon-Thu: 10-9 Fri-Sat: 10-10 Sun: 10-6
Diesel
For those that are used to independent bookstores of the cramped and cluttered variety, Diesel is a breath of fresh air. The design conscious, fiercely independent bookstore stocks new and used books of all genres and is host to author readings, language classes and reading groups.
»
Full Details
Address:3890 Cross Creek Road
Malibu CA 90265
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-310-456-9961
Hours: Mon-Thu: 10-7 Fri-Sat: 10-9 Sun: 10-6
Dog Eared Books
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ca/san_francisco/dog_eared_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
Phoenix, Dog Eared, and Red Hill Books represent a type of bookstore that's fast fading into extinction. They're big, lively, a bit messy and generally a good place to spend an hour or two. They're consummate hosts to a variety of community reading, music and poetry events. And they each have something that chains will never have lest they hurt their gross margins: a large,...
»
Full Details
Address:900 Valencia Street
San Francisco CA 94110
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-415-282-1901
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-10 Sun: 10-8
Harvard Book Store
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ma/cambridge/harvard_book_store_1_web.jpg
![]()
When you open a book store across the street from the most heralded institution in American academics, it better be one damn fine shop. Fortunately, Harvard Book Store lives up to its high expectations. The store's high shelves stock a massive selection of books, with an especially abundant non-fiction section. Furthermore, the store has succeeded in fostering a community of book lovers....
»
Full Details
Address:1256 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge MA 02138
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: Yes
Phone: 1-617-661-1515
Hours: Mon-Thu: 9-11 Fri-Sat: 9-12 Sun: 10-10
Housing Works Used Books Cafe
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ny/new_york/housing_works_used_book_cafe_1_web.jpg
![]()
A used book store where all the books are donated and the proceeds go to charity, Housing Works Used Books Café is more posh than most for-profit book stores we've seen. Beautifully paneled in rich wood, the store carries thousands upon thousands of used books ranging from gently used new fiction to true antiquities. The titles are very well organized, but the knowledgeable staff is...
»
Full Details
Address:126 Crosby Street
New York NY 10012
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-212-334-3324
Hours: Mon-Wed: 10-8 Thu-Fri: 10-9 Sat: 12-9 Sun: 12-7
Idle Time Books
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/dc/washington/idle_time_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
Idle Time Books is not the most extensive used book store you're going to find, but there's something about the cozy environs that draws you in and makes you want to linger. Its shelves are tightly packed but immaculately organized, while its atmosphere is calm and inviting. Go in, pick up a book, pull up a chair and relax.
»
Full Details
Address:2410 18th Street NW
Washington DC 20009
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-202-232-4774
Hours: Mon-Sun: 11-10
Modern Times Bookstore
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ca/san_francisco/modern_times_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
Bill O'Reilly's head would probably explode upon walking into Modern Times Bookstore and can we all agree that that's a good thing? The decades old bookshop fills it shelves with titles on globalization politics, sexuality and other issues progressives/liberals care about.
»
Full Details
Address:888 Valencia Street
San Francisco CA 94110
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-415-282-9246
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-9 Sun: 11-6
Moe's Books
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ca/berkeley/moes_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
While a grand old piece of history itself, Moe's Books is a great steward of literary history as well. The four-storied bookstore is full of new, used and rare books. The used book section is the draw here. Lose yourself in the 100,000 or so neatly organized titles. If you're looking for something a bit more special, head on up to the fourth floor to take a look at their...
»
Full Details
Address:2476 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley CA 94704
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: Yes
Phone: 1-510-849-2087
Hours: Mon-Sun: 10-11
Myopic Books
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/il/chicago/myopic_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
There's something lovingly old school about how Myopic Books keeps its space. The several floors of used books. The people reading and drinking coffee on the upper floors. The obligatory store cat.
»
Full Details
Address:1564 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago IL 60622
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-773-862-4882
Hours: Mon-Fri: 11-1 Sat: 11-1 Sun: 11-10
Phoenix Books
Phoenix, Dog Eared, and Red Hill Books represent a type of bookstore that's fast fading into extinction. They're big, lively, a bit messy and generally a good place to spend an hour or two. They're consummate hosts to a variety of community reading, music and poetry events. And they each have something that chains will never have lest they hurt their gross margins: a large,...
»
Full Details
Address:3950 24th Street
San Francisco CA 94114
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-415-821-3477
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9-9 Sun: 9-8
Powell's City of Books
Reader Suggested: This is the first place out-of-towners go after getting off the airport. Powell's is said to be the largest bookstore in the US, maybe in the world. It sells both new and used books, so one can find almost everything desired. Browsing is encouraged and they have a nice coffee shop.
»
Full Details
Address:1005 West Burnside Street
Portland OR 97209
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: Yes
Phone: 1-503-228-4651
Hours: Mon-Sun: 9-11
Red Hill Books
Phoenix, Dog Eared, and Red Hill Books represent a type of bookstore that's fast fading into extinction. They're big, lively, a bit messy and generally a good place to spend an hour or two. They're consummate hosts to a variety of community reading, music and poetry events. And they each have something that chains will never have lest they hurt their gross margins: a large,...
»
Full Details
Address:401 Cortland Avenue
San Francisco CA 94110
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-415-648-5331
Hours: Mon-Thu: 9-8 Fri-Sat: 9-9 Sun: 9-8
Second Story Books
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/dc/washington/second_story_books_1_web.jpg
![]()
Specializing in rare and out-of-print titles, Second Story Books does not have that flea market feel of other used bookstores. Here, books past their prime are given their due TLC. Titles are meticulously organized and categorized, while truly rare titles are under lock and key. The store is especially well stocked in older non-fiction titles.
»
Full Details
Address:2000 P Street NW
Washington DC 20036
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: Yes
Phone: 1-202-659-8884
Hours: Mon-Sun: 10-10
Second Story Books
Specializing in rare and out-of-print titles, Second Story Books does not have that flea market feel of other used bookstores. Here, books past their prime are given their due TLC. Titles are meticulously organized and categorized, while truly rare titles are under lock and key. The store is especially well stocked in older non-fiction titles.
»
Full Details
Address:4914 Fairmont Avenue
Bethesda MD 20814
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: Yes
Phone: 1-301-656-0170
Hours: Mon-Sun: 10-10
Second Story Books
Specializing in rare and out-of-print titles, Second Story Books does not have that flea market feel of other used bookstores. Here, books past their prime are given their due TLC. Titles are meticulously organized and categorized, while truly rare titles are under lock and key. The store is especially well stocked in older non-fiction titles.
»
Full Details
Address:12160 Parklawn Drive
Rockville MD 20852
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: Yes
Phone: 1-301-770-0477
Hours: Mon-Thu: 10-8 Fri-Sat: 10-9 Sun: 10-8
Spoonbill & Sugartown
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/ny/brooklyn/spoonbill_and_sugartown_1_web.jpg
![]()
Competing with superstores and online shops with impossibly large warehouses is useless if you're a small bookseller so Spoonbill & Sugartown did the only thing it could do: focus. Art and design in its many forms (film, photography, architecture, painting) are the focus of a new and used book selection that includes everything from rare, hard-to-find design titles to hip magazines....
»
Full Details
Address:218 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11211
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: Yes
Phone: 1-718-387-7322
Hours: Mon-Sun: 10-10
The Bookworks
http://www.jargol.com/images/stores/us/il/chicago/the_bookworks_1_web.jpg
![]()
In the shadow of historic Wrigley Fields, The Bookwooks offers other forms of history. Foremost are tens of thousands of books of the used and often rare variety with a focus on, what else, sports. Also around are bins of vinyl records, used CDs and vintage photographs. If you can find what you're look for, chances are you'll get it for a good price.
»
Full Details
Address:3444 North Clark Street
Chicago IL 60657
Site: Official Site Online Shopping: No
Phone: 1-773-871-5318
Hours: Mon-Thu: 12-10 Fri-Sat: 12-11 Sun: 12-6
