Love, love, love this bookstore!!! So much to choose from and what a beautiful and wonderful layout. They have lots of goodies here and fantastic details throughout. Great place to find a fun gift, too!!! read more

See all

I was visiting my sister in Lincoln, and came across A Novel Idea Bookstore while I was exploring downtown. I found two used mystery novels that I was very happy to find! Great selection and prices, and the staff were very friendly. read more

I wasn't expecting a bookstore as I wandered the high streets of downtown Lincoln searching for lunch but I landed in one anyway. And a very fine bookstore this is. Tightly packed stacks of paperbacks (and a few hardcovers) with nary room to put your arms out. Which I found perfectly wonderful. Very much wanting to support this sort of business, I did not have much trouble at all picking up a like-new copy of a Heinlein I already own with the intention of replacing my well worn with this one. And another Lee Child / Jack Reacher that I don't remember reading before. Cheap for the two at under $10 and so I left with my purchase knowing I was shopping local. [Review 11391 overall, 1168 of 2019.] read more

See all

This bookstore gem is perfect for the exploration of a good read. The ladies in the store are so helpful! I was there with my 2 kids and 2 nieces and they each had their own preferences. The patience and kindness of the store employees were so attentive. Also, love the green bags. read more

A Novel Idea Bookstore - Reusable bag with purchase! - Bookstores Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

They have an amazing selection of books, and they have CATS, people. I went inside one day just to pet the cats that sit in the window, and I ended up spending several hours browsing the first floor and the basement. So many fascinating books and interesting subjects. And the people who work there are so kind! TL; DR: Came for the cats, stayed for the books read more

A Novel Idea Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

Such a welcoming environment. Cinnamon was so kind and really made my kids feel like valued customers. This is a woman place to stop. Good books and bookish gifts as well. read more

Iconic Lincoln bookstore...they have very friendly staff and a great selection of obscure and not so obscure books. This is a cozy place to while away an hour or so. I've never once left empty handed. The cats are a huge bonus! read more

I have been coming here for most of 20 years, and I don't even live in Lincoln any more. They have a wide selection, combining popular books with the occasional book some college student must have sold after a lit class. (There is a small foreign section featuring at least half a dozen languages; if you need your French/German/etc. fix they can set you up pretty affordably.) Be sure to visit the basement; the stairway down is lined with books and there are at least as many shelves downstairs as upstairs. The proprietors have a sense of humor (the sex, drugs, and rock and roll books are shelved next to each other) and will remember you. There's the obligatory store cat as well. They do take trade for either cash or credit against future purchases; anything they don't want can be donated to the Free box outside. Well worth a visit. read more

As part of my continuing quest to get to know the city of Lincoln, I noticed this little bookshop on the way back from lunch. I was greeted by the friendly ladies who run the place (I wish I could remember their names now), and offered cookies and refreshments. Their prices were nice and low, although, unfortunately, so was their selection. Well, I don't mean to judge too harshly, as they did have quite a few books packed into their shelves; perhaps I was looking for some obscure titles. But they were a little scant in authors like Card, Gibson, Hemingway or Vonnegut. I really liked the atmosphere of the place. The street level houses the fiction books, and they have a lower level that houses the non-fiction books. I really wish I would have bought something from them, but unfortunately they didn't have any of the specific books I was looking for. I will definitely be back in the near future though. read more

It's the bookstore you would run if you ran a bookstore. Almost a moment of zen just on entering. It's a location you visit to revel in the written word and pause life a moment and just browse. You can pet the cats, and spend some quality time for yourself as you pick out what interests you. Huge selection, every topic you can imagine read more

such a cute little shop with a great selection! the person working was very kind and helpful

I love bookstores and this one is no exception! It's like a sanctuary for your soul! So many beautiful books reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and welcoming like an old friend. They have two resident cats who are very relaxed and quite comfortable. I walked out with 6 books for $45! That's a great deal! I will be back...and bring friends! read more

Friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere. Everything is organized very well and there is always someone willing to help.

Very well run bookstore, the owner is very friendly. It's hard not to spend hours browsing. The cats are a plus, I just wish there were more of them read more

What an awesome little book store this place is! During a recent trip to Nebraska the girlfriend and I decided to check it out. I was amazed at how many books there were in this place. There were tons of shelves floor to ceiling, and then I was even more amazed to find out that there was a basement with even more books. We spent most of our time there checking out the Judaism which conveniently enough had a chair set up right next to it. We were able to sit there for quiet a while relaxing and perusing the books and deciding what to get. We wound up deciding what we wanted to get (after playing with the cats a bit too), and went back up stairs to pay. The prices were very reasonable and I would definitely recommend checking this place out. read more

This is a lovely used bookstore. The management/staff are wonderful people. The selection is wide and the atmosphere is so cozy it makes you want to stick around. If you are a cat lover you are also in luck, this is also one of those bookstores where they have them! I highly recommend this place to anyone considering it! read more

If you want to know how to cram a gazillion books into a closet, these people will tell you how. Books from floor to ceiling. It's also got that old book smell that I love. I went in here this weekend not knowing what I was looking for. I asked for recommendation from the book-lady. She was super nice and helped me pick out a book that as of today, I still cannot put down for long. I really like this bookstore. It's a tiny little space sandwiched between an Art Supply store and a Gyros joint. They often have boxes of free books out on the sidewalk - at least I think they're free... read more

I love independent book stores. There's nothing I like doing better than getting lost in a small, cramped place with stacks and stacks of books piled up in every nook and cranny that has a few inches of space available - stairs, window ledges, the floor. This is that kind of place. Be sure to find the turn that leads to the downstairs where you'll find many more shelves with thousands of more books. read more

We drove down to Brownville to see the Antiquarium's new location and stopped in here for a browse. . . . Chapter Two is not a large bookstore but I was very impressed by the quality and variety of their stock. They carry used books but most all of them look brand new. There is a large fiction section, mostly adult but also children and YA. Even though some of the subject areas were small (sometimes just part of a shelf), they were well-rounded. The shop was clean and pleasant and the guy at the desk was helpful. Prices were reasonable. Air conditioning works! ***Note that they are open seasonally at this time, April-December. read more

A Novel Idea is a DELIGHT! The inventory is frequently updated so there's always something new to explore, and these Book Ladies are THE BEST! They have incredible knowledge and give spot-on recommendations. I've never left disappointed (but for not having more money to buy more books). They also have a bookshop.org site to get new books and still support their small store over. LOVE A Novel Idea. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

I don't know how long I've been going to this store, but it's been well over a decade. For Bibliophiles, this is the place to go. They have a wide selection of gently used books on hand and if they don't have it, they'll see if they can find it. The staff is friendly and after awhile you begin to feel like they are part of your extended family. If you are a regular, they remember your name and what type of books you like. The cat in the building is a nice homey touch too. If you have never been there, you really need to check it out read more

Lovely, friendly location with good selection of books. Definitely worth a visit, but be careful- time seems to fly quicker than usual when you get lost among the treasures here! read more

Independent, local bookstore. One of the best I have ever come across. Cinnamon, the owner, and Catherine, the manager, are two of the nicest people you'll ever meet! The are more than willing to help and always have recommendations. The store itself is packed with books upstairs and down, a large selection at excellent prices. If they don't have it then give them your name and when they get it they will put it on a backshelf and save it for you. They also have two sweet cats, Eddie and Padrick who live there. They nap in the window, allow you to pet them and love attention. read more

Such a treasure! Lots of books, good prices, friendly staff (and kitties!), you can easily spend hours here without even realizing that you are. They love books, they love talking about books, and they have this fun little basket where you can pick a "blind date" with a book. Fun, fun, fun. read more

I'm usually disappointed by the selection of used book stores, but I'm happy to say that was definitely NOT the case today. They had a really great selection books--found some classic books I had been looking for in good condition at a great price. The people working there were also extremely kind, friendly, and helpful. And, of course, the cats are a definite plus. I plan to come again as soon as I get a little more pocket change and empty shelf space. read more

I love shopping here. All the employees are friendly and knowledgeable and will get you a title if you cannot find it. Stop going to Barnes and support someone local! read more

Friendly staff, great selection, low prices, and they're very in touch with their customers. Best place to go in the state!

I love this place! They have a great selection of nonfiction and I shop here a lot for my friend's birthdays etc. they show books on their Facebook page and you can call dibs and they hold it for you. There are two shop cats. I like the cats, even if they make my nose itch a bit. They have some great sales throughout the year. read more

What's better than a well-stocked independent book store? A well-stocked independent book store with cats!! The staff is always very friendly and helpful, and I just love the atmosphere of the place. (I especially love the stairs painted like book spines!) Every spare inch of space is covered in books, and it really feels like you're on a treasure hunt. The store is well organized by genres, so it's easy to find your little corner and set to work finding your next good read. read more

Exceedingly helpful and friendly staff who were willing to aid me in everything I needed as well as offer great suggestions based on my interests. Fantastic selections, great prices, I couldn't stop myself from nearly buying out the whole store! read more

Okay, been there several times and taken gently used books in to trade. The ladies are friendly and knowledgeable. Although the location is downtown, it's worth the trip. I've even caught their SALES time when things are 1/2 of the cheaper price on the book. (I think it happens twice a year.) Love them and going there today. read more

Lincoln's best used bookstore! A number of specialties, from literary fiction to sci-fi to cookbooks and art criticism. Along with quality used books in good condition and at much lower prices than chain bookstores, A Novel Idea has a good collection of first editions and other collectors' items. And if they don't have what you're looking for, Cinnamon and Kat will do their best to get it for you. They have a great new online store, too. read more