We've been coming to this bookstore for years and I think each visit gets better and better. The staff there could not be friendlier or more interested and knowledgeable. They were great in making some suggestions for my next reads and they were spot on! The selection of titles, gifts,and games is fantastic and I love supporting a local book seller. Prices are great. Do yourself a favor and stop in. You won't be disappointed! read more

I have been coming here forever and a day and cannot believe that I have never written a review! What is not to love about an independent bookstore that is filled to the rafters with new and used books. I get such a kick coming here with my middle son to get his textbooks for his college courses - just as I did when his brother went to uni out here and just as I did when I was at school here. I always find something new to buy here. This last time I got a lithograph of "Alice in Wonderland" for my daughter as gift (she was "Alice" in her school play) - she loved it! read more

I've been raiding these shelves for decades. Aside from the new area (upstairs), the downstairs section of used books contains some rarities for the impecunious collector which can be had on the cheap. Over the years I pulled out Katherine Raine's excellent two-volume set of William Blake studies, a first edition for review of John Updike's Carpentered Hen, and a signed first edition of Stephen Spender's first book of poems published by Fabers in 1933! All these books were well under $20 each. A first edition of Elizabeth Bishop's Geography III for $10? Yes, please. A proof copy of the first edition of J. G. Ballard's The Atrocity Exhibition with proof dust jacket for $10? OK, if you insist. A first of Raymond Carver's Will You Please Be Quiet Please for $20? Surest thing you know. Pencil-whipping used books appears to be a specialty here, and for the serious collector on limited funds, the place is an absolute God-send! A marvelous place to visit and well worth the ride out from Northampton's numerous troves of used and rare books. read more

I've been coming here since 1999 when I first started at Umass, in order to get my textbooks and my reading for pleasure. They have a really good poetry selection, a very friendly staff and they have excellent readings and events. They also have a plethora of cool things to by the checkout desk, including pins, journals, etc. Plus, they carry a lot of local authors, including me ; ) read more

Amherst Books - My first poetry book, Help Wanted. A contemporary classic. - Bookstores Near Me - Amherst, Massachusetts

See all

I visited Amherst Books again recently and I swear it gets better every time. I love it here. Pitch me a tent and I'll just live here (someone just bring me food and water, please). I stand by my previous observation - normally, college campus-ish bookstores don't typically excite me. But their selection, their SPRAWLING poetry section (swoon) and their commitment to local authors is very cool. When I visited, there was a live poetry reading happening from various authors (again, swoon). I literally browsed the poetry section while creeping around the bookcase to listen. It was heavenly. I love that a culture of readers still exists and they were SHHHHssHHing people who made too much noise. I also noticed they now have a dedicated section for trans fiction and poetry. Very cool (that's not something you see often). I was also impressed with the feminist and social sciences selection. Maybe my bookstores just don't have as big as a selection I thought because I was so enthralled with the inventory. I also got lost for a bit browsing the small gift section with tote bags, notebooks, postcards, literary-themed apparel and more. Overall, I'll continue to come here each time I'm in the area! Thanks for keeping reading alive, Amherst Books. read more

See all

OMG this might be my favorite bookstore in the world. I wish I could live in it. Beautiful independent bookstore with generous selection and lots of knick knacks and merch inside. Didn't have too much interaction with the staff, but they were very friendly. Best part was definitely the basement filled with used books. You don't see that too often. I was easily entertained in this store for over an hour. I wish that I lived in the Amherst area because I would do all my book shopping here! So much charm and great reads to be had. read more

One of my favorite bookstores in the area! I try to stop in whenever I can, and I always find something I'm interested in. They have a well-stocked queer and trans section (2 bookshelves!) with a varied assortment of topics, such as queer theory, disability, intersections with race and class, and more. Definitely worth a visit, and do bring an extra bag for all the books you will inevitably buy! read more

See all

This seems like a very nice little book store. You can tell the staff puts a lot of thought into what they're displaying. It sort of reminds me of R J Julia bookstore back in my hometown, just scaled down a little bit. It's located in downtown Amherst, amongst the multiple bars and restaurants, and it's not very far from Amherst College. I wish I had more time to spend here. Next time I will plan to do just that. read more

Overheard in Amhearst: a wondrous bookstore than can suggest a graphic novel full of sparkle for a 10 year old girl's birthday and recommend the most magical new novel of my 30s. Deepest thanks for Little, Big by John Crowley read more

I'm a 5-college student and I get my course books here. It's nice to have this store right in town, but it's expensive and they don't always carry the course books you need. Unfortunately, I've also had more than one experience with the clerks in which they were patronizing and rude. That said, they do have a nice variety of books/authors upstairs. If it really means a lot to you to support your local bookstore, then go for it. Otherwise, follow my lead and order them off Amazon. read more

Amherst Books is a cute little store underneath The Works Cafe and soon to be next to ViVi's Bubble Tea. Book stores feel a bit rare nowadays, so I'm really glad we have a bookstore downtown. It was very peaceful and if you ask the, I think owner at the counter, for help, then he will be very informative and hold a great conversation with you. read more

Yikes oh geez, I stopped in here and was really surprised by the... hostile, store clerks? I was the only customer in the store and they were dismissive of my questions and directed me to look online for answers. I apologized for my confusion and they *encouraged me to leave*. It was the most baffling shopping experience I have had in... forever. Maybe it's because I'm not a local? I honestly have no idea. read more

Sometimes, I need to go to a nice, independent bookstore, spend a good hour browsing and hunting and then buy myself a little treat. Today, I had the urge and I was in a new city where I had no clue where to go. Thankfully, Yelp exists. Quick bookstore search popped up with Amherst books, and I headed on over. Not only do they have an amazing selection of new and used fiction, but they also have incredibly well populated sections (that most big chain stores neglect) like poetry, African American fiction, American studies, Philosophy, Anthropology and Mythology. I loved the organization of the store, especially the used books section that was properly alphabetized and neatly shelved. I am very happy I discovered Amherst books, and I am very happy with my eventual purchase. Keep up the good work indie booksellers! read more

Great Bookstore And bottom Floor has a large Second hand selection. Support indies. read more

Not a bad place for new (upstairs) and used (downstairs) books. It's a nice place, though the staff can sometimes be effete if not wholly subsumed in pretentious twaddle. There's a strange, rarefied air to the used book selection downstairs, and things are rather overpriced ($10 appears to be the default for most things regardless of importance or condition.) It's like the whole place--the stock, the help, even the owners-- are pretending the place is better than it actually is. Still worth a visit, but steel yourself against its airs of over-sophistication and self-regard. read more

A great book store with a great selection of new and used books. Because of Amherst Books I was able to meet and shake hands with former Senator and former Canidate for Presidential George McGovern when he did a book signing there. I will treasure the copy of his last book for as long as I live. read more

Their slogan should be "Books with an attitude problem" The Good: They have books. They also now take Discover card (finally!) The Bad: Their attitude is terrible. Now I get that you have to deal with college kids rushing to buy their textbooks in the beginning of the semester, but THATS YOUR JOB. If you don't like it, don't sell textbooks!! Recently I went to see if they had a textbook. It wasn't even crowded there--nothing really to be stressed about. I couldn't find the book I was looking for so I went to the man at the counter. I asked him "do you have __(Book title)___" and his response actually was "No, are we supposed to have it?" in a condescending tone. I really wanted to respond "I don't know, thats your job. I'm not the one who owns this bookstore" but sadly I thought of that later in the shower at night. Basically these guys live off the fact that they are the only bookstore that sells textbooks in Amherst. While they bicker and moan that UMass's new connection with Amazon is killing their business we know the real reason: because of your sour attitude. read more

They sell Peter Pan / Greyhound tickets. That a fine community servi, because you cant buy senior bus tickets for example online. A trip to NYC cost less buying from Amherst books, then online. And if they make a small commission, they deserve it. Otherwise: I am grateful for every month / year this independent book store stays open. This is not to be taken for granted. read more

Came here twice, last year and this year. Last year was a pleasant experience. Lots of books and they are very organized with textbooks. They have sections of textbooks for all the surrounding colleges so it wasn't hard to find what I needed. First two weeks of school the lines are out of the door. Beware. Customer service sucks. Some older man asked me if I needed help and I told him the book name. He took me to the area and told me the book is over the counter since it is over one hundred dollars. He told me that he was going to get it and I said that it was okay, I am still looking for other books. He replied, "don't you have anything better to do besides looking in a bookstore?" Wait, what did you say? RUDE. psh. What am I suppose to do in a bookstore? Sniff the books? Why offer me help if you're going to be rude? Maybe you were having a bad day, but as a student coming back to their first week of school, I am stressed too but I don't go around being rude to others. Don't get me wrong, I will come back to buy books here. But if someone asks if I need help, I'll pass. read more

Amherst Books is a nice place. I visited with my son so we spent most of our time in the children's section. The staff was gracious enough to let us spend time just reading books and picking out the ones we liked best...we of course reciprocated by picking up three new books which my son has subsequently enjoyed a great deal. From a brief review of the adult section they had a nice range of options, including a downstairs used book section that I really appreciate since I am all about the reuse/recycle approach. read more

Stopped in and bought a book. Actually, I sat on one of the couches first and read a few pages before buying it. Towns like this need bookstores like this and when they close for some reason or go out of business, it's part of the community's soul that goes with it. I like Amherst Books - have been coming here for years - and think it's one of the nicer independent bookstores around. Sure, you can drive down Rt 9 and go to the big Barnes and Noble but that just leaves you cold. read more

Impeccable, locally owned, independent bookshop. Particular strengths: poetry, literature, & philosophy. They also carry a large selection of small press titles & literary journals. This is a rare bird. It takes my breath away. read more

Definitely the lesser of all evils when getting books locally. Neither hilarious corporate (hello textbook anex) or disgustingly liberal (looking at you food for thought). You won't be getting any deals, and I still feel uncomfortable about being made to leave my bag in an easy to steal location, but it gets alot worse in the area. Here you can get in and get your book quickly, which I always appreciate (I'm a very busy man, man) read more

I loved this bookstore for its liberal selection of books, quiet atmosphere, friendly service and bathroom! I spent over an hour browsing the shelves, but I can't say the store would have anything one would need. It caters to the surrounding colleges/universities and a liberal-minded audience, but I'm sure they could order anything you were looking for. It was quite a charming atmosphere. read more

I really like this bookstore, the staff is always friendly and tables of sale books make me happy. Don't forget to go to the basement where they have a wall of used fiction books, I generally find one or 2 good ones every visit. read more

This place is the best. My sister lives in Amherst and I always make it a point to visit here when I am in town. Their customer service is BEYOND. I live in Pennsylvania and for Christmas I wanted to buy my sister some books from there. I emailed them with the titles I wanted and asked if I could purchase over the phone and they could set aside for her. Well, they only had one of the books in stock so they ordered the other one for me AND gift wrapped them. They went above and beyond and I can't recommend them enough. read more

Whether you're looking for something in particular or just in the mood to browse, this is the place to go in Amherst. I go here a lot just to look around and I never feel pressured to buy something or leave like in some stores. They have a great used book section downstairs and I love the cheap books cart that's outside by the door. The staff has always been very polite and friendly without being overbearing, they know when someone wants their space but they're also more than ready to help when you need it. read more

Just the bookstore that one would expect next to U Mass and Amherst College. Several hours of looking and buying. Must recommend the book "Loaded Gun: Emily Dickinson in the 21st Centuary". A real eye opener for exploring this complex woman and her work. Had to buy a book bag to carry the treasure out. read more

Lots of local writers featured here. Got all that I wanted for under twenty bucks. Also a good selection of children's books. The discount basement is a hot stop also read more

Great selection of new and used books. Amazing poetry section and usually some good remainders if yr just looking for some beach reading.

Amherst Books is a little hit or miss. There's a pretty good new book selection. They carry a grad school reading list's worth of philosophy and theory books, and a smattering of other worthwhile books. All the lit mags people actually buy and a handful that nobody does. Generally all new books are at list price. The used book store, which is more my thing, has treated me very well over the years but has been running dry as of late. Sometimes I will find something I wouldn't expect, and oftener than not at a price lower than I'd guess. The selection is on the small side, however, and it doesn't circulate quickly enough. There's too much dead weight on the shelves, books that could very well still be waiting ten years from now. The store is well located and the appealing books seem to go very quickly; maybe some of the other stock ought to be retired. read more

One of the best bookstores in town. Great contemporary poetry and fiction. The owners know their stuff. The kind of thing that will be sad to lose if Amazon takes over the world! read more

One of the best independent book stores out there. Very on top of their selections (both used and new) and more then happy to order a copy of anything they don't have for you. Really fabulous poetry collection, with a good deal of books from local poets and presses. They also hold a number of readings in the evenings (including UMASS MFA poets reading their work one friday evening a month). Always a treat! read more

Called asking if they had a particular book in stock and the lady was very rude from the second she answered the phone. The books are more expensive than they are off of Amazon and if that's how they treat their customers then i refuse to be a customer. shame, i try to support local businesses as much as possible. read more

A terrible experience, the clerk did not have any integrity. I bought seven books (over $100) and I found the price of one book on the back cover is 15.99 while it is 16.99 on the receipt. The clerk said the price on the back cover is wrong and printed a new Bar code to cover the price. Then I found I paid the tax on the tax free day. The clerk said it is their mistake and tear ed off the bar code and changed the price back to 15.99. Finally, he did not want to return back my money that I paid more, and only asked me to buy a new book instead of the money. I will never go to the book store again and I beg anyone else do not go the the book store. read more

A wide selection of literature...absolutely destroys barnes and noble. Great, helpful staff.

Great little store. It seems to lack a lot of classic books, but has a decent selection of pop science books. Their used books section is very reasonably priced, and the staff is very helpful. read more

My husband and I like to browse here. They have a good selection of books including the classics and art books for me, and science fiction and history for my husband. read more

love it! i can always find what i'm looking for- and i'm supporting local businesses- which always makes me feel good!