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    Amherst Books

    4.1 (39 reviews)
    ModerateBookstores
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    My first poetry book, Help Wanted. A contemporary classic.
    Michael C.

    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 ; )

    Lauren K.

    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.

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    11 years ago

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

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    12 years ago

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

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    16 years ago

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

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    Review Highlights - Amherst Books

    Really fabulous poetry collection, with a good deal of books from local poets and presses.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Grey Matter Books

    Grey Matter Books

    (28 reviews)

    $

    3rd stop today on my "Used bookstore trail in MASS" journey. This was the largest book shop I…read morestopped at today, unfortunately, I couldn't find anything interesting to purchase. As other Yelpers have stated, this store is packed with "inventory of every genre and subject", but just nothing for me. On a side note, I'm almost happy I didn't buy anything here today. The clerk was sitting at a desk right near the front entrance, no acknowledgement of me entering or leaving the place. Would it hurt you to say, "Hello" ? Sorry, lack of customers skills irks me a bit. Anyway, got back in the vehicle and headed to the next Used bookstore !

    What took my travels to Grey Matter Books was (besides the promise of books) they have actual road…read moresigns directing you. How, in this day and age with stuff everywhere, they pulled that off, I can't tell you, but it's 100% worth following them. It's an amazing inventory - every genre, every subject seems to be represented. They're used books with the asking price a reduced portion of their cover price, and I honestly could have spent hours and hundreds of dollars. They were all books I didn't know what I want (including one book on a haunted Connecticut house that just appeared on a shelf), and I am glad to add to my To Read collection. The outside is guarded by a gargoyle who seems to work for pine cones and a herd of enclosed ducks. The cashier must be a saint to tolerate the quacking, these are opinionated fowl.

    Amherst Books - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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