It's pretty sad that a critical review from 18 years ago said exactly what I'll say after having…read morechecked this place out today. It smells. The prices are expensive. The selection is far, far from exhaustive. And it's hard to navigate. I finally had to leave without even checking out all the floors because it was so smelly of ... dust? mold? - and I NEVER leave a bookstore without looking at everything. It looks good from the outside!

Such a delight! Enjoyed an hour Saturday browsing their selection-- could spend days here. Looking…read moreforward to returning soon. Purchased a book printed 50 years ago comparing where I lived for two decades in California and Kansas City, MO and an out of print philosophy of fairytales companion. Such a find!

Rainy Day Books is kind of the best of both worlds - a book lover's paradise staffed by book…read moreworms. It's a cozy space, but it's jampacked with books from all subjects. If you can't find what you're looking for - which for some reason happens me a lot - the staff is happy to order a copy for you. They're book club friendly. They also host a ton of fun book-related and author events. If you're interested, please follow their social media accounts. They'll keep you up to date.

If you haven't been to Rainy Day Books, and you've passed by at any point, you're really missing…read moreout! Every time I go into the shop, even if I think I know exactly what I want, every staff member is so knowledgeable and helpful that I always leave with more ideas on my TBR! The little shop is located in the tiny shopping center off Brush Creek Parkway, which means it can be hard to find parking if the center is petty busy--but it's worth it! They have great sections for adult reads, but they also have great sections for kids and teens--you'll find what you're looking for even if you're not sure what that is. Over the holidays, I even asked for kids and teens recommendations from the staff which they were happy to give! As noted earlier, their shop isn't huge, but full of possibilities. And if at the end of your visit, you really still want that book they don't have in stock, they'll order it for you for pick up or shipping--it's a simple process and they're more than happy to help people find their perfect next read. They may not be a book superstore, but they create value in their suggestions, recommendations, and their tiny book reviews and recs on the shelves (even in the teens and kids sections, written by kids and teens!). So glad to have found this place early on in my time in KC, and so happy that they're still doing their thing in their amazing bookshop!

I go to romance bookstores in cities I visit and Under the Cover is probably the best I've seen!…read moreIt's large and organizes books by tropes. There's just a lot of small details that the owners have taken note of and implemented in the store. It's 2 large stores now (it's gotten bigger) and the decorations and gifts are wonderful. Very Instagrammable. Lots of books and gifts like candles, shirts, bags, knickknacks. Cute signs and decor. Books by local authors are highlighted. Staff is very helpful. Bathroom is clean and cute. There's lots of ladders that remind you that you're not Belle, do not stand on them! A must-visit if you're in KC!

I used to be in the bookstore business. Remember bookstores? Those cavernous spaces with endless…read moreshelves of books of which maybe only 5% actually got purchased? Yeah. Good memories. That's not the case at Under The Cover. This is a legit, almost boutique-ish, book and gift store. It's not a warehouse of books and just 'stuff'. No, their specialty lies with LGBTQ+ literature, awareness, and advocacy and that theme is everywhere in this cozy space. Under The Cover is moving books aplenty and their merch and sundries game is amazing. Throw up a hand if you're an LGBTQ+ supporter. Heck, throw up a hand if you're on the other side of those lifestyles, because Under The Cover will WELCOME you, too. There are plenty of Christian bookstores, so balancing that ledger with inclusivity and love by patronizing an alternative choice & lifestyle business should be on anyone's radar. The service is uber-friendly and they will give suggestions for just about anything. Sign their guest book (so fun!) or just drop your email to receive future discounts, notice of specials, or even in-store author events. Support local is not just a rallying cry for farmers markets or service industries. It's critical to buttress our friends and neighbors who pour their hearts and souls into offering the great city a neverending array of shops & locations by supporting their businesses. The value in a place like Under The Cover is not just in the price tag of the items. No, it's more in the merit of small businesses and their place in the fabric that is Kansas City. Parking is city-style, which can mean you're on your own. Prices are fair and consistent, and you will appreciate what this space has become and how it can add to the Union Hill area. Take the time, and the opportunity, to stop in and feel the love.

My husband and I were in the area today for breakfast and so we decided to go into this particular…read morelocation. We both separated inside the store and went to our genres of books we liked. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing and generally quiet. They have a Starbucks café inside to enjoy. They have a wide variety of books, music, magazines, and an assortment of other items. My husband ended up getting some magazines and I bought a journal. The service when we checked out was nice and quick, and the woman was nice. The books are generally more expensive because their new but they do have areas where there are inexpensive books and a variety of sales, they also have a clearance section.

Great, knowledgeable service employees, opinions very helpful. Nice to see a physical book store…read morestill thriving. Incredible selection, could spend days there and barely scratch the surface. Good Starbucks inside.

This was my first time at Afterword (though I have been meaning to go for a while) and I am already…read moreplanning on coming back! I love the vibe of the space, which is lined with bookshelves and they even have a card catalog. The drinks are fun and with some Literary references for the names. I had the poppy war and really enjoyed it. We sat inside but they also have an outdoor patio. The bathroom was also extremely clean. Service was very quick with barely any wait before the drinks were ready. I would recommend anyone that loves a cocktail to stop in!

Cozy, book-filled, and perfect for unwinding with a drink. I tried the drink of the month the…read moreBoozycatipillar, a fun literary-themed cocktail supporting Read to Lead KC delicious! The only downside? Ordering at the bar makes it tricky to hold your seat as a solo guest. Drinks are a bit pricey, but the ambiance is worth it. Great spot for book lovers looking to relax with a cocktail!

I had some time to kill today before brunch and went into The Dusty Bookshelf. What a great place!…read moreIt has a very solid selection and the staff was helpful. I love the table with the Grab Bags! I only ended up purchasing one book, but I would love to go back next time I'm in Lawrence.

I love this book store. I have gone here for years. Plenty of great books. The customer service is…read morenonexistent. Every time I go in, the staff ignores me. When I get to the register to BUY books, most of the staff are quite rude. Staff will talk to staff as opposed to engaging with customers. My last visit was one of the worst. I believe "it" didn't want me in the store at all. I was buying a lot of books. There are some staff that are human and are very pleasant.

Wise Blood is a lovely bookstore in Westport and is a great addition to the area! They have variety…read moreof genre selection (including used and new books), a kid's books section, coloring books (adults and children), notebooks/pens (moleskin style stuff), and were very welcoming when my husband and I walked in. They feature local art on the back wall - we went to a "meet the artist" event one evening (Hubbard Savage is the local artist featured - he's super talented!). There were also some musicians who played and also did some spoken word type of stuff, both of which were delightful! They have a little seating area that's comfy if you wanna sit and flip through a stack of books when you're trying to decide which to get. I will definitely be back - this place is amazing. Highly recommend you stop reading this review, get in your car/on a bike, and go check it out!

Amazing book selection its a good mix of new and used books with a great nonfiction section…read more Employees were lovely.

I stopped by the Blue Springs store today and Barnes & Noble no longer sells or carries magazines.read more

I went there specifically for the new issue of Sommerset Magazine. I held off getting a…read moresubscription cause Barnes and Noble was opening in Blue Springs. I loved the Independence Barnes and Noble. I'd go every month for....magazines. It closed. I went to the Blue Springs Barnes and Noble to have a look at the new books, and magazines. It's a tiny Barnes and Noble. You could fit 3 Barnes and Noble (maybe 4 the size of the Plaza) into this one. Worse: no magazines! It is a very tiny Barnes and Noble. I don't even think there's a coffee shop. The gift section is tiny, sparse. I believe I'll bypass this one and go to the one on the Plaza.

Alright Barnes & Noble still has their fastball…read more My girls were going a bit stir crazy his was a wonderful way to spend an hour or so on a frigid Sunday. Easy parking in the garage next door, and tons of stuff to do here. We needed to get a Lego set, and there's a really decent selection. In the age of online shopping, it's a nice change up to actually go in a store and look around. There was one book that looked good and I happened to notice it was half price on Amazon vs in store, which is how it goes, but worth noting. There's also a Starbucks cafe, and then a kids section up top that's a lot of fun. My girls each got to pick out a book and they ended up spending a lot of time looking around and having fun. Honestly, really great all around. Fun way to spend an hour or two and so many great things that the kids enjoyed.

This is a great Barnes & Noble! My husband and I were killing some time while in Kansas City for a…read morewedding and what better place to do that than Barnes & Noble. This location on the plaza is wonderful. You can get lost in this location with it's FOUR FLOORS of books! So much to see browse. They kids section has a lot of great gift options too. There is a Starbucks on the premise which was hosting a couple different book clubs. It's a very lively location with a little something for everyone!