Odd organization of books (general fiction isn't a great category) and the staff weren't friendly. Used book prices seemed good though, but hard to find anything by just browsing- better off looking for a specific book. read more

Barbed Wire Books - New books / romance ish area - Bookstores Near Me - Longmont, Colorado

See all

They had such a good selection of new and used books and I love how it was set up! Very cozy book store vibes and the staff were super helpful and friendly. This is a great gem in Longmont! read more

Contacted them by email and via the online contact form on the website over a month ago, and have not heard anything. I sent 2 contact forms and an email. No excuse! Calling or just popping in isn't an option for eveyone especially those of us with disabilities. Being mute, I can't call, and I can't just come in and explain what I need. I have to write it down, and that can take some time, and if you're busy when I "pop in," that wont work for either of us. Not even checking the emails and contact forms once in over a month is just lazy workers and there's no excuse. read more

It's HUGE! And organized by genre. The horror section was mostly King so I was a little disappointed there. I always hope local bookstores have better horror sections than B&N's. The prices are wonderful! I got 4 books, one a hard cover, for less than $40. They have a mix of new and old and I believe you can trade your books in for store credit and buy others. Kind of like Plato's Closet. I'm not sure if it's a local thing, or a Colorado thing, but they don't have bags for your purchase. Bring your own or buy a reuseable tote. I didn't really have anyone help me, but I was greeted by two employees. The women who checked me out was very sweet. I didn't use or look for a bathroom. Street parking. I walked from my air B&B. read more

One of our adult children and her family live in Longmont. Stopping in at Barbed Wire Books is a must during our visits. In fact, we did so three times in five days this time. This is hands down the best bookstore we have visited across the country. The staff is more than friendly and helpful; the book selections are expansive; and the atmosphere is comfortable and inviting. Visiting Longmont? Put Barbed Wire Books on your list! read more

Not a great experience. I was in Longmont to help my elderly parents paint a room in their home. They needed a place to donate the books from that room. I called Barbed Wire. I was told I could drop off the books. Nothing was said when I called about having to pick up books that were declined. When I brought the books to the store, I was told I'd have to come back to pick up whatever was not chosen for the store. I explained that I live 2 hours away. I explained my timeline. The people at the store said that they would look through the books in time for me to come back to pick up. I didn't receive a call in that time so I returned to my home in the mountains. Now I'm in "trouble" because I didn't come back for the rejected books. I love books and I can't believe the policy of a store like this. I didn't care about CREDIT in the store for the books that I donated. I just wanted to give the books to someone that could use them. Apparently I have a credit for $92.00 and they are mad that I didn't pick up the rest of the books? I don't want the credit. This is just terrible customer service. Charge a fee to take the rejected books elsewhere - just take a fee from the credit instead of harassing people. What a shame. I wanted to support a used book store in my home town. Shannon McC read more

I recently visited this bookstore again and had a less than stellar experience. Overall I still like this bookstore for the most part, but it is still very disorganized and hard to find anything you are looking for. It's also the only bookstore I've ever been in that puts the Sarah J Maas ACOTAR books in the YA section when it's clearly marketed for adults due to the explicit spice. I love her books, but it was an odd choice to put them there and made them hard to find. The customer service was also really lacking. I was there with my infant daughter in a small stroller. I was struggling to get in and out of the door and there was an employee 5 feet from the door both times who watched me struggle and didn't help. My daughter was asleep and quiet the whole time, but I got judgmental looks from employees multiple times and they were very unfriendly towards me and were dismissive when I asked for help, which is not my experience at all when I'm there alone. read more

I love this place, it has a wonderful vibe. It's a great place to get quality used books. They have a really nice curated selection. They also have new books, and you can trade in your books for credit. It's a welcoming environment just to browse or spend time. I always feel happy to be surrounded by book lovers when I'm here. Super helpful staff, and they will also order any book for you. read more

We've donated here for years but things are declining. Staff are BIG rude. Final straw today we went out of our way to go in and donate a couple of new books. The *extremely* rude woman at the counter (long hair and glasses. Didn't get her name) saw there was an inscription and let us know they couldn't take the books due to that inscription. Ok. No worries. We didn't want the books so asked if she would just toss them only to be told "There's a trash can outside" with a disinterested nod out the door we just cane in. I questioned asking, "So you can't just toss them in that trash can right there?" to be told, "Yeah...no. I don't think so." No real eye contact. Just complete disinterest. Really? Had the convo been any sort of "I'm sorry, dude. We can't ..." well let's be honest. No reason at all they couldn't have dropped the books into the trash can right next to her. The attitude is why many small businesses are dying and losing support. read more

This is a new favorite book store. I love the Classics, of which they have many--nicely priced used editions and new editions. I also collect Easton Press books, of which they have many to choose from in a large locked cabinet in the front of the store. I was left alone when browsing (I prefer that), and when I asked for help, they were helpful. There is a bathroom and a large parking lot behind the store. Will definitely return! read more

Oooh! Good prices and they take selected trade-ins for use when buying others used books! First, the atmosphere is quiet, smells clean (not musty like old decaying books!) and lit well. The stacks are organized well with labels indicating the genre of the books in each area, organized by authors last name. I've found books that were no longer in print that are fabulous! I found a couple watercolor painting books and a color theory book in very good used condition (in my opinion). These would not be offered in a new bookstore and were less than half-price. Barbedwire Books offer to purchase books for a trade account in your name good for the "purchase" of other used books. Bring in books that are gently used and in very good condition (check with them first ) so they can be evaluated according to condition and store needs. You might receive a trade-in credit that towards other used books in the store. New books are also available at the storefront area. This includes books about Colorado and the area, hiking books/maps etc. Other related small goods/gift items like colored pens, book markers and cards, and more are offered as well and very tempting to buy. A dining sized table is located within the stacks. Reading, at least briefly, even while sitting down, on the carpet, is allowed. (I'd suggest not obstructing shoppers though, lol). Parking is easy and available behind the store off Kimbark Street, East of Main Street. read more

This is a large locally-owned used and new book store. The used books are most of the store and are in back; they have a good balance of all kinds of books. The new books are in the front and are a well-curated collection of new releases and steady-selling backlist items. Prices are reasonable, and new books are usually 20% off list price. The store is well-lit with good overhead electrical lighting and large windows letting in the daylight. There's free parking in the public lot behind the store. read more

There is one worker in particular who is there every time I go and she is very kind and helpful. I went in with my rambunctious toddler today and she was patient and friendly with him. I never feel awkward or uncomfortable asking for help finding anything read more

This is a great little used book store, but they also have new ones that you can purchase. The staff was very friendly and helped me what I was looking for, which was CS Lewis's The Screwtapes. If you are in Longmont then you should definitely stop by this bookstore as you won't regret it. read more

Love this quaint and mighty bookstore in downtown Longmont. Excellent assistance. I was perusing the Western Americana section wondering if there might be anything on white buffalos and the 1997 Seeing the White Buffalo by Dr. Robert B. Pickering, Anthropologist practically fell in my lap. That works! Love supporting our independently owned book stores and having a real tangible in my hands to covet. read more

Barbed Wire Books - Bookstores Near Me - Longmont, Colorado

See all

I love this store!! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted by friendly staff. You can call ahead and place books on hold, pay in advance, and pick up curbside. OR you can browse their selection of books. Everything is pretty easy to find, and if you can't find something, the staff is more than happy to pull up exactly where the book you're looking for is. The best part, you can add yourself to a waitlist if you're looking for a specific book. This shop encourages you to exchange books you've read for credit at their shop. You can find deeply discounted books, especially previously loved books in near perfect condition. To say I'm obsessed is an understatement. I've visited every weekend since I found them They'll have a customer as long as I'm living in Longmont. read more

I wrote this book store off when I initially saw it because of its Western themed decor. I assumed it was a book store that specialized in Western genres and memorabilia. It's true what they say about making assumptions.... Barbed Wire Books has quickly become one of my favorite places to peruse used books. They have an impressive collection of fiction as well as mystery, classics, biography, and so on. They also have a large space, so it's all spread out and feels quite open. I think the best thing about them (aside from their shelves and shelves of books) is the owner, Kathe. Without fail, every time I have been in, she is helpful and warm. A few times, I've even lost track of time chatting with her about our shared love of books. I can always count on her making it a doubly pleasant experience. read more

I popped in here one blustery Friday afternoon and was in heaven: The creak of floors, the smell of old paper, people talking happily in a good down-home vernacular typical of this area. I was pleased with their book selection (found three excellent volumes to add to my collection) and the woman working there was terrific. I asked if they had any Malcolm Gladwell books and she was not only familiar with his work but offered to put a "want" on any of his books for me if they came into the shop. I can't ask for better service than that. The rows were marked relatively clearly (although sometimes just from one end) and they really seem to support local authors and DIYers which is terrific, and just the sort of thing that Longmont really needs. read more

I have been shopping at this lovely shop since I moved to Longmont back in 2013. The staff is very nice, the selection is outstanding, and they actually give really fair deals on turning in books for store credit. I am a huge language and manga buff, and every time I go in I find something new and exciting. The sci-fi section is also very extensive! If you live in Longmont, instead of going to one of those big chains in another town, try out this lovely little shop. It's well worth it! read more

Friendly service and very helpful in the book store. Great prices on used books and give discounts on new ones. I always check this book store out first. read more

This weekend I found myself in Longmont with a few hours to kill. Fortunately for me, I happened to wander into Barbed Wire Books. The used bookstore is a dying breed. This makes me sad. Many used bookstores that still exist manage to eek out a living peddling romance novels and whatever books one might also find at an airport. In the days of the internet, it is difficult to make a living otherwise. Barbed Wire Books, though, while certainly stocking a great deal of these quick-sellers, also seems to stock plenty of interesting, harder-to-find books. The staff at the store were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Put that together with a comfortable and convenient location, and I'd call that a winner. read more

Comfortable place to browse, good selection, knowledgable staff. Independent used book stores are so much better than the big box alternative. read more

They're just getting started, though this fiction junkie didn't have a problem finding several books to buy in no time at all. The woman who runs the store apparently used to work at Used Book Emporium further south on Main, and while this place isn't there yet they will continue to grow as more books come in. Like I said, I did fine, so they're worth checking out even now. read more

Went on a little trip North to get out of the bubble (Boulder) and it's nice to see an old school bookshop still in existence. Prices seem fair and the owner friendly. Go and support your local bookstore, they are a dying breed and one of the few old school business of the past still in existence. read more

Hands down the best book store in Longmont. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The book signing events featuring authors from Colorado as well as national talent are always entertaining. The variety of new and used books in every genre will keep you interested for days. It is well maintained and never cluttered. Plus, those cool window displays! Awesome. read more

Great store, trade credit was very fair. they have a good selection of books and are willing to call you when something you are looking for comes in. Staff was very friendly, we enjoyed our visit here and look forward to more visits read more

I like used book stores, so I'm glad to see another one pop up in my town. Barbed Wire Books is located in old-town, and is very spacious. Not sure when they opened, but they're fairly new. Despite that they haven't been around too long, they already have a large selection of books. I took in a few books for them to look over and they took around three - gave me instant store credit to use the same day or in the future. Very friendly and helpful staff. The store is very roomy, plenty of space for more books and there would still be room to keep the comfy reading areas they have designated for customers. Check it out! read more

Our whole family LOVES this store! The owner, Kathe is wonderful and warm! The atmosphere here is the best. It's old, funky, lots of great little nooks to hide and read your new(or new-to-you!)books. For not having a big box bookstore, this store is just the best place ever. I'd say, much, much better than a big box bookstore! read more

I love that this store is open on Sunday. It's warm atmosphere is makes browsing comfortable. It is easy to lose track of time scanning the extensive array of books. read more

I always feel comfortable here to ask for anything. They are truly very perfesional and kind. Great customer service and the owner makes a real effort to remember your name and preferences. I have not been mistreated as I was at another book store in town. I'm happy to get a wide range of things here, or they'll order if for you and give you a discount. read more

Witty humor and a great selection make this bookstore a fun addition to any trip to Longmont.

EXCELLENT store and a true credit to Longmont! Large selection of used books in a large space. Gives Longmont another much-needed "bohemian feel" to offset the cheesey pawn shops and dive bars on Main St. read more

I purchased a new book and then found it at half that price at another store. Fifteeen days had gone by when I tried to return the book. First Kathi said, it was too late to return (as she looked for any defects). Then, she said Visa would not allow returns. I have filed a complaint with visa because there is no posted return policy. Just make sure you want what you purchase there. Not the most customer-friendly store. read more

Barbed Wire Books is a perfect used bookstore. The staff have exhaustive knowledge of books. If they don't have what you are looking for, they can get it for you quickly and inexpensively. It is worthwhile just to stop in and chat with whoever happens to be working about the latest in publishing or beloved classics. The store, itself, is very welcoming, with lots of places to leaf through volumes and meeting spaces for book groups and more. Barbed Wire Books also does a wonderful job supporting local authors. Check their calendar on their website or Facebook to see who will be signing books next! The owner makes a point of giving back to her community with fundraisers and more. Longmont is very lucky to have Kathe and her crew on Main Street! read more