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    Bear Pond Books

    4.4 (18 reviews)
    ModerateBookstores
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Bear Pond Books Books, Mags, Music & Video Photos

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    Kevin K.

    I love Independant bookstores, but I love used bookstores even more. Imagine my delight in getting a twofer. Used books have a discreet blue dot on the spine, and are mixed in with the new stock. The selection is limited, but nicely curated, and the non-book items are quirky and fun. Staff was friendly and helpful. All around, a great experience.

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    8 years ago

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    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    8 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Great atmosphere, great staff, great selection. I LOVE visiting Bear Pond :)

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    Photo of Jim H.
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    18 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

    I cannot enter this store without buying a book, so I guess I fit their buying demographic. Great texts! Thanks!

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    13 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Bear Pond Books

    Review Highlights - Bear Pond Books

    They take books in on trade for store credit and are very fair with what they give though somewhat selective.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    The Book Garden

    The Book Garden

    4.4(8 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    The book selection is limited but they had a lot of games to choose from. The D&D miniatures…read moreselection was alphabetized which was much appreciated.

    You don't come to The Book Garden expecting Powell's City of Books or the endless aisle of Strand…read more No, this is a small, magical space that's tucked away in a cozy space in the center of Montpelier, Vermont. You'll open the door, and instead be greeted with the playful chime of the front door's bells that will accompany a simple "Welcome", and the presence of Brad. He will confidently preside over the space with the gentle guardian energy of a wise, ancient custodian, ensuring all who enter are assured that they do - in fact - belong here nowhere else more than they do here. You'll look to your right and muse over the selection of Tarot decks, and books on ancient mysticism. You'll find your interest growing as you land on Claire Saffitz's latest cookbook. Electic, you'll think. Then you'll turn around, and displayed proudly at the front will be troves of literature extolling the beauty and depth of the Green Mountain State. Then you'll take your next steps inside. Your eyes will sweep over rows and rows of graphic novels, and a bold fantasy/sci-fi book case that has all of the reverent classics and hot new entries in the genre. Brad will be watching you quietly with a smile, his counter containing select Magic the Gathering cards, each of which enshrined protectively, as if containing the power of these rare relics. And the beating heart of the store, a robust selection of some tabletop games for all interests and ages. The Book Garden has been the much-needed local shop for all of the nerdy and geeky literary and gaming needs of those residing in the greater Montpelier area. I have been picking up my graphic novels from the store for years, and find myself becoming more attached to the place over time. Brad has been more than the new owner of a Montpelier fixture - he has given this place the unyielding amount of love and respect that both it, and our community, deserves. If you find yourself about to step past this special nook as you walk down the capitol's main street, you'd do well to pause and take a look around.

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    The Book Garden
    The Book Garden
    The Book Garden

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    Country Bookshop - Barry Manilow's picture hangs over the door. We think he'd like The Country Bookshop!

    Country Bookshop

    4.2(5 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    This used bookstore occupies the entire first floor of an old home in downtown Plainfield. It…read morefeatures every subject imaginable and has one of the most impressive selections of books that I've seen this side of Powell's. Case in point: for the last two years, I've been searching for the English translation of the autobiography of composer, Richard Wagner, a book that has been out of print practically since before it was printed. I looked in bookstores in NYC, in Portland, OR, in Maine, in Massachusetts, and all over Vermont. The Country Bookshop was the only place that had a copy. Finding it, and finding it reasonably-priced and in great condition (especially for a 100+ year old book) helped justify yet another road trip to Plainfield. The store is a maze of bookshelf-filled old rooms. You could easily spend an entire afternoon in here. The books are, for the most part, organized on these shelves. The hardcover fiction section (my personal favorite) has disappointed me on repeated visits simply because the owner has stacked boxes in front of the bottom two shelves and the last thing I want to do while browsing for books is have to move around boxes. Nevertheless, I typically leave the store with a smile on my face and a book or two in hand, so I can't complain too much. The store is out of the way (I only make it out there once or twice a year) so I understand if anyone is hesitant to make the trip; but if you do, I think you'll find it a worthwhile trek.

    This place is actually kind of enchanting. A place you'd half expect to take a wrong step and…read moreaccidentally knock over a thousand-year-old translation of the Voynich Manuscript. Well okay maybe not THAT crazy but still... I've made some pretty wild finds in this place. A little pricy but definitely has that "Vermont used bookstore" magic going on. I just wish they were open later!

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    Country Bookshop - 50,000 books in our big, old home.

    50,000 books in our big, old home.

    Country Bookshop
    Country Bookshop

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    Tempest Book Shop - View from Rte 100 / Main Street

    Tempest Book Shop

    5.0(6 reviews)
    13.8 mi

    The owners of this gem of a book store know so much about books and give the best recommendations,…read moreand the bread is fabulous

    You're immersed in the sweet perfume of books as soon as you walk in. There are piles upon piles,…read morean improbably large number crammed into this small bookstore, the cacophony recalling a wild, lushly overgrown garden -- or perhaps a cheerier version of the bookstore in "The Neverending Story." It's just (dis)organized enough to maximize your browsing enjoyment. You stumble across unexpected delights in the many nooks and crannies! But if you're looking for a specific something, the kind owners are immediately there to assist... and expound upon similar reads you might enjoy. They're like living, breathing Spotify playlist curators for books. Good ones. Tempest also carries puzzles and a massive selection of movies on DVD. What's on display in the store is only the tip of the iceberg. The rest of the iceberg lives in the owners' garage, we're told -- but they're happy to dig out whatever you request. Sadly, we're only in the area for a few weeks of the year. Most of our time is devoted to skiing and on the days when skiing isn't ideal, seeing friends. But next December, I vow to (1) set aside a full day for a proper browse and chat with the fascinating, brilliant, and well-read owners; and (2) do all our holiday shopping here. This store is a true treasure, clearly a labor of love.

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    Tempest Book Shop - Plenty of parking

    Plenty of parking

    Tempest Book Shop - A bit crowded with books and movies and puzzles  watch batteries and stuff

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    A bit crowded with books and movies and puzzles watch batteries and stuff

    Bear Pond Books - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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