Too crowded. Most of the Vinyls there are made in China so definitely not originals or from the period. Staff is nice however not very educated on book knowledge. They didn't even know what an Indy author was. It is clean and looks nice inside. It's far from quiet. Stand in line and Prosper read more

I've heard about this place and saw that it was part of the Houston Book Crawl so I decided to check it out. This is a lovely small bookstore and the staff is very friendly and willing to help you find what you need. The books are pretty much spread out so they try to organize them in alphabetical order but it was hard to figure out genres where they're at exactly so I had to ask for help and of course it was right in front of me lol I will say the value of the books I was looking at were way higher than I expected than online prices but I get it that it's a local bookstore. Plus it's a brand new hardcover book. Other than that it's a cute shop and they seem to have fun events from time to time here so I'll check it out. read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

Love this cozy little spot! They had an awesome blind book event that had this place buzzing. I picked up my book and another book that has been on my list for some time. The staff were super friendly and helpful. I signed up for their newsletter and found they have quite a few events. Looking forward to my next visit. read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

Support your local bookstore everyone! This was my 2nd time in, staff is always super nice and welcoming and go beyond just a "hi how are you?". Asking if I want recs, looking for a specific book, or outright happy to talk about other things. I have never felt rushed or as if theyre trying to find a book as quickly as possible so they could move on to another person. They truly help out and are accommodating and take their time with you. For those that don't know you can always order online (or in store they can do it for you) and have it shipped to the store for free and do a pickup. Im more local now and plan on taking advantage of that. I got one book today and the other 2 I want I'll be ordering for pickup since they were oit of stock. Thanks to the lovely ladies for always being so nice! read more

Very clean and well-organized local bookshop. They have a nicely curated selection of display titles and are friendly enough to greet you when you walk in. One thing I appreciate is that if they don't have the book you're looking for, they can preorder it, usually at the same price you'd find on Amazon, which makes supporting local feel easier. That said, the preorder I received had a pretty noticeable dent along the edges. They did offer to reorder it or provide a discount, which I thought was fair, but I do wish there was more quality control in place before handing books off to customers. Not much seating inside, so it's not really a place to hang out and read for long. They do seem to have a separate space for events or talks, which could be of interest if you're looking to engage with the local scene. read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - Clean and organized. Labels could pop out more for visibility. - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

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It's small, but in the best way--cozy, quaint, and full of charm. The kind of place that makes you want to curl up in a corner with a good book and never leave. The staff were seriously the nicest--super kind, really attentive, and just lovely to chat with. You can tell they genuinely care. Can't wait to go back! read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

My sister and I wanted to try the bakery next door, but had to pop into this bookstore. We both love books but I haven't been able to enjoy reading as much in the last decade or so. The store was full of passionate booklovers of all ages. There's a great kid's section and recommendations by shop employees. We got a personal tour of the store. We both got free books bc they were doing a special blind date with a book event. There were also free snacks. I ended up getting a book with a pretty cover. They were offering a surprise discount that day, so I got 15% off. I created an account to rack up points for a reward, too. We couldn't have asked for a better visit. read more

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Love Blue Willow Bookshop!! My preferred genre is romance and they have a wonderful selection of romance, mystery, non-fiction, children's, and more. They also have really cute non-book items like stickers, totes, shirts, stationary, and more. They have great in-person and virtual events with wonderful authors throughout the year, and the last time I was here was to see the romance queen Talia Hibbert for an in-person event. Incredibly organized event in their new event space next door. The staff has always been so friendly and pleasant whenever I visit in person. Prices are on-par with other bookstores that sell new books. Come here if you want to support a local women owned small business, purchase those books on your wishlist, and discover some new authors to add to your TBR list. read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - In-Person Author Event with Romance Author Talia Hibbert - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is one of my favorite bookstores in Houston. The ladies that run it are amazing. They have a beautiful selection of books and items to purchase. The staff is very knowledgeable. Their events are well planned. Their communication communications with customers via email is very timely. Be sure to check this out for your next book purchase read more

What a beautiful book store!!! Attended a book club as I'm new to the area and it was great!! The store is 1/2 kids and 1/2 adults with so many great books to choose from. If they don't have it they will order. Lots of author events and the staff was just really lovely. So happy to have found them gem in my community read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

Super cute local bookshop! I've wanted to come here for quite some time but it's a bit of a trek for me, so I've put it off. Glad that I finally made some time to swing by a couple weekends ago! Really great shop with an assortment of all genres, cute stationary, and small gifts. About half the store is dedicated to children's books, toys, etc. Overall the selection is solid, but probably would recommend most for those with kids or young readers! read more

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It was my first time hearing and seeing this bookshop in the city. The window displays and unique door were pretty cute. I really liked how there was a large and unique selection of children's books, new cookbooks I hadn't seen before and local/book-related/seasonal stickers. In addition, perhaps due to the holiday weekend, they had a free snack section with small bags of homemade yet commercial white chocolate-covered pretzels and cinnamon blondies. The variety of greeting cards on offer were really cute. My sister and I came on a really good day as it was one of the days (this year it was the Saturday after Thanksgiving) during the year where the shop offered each patron one free "Blind Date with A Book." We could pick from a selection of different books for adults and kids, which were brown paper-wrapped with a few hints written on them. They supposedly contained early proofs of books that were sent to them before the official releases. A few may have minor damages like a small tear. You just aren't supposed to open them until you left the store. At checkout, a staff member offered a small basket full of folded papers, which noted a surprise offer. My sister got a 15% off discount on purchase. There were a few patrons perusing the shelves and tables. The staff members were friendly. One offered to give us a tour on how the store is set up. Since we declined because we had looked around already, she explained the general layout to us. There were cute illustrated bookmarks (not free) placed in mugs around the shop. I definitely recommend visiting the shop if you want to shop local or peruse a different curated selection of books. It feels like there's a lot of inventory in a small space, but you don't feel like you're going to knock things over if you pass by someone. read more

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Tonight was great. Blue Willow hosted "Beat The Heat ." It was packed with good people, great readers. I am a language teacher who promotes reading. The publishing team presenting the event were hilarious and genuine. I grabbed tons of good book ideas to suggest to our local book club. The staff is always great with selections and just interpersonal ideas for our book club selections that we started at a Senior Independent Living Center. Even a small error on a bill was so easily reconciled. You guys are amazing. Glad that I met you all! read more

I love a good book. A classic, printed, undervalued book. What I love more is an independent bookstore - one where I can walk in, immediately be overtaken by the smell of books and old wood. Add some really great staff to the mix and you have a rare gem! Blue Willow was just that for me. A dear friend and I recently attended a signing here - Ree Drummond was in town promoting her newest cookbook and of course I was down for the opportunity to meet & greet! Side note: she was the nicest and most engaging person! The store is so quaint (small but far from cramped), beautifully arranged, and just emits a welcoming vibe before you even enter the doors. The staff are equally helpful, polite, and extremely knowledgeable! The books are competitively priced and most are readily available. They didn't have a book I wanted in stock, but were eager to order it and I certainly obliged. While not on my side of town for regular visits, I most certainly will return! I highly suggest a visit if you're up for a cute little book store in the Memorial area... read more

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Local bookstore in this day and age always gets a thumbs up from me. But please play some music in there! It's disturbingly quiet.

This week I took my granddaughter for the first time (all children had to be walkers) to this bookshop for story time. It started 30 minutes before the store opened which was great! Children sat in empty boxes (they loved it) and were read a story, sang a song (head, shoulders, knees & toes with the physical movements), were given crayons to color their boxes and took the boxes home. 30 minutes was just right for this age. Such a good experience! read more

I love this bookstore! Yes, it's on the small side but it feels so curated in a way that you can't get at Target or Barnes and Noble. I appreciate the changing displays and helpful staff that give inspiration for new books. One thing that I think is so cool is that I have gotten multiple signed first editions for this store without any upcharge. And if they don't have a book they will order it for you if you ask. Blue willow is the perfect example of why it's so important and meaningful to shop small. read more

Sweet little local bookshop packed with gift options. Great range of kids books. Very helpful staff.

What fun! Blue Willow reminds me of the bookstores we used to visit before most disappeared with the onslaught of the large chains. The staff was great. read more

Very small but lovely bookstore! I stopped in yesterday, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. One side of the store is all children's books. The other is fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, etc. They also have gift items like cards, stationary, pins, pens, puzzles, and more. I bought a book for my husband as a Valentines gift, and they wrapped it for me for free! They seem to host several book clubs and small group events. They will order books for you if they don't have what you are looking for in stock. read more

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Cute and cozy bookstore! Staff was really sweet and attentive! Definitely recommend it!

I don't know what to review cuz I didn't buy any books here. But I still want to leave one cuz the store layout design is super cute I love it very much. The stuff here are super amicable and friendly. The vibe is lovely. read more

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This is one of my favorite Houston bookstores. The booksellers are so helpful and friendly and they have really great events in-store and virtually. read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - Shelves - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

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What a super gem to find. I drove an hour to get here and it was so with it. The staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. They had great suggestions and they really knew their regulars. They were on the spot with suggestions. read more

This place had been on my list for a while, so I'm happy I finally stopped in. I was looking for some new reads and a few books for my nephew's 1st birthday, so I looked online to see what their Covid policies were. I called and made an appointment and was able to come in that same day. When I stopped by, there were no other customers visiting, just the ladies running the store. It's located in the Spring Branch area tucked away in a small shopping center. The store itself isn't too big, but the selection is great. There's something for everyone! I especially liked that not only were they requiring appointments, they also asked that customers placed any books they touched on a designated table. The staff would clean each book individually before placing it back on shelves. I'm sure this has changed by now, but look at the website or give them a call before heading over. I was able to find a great book for myself as well as a few for my nephew. If you're ever in the area, I suggest stopping in Blue Willow Bookshop! Oh, and ask about the rewards program! read more

A hidden gem! I don't live nearby, but will make the trip to this lovely store. If you loved the book store in "you've got mail" go here and support this small business! read more

This store is shady! And the energy is horrible! The books the carry, well let's just say some shouldn't be on the shelves!! The store smells like mildew, probably cause it's an OLD store. It's not a very inviting atmosphere, and the customer service is Lacking. read more

Unfriendly service. I walked inside the book store and the owner did not even acknowledge my presence. Just a calculating stare. Someone walked into the store literally right after me and she greets them. Something about the vibe was completely off. Dry and apathetic. I will certainly not support a store that gives off a racism presence. Good luck with your shoppe, maybe you should be warm and friendly with ALL customers. This is probably my shortest review on Yelp. Good riddance. read more

This is a wonderful bookshop with excellent events. I attended an author event and picked up some great books, too. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and their recommendations were perfect. read more

Clean, organized, staff is friendly and treat you as a friend. Full of information and ready to help with whatever you need. They have book clubs, that are diverse and the times are accommodating. You will pay full price for these books but I'd pay a little extra to support this local bookstore. I encourage everyone to stop by. read more

I have been going to Blue Willow for years. They bring in fabulous authors. My sons especially love Nathan Hale, who is entertaining and engaging. Blue Willow has exactly what I look for and will get it for me if it is not in stock. During this holiday season, they have been super helpful in communicating with me right away if a book will take some time coming in. A couple of Saturdays ago I ordered a book by David Eagleman online. I called and was able to pick it up at their porch service at 5:15 pm (after they closed). They are so thoughtful and knowledgeable. We are blessed to have such a great bookstore in our community. read more

Blue Willow is an unusual independent bookseller. And in a good way. There are plenty of kids and young adult books, and almost an equal number of adult fiction and non-fiction, but not the usual mass-market paperbacks. Instead, BW carries some popular authors and titles, primarily in hard cover or the large soft cover, with limited space for a B&N-size inventory. It's a thoughtful collection. It's a family store. Like most bookstores, Blue Willow carries some games, greeting cards (not the common variety cards), stationery and miscellaneous small gifts. It has a personal feel, catering to a specific clientele trying to escape the big box jungle, browse a manageable collection of reading materials, and support local business. Although I found Blue Willow a store oriented toward children and young adults, there was just enough to keep the adults occupied while waiting for the kids to explore. That's not a bad thing, and this isn't a bad place to take the family and spend some time browsing. If you need a book, they can order it. If you need help finding something, they point the way. If you need recommendations, they can help with that, too. It's a family bookstore with a small town feel. In a digital age, it's a throwback. Go books go. read more

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I was in town and decided to go to a bookshop, I stumbled upon this one and it is the cutest most warming place to be!

The staff is so friendly and helpful!! I had never been before, so they gave me a short tour and were there to help when I needed it. All their non-book things are cute and fun, and we found lots of perfect Christmas gifts including toys and puzzles. Highly recommend!!! read more

Absolutely love this bookshop! The staff is always so helpful and kind.They also have loads of events and involved in the book community.

This is a super cute shop. I ordered a few books online and then went by to pick them up. I just called and they brought them out to my car all super easy and fast. On top of that they are currently making appointments to come in and browse. They had several jigsaw puzzles in the window that looked great and I will definitely make an appointment to come back for. Really nice staff. read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

How have I never been to this great little store before? The easy answer is that I live in the Heights and am an inside the looper for the most part. My office just moved a few months ago to the area, which is really the only time I do get outside the loop, and I finally made a visit. This is the Brazos Bookstore of west Houston. As far as new releases, they are every bit as on par as Brazos. The owners and people that work here are great, will help you find anything on the shelves, or order anything you want. They also have a rewards program. There is a huge children section witch is great, and up to date on all the new adult fiction releases. With their own book clubs and author/reading events that are unique to anything that Brazos does. The website has great recommendations, and I love them. For example, The Female Persuasion from Meg Wolitzer is out (got a signed first edition of this here by the way). Website recommendation reads like this: READ for a powerful, profound story about who we want to be with and who we want to be. PASS if you're not into life-changing literature. How can you not love that? Another awesome independent book store in town dedicated of new releases in all genres. read more

This is the best bookshop, bar none. Not only can the staff make a recommendation for any genre or age, but they're always hosting author events. I've met some of the coolest authors over the years here. Plus they've got story time for the little kids and they host a couple of book clubs for adults. And aside from all that, they are major supporters of the three big book festivals in town: Bookworm for the elementary kiddos (February each year), Tweens Read for middle schoolers (October), and TeenBookCon for the teens, obviously (in April annually). Their support helps keep all three of these events free to the public every year. All in all, Blue Willow Bookshop is just a wonderful resource for the literary minded Houstonian. If you haven't been, go! read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - Blue Willow Bookshop's exterior - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

Blue Willow's staff is rude and unknowledgeable. I'd rather order online then step foot in this store again.

EXCELLENT independent Bookshop! The Owner and Staff are VERY friendly & EXTREMELY knowledgeable...They are great at helping you make selections and if they don't have the book you're looking for....they'll order it for you and have it within a few days! Personally, I just have never really gotten in to the digital version of reading...I still love the smell and feel of a real book! For parents...you can't really beat the Children's and Tween's sections. What a great way to get your kids to enjoy and appreciate the printed world of books! read more

Blue Willow Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas