Fantastic local independent bookstore with an amazing selection of fantasy, horror and dystopic novels

Book Corner offers books/puzzles/stationary/gifts. It is a small, pleasant stop along the square downtown. It was also uncomfortably warm inside and there is no restroom; instead, at checkout, the clerk mentioned that Inkwell has a restroom; does he leave work and go there for this purpose? Oh wait, he only meant that paying customers cannot use it. read more

I accidentally wandered into this shop while killing time yesterday afternoon. I was impressed by all of the different types of books. Every time I looked through a shelf, I seen something new. There were a lot of different genres, however I don't think they were organized very well. It was also difficult to walk through the store as everything was pretty tightly packed in. The lady who checked me out was very kind. We had a brief discussion about the interview I was waiting to attend. She told me to remember to just keep breathing, which I appreciated greatly. Besides that interaction, no one else in the store talked to or approached me. It would have been nice to be welcomed in. Altogether, though, a very sweet shop ! With a ton of variety. read more

All I can say about this is LOVE LOVE LOVE! I will visit every independent book store that I can find! Had lunch across the way and just spotted this place on the corner. I am at my happiest in a bookstore or library. This location has a complete magazine selection. There was an amazing kids section, even "little golden books"! The back section of the store had all the classics that you should read while in college. The staff was friendly and engaging. They even had sweet stuffed animals. I am grateful that places like this still exist! I love my Amazon convince but I will always bask in the experience of a real book store. read more

Wonderful old-fashioned bookstore with a contemporary management mind behind it! In addition to a terrific selection of books, there are more jigsaw puzzles than I've ever seen in one place (properly sorted, too), and bits and bobs of everything from cards and rulers to sketchbooks and art supplies. A wonderful place to browse, and they ship. Wish you were in my town. read more

GO AGAIN? Yes! Fabulous bookstore. Wonderful selection of jigsaw puzzles - best I've seen.

The variety of options in this independent bookstore is really cool. Not only do they have all the types of books you are looking for, they have a nice selection of cards (including Santoro popups from London), puzzles, notebooks, and magazines. I will say that neither of the folks working there was very outgoing as neither offered to help me find what I was looking for. Fortunately I was able to find it on my own, but decided to hold off buying it for another time. Review #2114 read more

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Hooray for independent bookstores. This place has a lot of character; I didn't see just a bunch of the same usual suspects as at a chain store. They have a large children's section, where, after thirty minutes of browsing, I found two great birthday gifts for my nephew. I like the way that they arrange their displays, and all the stuff is in good shape, not as if it's been pawed through by half the population. In some way, shape, or form, their entire selection demonstrates some quirk or personality or special interest, which makes for a great browsing experience and a lot of unexpected treasures. They have lines of books that I've never seen elsewhere, such as the New York Review Children's Collection and the 33 1/3 series of books about seminal music albums. They have a standing discount too--10% off a purchase over $29.99 and 20% off a purchase over $75. I could have spent another two hours in the store (and a lot more money), but I will definitely stop back on my next trip to Bloomington. read more

Books stores are a quickly disappearing work of art...but here is a wonderful independent bookstore in the college town of Bloomington, Indiana - home to Indiana University. As the chains such as Borders leave the field, the independents take control of the market and I'm so glad. There is nothing quite so familiar as wandering through a bookstore, picking up various titles and flipping through the cream colored pages lettered with strong black print. I am all for e-books, but there is nothing that will replace print on paper. The Book Corner is on one - the corner at Walnut and 1st Street in downtown Bloomington...right across the street from the Monroe County Courthouse. The selection of books (and magazines) inside is very well chosen...someone selects excellent non fiction and fiction titles (as well as a number of large-format art books) that are either current or very popular. We are always able to find something in here that is interesting and challenging. As an independent, you won't find current best sellers marked down 40% like the chains, but what you pay for in a few extra dollars is more than made up for in service and selection. The people inside the book store are very nice...they have that individual and personal touch that chains cannot match. We bought a couple books near the holidays and store personnel offered to wrap them while we stood there...and they did, with no charge. This is customer service that is almost a thing of the past. Give this place a try...they have earned it. read more

I've only been in here once but I really liked it. Their selection is decent. Not horrible by any means but didn't have a lot of horror (my favorite genre). I did like their huge selection of Penguin Classics in the back of the store and they had a really good kids selection for my 41/2 year old. The shop was very clean and neat. The shop workers were nice enough. Not very talkative but friendly enough to help. They also had a cool little selection of gifts and specialty cards. I recommend this bookstore to anyone who likes to support small bookstores like myself and it's one of the best places in town to browse and hopefully find yourself a new treasure. read more

Came in here to browse on a sunny afternoon- left with a great book and a smile on my face. This is such a convenient location! I absolutely love that I can park, walk to the bookstore, and walk to a tea shop or cafe, or a myriad of other stores with such ease! This cute little shop definitely inspires me to discover new books with its surprisingly great selection. I've also bought presents for people here, as they have a wide array of art books and coffee table books. They have everything from new bestsellers, classics, teen fiction, history, and a really good selection of fiction. read more

Can I just move in? Book Corner has long been a favorite of mine, since my undergrad days many moons ago. I wS back in town with my family and we stopped in to check our the books and grab some new reading material for the kids. Their children's book selection is superb. Such beautiful books, many of the classics and many more I'd not seen before. I could spend a lot of money here- well, I did actually. Books are an indulgence that I find worthy of a spend, I think building and appreciation for reading is critical, and seeing my sons face light up as he browsed was worth it. He had filled his arms with books, and was really excited about The Wind In The Willows that we got him to start his chapter book journey. I wouldn't have objected to some suggestions from the staff on books for us to look at, but the gentleman working seemed busy and not interested in engaging. Walked out with 4 new books, and 2 happy kids. I'm glad I was able to share this place with them. read more

I love the book corner! It is so quaint and cute and probably the place in town for selection, however they don't have an extensive selection as the place is small, it is still your best bet in town! I'd say the atmosphere of the store is the best part and the people working there are always friendly. You'll enjoy buying a book their and shopping local read more

Great little independent bookstore.* I don't know the man who was working here when I went in to purchase Lorrie Moore's A Gate at the Stairs, but he was very friendly and helpful. I've been to independent bookstores and while I love 'em, some staff members can be a bit snooty; this guy, however, made me want to hang out more. The store itself was clean and well-kept, and laid out in a way that makes you want to mosey around and browse. It feels like a nice oasis on a busy day--plus it has that great book smell. *Although honestly, is there such a thing as a BAD independent bookstore? It's kind of like sex...even when it's bad, it's still sex, right? read more

When I walked into the store I felt like I was instantly transported to New York City. The bookstore itself is beautifully kept and the location and views from inside are awesome. Good variety for such a small spot. read more

Book Corner - Bookstores Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Very cool, niche type bookstore run by some very nice ladies. If you want something your typical big Barnes and Nobles type store has, don't come here. If you want something awesome, unique, harder to find or classic then this is your place. They have a wall of classics, beautiful journals, general books, a kids section, everything. It is a bit pricey, but you won't find this stuff everywhere. read more

The Book Corner has great books for all ages. I am 10 years old, they ordered the books I requested, and they are also going to give me a call when the new Dav Pilkey book comes out. I had no idea it was even coming out until I went there with my mom one day. The staff is very very nice. I feel good supporting my local book store. read more

Great independent bookstore specializing in new books (at, for better or worse, list prices, but if you want lower prices, go to Caveat Emptor a few doors up the street and they'll give you a bargain) and greeting cards and all that sort of thing. I don't go in here often for books because I cannot really afford to, but when I do, I always find what I came for. Very helpful and pleasant staff, lovely lighting. read more

Love this shop. They pack as many books into that shop as possible and it's a great selection. Support the local businesses and check out Book Corner! read more

This is a cool store. At this point, most independent book stores, to survive, will probably need to take something like the Book Corner's approach: choose some specialties and strengths and develop those. The B.C. has, for example, something closer to a complete run of Penguin Classics than I've ever seen; an amazing magazine selection with tons of great independent literary magazines and the like (the Believer, McSweeny's, etc); more Dover books than I've ever seen, including many dozens of those cute little Dover sticker and activity books (perfect for preparing for a car trip with kids); lots of kids' books. read more

I've lived and visited book stores all over the country and after living in San Francisco for a while, I assumed no bookstores could beat the onea out there. Bit here, in small town Indiana, is one of the finest bookstores out there. The selection of books ia just...artful. There is no other word for it. The new material is comprised of incredibly interesting nonfiction; things I would never be interested in or think to look up draw me into reading about them because of this store. The selection is so interesting and displays such high quality of non fiction that I learn something profoundly new with each purchase. They have a great fiction section, a very nice selection of the classics and a killer cookbook section The children's corner in the back is delightful and beautiful originated. The selection of children's books are wonderful and not just standard, shitty bullshit people write for kids, but the good stuff...kids poems and the likes. The staff has been friendly enough...not overly warm and amazing, but nice enough. I always felt a little like they were a bit..I dont know...annoyed, when I would hang out in the kids section and read with my son. He is a huge lover of books and just wants to sit and read books for a long time. We bought something every time too, so we weren't free loaders or anything. No one was ever rude to us, it was just a feeling. A bookstore isn't the place you go for warm and cuddly service, or to be talkative, so it didn't bother me all that much. Still a 5 star place in my opinion. read more

I recently bought a book from here as a gift. Unfortunately, the recipient didn't really like the book and was concerned that I had spent too much money on it. When I went to return the book, I learned that the Book Corner doesn't accept returns, only exchanges or store credit. Money is tight for me and I already have too many books, so it was really frustrating that I could not refund this purchase. Everything in this store is quite overpriced and the fact that they do not allow refunds seems medieval. I would give this review zero stars if possible. I liked the idea of supporting local companies, but after this experience I will never shop there again. read more

This is one of my go-to bookstores in Bloomington. They have a great selection of children's books. They also have a shelf of best sellers and I don't mean the latest from that author who writes six versions of the same book every year - you know who I'm talking about. The Book Corner also has lots of magazines and classics and is set up in a way that makes it easy to browse and find something new. Staff is helpful but not overbearing. They don't do gift receipts which is sort of weird. read more

Terrific selection of unusual books and literary toys for kids, and a wide range of non-fiction (and fiction) books and gifts for older readers. Every time I go in, I find a perfect gift for someone (and for myself). The staff are always helpful but not obtrusive. My favorite bookstore in Indiana. read more

Definitely worth a stop through if you're in the area. Lots of selection (especially independent labels) in an old building.