Super nostalgic to see a bookstore like this still existing in today's modern time. With the adaptation of technology and online books I never thought that a store like this would still exist! They had a ton of literature books at every single book and cranny of this store and it was substantial. I saw an old Aesop Fables book that I read when I was younger on the shelves as well - very nostalgic. I'm more of a manga girl so I didn't really see too much nooks that interested me - but if you're really into hardcore literature than this place is definitely it. They had so much books categorized and it felt a bit overwhelming - yet I liked it. I love the smell of books when you walk in, very comforting. I love physical books as well so shops like these are a gem. Had people manning the cashier but mostly just people browsing around enjoying the selection of books. Did not see the price range, but I would assume it is standard in comparison to B&N pricing. read more

BookEnds - Bookstores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

See all

This store is huge in the amount of books it has. It's like your great grandpas library full of different books scattered everywhere, but in some sense of crazy Order, if that makes any sense, your ADHD brain could either be really activated or it could be overstimulated Price is vary. They're all over the place, but there is so much to choose from. The service here is really good unfortunately there was a lady here that tried to use a "" gift certificate that did not work and she was not very polite to the staff The staff handled it really well and they were still polite back, although it made for an uncomfortable experience everybody just carried on, and she proceeded to yell at people behind her as well. Some people just are having a day sometimes. I loved how many things there were to look at I unfortunately had to also think about the fact that I was gonna be flying home with weight but if you're a book lover, definitely stop by and give this place a look at read more

Amazing customer service from Diana last night I called the book store to see if they had the bigger Oahu map book . Diana advised me that she will put one on hold at the cashier desk . Took a drive out to Kailua this morning where this Bookends is located . Next door to Donut King and the old Times Kailua lots of parking available. I guess when you get old it's hard to see all the small Street names and locations in the regular size map book . Now i can see with this bigger Map book I'm a happy camper so now I can be efficient in my job . It's my first time at this book store looks like if you're looking for that hidden gem book that you can't find anywhere else come to this place they have all kinds of books . Support local read more

See all

If you're in the Kailua area and a book lover, this is a must visit place! When you enter the store, you are greeted by friendly and sweet workers. They do an amazing job to stock books and help you if you're looking for specific genres/book. Heads up looking for specific books can be a challenge since it seems like there is no specific organization system besides books being separated by genres. However, I will say it was fun to look at all books/areas it was like a scavenger hunt. In the end, I found a couple books I've been searching for and could not find them at another book store. This place is truly a gem. And I will be back to visit when I'm in Kailua! read more

BookEnds - Romance section - Bookstores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

See all

Awesome old/new school Book store with a wide variety and great selection of books, maps, games and related reads that will make you forget the A.I. invasion and bring back that joyful reading and unique human learning experience into your life here on planet Earth! Five Star, Service, Selection and Satisfaction! Bonus Tip: Dial in your number for rewards points! Double Bonus! 10% Military Discount! CHA-CHING! Great value for the quantity & quality of materials here. Super knowledgeable Staff serving up the ALOHA Spirit! read more

BookEnds - Guess who's planning a YELPTASTIC trip to Italy in 2025? - Bookstores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

I stopped by Bookends while spending time in Kailua and it turned out to be one of those places that combines a bookstore atmosphere with a comfortable neighborhood hangout. It feels less like a retail store and more like a space where people can slow down, browse books, and spend time reading. The layout is cozy and thoughtfully arranged with shelves filled with a mix of titles that appeal to both casual readers and dedicated book lovers. Walking through the store feels relaxed and inviting, which encourages you to take your time exploring the different sections. One thing that stood out to me was the calm environment. Kailua has a laid-back community feel, and this bookstore reflects that perfectly. It is the kind of place where people can browse quietly, discover new books, or sit down and spend some time reading. The shop also has the charm of a locally owned bookstore rather than a large commercial chain. Spaces like this often become community gathering points, and Bookends has that kind of welcoming atmosphere. Overall, Bookends is a great stop if you are in Kailua and want to explore a local bookstore that emphasizes comfort, discovery, and a relaxed browsing experience. read more

While I know that a bookstore may not be on everyone's "to do" list on vacation, it's usually on mine. I don't need more stuff, but I can always use more books. So when I was on Oʻahu, I looked up best bookstores and found Bookends. It did not disappoint. My family found a great selection of new and used books. I even got a sweet little illustrated souvenier map, which I aspire to add to a scrapbook someday if I have time to make a scrapbook. The store organization made sense; the staff was helpful and friendly; I have no complaints. Bonus- it is easy to park here and walking distance to some ice cream and other treat options. read more

Bookends is an absolute gem -- they don't make bookstores like this anymore. Books are stacked everywhere -- from new to used, fantasy to world history, everyone can find a book that strikes their interest. My favorite little nook here is their cookbook section, it's so much fun flipping through the pages and browsing all the different recipes. The children's section is a great spot to find a gift for a little one in your life-- I recently picked up a magic coloring book for lunar new year that only needs water! For me, I can always justify spending money on books. Luckily, at BookEnds everything is priced really reasonably -- just the price that's listed on the book by the publisher plus a lot of discounts on used books. If you're in the area, I'd highly suggest popping in and exploring BookEnds! read more

Terrible service . Ok selection. But good pricing . I would have liked this place better if it had better service.

When I was first introduced to the store by someone I wasn't necessarily a used book guy let alone outside of chain bookstore kinda guy but this store changed that for me in a big way. For starters location alone is killahs as it's by lanikai, Whole Foods and Tokyo central which itself makes a drive to Kailua worth it after a trip to the shop but also it has a metric butt load of books of all genres. Make sure to check every floor pile too as I found a ton of sleepers I normally wouldn't have seen let alone read there. Also their variety of used and new books is a nice change of pace vs other used shops with condition especially solid. For what I go for: Sports, Sci-fi, history, and Psychology I have found every title and then some I've needed over the years. For what the shop doesn't have they're more than happy to order for you and it makes a world of difference. Not only do you support small businesses but it also has competitive pricing of leading sites. I'll always love this place and keep this in the rotation when I'm on the rock. Never change yall u guys set the tone!!! read more

A book tells the best stories... BookEnds speaks clutter sadly and though it's quite a chaotically organized the amount of books here literally from floor to ceiling is quite overwhelming to see. There is so much stuff here it's I really wasn't prepared for it as I saw a box of "free books" right outside and thought what a lovely gesture and though that I need to check this place out. They certainly do have a sense of humor selling some toy shaped gems and gold coins in a treasure chest and other items, labeling sections "Old Weird Stuff" goes to show they've reached their limit of items to describe the variety they have which is great though it's like searching for buried treasure here if you're into that sort of adventure BookEnds is just the place for you. Thank you! read more

See all

Love it! Like... you have no idea. I LOVE BOOKENDS! Beautifully chaotic and packed to the brim with both new and used books, with kind competent workers who are eager to help you look through them for any specific titles. We spent over an hour in this space, perusing the shelves, stacks, and nooks. Prices were a bit higher than most used bookstores I've been to, but not egregiously so -- just means I walked out with less books than I used to. read more

There's not many bookstores left in the land of kindles and online access, so I'm glad to see there's still this hidden bookstore gem left in Kailua! The aisles are narrow and filled with books, so it might not be best for someone whose claustrophobic. Good news, there's some chairs in some aisles so you can read some books before deciding to buy them, along with the jazzy music makes it a cozy experience. Most books are marked as is, especially if they are newer. Maybe inquire about the older books. There's a coffee shop next door should you decide to buy a book and enjoy some coffee there! read more

BookEnds - Inside - Bookstores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

See all

If you're looking for a legit book store, this is it. They have books for days. Shelves sagging with the weight of literary greatness. Books stacked precariously throughout the entire store. This fire hazard is a paradise for any book lover. The prices here are definitely a match for Barnes and Noble. I don't think I'd have to saw off a leg to buy a book mark here. The people here are kind and friendly. They have chairs around if you care to sit for a moment. With that being said, this place is filled with books. They utilize every bit of their space. Although it does add to their charm, I couldn't help but mind my surroundings. Granted, I am on the bigger side. It is a charming book store! read more

Shopping for books in Kailua, O'ahu, Hawaii... I recently bought a book for my mom from another book store in Pearlridge Mall. The book happened to be the first of a series of five, so, I went on the hunt to find the other four books. After looking through a couple of bookstores, I thought I'd try Bookends on the Windward side. I've driven past this strip mall on Kailua Road with Times Supermarket, Lanikai Juice and Morning Brew surrounding Bookends. You can't miss this bookstore because it's right next to the Kailua location of Donut King. The free shared parking makes this destination a great visit! When I walked into the shop, I felt overwhelmed. There were new and used books everywhere... On the shelves, on the floors, on the tables... There were a few chairs for customers to rest. I also saw racks of postcards and greeting cards. Bookmarkers were hanging neatly on a wall. I need to return when I have more time. I should also ask for help because I felt a bit lost. Haha! read more

See all

The most unorganized store Ive ever been. Books just thrown around everywhere. Very few signs saying what section of books are where so I had no way to know where to look. Could be great if they organized and arranged everything better. read more

Today my Aunt, my niece, my (level 3- Severe) 5 year old autistic nonverbal daughter and myself visited this store in Kailua. My daughter was in her umbrella stroller. The store was playing loud music and seemed welcoming. It gave major Never Ending Story vibes and I was excited to look around. However it was difficult because there were literal stacks of books on the floor ALL OVER THE STORE. It is NOT handicap friendly/accessible. My daughter was not having a good time. It is not her fault that she has sensory issues. It is no ones fault. It was loud and she got overwhelmed. I don't blame anyone for my daughters inability to regulate her feelings. Let me be CLEAR (I do not blame the store or staff for how my daughter could not handle her surroundings) I knew I had about a minute before she would start reaching to try and knock things over to express her discontent. She began to spiral and I tried to calm her. But she already started spiraling into a meltdown mode. So, I circled the island in the center of the store and was about to head out when one of the two female sales clerks (the one with glasses) supposedly named Sally got down to eye level with my child, grabbed her arm, SHOOK HER her asking are you ok? What's wrong? Why are you crying? I couldn't believe what was happening. I could see she didn't mean harm and she meant well. BUT I don't care if your intensions were pure/good. You do NOT touch anyone's child. My flight response kicked in and I found my words. She is autistic, can you leave her alone? And headed for the door. As she let my daughters arm go and backed away she said something along the lines of: I didn't know. She doesn't look autistic! That is honestly in my top 5 you shouldn't say about anyone with disabilities. Not all disabilities are visible. YES my daughter looks "Normal" but what does autism look like? What is that even supposed to mean? Rude and uncalled for. I didn't ask for help and you did not have permission to touch my kid. Bookends, do better. Educate your staff, clean up the path/walkway in your store to avoid having such a fire hazard, and make it handicap friendly. I'm sure your staff are nice, again I knew she didn't mean any harm. But they need more training and to use common sense. Approaching and asking if we need help would have been the appropriate way to deal with what had happened. Getting in a screaming child's face and shaking the child's arm while she is obviously in distress would freak anyone out. Now add autism, anxiety and sensory overload on top of that. Chaos. You can't imagine the rage I felt as we left the strip mall. Did I fail my child? I couldn't just turn the stroller around and walk out because THERE IS LITERALLY NO SPACE TO DO SO!!! We called the store to get information following the incident. We spoke to 2 different females over the phone. We asked the first to speak to the manager. She handed the phone to the second. When asked if she was the manager she said yes. So we asked for the name of the sales associate that wears glasses. She asked why? We repeated the question and she repeated her answer, Why? We asked again if she was the manager she said no but I'm the next person here. We asked for the managers name she said it's Mark. So not only did she lie and refuse to give her name but she tried to impersonate a manager too. So we hung up, called back and the first female said the girls name with glasses is named Sally. I tried to reach out via Instagram message & email to request a call back to speak to a manager. "Sally" I hope you learn from this incident and keep your hands and comments to yourself. Sincerely, A pissed off Mother of a special needs little girl who loves books and wanted nothing more than to support local. read more

Bookends is my favorite bookstore on the island. Pat and her team are knowledgeable and can easily steer you the right direction. It's also a great spot to browse as they just have so many books! If they don't have what you want, they're able to quickly order it in for you from the mainland. read more

Giving that throwback to another time (aka the 80s) vibe. Lots of old treasured favs as well as hot off the press new stuff. Any questions just ask the knowledgeable staff. Have fun hunting in the stacks! :) read more

Great little book store stacked FULL of books. Fun to search through for a gem or two. New and old books mixed in. Our kids were excited to find a dollar or two book for a beach read. read more

I am not a reader, my wife is a huge reader though. I find myself fascinated with this book store and it's extensive section. Pet friendly so we bring our little doggy in to browse new books for the wife. Big fan! read more

I've spent much of my childhood and, now, adulthood in this bookstore. Always a huge selection to choose from. Used books, fun books, kids books, banned books, and heavy duty informational books. I love the 'Ike Hawai'i section as it has been helping me explore culture through high quality lit. Sometimes I just like walking around to browse everything. Recently started ordering books and they're really nice about doing what they can to get your orders for you within a reasonable timeline. They will put your books on hold if you cannot pick up immediately, thankfully. Always nice people at the cash register, too :) read more

My dad would absolutely LOVE this bookstore. It's right up his alley. Small and quaint. Books stacked on every conceivable surface. Perfectly suited for browsing and discovering new titles and authors. On this occasion, I was here with my daughters - who were anxious to spend a couple Bookends gift certificates that had received. My daughters loved wandering through the bookshelves, looking for interesting titles. Clearly, they take after their grandfather in this regard. Personally, I prefer a more direct (and efficient) search method, but we weren't there for me. In the end, my girls left with books in their hands and smiles on their faces. So I guess this means I love this joint, too. The staff were super pleasant and attentive. The parking is a nightmare, but parking in Kailua is generally horrible, so no negative from that. Support local businesses! read more

This is located a few doors down from the coffee shop (Morning Brew) I frequent. As an avid reader, I'm always looking to add to my personal library. As a bibliophile, I could spend hours sifting through all the books. Their prices area a little higher than what I'm accustomed to, but that doesn't stop me from purchasing that special find. BookEnds is one among many hidden gems you'll find on the island of Oahu. Don't miss out on a visit. Stop by...! read more

BookEnds - Bookstores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

Awesome, might not be what everyone wants when it comes to a bookstore (just cause the stacks of books...which just makes it looked loved) but you can tell everyone who works there loves what they do. Spent an hour and half in there and would have stayed longer if I didn't have others with me. Reminds me of the old bookstores in Europe. love it read more

BookEnds - Bookstores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

On vacation Our oldest needed a book We were staying Westside (aka no bookstores) Made trip to Kailua for beaches Stumbled on bookstore SCORE! Coming from Seattle this place smells like home - nice to find a bookstore nestled into a shopping center when we needed one. As far as bookstores go, I haven't met one I haven't liked. read more

Cutest. Bookstore. Ever! Very recently I have become obsessed with books! I love to read, and although I am not a fast reader It has recently become a hobby. This bookstore is so super cute! It is also located in the Heart of Kailua town! My friend and I parked our bikes at The star bucks across the street and explored the entire area. Keep in mind I live here, but when I come this way it's usually to check out target. The lady behind the counter was nice enough and she seemed excited to help. This book store has all the books I like. I borderline only read teen love stories ( oh well) it's great getting lost in the characters. This place has all the popular books and some you may not even know exist. Pretty cool huh! I am old school and still like to purchase a hard cover even though I could easily get a kindle. I just like books! This is a local place please go check them out! read more

One of very few used book shops with a great selection of new and Hawaiian literature, this is a beloved community cornerstone located in a strip mall in Kailua. If you're a book lover like me, dedicate at least an hour to get lost in here. From contemporary fiction to memoirs and non-fiction and children's literature, you can really find anything if you're willing to look hard. They have pretty competitive prices, and a great warm and welcoming vibe. If you're looking to only buy used, I would just ask the staff here if the book is used, as they do fold new books into the used book sections as well I do have to say if you're claustrophobic or nervous about being in close proximity to others during the age of covid-19, you might be a bit on edge in here, as it's basically impossible to be socially distant in here. Shoppers are good about respecting distance and staying out of each other's way, but just something to be aware of. read more

Wow this place is packed with books! We could've spent all day in there but it was a little bit warm (didn't know if it was just me having hot flashes or if it was the thermostat lol). The selection is great and there's a blend of consigned and newly purchased inventory as well. The only thing I didn't find was a section for graphic novels. I might've missed it, then again Kailua doesn't seem like a center for nerd culture on the island lol. In any case, this would seem like the only hotspot for books for miles other than the library. I very much appreciate the Mea Hawai'i section and saw that they also have vintage "Hawaiian collectible" types of books. I'd have loved to get a few but they were waaay out of my price range. On a last note, they -can- actually order a book for you if you have no other way to get it or don't want to order it yourself as again, they are not only a resale/book consignment shop but also carry new books as well. read more

I always find a cool bookstore during my travels, and this place is no exception! There are shelves of books, chairs with books, and stacks upon stacks of books! I was in book heaven! I didn't have as much time as I'd normally like to browse, but I could tell this store has it all. read more

See all

The owner Pat and her staff give special attention and care to each and every book lover that enters BookEnds. All are knowledgeable, friendly, and pleasant to work with and to answer any questions you may have. Plus the selection of old Hawaiian books is the BEST I've found on Oʻahu! Highly recommend stopping in and perusing the wide selection of quality books at this sweet book shop when on the windward side. Mahalo! read more

There is a rack of used "beach books" on discount at the front entrance. Cheap reading. Inside there is a mix of used and old titles. Aside from books, there is a small selection of kids educational items. The kids can usually find something for under $10 to read here. I agree with other reviews that the staff doesn't go out of their way to greet or make you feel welcome. If you ask for help, they will assist. For me it's okay, most of the time I just want to get a cheap book. Not too many bookstores on this island so this place has a monopoly in the area. You might be able to find some new/popular novels at Target but this place has a better selection of older titles. read more

I originally discovered this place back when I was going to school at UH Manoa back in 2010, I moved out of state shortly after and finally got a chance to come back and was happy to see this awesome little book store was still open. This place is a packed from floor to ceiling with books of all genres, and the staff was super friendly as I remember all those years ago. I found a little book about the first settlers to Oahu and purchased it for my trip back home. Highly recommend this little gem of a book store. read more

There is a lot of variety of books. The store is big. However it was a bit hard to explore because a lot of stacks of books everywhere, it is not so well organized. Stuff was kind. I give a 5 stars because I love to spend time in bookstores, one of my favorite things to do and it was so nice to find one during our vacation. Also I am pretty sure that we can find anything there because really a lot of books. If you are thinking to go there, you can expect to be there for a while. read more

A small book store that offers a large variety of different books. Every time I come here I leave with more than 1 book which is never my intention. The workers are all very helpful and will do their best to get books in for you if they don't have them on the shelves. Truly a treasure. Support local/small businesses and shop at places like this. read more

I wasn't sure what to expect from this place. We usually go to Boarders. But I thought I'd given it a try. It was a bit cluttered, and we had a hard time finding age appropriate books with out digging. The cost was like any other book store. read more

This is one special bookstore. They have new books, a well stocked children's section, and a treasure trove of used books. Tons of literature plus nonfiction and gift books too. If you're looking for a title that isn't in stock, the friendly people who work here will look it up and order it for you. When I enter this store I think I'll be maybe 10-15 minutes but there's so much on the shelves and in stacks that it's hard to leave. My kids always find many things they would like. It's like a magical place. You never know what you'll find on the shelves, but it will be just what you're looking for. A piece of history, a glimpse into the future, something that jogs the memory or inspires doing something new. Lots of free parking too. read more

See all

I'm going to be honest, this book store as cozy as it looks does not give me the warm and fuzzies. It's cluttered and unorganized. While they do seem to have a nice collection of used and new books it is some what difficult to tell what is what. The prices are outrageous for the condition some of the books are in. When I went up to the counter to ask the price of the books (some were clearly used) the cashier told me the price printed on the book covers. After he read me the price of one I asked "oh, so they are all price as marked?" He said yes and continued to rattle off the prices despite the fact that I understood the pricing scheme. I ended up putting everything back because none of them were worth paying full price plus tax. The cashier I dealt with (guy with a ponytail) and another man with dark hair came across as rather rude to myself and several customers that came up with questions. They had a very "I could care less" type of attitude. Not impressed. read more

I'm a big fan of Friends of the Library Book Sale in summer but to keep me going, I like to visit Bookends to get my "book fix". They have a wide variety of books, some old, some new, some cheap, some expensive, etc. But definitely there's something for everyone. The books are stacked one on top another on shelves that seem to touch the ceiling. So it's a treasure hunt every time I visit to see what obscure titles they have to buy. The staff are friendly and helpful and much to my amazement, seem to know where everything is filed. It's a great place and well worth a visit to the Windward side of Oahu! read more

Come here if you love nothing more than feeling invisible when you walk in! Without reading the reviews, what exactly is the vibe this store is going for? It feels like a used book store, but with new books... a lot of clutter but not in a cute booky way. I'm not big on complaining in reviews. I'll just state my two experiences coming here. Once was maybe a year ago... walked in, walked around despite a few people working behind the counter I was never greeted (not a complete deal breaker for me) but let me reiterate the store is cluttered and the walking area is tight so there were several chances of being provided okay customer service but after being blatantly ignored I left. Fast forward to today. Was willing to give it another chance since I was cruising the stores in the area... Today it was puzzles that caught my eye from the window. Walked in... wasn't greeted (fine) Found a puzzle I was excited about, grabbed... was SLOWLY heading towards the register (my friend that was with me pointed out that one of the guys working there had gone to the register and looked at me expecting me to be ready to checkout) guys I'm sorry if this is dragging on but just wait... I stopped and turned to look at something else and my friend said the guy working rolled his eyes and left. So you know what I did? Put the puzzle down and left. Poor customer service once? Shame on you. Poor customer service TWICE? Won't be returning or recommending. ‍ read more