Absolutely lovely bookstore in Philadelphia! Wonderful kind staff, great selection, and awesome vibes. read more

Bookhaven - Bookstores Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I'm a fan of this place due to their location, lovely ambience, and professionalism of their furry greeter. I can't comment much on the book selections on their second floor, but I love the fantasy and fiction novels that were on the first floor. I'll visit this place and their kitties again for sure. read more

Bookhaven - Bookstores Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Cute couple that have been here for a long time. One focuses on buying the books (husband) and one focuses on selling them (wife) - a great duo. They also have a few cute cats in there (so beware if you're allergic). There's a huge selection including an upstairs and many well known books there for purchase. There are many places to sit and read if you'd want, and the books are grouped pretty easily to find the section/topic you're looking for e.g. medicine. I was a little shocked by the pricing. I was expecting maybe $3-5 for used books, but most that I browsed were around $8 a piece for being in decent shape. I bought "the man who mistook his wife for a hat" for $8 and it can be purchased at amazon for $15 new. I wouldn't expect you to get much selling to them, and the books aren't crazy cheap but I'd still recommend supporting this local business! tl;dr - Overall, an organized bookstore with cute cats and large selection but pricier used books. read more

Bookhaven - Bookstores Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The loveliest little used bookstore! They have so many great books to pick from and so reasonably priced. I will definitely be coming back! Love it here! read more

Good selection of used books for the general reader. They have in stock fiction that many used shops would be out of. But not much that's truly rare here. Helpful owner and lovely cats. read more

I have lived in the neighborhood for five years and walked by this bookstore countless times....never went in. With school back in session, my daughter has come home every day with a new list of needed items, with the latest being a book for her to read over the next month. Being a combination of "I'm sick of spending more $!" and "it's better to buy used books/support local businesses", we came here. The size is misleading from the street...the store is fairly deep and has a 2nd floor. As soon as we walked in, I was immediately happy/kicking myself for not coming sooner! I am a person who loves having a tangible book to read although admittedly, having multiple books on a tablet is lighter/more convenient. For my daughter, there was a young adult/juvenile section at the front, with a great selection. I loved watching her browse through all of the options and wishing she could get multiple books. I also wandered around musing at which books I needed to add to my collection at home. The book she chose was $4 (score!) and change, after tax. We also found out we could sell books to them for cash or credit (which you get more for your $). I foresee much more visits for she and I in the future! Such a wonderful gem. read more

Quality is the first word that comes to mind when browsing at Bookhaven. I've shopped here over the years, & am always impressed that they carry authors/titles that some places don't seem to even bother getting in stock. Perused the poetry section in the hopes of finding The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson. I lucked out in that they had a $9 paperback edition. The same edition goes for over $20 used on Amazon. A $3 credit from a book that I no longer needed brought the cost down to $6. The poetry section here carries many of the heavyweight poets. I saw a title or titles for just about every poet I'm interested in. The owners are very amiable, knowledgeable, & we catch up talking about our lives everytime I visit. It's truly a haven coming in here to browse & shop. read more

Bookhaven - Poetry books at Bookhaven - Bookstores Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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A sci-fi, fantasy, and horror fan's dream. A great mix of classics and contemporary works. Can't wait to come back (Also the cats are great) read more

The good: it's nice to have a used bookstore in the community; the inventory is well-organized and diverse. The not-so-good: I've always felt their prices to be on the high side -- and don't bother to lug your own surplus books to the store in hopes of selling them to the shop owners at a fair price. They will hand you literally three dollars for several books -- without explanation. It feels like an insult. They've lost me. read more

so many diff options for books here. it's a used bookstore, two floors and well organized. owner is very sweet and so are their kitties

Books stacked floor to ceiling. An air of must and dust all around. A cat who just might curl up with you while you're tucked away in a nook. Those are just a few reasons I love me some Bookhaven. I was especially impressed by the vast collection of fairy tales in the children's section (I have loved the Red, Blue, Yellow and Purple Fairy Books since I was a kid) and the philosophy, religion and self help offerings. And the sweet cat who sleeps upstairs is my new best pal. We totally bonded over the tarot card books. This is exactly where I want to hunker down on a rainy, chilly day when I have a few extra bucks to spare and a few hours to wile away. read more

Bookhaven - Bookstores Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A friend and I had time to kill before we found out if we were able to get on the waiting list for the last tour for the day at Eastern State Penitentiary (sadly we didn't). And since we we're both literature addicts going here was a no brainer. While I was instantly sold on the finds that the bookshelves had to off, and the kind old woman working the store, I wasn't overly sold on the layout of the store. And I've also found better buys at places like Whodunit and Last Word. But this place was indeed a haven for awesome books. Since my reading list is piled high with 10+ to reads I had to fight back the urge to walk out with a hardcover master works of Edgar Allen Poe, Gus Van Sant's 1st novel, and a hardcover collection of Roald Dahl's shorts (I try to feed my addictions brilliantly). And all of these finds and many others happened without even setting foot on the second floor. So I'm fully certain that Bookhaven is dedicated to the literary virtuosos in all of us. read more

Bookhaven has such a special place in my heart. Corny, but so true. When you walk in, it's as if you're brought back to your childhood days. You'll breathe in the smell of used books and slightly faded pages that have been turned for years and years - books that have been passed down from generations, books that have incredible value and vivid stories to tell, books that have travelled the world! If that is how you want a book to make you feel before even opening it, this is the place for you. A day is not enough at Bookhaven - you'll get lost in the variety of their inventory and the beauty of the original formats in which they carry many of their selections. You'll find new interests and find endless ways to fill your nights for months on end. Bookhaven is multiple levels and overwhelmingly stocked with every book you could think of. For very good prices, you can build a tower of novels on your nightstand so that you'll never run out of something to reach for and read. Say hello to the purring machine (aka cat that rents the second floor Bookhaven futon) and give her a rub. On your way back down, stop and talk to the owners - they'll surely share a good story or two with you. Happy reading! I am so fond of this little gem in Fairmount. read more

Bookhaven - The best place to run away and get lost in a book - Bookstores Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If the thought of going to a used bookstore gives you the tingles, then Bookhaven is your haven. In typical used bookstore fashion, piles of books are everywhere. However, they are organized very well. I perused the fiction section, which was a breeze since everything was listed alphabetically. Bonus: The numerous step-stools they have to assist your browsing needs. At first, I thought this place was only one story - not so! Head upstairs to the second floor to find numerous rooms of books and various chairs for lounging nestled in the nooks and crannies between bookshelves. I could definitely see myself taking refuge here for a few hours on a cold and gloomy day. In the summer, it's rather hot upstairs though (but never too hot to browse!) It's probably a good thing I don't live closer to Bookhaven because I'd be here daily, spending tons of money I don't have! read more

Great selection and a calm atmosphere! The shop keeper was very helpful. Prices were fair. I would gladly go again!

Excellent local bookshop with an extensive selection. I was pleasantly surprised to find they had two books I had been meaning to read. The small storefront is deceiving as the shop winds into an additional back room with a staircase to a second floor. There are even two adorable shop cats that keep you company while you browse. The owners are very kind and we had a nice chat about the origins of the shop. The prices are reasonable, with most books costing around $7-$8. This is a must-see local gem for all collectors of used books. read more

I've walked by this place many many times, but finally browsed the shop this weekend. I was greeted by the bookstore cat (and am now convinced every used bookstore needs a cat), so I fell in love with the place then and there. But there are plenty of other reasons to love this place: first of all, the books are actually organized! By genre and author! I've been in too many places where this isn't the case, and despite the slight claustrophobia of Bookhaven, they've got their stuff in order. A friend commented that in a place with such a huge selection, you sort of have to judge a book by its cover. The books here are reasonably-priced, sometimes available in multiple formats (hardcover and soft), and are in good shape. You won't find a "used" book splattered with ink and stains, but you will find a good deal on that book you need for Yelp book club (Confederacy of Dunces, $6.50! That's even cheaper than the used options on Amazon....so for once I actually bought a book in an actual store). I'll be back many times, not just to say hi to the cat. read more

It's hard to find a decent used bookstore and I was more than glad to stumble across this one. A special thing about Bookhaven is that it has a ridiculously large selection of books from all genres on top of popular book titles. I have yet to visit this store and leave empty handed. They have 7 rooms of shelves in total, each shelf reaching the ceiling. Visiting the store itself is something of an experience. I haven't visited too many used bookstores in Philly, but as far as organization goes, Bookhaven does a really good job. Their books are arranged according to authors' last names, and it took me no time at all to find all of Michael Crichton's hidden gems (a lot of them). I was especially pleased to see that I could even find the complete Ender's Game series -- something I feel that a lot of used bookstores wouldn't carry completely. I haven't yet checked to see how many new books they carry though. However, the bookstore carries just as many popular titles as obscure ones. The only downside to this place is their prices. The books are in your typical "used" conditions -- some signs of wear, darkened pages, dog ears, but still good! -- but they standardize their prices to reflect half the original price with some exceptions, which seems a little overpriced in my opinion. The store offers book credit for each donated book, but I'd have to donate a lot of books before it'd amount to enough to redeem another book. I know other places that charge cheaper (within the $1-$2 range!), but those usually carry more obscure titles. But this is coming from someone who likes to buy a lot of books. They also have the cutest black cat! The owners themselves are really sweet -- the sort of people you can just tell have a lot of love for books. The overall aesthetic of the place is gorgeous too, especially if you're the sort of who loves any kind of book wonderland. read more

I'm a fan of used bookstores in general, and Bookhaven is one of the best. I like spending an hour or so on a lazy afternoon going through their stock, which is organized well, spotting things I'm missing and books I might never have found otherwise. The store is actually on two floors, so be sure to go all the way upstairs for even more interesting finds. If I'm looking for a popular book that's been in print for a few years, this is a great place to look for it...they've probably got a couple copies, and for a lot cheaper than you'd pay for it new. The people that work here are great resources too, and I've discovered a good book or two just talking about authors I like with them. For anyone looking to sell used books, they do take them, but they're very picky - and you'll see why when you walk in - the place is stocked to the ceiling as it is! And yeah, it can smell kinda musty in the back, but what do you expect when you're searching through stacks with books much older than you are? I only wish Philly had more places like this. read more

Cool little used book store. I've lived down the street for years, and finally wandered in last weekend. Definitely worth checking out! They have TONS of books... I didn't realize at first there's a back room and a whole other second floor (that I didn't even venture up to). My browsing was limited to the front room with all the fiction, and was still overwhelmed at the number and variety of books. The first time I wandered in, I had nothing in mind in particular, and I left empty handed. I suggest having some idea of what you're looking for since there are so many varied selections. The second time, I walked in looking for some David Sedaris selections, and found three of his books right away - awesome find for $24 total. I'm not sure where prices are listed (I'm sure they're somewhere), but $8 for a lightly used newer title in great condition is totally reasonable. I'm sure I'll be back next time I need something to read! (P.S. $15 minimum on credit cards). read more

This spot went up a full start this weekend for me, since I finally, after months and months and MONTHS of trying brought them some books that they would like to give me credit for. Woo hoo!!! I am victorious!!! So what mysteries of the unknown have I figured out by this? This is my *unofficial* guide to what they want: - new books - in paperback - that they don't have a kajillion copies of already - that are in perfect condition - no text books, very few hard copies, and even less non-fiction accepted. Yeah, so that's a bit rough, but that means the books that I picked out to use my $14 credit were pretty much new and exactly what I was looking for (minus My Horizontal Life, which, *sigh*, I could not find). The store itself is tiny, organized, and well stocked (of course, with an ever changing fair of books). I recommend being organized with a list of authors or some general idea of where to start, because it's overwhelming and not much room to pursue (particularly on the weekend). read more

Aptly named, this is everything a book store should be. Replete with a wise grey cat, friendly owner and lots of sunshine spilling in. If you want bargains and poor lighting, sure, Book Corner it up. But if you want real literary majesty... Well, there's only one haven. read more

I went back here in August to sell some books because his bookstore was one of the only ones I could find that I knew I could get money from my books. He shifted through the pile of about 25-30 books that I had brought, chose 7 and gave me $3 for them! Not to mention that the selection is very limited and not very up to date at all. I completely understand that he has to make money, but I was very disappointed with what I was given here. I will probably never go back. read more

This ain't for everybody. Only the hardcore, the truly committed. The people who need to feel the book...a real book made with paper and glue and genu-ine dried liquid ink...beneath their fingers. People who need to see the wear of cover and guess the book's age, the marginalia and juvenile side-scribblings and wonder who the fudge owned this volume previously, the curled corners and slight yellowing of the pages, the tightness or looseness of spine's binding and wonder what sort of abuse or accident or simple entropy is breaking down this precious object, this little splinter of the divine. An erstwhile friend told me there were no good used bookstores in Philly. Liar! Thank God she was a contemptible prevaricator, that watery tart. I found the spot. Right in Philly's heart, not even in the heroin-besotted Badlands or some godforsaken hilly redoubt in motherflipping Manayunk. Bookhaven is so close to truth in advertising: it really is a heaven for bibliophiles, located right there in Art Museum. Now it's no gargantuan monstrosity like a Home Depot or a Wegman's. Au contraire, it's curated. + The prices are fair. + The cats are friendly. + The employees are learned and helpful both. + Their selection/inventory is a dream. + They will give you your change in delightful $2 bills (sometimes). + Have I mentioned the prices are good? Now that I have found Bookhaven, I will have to live out my days and, when the time comes, sleep in the earth within Philadelphia's city limits. Worth it. read more

This bookstore is really a treat. As soon as you walk in, the sight and smell of books just takes over you. Books are piled high, the selection is broad, and the owner was listening to a nice variety of classical and opera. What a great atmosphere! The owner was a really nice gentleman, and he had a cat chillin on the desk, acting like he owned the place. Well, I guess (though indirectly) he kind of did. I could have spent a long time there, but unfortunately my wallet wasn't thick enough. I had to call it quits with 3 bags full of books. The best part about it, is that half of the books I bought there were books that I was having trouble finding elsewhere, or at least elsewhere in good condition. So 4 stars are as follows: Selection - 5 Atmosphere - 5 Quality - 4 Price - 3.5 Friendliness - 4 Organization - 4 Variey- 4 A side note: There's no romance section, which I found odd. He said the "romance" would be scattered throughout the General Fiction, but there really weren't any to be found. No problem though, saved me some money! Also, I couldn't help but dock them a little for the parking situation. I had to park wayyyy down the street. There isn't a whole lot they can really do though, as parking in the city is pretty much impossible. No doubt though that I will most definitely be shopping there again! read more

Nice used book store. Terrific selection of literary titles and plenty of other items too. Also, a very nice grey cat that oddly enough cannot be photographed. I took two pictures of her and everything else--my feet, the carpet, a stool--was in sharp focused but the cat, though stationary, was completely blurred out. Just cat magic, I imagine. read more

I like a lot of thingsabout this place. I like the fact that I can almost inevitably find whatever I want in my favorite genres(mystery/thriller and fantasy). The prices are pretty reasonable, considering that it is the city, and that a new paperbook is hitting 9.99 and up now(sheesh). The atmosphere is pleasant and you can smell the books. What I'm not thrilled about is that they have the policy about not charging under $15 and they have a sign up that says "Please don't charge if you have cash" or words to that effect. I thought the limit was 12 dollars and got lectured yesterday about how Visa cheated the store out of money, blah blah blah. I'm sorry that they ripped you off lady. But I"m here to buy books or get lectured about monopolistic practices of evil businesses. To her credit, she did let me charge my 3 used books. It's also a little cramped in there. Usually there are not that many people, but it does make navigating around some sections challenging. Anyways, I'd recommend this place. Just remember to bring cash!! read more

One of the best and most organized used bookstore I've ever been to. I typically get overwhelmed by shops with books everywhere at used book stores. But at Bookhaven, shelves are organized and easy to look through. Those cats sure are cute too! read more

I'm a veteran bookstore junkie, and I love Book Haven. The owners are friendly and knowledgeable, and the stock is spot on. There is none of the usual used bookstore "dross" on the shelves: their inventory is cream-of-the-crop. Prices are reasonable compared to other shops who price according to who's charging the most on the internet. Browsing is a pleasure: I always find a little surprise there, which--to me--is the supreme joy of browsing a used bookstore. No restroom is my only complaint. So don't drink a bunch of coffee before visiting! read more

If you love getting lost in a wandering, seemingly never ending assortment of books on every topic and style- only to be rewarded with a cool, quiet corner to sit and enjoy your spoils at the end- then you will love this bookstore. The owners are a funny, intelligent couple who keep the place well stocked with classics, and new titles on every topic. Wandering the store is their purring, wheezy orange cat who will curl up on your lap with very little prompting. Personally, I love to find a new potential book, and sit on the couch upstairs while I check it out. It is a great store, and they take cards for purchases over 15$. read more

Books are half priced from the original price. Owner is very knowledge about his shop, authors of the books and collects books every week. And two cute kitties makes the shop perfect! read more

Bookhaven - Molly the shop cat - Bookstores Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The name fits. A fantastic selection of books, nice classical music. Forget going to a spa. An hour in this book store is the best relaxation ever. The owner is nice and the cat is cool. Prices are quite fair. They have an excellent and wide selection of fiction (from the trashy Candice Bushnell to Camus). Sometimes used book stores have only the most popular titles from an author but this store seems to have real breadth. I found a Coetzee book I had not even known existed. read more

This store is a relative treasure trove of new and vintage books! You walk in and immediately realize that you are not in Barnes and Noble...in a good way, of course! So many books in every which direction, they even have them stacked on the floor! Despite the relative "shabby (chic)" look of Bookhaven, you have to love how organized it is. The selection of historical, fiction, informative, and YA books is phenomenal. The owners are very helpful with their genre suggestions and assistance finding books. Prices are about half off of what you would originally pay, so you are in for an all around treat at Bookhaven! read more

One of my favorite things to do is visit Bookhaven on a Sunday afternoon and browse for hours. I always come out of there with gems. The owners are sweet and helpful as well. The place has a cluttered musty old timey feel - perfect for lots of book lovers! I find their prices to be a little high, but the quality is there, and hey it's Philadelphia. You can find some cheaper older softcovers for sure. Love it! read more

The selection is great, and I really enjoy coming in here to see quite an eclectic and interesting choice of books. However, their prices are terrible. I found a great, amazing 1st edition hardback book in there, but after blowing my stash at the Fairmount Farmer's Market, I had just the smallest bit of self-control... and curiosity.... could I find it cheaper?? YEP! Found a copy on e-bay, which was even in nicer condition for less than 1/3 of their price. So, while I appreciate the used bookstore culture thing, I can't believe why their prices are so high. I'd buy a bunch more books here, if they had a sale. Also, not to beat a dead horse, but when you consider that there is Book Corner just around the block, which has much cheaper prices and several sales... well, you get the picture. read more

Bookhaven is a quiet used bookstore. Although its blue storefront looks small, the inside is pretty big! Every time I thought I was at the end, I could see another room peeking around a bookshelf. Like most bookstores, the rooms and shelves are divided by subject. This isn't the biggest bookstore, so some subjects are combined, making specialty subjects hard to find. This is a good place to come if you aren't looking for something too specific. Instead, Bookhaven is the sort of place to browse and see what piques your interest. The guy working here was really nice-he made me feel welcome without being obtrusive. I will definitely be coming back read more

Best used bookstore I've ever been to. Very organized and a variety of topics to choose from. 2 cute kitty cats greeted me at the door and the owner was friendly. I will definitely be back! read more

This used book store had everything I wanted at a reasonable price. I was impressed with the selection. It's located in a nice spot as well. There's coffee shops and restaurants all around, not to mention the Eastern State Penitentiary about 50 yards away. read more

Just moved to Philadelphia and have visited a few used bookstores and this is definitely heaven! I was floored by the sheer number of titles at this place. Shelves from floor to ceiling are stocked with books of all kinds (fiction, non-fiction, cook books, travel, etc...) It may be a little chaotic for some...there are paper bags full of books in the corner, but I think this is just testament to the fact that you will most likely find what you're looking for. Can't wait to go back..!! read more

I have mixed feelings about Bookhaven. On the one hand, I literally had a suitcase full of books that I wanted to get rid of before I moved to a new apartment, so I drove down there from my neighborhood (which isn't nearby). It was raining by the time I got there, and there was no parking near the store, so I had to lug the suitcase down the street in the rain, and I finally made it inside (after pulling my hamstring while attempting to get the suitcase up the big step at their door). Once inside, I was greeted by a very friendly young woman, who told me that the owners were away, so they weren't buying books that day. Apparently, she was just minding the store for them. Great, I thought. She was kind enough to let me leave my books in boxes for the owners to peruse when they returned. That was great. However, when I spoke to the owner on the phone the next day, I was told that they were only willing to give me $22 for the entire suitcase of books. I had lots of novels (some unread), decorating books in pristine condition, and history books, some brand new and some were in great condition but had some highlighting. Seriously, $22? The owner said that no one would buy books with highlighting (but dont' college students buy used books from half.com and their university bookstores that have some highlighting in them?). Well, I wasn't about to drive all the way back there to pick up the books she said she didn't want, so I accepted the $22 and called it a day. But that wasn't a great experience, in my opinion. I had lots and lots of books that had no markings in them at all, which I'm sure someone would buy. As for the store itself, it was small, kind of hot, musty-smelling, and it had that disorganized jumble of books that most used book stores have. I'm picky about my used book stores. I like them organized and comfy. So I probably won't be going back again. Man, I miss the used book store on South Street that has since been turned into a men's clothing store. read more