Still a repeat customer to Brazos. I recently remembered my original review and wanted to share that they now have Spanish language books available, which is pretty great, and also still a very kind staff that is also so diverse and really reflects "Houston". read more

A definite Houston staple and a must visit for any book lover. Brazos Bookstore is bright, spacious and always spotlessly clean. They have a private, kids area/room in the back, which my kids enjoy very much so they often head straight there upon entering the store. The kids' area isn't as filled to the brim like the big chain bookstores, so my girls don't get overwhelmed with choices. Their displays are changed frequently so there's always new things to look at. The stuff gives knowledge recommendations, are always patient and friendly. They host many book events in person and on zoom. They also have a great stationery selection. I just love this bookstore. read more

Brazos Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

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The employees here are so kind and I loved the chill dog in the store too. The selection is absolutely grand and will have you thinking about this store for days after you leave. I picked up two books commonly banned by libraries which left me feeling very proud of my purchases. My partner picked up a book about grief which has sincerely helped him since he's started reading it. There's books of all prices here so even if one book is out of your price range you are sure to find another that will satisfy your wallet. read more

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I think Brazos Bookstore has changed a lot over the years in terms of curation, but I still think of it as a high quality bookstore and a survivor of the ongoing bookstore purge, so to speak. During my university days, when it was under different ownership and management, it was a lot easier to find theory and other academic books. Nowadays, there is even more of an emphasis on fiction. With that said, however, anyone should be able to walk into the store and find something they like. I was even able to get a Nelson Algren book recently just by calling and inquiring if it was in stock. To me, Amazon and most other bookstores cannot top that. On a different note, I thought seeing a dog walking around the store was cool. (Haha!) Finally, while thinking about Brazos, I remembered a great talk and book signing featuring author Hanif Abdurraqib, which was held at the store a few years back. This event, among other reasons, convinced me to keep doing business with Brazos Bookstore. We should support small, independent bookstores as much as we can. read more

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Super cute, still family owned, bookstore! We went for a book reading and loved this little spot! Great to support this bookstore who celebrated 51 years in business! read more

Exceptional independent book shop _ so many items that are truly diverse ... never a dull moment because of their quality inventory. You ask ... what about the employees?? Yelp only reaches to five stars, sadly not 10. read more

Great selection, nice staff. This is a friendly neighborhood bookstore and recommend it.

I have been in bookstores all over the world. It's one of my favorite things to do. I will not return here. The staff barely said hello. In fact, I couldn't wait to get ou read more

This place is amazing!! Such a wonderful selection of books, with an incredibly knowledgeable staff. I loved the vibe and interior here. The way the shelves are set up, the books are easily browsable, and I always end up finding more than what I originally came for. As a fun additional plus, their selection of notebooks, pens, and other knickknacks is great! Love this place and support local businesses!!! read more

Cute little store, first time visiting today and will continue to support this local store moving forward. Customer service is great and there was also a cute pup. read more

Such a cute bookstore!! We spent over an hour here on a weekend looking for books. Extremely helpful employees and a great staff recommendation wall with descriptions of books to try. I'll definitely be back in the future to help out this local business!! read more

Brazos Bookstore - Exterior - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

People who know me know that I love books, reading, and bookstores. I finally made my way to Brazos Bookstore after having it saved for so long. Given the times, they have taken great measures to keep staff and customers safe during the pandemic. There are options for contactless/curbside pickup, only a certain amount of people in the store at once, hand sanitizer, and masks are required. Social distancing is definitely in place and it is highly appreciated! I was so excited to finally visit so I took my time and explored the place. The staff members are very friendly and helpful. I love the setup of Brazos and I cant wait to go back and actually purchase some books. (I bought some pens and a pen pouch and no books since I put myself on a strict 'do not buy anymore books until you read the ones you have ban.' Yikes, haha) Anyway, I love Brazos and you should check it out! read more

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Great local bookstore with very helpful staff picks and a fun selection of pens. I found a 1000 sticker book that I never knew I wanted and also a collection of short stories by A.S. Byatt and a feminist retelling of Greek goddess Circe. They also have a kids section in the back. They also have authors come by to speak. Staff are helpful and masked. Easy parking and inside the Rice VillHe area. Highly recommended for book lovers! Come support local business, nothing like the smell and feel of a book! read more

Nice small intimate bookstore where you can get to know employees get recommendations. Pens/ paper accessories are available to purchase. It's a great local neighborhood bookstore to support. read more

Brazos Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

Nice independent bookstore with a good selection of various genres. There was a very cute children's area. Also a nice selection of non-book items like pens, calendars, journals and affirmation cards. read more

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I've found over the last few years that I don't care for this establishment. A couple of reasons: Staff are not helpful, or at least never have been to me. Example: I was in a while back and picked up "The Passenger" by McCarthy. I asked at the counter if they knew when Stella Maris would be on the shelf and the counter person tried to fake it but had no idea what I was talking about or who McCarthy is. And it is OK, to not know. It isn't indicative of a very knowledgeable staff, but ok. Not a sin. But what am I getting by patronizing here. This visit for me crystallized that there is no reason to come here. I think if someone is a regular and a familiar face that may auger better service and they may attempt to actually care. A few times I have been in and felt as though I was being a little rushed. I've just felt a little funny, the store is not welcoming at all. It doesn't pretend to be, In my experience. So ok. I've been basically paying about 10.00/book above Amazon or B&N, in order to help independent bookstores. Buy why? I mean, seriously. Why? I've purchased quite a few books here and online from them. But I'm going back to Amazon and B&N for my book purchases. I can think of absolutely zero reason why I shouldn't. read more

Awesome awesome book shop. Relatively small but it has such a personalized touch. This shop specializes in new books - which for the most part were published recently (go somewhere else for your classics or used books). That being said, prices here are higher - and they primarily offer hardcovers it seems. Just be aware of that going in. I LOVE how the shopkeepers write their own little handwritten reviews of their favorite books in the shop (as seen in picture). Honestly just going here to scope out new books is a great idea. Highly recommend - just understand that this place is pricier and specializes in new books/hardcovers. read more

Brazos Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is one of the best independently owned bookstores in central Houston. The service is always top=notch, and everyone who works there is kind, helpful, and super considerate. During the pandemic, they have been wonderful about contactless-pickup and curbside pickup. I have definitely bought books from them during the pandemic, and they are always available for pick up when I arrive; plus I want to support small businesses right now (the big box businesses will probably be fine without my support). The bookstore is providing hand sanitizer, limiting the number of customers, and letting you know when your order is ready for pickup. It's great! I have never had to wait more than 6 minutes to pick up something. Before the pandemic, they had great workshops too! They have a few online now, and my favorite workshop is their Bullet Journal workshop, which has been so helpful during this time. I hope to attend a BuJo workshop soon. Love this place and happy it's still around. Bookstores like this feed my literary soul. read more

(Before moving, my fiancé and I decided to do a Bookstore Tour of Houston as a last hoorah, and this was our second stop) This is such a cute independently owned bookstore. It definitely had a lot of personality, so it was really fun to browse through. Their selection is more on the contemporary side, which I enjoyed. I especially enjoyed the staff favorites shelf (as seen in the picture). read more

Brazos Bookstore - Staff favorites shelf! - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

Amazing selection and knowledgeable staff make this a go-to for poetry and travel books

The staff did a great job intuiting a book that would please my son. Upon opening the gift, he remarked that he recognized the author but had not read a book by him and was quite excited by the prospect of getting to know the author's works better. Success! read more

I did a reading at Murder By The Book last month, and as Brazos Bookstore was only a couple blocks away, I decided to stop by before my event. I had a novel come out in mid-October and knew this store had at least a few copies in stock, so I dropped in to say hello and see about signing them. I also saw that Saeed Jones would be doing a reading here and figured I'd buy a copy and get it signed if I could. The store was lovely, and I was pleased to see my book displayed on a table of hardcover fiction along with many other new releases. I love a good independent bookstore, and this one was excellent, with a strong selection and plenty of great staff recommendations. I met a couple members of the staff, and they were super nice. I always feel kind of awkward introducing myself to booksellers, but they were welcoming and friendly and let me sign the six copies of my novel they had on hand (a pretty good number for a store that didn't know I was coming). This may all be boring to you if you're not an author, but readers do benefit when bookstores are author-friendly. It means they're likely to get cool authors to come and do events, and to have signed inventory. I'm always disheartened when I see sentiments like this one, in a perverse 3-star review on this page: "This place is great. A friend told me about it and sure enough everything they said is true. Who buys books at bookstores anymore?" The answer is people who appreciate the value of an independent bookstore, a community hub where you can see author events and get personalized recommendations from knowledgeable booksellers. If I lived in Houston, I'd be at Brazos all the time. read more

I'm a huge book lover and reader, so I've spent a lot of time in bookstores. This one is not my favorite. I've visited it twice and there's just nothing special about it. They do show the newest or trending books, so it's cool to survey the displays and remember a few book titles to purchase on Amazon later. However, the staff is not the best nor attentive, the only interaction my boyfriend and I had the entire time during our perusing was at the end when my boyfriend said "have a nice day", to which one lady employee grunted "mmhm". It just rubbed us the wrong way. They sell everything for absolute retail or higher and I would rather just go to Barnes & Nobles or Amazon for that. read more

This is my partner's favorite bookstore and I can see why. It's super curated and you can be pretty sure that whatever you're getting there is going to be good. On the other hand, I sort of like the treasure hunt aspect of bookstores and when things are this curated I think some of the fun of exploration is lost. Nevertheless it's a great spot if you're not looking for a specific book. read more

I love this bookstore! Every time I go it warms my heart, brings me joy and makes me feel like I'm at home. For its size they have an incredible selection and always have something new even when I go in on a weekly basis! The staff are very knowledgeable and have never failed me when I do for a book rec for myself or a friend. I also love the "staff pick's" books and the little cards with the book descriptions from staff. There are a couple staff I have found I have similar taste with and their staff picks never let me down! Brazos has also become my go to for gifts for friends, family and coworkers. They have lovely cards and other gift-worthy trinkets. read more

I realize I've been coming to this shop almost two years now and never reviewed it! Lovely little shop with an interesting array of books, and like any good bookstore they'll happily order in anything you're looking for (which I've done on a couple occasions) They also have a neat little selection of stationary available. Currently with Covid they're allowing curbside pickup for online orders, which was super fast! Overall lovely local shop. read more

Brazos Bookstore - Your curbside books are brought out in a little bag like this and put on an outside table away from the rain when you call them - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Small bookstore but huge on the latest books. Wow. Selection is as varied as books are. They have calendars, writing instruments and lots of stuff. Chairs to sit and there were two young ladies comfy on the floor reading books. Always the sign of a non stressful welcoming environment. read more

staff so rude and condescending, Extremely limited selection. No reason to go back here.

Very limited selection, run down shopping center, rude employees who chase people out for not wearing face masks even months after face mask requirements have been dropped nation wide. Stay away. read more

Will not allow you in without a face mask. Extremely rude. I hope Amazon puts them under.

Great selection of books, always finding some new recommendations from the staff picks. Friendly staff who genuinely enjoy their interactions with patrons. read more

Very unique small bookstore, I visited because I got a giftcard from here, im an active book reader so this was a great gift for me. When entering I could tell this was no B&N the selection isn't big and while the do have a children and young adult section it's definitely target to an older demographic, that being said I was able to find a few books of my liking but not really what I was mainly looking for, I suggest going in without a book in your mind and just browse around to see what catches your eye, while this bookstore might not be my first option, I'm still excited about the event they offer and hope to be able to be a part of them. read more

I'm sure I would have found plenty to purchase but I needed to use a bathroom and they don't have one!

Not a lot of selection of books. More empty space inside than books. Employees do NOT know anything about books and are clueless. I asked for a book author and the 1st employee pointed me to a book. I then asked if there was another title by the same author and a 2nd nosy employee came over saying "the 1st person already told you that". No, they did not. I was asking for a separate title but by the same author. Note to store: some authors can actually write many books, not just one book. Also, hire people who have actual knowledge of books. read more

This place is great. A friend told me about it and sure enough everything they said is true. Who buys books at bookstores anymore? There no way to tell how many times I will return. Thanks for the help! read more

This independent book store is a gem. Organizing. Signings and readings. One.of the last independent bookstores left in Houston. Don't come because it's independent come because.you want. Something new authors from across the spectrum. Reading's from the authors. You want a signed book from your favourite author knowledgeable and helpful staff. Top notch who get your passion for books read more

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Brazos Bookstore is a treasure for literature lovers, simply the best independent bookshop in Houston. They have an amazing selection of fiction, nonfiction, political science, architecture, arts, poetry and more! If you're a lover of poetry, travel writing and literary journals you NEED to visit this place. Also, they have a decent selection of Spanish and French literature if you're bilingual. The staff is VERY helpful and knowledgeable of literature. read more

Brazos Bookstore - Almost 90% of my poetry collection is from Brazos Bookstore. - Bookstores Near Me - Houston, Texas

Brazos has an outstanding children's literature department. Their inventory is brilliantly curated and the staff makes excellent recommendations based on the child's interest and reading level. The management organizes fabulous events for children, including meet and greets with prominent children's authors. The adult literature section at Brazos is also well curated. I have discovered many talented authors based on staff recommendations. Keep an eye on the events sponsored by Brazos. They host authors on book tour and have brought some prominent figures and fabulous speakers to Houston. read more

Went looking for a birthday gift for a friend and not only did they have a great collection of books--they also do GIFT WRAPPING!!! So cute and am so happy with my purchase read more

I'll admit it -- I'm a Kindle owner and an avid Amazon shopper. But I have to say that after coming in here, I do get why independent bookstores like these are still important. I came in here looking for a copy of Houston, It's Worth It and found a treasure trove of other books about Houston and Galveston (there was an interesting one about Glenwood Cemetery, as well as as a book about old black and white pictures of historic Galveston mansions). They have a nice arrangement of art, history, and architecture books that are well-curated and easy to get lost in. Their magazine section contained plenty of quirky ones that I've never heard of (I guess I won't find the National Enquirer or Tiger Beat in here...), and they even had a children's section in its own room in the back. Their staff picks are prominently displayed as soon as you enter the store and don't seem to be whatever's on the bestseller's list -- just good books that they think people should read. The store itself is small (it's not a Barnes & Noble, that's for sure) but it's bright and cheerful in a way that doesn't make you feel like you're in a library and shouldn't be talking too loud. The staff are friendly and helpful, and, after conversing with my friend who had tagged along with me about several novels I've never read, convinced him to join their monthly book club since he would obviously enjoy it (sigh, nerds...) As the staff member rung up my copy of Houston It's Worth It (or HIWI, pronounced high-why, as he called it), he turned to me and said "It's definitely worth it." Why, yes indeed. read more

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