Important little part of Ann Arbor Perfect place to browse dtn Recommended for buying and selling used book read more

Tons of books at great prices. I didn't realize Ann Arbor had so many bookstores and this was the first of I believe 5 we stumbled across. There were carts outside the front of the store with books for $1 each, and inside was fun decor, tons of books (obviously), plus postcards and posters. As we walked around there were some books on the floor and it could be hard to get around books and people at times. read more

Dawn Treader Book Shop - inside - Bookbinding Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Really and truly a fantastic bookstore. Definitely drop some coin here. It has an undeniable charm and he's my favorite book store that I have been to in town to this point. I do agree with some of the other reviews that the aisles are a little cramped, and it can be hard to navigate or feel relaxed especially when the place is busy. A really excellent collection of all different topics as well as fiction I have to also agree with some of the reviews hear that the selection is a little deceptive though You walk in thinking that you'll be able to find anything that you could possibly imagine But actually, I think one of the virtues of this place kind of works against it The store has so many subjects many of them very obscure, that I don't think they really specialize in anything. For example, they had a fairly nice philosophy section, but not one of the larger ones that I've seen. That's not really a criticism more of an explanation as to why it didn't get the coveted five star. It's one of your better bookstores! read more

This is our first time here and this is a really fun bookstore! They have a great selection to look at and we will definitely be back.

One of the BEST used bookstores in Michigan. I make a point to come here every time im on Ann Arbor. Guaranteed you will find something you'll like and walk out with a bag full! read more

In the digital age, it's calming and nostalgic to stroll down the aisles of a bookstore. The store has a wide selection of books in every genre, including fiction, non-fiction, children's books, and more. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, and they are always willing to assist customers in finding the perfect book. I also appreciate the cozy atmosphere of the store and the comfortable seating nooks where you can sit and relax while reading a few chapters. I bought a few 100-year-old Western novels by Zane Gray for a reasonable price. What a fun find! I pray they are able to survive and stay open for future generations. Stop in and support local if you're ever in the A2 area. read more

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Books on books on books on books. I hope you aren't claustrophobic because there are books towering everywhere. Can't even begin to wrap my mind about how they keep track of anything. Prices are about half of the msrp price and almost are were comparable to Amazon! Great find in AA and I had to stop myself before I spent any more. Can't wait to stop back up! read more

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It changed hands a few years ago. A once great store has become a dump. The store is not managed well, the aisles are full of stacks of books, and the books that are shelved are shelved badly. Mis-shelving is rampant. It used to be a joy to go in there. Not now. read more

This place might not be for everyone, but I loved it. There are simply So Many used books. It is well organized by subject, but the shelves are kind of a maze so there is the fun of not knowing what is around the next corner. The aisles are narrow to get in more books. I found so many books I had never seen before that interested me. This place is unique and special. read more

Love this place. I have found tons of my favorite books here. It's like a maze and I absolutely love it. I have literally gotten lost here 5 stars I strongly recommend this shop :)))) read more

Great used book store. It's huge and you could spend hours browsing the books! The sections are separated and it's kind of a maze, but in the best way. read more

Lovely little bookshop stuffed to the gills with used tomes of all types, with shelves clearly labeled so as to not be overwhelming. So much variety, yet completely organized - an impressive feat for a used bookstore with this much inventory to display. Topics run the gamut, and you'll find entire sections of shelves dedicated to a single topic as specific as Garfield comic books. As with most small bookstores, dollar novels line racks out on the street to entice passers by. Friendly service with a smile and a personality. Great place to pass time while searching for hidden treasures. read more

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Dawn Treader (DT) is a survivor. The last of four shops in the State Street heyday of used bookstores. One by one the others dropped like flies (Kaleidoscope and State Street Books) or relocated to a less desirable location (David's Books). Once upon a time DT occupied a damp leaky basement across the street from the present location. Back then it wasn't uncommon to maneuver through the maze the store was and dodge drip buckets in the middle of the aisles. At some point in the early 90s Bill, the owner, moved across the way from the subterranean spot to a larger and more user friendly storefront. This facilitated better organization, but it also raised prices noticeably. However, after being away for a long time and visiting town and DT four or five times I have made a number of observations. First, some books are still there in sections I like, and prices are the same as they were in 1999. I don't know if this means the sections are picked through and newer releases are grabbed up, or if people avoid selling books due to past observations that they lowballed you. When I worked at David's Books people always came back to us after getting an estimate at DT. That was then, but the playing field is different. DT is extremely well stocked and the special collections room is stuffed to the gills. If Bill is associated with extraordinary high prices it's in this room. Nevertheless, he knows his stuff or else he'd gone out ingloriously like the competition. This store is what keeps Liberty Street from being dominated by corporate crap. You might not always find what you are looking for, but like collecting records, patience and frequent visits are required. On a cool rainy day I enjoyed my browse and landed a good book for a fair price I thought, especially since it is out of print. Dawn Treader is a fixture and I hope people realize its importance and take time to discover the many hidden treasures within. read more

Dawn Treader Book Shop - Sarcophagus guarding the stacks. - Bookbinding Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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This bookstore was a wonderful and rare find in Ann Arbor and a true gem. While waiting across the street for the noodle bar (see separate review) we noticed this book shop. Being fans of the Chronicles of Narnia we were attracted by the name and had to check it out. Inside we found what one usually imagines when they think of a book store. Not a large and sterile chain but a classic book store filled with dusty volumes stacked on shelves and sometimes haphazardly stacked on chairs and the floor. The whole place had a wonderful scent of paper and leather. The selection was absolutely huge, and the sections were actually fairly well labeled to help with locating a specific topic or genre (horror, sci-fi, mystery, art history, etc). The books are used, but most of them actually seemed in good shape. Some were actually signed by the author. In the back was a locked series of shelves displaying first editions. We found a large hardcover text (not a first edition) in great shape for $17.50. While browsing we heard some other customers checking out with a wonderful staff member. He was an older gentlemen with gray hair dressed in an old sports jacket. He was chatting with them wonderfully about literary history and Chaucer. Just perfect for this store! Unfortunately he must've gone on break and was quietly reading in a chair when we came up to check out. Another younger staff member with no personality or friendliness assisted us. He didn't even say thank you just "you're all set" when he handed us our purchase. This was the only negative of the experience, though, and hopefully this store stays in operation for many years to come! read more

This is a great book store. The guy working here was so nice, and they had this room full of amazing books like first edition Hunter S Thompsons. It was a very good store. read more

This was a fun place to browse for the evening. I found 3 books. My friend found a Postsecret book, one of my holy grail items. I recommend stopping by this shop. read more

For years I have come for the wide selection of used books. I won't go back because of the political rantings of the rude clerk behind the counter. read more

Bigger on the inside. They have every type of book you could think of, even sections (plural) of non-English books. It's magical. You can get books cheaply, and trade in your own books. I could spend hours there. read more

I have yet to meet a bookstore I did not like and I definitely like Dawn Treader. It is well organized and carries a good variety and amount for all interests. My husband has really good luck here and he is picky, he likes a lot of offbeat things as well as horror and sci-fi. You will definitely find things beyond the mainstream. Prices are good and the service is too. Quirky but I like that. Parking can be problematic and it is not the cheapest place I go to, or I would be here more often. I am a lazy suburbanite. My husband though likes this better than our easier haunts so we do make the trek when he picks. read more

This book store is overflowing with used books. It's really a unique place and worth walking through at least once while you're in Ann Arbor. In the back is the sci-fi/fantasy section. They have strange and interesting decorations like a sarcophagus. read more

This is one of the best places downtown to shop for used books. They have a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction, including paperbacks. They usually have a couple of carts of books on the sidewalk priced at one dollar, but the stock indoors is usually much better. The rare book room is small, but sometimes has more exciting finds than what you see on display in larger shops. For a long time, they had a handwritten note by Robert Frost, confirming some appointment or other, back in the days when he lectured at U of M. When I was a student, I spent a couple of weeks drooling over a 300-year old leather-bound Latin text, until somebody finally bought it. read more

Dawn Treader Book Shop - Bookbinding Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

GONE TO THE DOGS. I have had a buyer-seller relationship with this bookstore for over 30 years. Since the death of the owner, Bill Gilmore's son, and Mr Gilmore's move to Florida, a casual indiscriminate few staffers keep the store open. This is a service and management complaint. When the white-haired desk clerk waives in a dog walker with mangy animal to roam the aisles, this poses a customer safety and health problem. A dog appears suddenly underfoot, spreads allergens to cash-paying customers, and, complete with lengthening leash, blocks retail space. Clerk was unapologetic. read more

You can find art books, paperbacks, and plenty of great treasures here. Like a lot of used book stores, I get a little sneezy in here, but hey -- it's all a part of the experience... I love that "book smell." Things here are fairly clean and well organized, and while the selection is vast, I usually am pulled like a magnet to one particular section. I always, always have to check out the music section. Often there will be only one or two things here that really catch my eye, but I don't think I've ever completely struck out. Recent music-book related finds include a great book on the Jam. Previous finds have included a copy of a book called "Punk Diary" that came with a CD and is a pretty fun chronology of various punk releases and info from 1970-1979. It's always worth a stop in for anything from music tomes to biographies to fiction to art books. You'll find *something* here! read more

Ever wanna feel like Alice in Wonderland where she goes thru the rabbit hole and then thinks..WTF? Yes this would be a newcomer walking into the book shop. You go in thinking it will be small or compared to the front area of TKwu next door you rightfully can assume that..and then you go in. This is really how you should be wasting your afternoon opposed to be asked at borders if you need help every single moment when you just want to walk around the aisles and hope to find something new to learn, read, or peaks your interest. It keeps going and going..I bought cooking books (willams and sonoma!! woohhooo), business books, and some random other books here. They have TONS of books, comics, any subject you can come up with. I like how it is VERRRYYYY organized and they can tell you if they have it or not among these thousands of books..and where you should be looking. If its not there..its not there. Move on to something else! So many unique books or authors here. Street parking on thompson is pretty easy and free on sundays. Don't bother with the parking structure unless you know you are just stopping by for a few mins. I doubt that. The people are super helpful and perky....YAY for those who don't need plastic bags to carry their books..there have always been atleast 10 other people when I go into this place. The prices aren't bad and the new popular books are in the front. read more

As a book-lover, I so wish I had better things to say about Dawn Treader! Alas, while I love the books they offer, I have many gripes about this place. Here are the big five: 1. The selection is deceiving. This place is so packed with books it's claustrophobic (and an actual fire hazard... how they're passing city inspections, I do not know). Nonetheless, whenever I go in to find a specific book they do not have it. Whether fiction or poetry or sci fi or science, they always seem to have everything aside from the book I want. There is also no online database patrons can search before coming in, and when I've called to ask about a certain book the staff has been very unhelpful. 2. They're expensive! You pick up this ratty old copy of a book and think, "Awesome! This can't be more than 50 cents." And then it's $7. 3. The expensiveness of the books is upsetting when you go to sell books to them and you see how little they're paying for the books they're then selling for quite a bit. For example, a few years ago I brought in a box of popular books in gently used condition and was offered something like 25 cents for most of them. Some of the books I offered were on their shelves in identical condition being sold for closer to $10. So it feels like they rip people off when places like Powell's will give you a much fairer price. 4. They fight you on paying with a credit card. 5. As mentioned briefly above, I tend to find the staff unhelpful, if not rude. So why even give them two stars? It's a store FULL of books. Even with everything I've said above, it's still a store full of books. read more

If I could give this place zero stars I would. I went in to sell some books because I'd heard decent things about the place. I had four huge boxes of books in my car that i was looking to sell. I took one of the boxes, which wasn't light by any means, and walked down numerous flights of stairs in the parking structure and to the shop. When I got there, the guy behind the counter looked as if I was a major inconvenience to him. He didn't offer any help even lifting the box onto the counter for him to go through. He said maybe four things to me the entire time and was very unpleasant even though I tried to be kind the entire time I was there. I was incredibly displeased with the amount he was willing to give me for my books, especially with the prices I saw on their books for sale. I was disgusted by the way I was treated in there and I will never go in there again. Very rude and unfriendly. read more

When I was an undergrad I remember spending many, many happy hours at Dawn Treader. I remember spending a goodly portion of my monthly budget in this place. I remember standing agog over the glass case containing 1st editions of Huckleberry Finn and Uncle Tom's Cabin. I remember happily getting lost in their maze of a shop and of tripping over piles and piles of books. Last August I had a date with a guy who had just moved to Fresno from Ann Arbor. Now, I hadn't been back to A2 for nigh on 20 years, but when I mentioned Dawn Treader, his face lit up and we talked for good long time about our mutual love for this place. Unfortunately, that was about the only thing we had in common, but Dawn Treader will always, always get five stars from me. read more

Dawn Treader is "LITERALLY" my favorite store to pick up used books. What I like about Dawn Treader compared to other used shops in the area is that the books are actually organized. Sometimes I'll go to a used book shop and ask for something like a Presidential autobiography and they guy would say that they are in the 4th row of books towards the middle, and that book shelf row would be like 150 feet long and 20 feet high (nothing marked or in a particular order). With Dawn Treader, everything is easy to find; I think they have a computerized system. Another thing I love about this store is that it doesn't smell like cat pee. There's one store in Ann Arbor that smells of cat pee, I'm not sure of the name of it, but I really don't need to remember it as Dawn Treader is the only AA bookstore for me! Dawn Treader provides a nice atmosphere of intellectuals seeking a good read, avid book collectors looking to add to their collection, men and women of all ages and gender (it is Ann Arbor), and of course a few group of stoners looking for a little amusement by the vast selection of cool materials. I am a lover of this store's vast collection. The books are all in really good quality and not ratty or missing any pages for the most part. I think their travel section is top notch and as far as poli-sci stuff, they actually have some really amazing and interesting books that you would never known existed. That's what I love here is how hodge-podge everything is and that there's always something that can appeal to most everybody. The last book I picked up here I stumbled upon while waiting for my friend to decide upon a purchase he was going to make. It's called "500 Things to Eat Before It's Too Late" about regional US dishes that you can't find in other places but that specific region of the country. I pick that thing up every time I travel in the US as a reference; only paid $8 for that thing! It's amazing little accidental finds like this that makes this place a true Ann Arbor gem. Besides the amazing staff and relaxed atmosphere, where readers can enjoy and browse without being rushed, I am really fond of their rare book collection. These books are displayed in a museum-like setting with prices on them for those interested in purchasing them. One book that really caught my eye was a hardcover edition of "Necronomincon." The price was a little steep at the time, but comparing prices on the Electronic Bay, it was actually better than fair. If they still have it, I may have to scoop it. ***TWO SCOTTY TIPS*** 1) Dawn Treader doesn't have a really loud atmosphere, so if you are walking around Ann Arbor and you are being nagged to death by the old "ball and chain," stop in here and it may calm your significant other's annoying face. 2) Located by Necto, last time I went clubbing there, D Treader's had a cart of free books for the taking. What a nice public service! Thank you Dawn Treaders!!! 5 Easy Stars for this Iconic A2 Gem :D read more

As someone who is pretty organized, I thought that this store would drive me crazy. But there's something about it that makes me absolutely adore it. It must be that I feel like such a local whenever I visit. The store is organized by genre, but most of the shelves are spilling over with books. This makes it quite difficult to find a particular book, but I enjoy browsing anyway. I could spend hours in this store! My favorite thing is that the books are way marked down. My most recent purchase was a hardcover for only $7.50! The condition of the books vary. A lot of them have clearly been used, but others are in pretty good condition. I don't care much about what my books look like, as long as I can read the content. If you feel the same way, this store is for you! read more

I adore this place. It is, hands down, the best used bookstore in Ann Arbor. They have not only more SF pulp than you could ever mow through, but also an impressive collection of beautiful rare books. Dawn Treader is a wonderful place to browse, and a pretty reliable place to find exactly the book you were looking for. In my experience, the staff has been wonderful as well. The manager was willing to help me search for an elusive title and didn't mind chatting for a bit. read more

Bookstores warm the cockles of my heart, and I feel a kinship for shelves bowed under vast tomes of knowledge. Had I endless money and patience, I'd own a concept bookstore myself. A recent trip to Ann Arbor put me on the Dawn Treader's doorstep by happy circumstance. I practically ran inside, eager to see this staple of A2's literary community. It's not exactly what I expected: the typical, very cramped and quasi-organized bookshelves teetering high overhead and slathered in dust. My nose started itching within a few steps from the doorway. Bookstores like these give me headaches from dust and information overload trying to locate things. I need to update my reading wish list more to compensate for the A to Z confrontation waged in sections. Dawn Treader is a long shop filled by non-fiction and fiction sides, teen and children's sections, and plenty of first volumes under lock and key including ample sci-fi/fantasy. With a name akin to Narnia, no surprise there! The fantasy and sci-fi sections overflow with books jammed sideways, topways, on the floor and in roughly alphabetical order. Finding specific authors is challenging without moving boxed sets and various things out of the way, and I was afraid to actually touch the books in case I disturbed their fragile equilibrum and paper flew out at me like a bad Jim Carrey comedy. Death by a thousand (paper) cuts is not what I want on my tombstone, thank you. Neat art pieces lend a zany feel. I perused the slim British section, finding travel guides next to cultural treatises and non-fiction reviews of castles. Australia had a surprisingly vast area and I nearly bought the Aussie English pocket dictionary on a lark. Evidently A2 has many Australian expatriates or someone who really finds the topic intriguing. Staff was unobtrusive and friendly, but I ducked out of here after my temples started throbbing and I couldn't find a few staple authors. Lots of Star Trek, not so much in the vein of favourite Aussie or Brit fantasy authors. They do carry off-beat items but I didn't have the inclination to sort through a bunch of drek for a jewel. To each their own. Prices are a bit high, stock and quantity are variable. I saw thumbed over Girl with the Dragon Tattoo paperbacks next to a fascinating 1972 edition of a style magazine and a girl in an awkward stiff pose. Imagine if Lisbeth Salander was on a white dais in a triangular red dress. Oh, the giggles! Dawn Treader is the sort of store you spend an afternoon perusing in no particular hurry. ** PAID PARKING ** read more

First off, this place already gets mad props b/c it's named after a book in one of my favorite series, The Chronicles of Narnia. the Dawn Treader is a bookshop everyone wants to find in their neighborhood - an independent, well-organized quiet alcove where you can spend plenty of time browsing and reading without disturbance from the outside world. Besides books, you can also purchase other items such as well-preserved copies of Mad Magazine or Life magazine as well as old-school postcards. DT will also buy used books if there are any that have run their course in your personal library. When the weather is nice, you can find several library carts of books on the sidewalk outside. All books are either 50 cents or $1 a pop, and if you have the patience to browse, you may very well find a hidden gym. all in all, a charming place to pass some enjoyable hours =) read more

I've never had a problem finding something to my liking here. This place is the stevedore of used bookshops in Ann Arbor. Great place to get lost amidst the stacks of poetry, philosophy, science fiction and the occult. Sometimes I can find a good cookbook or two. The selection of old Life Magazines is always helpful for fueling various art projects. Not my particular vice--but Dawn Treader does manage to get in some signed limited edition science fiction collections. They are displayed in locked glass cases. I come in here and the smell of old and tattered books makes me feel right at home... read more

After spending far too many years living in the frighteningly book-deprived wasteland of southern California, I was so excited to pay a return visit to Dawn Treader. It was just as I remembered: really good inventory, decent organization, and nice used-bookstore ambiance. I spent at least an hour last weekend just browsing through the entire store like it was my job to memorize the location of every book in the place. I emerged into the light of day two books heavier, about $15 poorer, and more grateful than ever to be back in a town where used books are viewed as a good thing rather than a weird thing. One star short of five because is it just me, or are used books at DT kind of expensive? The majority of the books I looked at were priced $7.50, which seems kind of pricey to someone who remembers prowling the shelves of used bookstores as a youngster (not so very long ago), when great books were to be had for $5, $4, and even $2. Library sales are where it's at, but when you need to get your fix of pre-read books thank your lucky stars that places like Dawn Treader still exist. read more

Neat used book store. Found a book basically new for less than a quarter of the cover price. Very tight to walk around and a bit difficult to figure out what sections are what but overall a good find. read more

Dawn Treader is one of Ann Arbor's better used book stores. Like most of the local used book stores, it has an eccentric feel, with stacks of books in the aisles and meandering aisles where you could hide and read for hours. On my most recent visit, I could have stayed and browsed for hours if it wasn't for the fact that the parking meter was running. Due to road construction, finding parking in this area is an even more annoying proposition than it usually is. However, despite a few books in the aisles, Dawn Treader is quite well organized by subject and alphabetically within subject. Even the carts of bargain books out on the sidewalk on a sunny day were alphabetized. You can tell someone at the shop is a big science fiction fan, because the sci-fi section is ultra-organized and marked and there's a special sci-fi first edition collection there. All the books have markings for the start of each letter of the alphabet, but the sci-fi section also had signs marking major authors (Brin, Simak, etc.). I thought $12.50 for a hardback non-fiction book about animals that wasn't even a first edition was kind of nuts. Other places have much better deals on used books. However, their bargain carts out front were comparable to other used book stores. Paperbacks were going for 50 cents and hard back for $1.00. read more

Dawn Treader is an excellent local bookstore. It's great for browsing or picking up a new read if you don't have anything in mind. Apparently it's also good if you do have something in mind; I never thought we'd find it, but after searching through stacks of unsorted books on the floor, my girlfriend did manage to find a school-required text of hers here too. I am usually most drawn to the cheap (50 cent to $1) books outside and in, since they often prove to have good reads in there for negligible prices. We also found some great German-language books that my girlfriend's grandfather is into; good luck finding those at Borders. The selection is interesting, and there are an overwhelming amount of books here. You can stop by two days in a row and still find unexplored areas the second day. The staff here is also great, but I have to say a little odd at times. Sometimes they have jokes for you, whether scripted or impromptu, and I'd say they miss their mark as often as they hit, but even the misses are pretty entertaining, and definitely endearing. read more

This place is pile high and wide with delicious pages of treats. The organization drives me a little crazy sometimes, but such is the case with many used bookstores that have to deal with this sort of volume in a small space. Check out the kids section because I sat there for hours and got a great picture book of Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. If you like first editions and rare books, be sure to look at what they have or ask for it. They might be able to find it for you or look in their storage. They've been in some possession of rare JD Sallinger that I wish I got my grubby little paws on. read more

Even though my husband still complains that the used books are overpriced here, I think the prices are pretty good especially after used book shopping in NYC. A visit over the weekend got me several books that I had been looking for and several new books that I didn't know I wanted until I saw them. Their Middle Eastern studies section has gotten better since the last time I was there but I mainly went for fiction, sci-fi and fantasy this trip. Their organizational system is a bit wacky and you really have to think about what might be popular enough in someone's mind to be shelved by title rather than author...it's not an exact science by any means. read more

One of my top favorite used bookstore in the State of Michigan. I used to live in Ann Arbor, and this store is perhaps the only reason I make trips into AA these days. It has a very good selection, and you can easily find any author you are looking for. My favorite are the classics for the most part, but I will also read a lot of SF. They have one of the best SF sections that can be had for a used bookstore. I have found several gems when looking. So if you are a used bookstore nut, then this is one to put on your list. read more