I love this book store for a few different reasons, but haven't been in until recently…read more One, I read online about people hating the drag story time for families in Anchorage and Wasilla, but Taylor Jordon continued to host despite ongoing threats. No discrimination here. Two, she does not ban books and continues to support during banned book week, which for 2025 happens to be Oct. 5-11. RESIST! During discussion with another customer, Taylor mentioned the shop hosting two different book clubs, and one is currently reading 1984. Coincidence, much? Methinks not. Three, she hires homeless youth, and is the only bookbinder in Alaska. I bought a cute hand made book bag for $10, and is perfect for my knitting projects, shopping, or whatever. Will come again, and must recommend.

The attention to customers is great. Friendly and helpful. Nicely laid out and accessible. Good…read moreprices.

I'd been wanting to visit The Book Shelf for years, finally had a chance to stop in! It was a tad…read moreoverwhelming, but as someone who loves a good book hunt, it was fun. Books are organized by genre. There are piles on the floor and in boxes near the labeled shelves. There were newer books mixed in with lots of older books. Owner was knowledgeable about inventory. Next time I need to drop off my kids and have a couple hours to myself! Perusing piles and piles of books is my happy place. Wonder if the owner is looking for a helper who is willing to be paid in books... ;)

It is certainly difficult for me to give a bookstore anything less than five stars…read more It is certainly NOT the proximity to a great coffee shop where one could enjoy a hot beverage while perusing the books you snagged. It is certainly NOT the prices of the used books which are priced completely fair. It is certainly NOT the service which is friendly and helpful. It is the inventory. Specifically, the organization of the inventory, just grinds on me a little. I have to prepare myself to look AT books instead of FOR books. This is largely due to the number of books on the floor. The stacks and organization means I am happiest when I go in with the idea that I will peruse the books for things I am interested in. If that is my mentality, I also leave with a couple books I am excited to read. If I go in looking for a particular author or book, it's sort of a toss up whether I will leave satisfied.

They can only LOOK at 20 books at a time. Out of maybe 200 books I brought in, they took 5. $20 in…read morestore credit or $8 cash. They have a sign saying they don't take trades in on Wednesday so I went in on Thursday & they said they were down for the entire next week. What should've been a 1 time task turned into a multi- week endeavor. They can't tell you what you recently bought (god forbid you're looking for the next in a series). They can't tell you at the counter to pay how much credit you have. Overall would not recommend as far as trying to trade things in. I also called and asked if they take puzzles (unopened) and they said yes, next time I came in I asked again and they said yes again. When I actually brought the puzzles in they said they don't take puzzles.

Wow, who would have thought to find this store in Anchorage!? What a great and eclectic selection…read more I usually only look for academic titles (B&N sucks) but they had lots - actually lots of everything. And fair to good prices. Do go if you are there.

This was a cool spot! Great service, cool atmosphere and well-attended. I've got nothing but love…read morefor this place and I remember it fondly. A+

Super cute and enjoyable spot to relax! We came across this quaint little place on our trip while…read morelooking for a place to get warm during a chilly day. We wanted to find a place to get a warm drink and the Writer's Block exceeded our expectations with their bar! We were able to check out the newest releases from authors, warm up, relax, chill out with some of the locals.

A treasure! I stopped by Mosquito Books during my layover at 6 AM. The book shop was open and had…read moresuch a wide selection of books on Alaska, a sweet children's book selection, some Christian-themed literature and tools, and a good amount of fiction. They even have some unique finds such as a Short Stories in German book I picked up for my leisure time. If you're a book person, you will want to stop by Mosquito Books to see what you can find!

Like any airport store the prices were higher then the planes cruising altitude but I do have to…read moresay there is a nice selection of reading materials along with a variety of different sweets. The counter clerk was very friendly and helpful. The establishment would get five stars if they could work on their prices a little bit. I do understand a markup but for a bit of candy that can fit in the palm of my hand it was $15.

Trivia: What book, published by Robert McCloskey in 1943, is based in Centerburh, Ohio and involves…read morean unstoppable donut making machine? This bookstore caters to the homeschooling population. What it has: 1. A decent selection of classics 2. A decent selection of mainstream historical books 3. Lots of curriculum for many grade levels (maybe half of their inventory) 4. Several Norton anthologies of English 5. A great breakdown of novels for early, middle, and young adult readers. 6. Some books (like Homer Price and Ted Dekker books) that I have not seen in a LONG time. What appears to be missing: 1. An adult fiction section (beyond the classics) 2. Newsstand style books. Like the best sellers and popular fiction. - - Friendly service. Quick check out. Offers some community activities like Chess club.

Nancy is always so helpful and kind. I love the way her store is set up. I can easily find…read moreeducational and interactive gifts for my grandkids.

Such a great store!! Great customer service!! I have phoned them many a time with a special…read morerequest, they always come through!! Once they even got together a donation for my sons school on very short notice!! This store had many great things I have come across over the last couple of years. They have lots of educational placemats (we use those for learning in our household. They also have fossil kits.... which my son loves, being that he wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up.... we have also found many other fossil type toys, books, or educational items. They have a lot of school supplies (think elementary school teacher.) Many borders & themes to help decorate the classroom. They also have girl scout badges, books, and whatnot (I really don't know anything about girl scouts, I just see the goodies there.) The science kits they have are whats on my sons wish list. He loves science and wants just about every kit in there. He also loves books. We do "worksheets" daily at home. Learning essentials has books that are great for getting the worksheets from. Again, think elementary school (sorting, matching, rhyming, counting, letters, numbers, math, reading, phonics.) I love this place, it is a staple in our shopping routine!

I was happily surprised when I found out this was a used book store with a huge selection of…read morelow-priced books. The management is friendly and helpful. I found two books I wrote in the stack and the owner asked me to sign them, thus increasing their value by 5 cents. I look forward to returning to further inspect their holdings. - Douglas Groothuis

Drove out from Wasilla to pick up a Bible for myself (and a youth at my church) and am so glad I…read moredid! They are super nice and helpful! Very informative on the different types of Bibles and broke it down so that I chose the right one for me. I will be back!!

I have visited this store about 5 times now. Always something new to see. It is the store that is…read moresponsored by Holy Family Cathedral in down town Anchorage. It is run by volunteers, so is only open during the day at different times. They have everything you could want in the religious life. Beautiful statues, Jewelry ,books, children items. The best part i think is the vast selection of Holy Medals...they have everything. They even have books that will show you who the patron Saint is of whatever you need help with or for. Everything is very reasonable priced and beautiful. I love it. They staff is very helpful and will find just what you are looking for.

From the owner: PFA is a cottage style business to showcase and sell artwork by Alaskan artist, Cindy Pendleton…read more Best known for her watercolors of children, she also paints Alaska, from its landscapes to its unique lifestyle.