Byrd's is one of our favorite bookstores in the country. (Our absolute favorites are specialty…read morebookstores in Manhattan. You do have visit those if you want art monographs, theory, specific history topics, or rare books.) But Byrd's is our favorite bookstore, so far, in Connecticut. Though small, and therefore somewhat limited, it has a particularly good youth fiction selection (fantasy, etc.,) a solid selection of other fiction, some nicely chosen poetry, and even academic writings. What makes the trip extra fun is that the shop employs people who love books and can talk about books knowledgeably. That brings service to the forefront: There's a difference in dealing with people who want to engage you about the content in books versus those who merely want to sell books (as if books were potatoes or tee-shirts.) So the trip to Byrd's is always illuminating and social. We value both the inventory and the people at Byrd's. Good book people are a valuable and endangered class.

Incredibly friendly staff and great selection. If you're looking to support a local business and…read moreyou need books, definitely come here.

I'm not writing about the bookshop per se, but rather the area outside the bookshop that has some…read moreexhibit material, collectibles, and book sharing shelf. Also a bulletin board sharing literary events It's a bit tricky to get to; you need to park in the parking structure that is somewhat shared with The Summits complex which appear to be living and working accommodations. Looking forward to visiting when the store is actually open.

A true hidden gem! I absolutely fell in love with this book store! I went in looking for a book…read moreclub book, and was absolutely blown away by every aspect of this store. The owner was so personable and ordered the book I needed for me. It came in a few days. I was happy to see my money going towards a local store vs something like Amazon! They also have an amazing kid section. My two young children have already asked to go back twice. The store has so many hidden details. It's a dream for my book loving family. Everything about this store is 5 stores and I will for sure be returning! Thank you for bringing such a great spot with character to our neighborhood!

This review is for the new location at Danbury Fair Mall. I liked the old location down the street…read morebut this location is bigger and there's a cafe on the lower level. It's so nice to see a new bookstore like this. There are lots of personalized recommendations all over the store, which is a great touch. If you need a book, this is the place to go. What's really nice is downstairs they also have games, cards, wrapping paper, the cafe, etc so if you wander in, chances are you'll end up buying something you need. I'm biased because I like bookstores, but this is a really nice store so please check it out.

I met a date at this Barnes & Noble a few months back. She told me it was in the mall and she told…read moreme there was a cafe in the bookstore...but what she did not mention was that this book store has two floors, with escalators in the middle of the store! Whoa! Okay, okay...I've been in a bookstore with 2 or 3 floors before, but I have NOT been in a Barnes & Noble with more than one floor. My date and I met at the flagpole (err, one of them) in front of the mall and slipped inside to grab a drink from the cafe. I bought a fancy-pants bottle of soda and she an iced coffee. After finishing our drinks and realizing we had more to talk about, we agreed to scope out the rest of the bookstore. We checked out both floors and perused just about every section/genre and got to know each other a bit. I took a bunch of photos because this B&N was so well put together. Alas, I did not buy anything but this was one of the nicest bookstores I've ever been in. If I'm ever in Danbury again (say, for a helicopter flying lesson perhaps), I'd go back to this bookstore, and who knows...maybe I'd buy more than just a fancy-pants bottle of cola!

Our little town Of Ridgefield is so lucky to have this gem of a bookstore here. It's a warm and…read morewelcoming place with lovely employees ready to help you at a moments notice. If they don't have a book for you, they will order it and it will come with a week most of the time. Let's support this gem in our community, it's wonderful

This little gem is just what you want in a local book shop. They have a wonderful selection of…read morebooks and a very friendly staff! I have even ordered books from them and they promptly call you to let you know of their arrival. If you are strolling down the streets of Ridgefield don't skip on this one!

Nora helped me find a rare old book when I could not find it on the internet. Wow! Great person who…read moredoes a lot for Bethel. :)

I am a giant nerd. I own multiple bookcases filled with books in multiple languages in addition to…read morean extensive e-book collection. I have "issues" with books. Folded corners irk me. Notes incense. Books abandoned open and face down may lead to crimes against humanity or, admittedly more often, indignant snorts. Rainy Day Paperback Exchange appeals to all of my sensibilities. Bright, well-lit, well-organized, and pleasantly musky with the smell of aged paper, I felt as though I were in an awesomely curated library rather than a used book store. I navigated to my go-to categories of U.S. public policy history and science fiction/fantasy and was pleasantly surprised with both the breadth of the selection available and the condition of the books themselves. The owners clearly aren't in the business of selling messy, haphazardly used books with large stains or ample evidence of dog or cat chewing. That the proprietor and the other staff member I met were also charming, intelligent, bookish people more than happy to discuss the town of Bethel, forthcoming improvements to it, and provide me a bit of perspective on its character only added to my impression. Were I closer to Rainy Day Paperback Exchange than Buffalo, NY, I assure you that it would be my first stop for all of my literary needs.

On an annual trip to NYC, I decided I would visit bookstores and take in all I could. B&B was right…read moreby my hotel, and I was delighted to find a comfortable room full of baseball memorabilia and a great variety. They specialize in 19th and 20th century English and American literature, which means you're going to see a lot of titles you're familiar with. I stopped in late in their day, so I wasn't surprised to be the only one there, but the team gave me space, answered very basic questions I had, and - gasp - LET ME TOUCH THE BOOKS. This is far from a stuffy environment, and when I finally convince my partner that I need that very expensive piece that has F. Scott Fitzgerald's music for Princeton, I know exactly where I'll go.

5 minutes before B&B books was closing, I buzzed the room located on the third floor to see if they…read morewould let me in "just to look." Well, 45 minutes later, I was still oohing and awing at the marvelous selection of first edition books they have to offer. This is the largest selection (aside from corporate-owned Bauman's) of rare books I've seen that include the dust jacket- a collectors actual dream. It's the biggest breath of fresh air to find a rare book store owned by a woman, and to be treated like a human being. I normally get side-eyed from rare bookstore owners and some of the conversations I've had sound like: "May I see the Portrait of a Lady in the case?" "All of these books are at least $100.00 and up." ".....I know." "Do you have any Wilde?" "The book about the woman hiking alone? That's too new to be in our shop, Barnes & Noble would have it." "I'm talking about the 1800s poet." "Oh." I take it personally because while I look like a millennial who doesn't know what she's talking about, I treasure my rare books like they're my children. Sunday stayed AN EXTRA HOUR at her store while I looked and answered all of my questions that I had, never making me feel rushed or unwelcome. After selecting a first edition Fitzgerald, she wrapped it in bubble wrap for my travels back home and gave me an updated book with all of the rare book sellers in the country.

It's so nice to have a Christian bookstore in town again. Great selection of books, gifts and art…read more Note: store has moves to 2B Library Place in Bethel Ct.

They employ people that have disabilities to provide them with actual work experience and they have…read morereally nice books for very cheap! A lot of children's books as well. Everyone is so nice there and I love that it double as an amazing cause.

most adorable local book shop. i picked up a few books and also noticed they have fun classes and…read moreevents.

Had a great experience with management and staff and it was related to a small order right before…read moreChristmas. That is how you build goodwill with your customer base. Kudos to Awesome Toys and Gifts.

Stopped in here for a birthday present for a friend's kid. The staff was nice and very helpful. The…read morestore is adorable, though super hidden behind a shopping center. I wish they had more visibility because it seems like such a nice town toy store! The free gift wrapping station (with bows, tape, name cards to stick on the gifts, scissors) and FREE CARDS were such a nice touch. Seems so simple but means so much to the customers. Never going back to Toys R Us again!