Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kaboom Books

    4.5 (137 reviews)
    InexpensiveUsed Bookstore
    Open 12:00 pm - 6:00 PM

    Kaboom Books Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Kaboom Books

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Book
    John W.

    What a nice bookstore. So peaceful. The staff was super friendly and helpful. They didn't have what we were looking for, but I'd still recommend visiting. Prices were also a bit high. Overall, a cool experience! I'd stop in again

    Shelves and shelves!
    Sara H.

    Absolutely love the local vibe! So much variety to choose from - adult and kids sections BOTH. All book-lovers must stop in to this precious family-owned bookstore while in Houston. The staff were super-friendly and accommodating and the atmosphere was everything you can expect from a locally-owned bookstore. Pricing was totally fair and I wish I could have had space to buy more!

    There's limited parking up front but plenty behind the shop!
    Dave T.

    Had a couple of appointments in the area and had some time between them, so instead of aimlessly wandering a big box store, decided to Google bookstores around me. Was so happy to find this little hidden gem of a classic honest to goodness book store that brought back childhood memories! I loved books as a child and I can't wrap my head around e-books or audio books, so this little mom & pop shop is just what I needed during a very stressful week. The owners (John & Dee) were incredibly nice and welcoming when we walked in and was a breath of fresh air visiting with them versus trying to have a conversation with employees from other establishments that really don't care too much about the customer experience and helping them find the solution to whatever book needs they might have. This place has a LOT of books and they're stacked high and stacked deep, so give yourself plenty of time when making your way to their shop for a visit, you'll want the extra time to browse and start a nice conversation with John & Dee. Tell 'em David & Amy sent you

    ig: @whatsviveating  |  inside
    Vivian M.

    kaboom books is the coziest bookstore! they have a large selection of used and pre-owned books. when you walk in you'll see books everywhere from the floor to the ceiling. the owners were also very sweet and helpful if you had any questions! a hidden gem and a great spot for book lovers. parking in the area was a bit difficult. i ended up finding an empty spot in the lot next to the store ig: @whatsviveating

    Ericka S.

    I really liked Kaboom Books when I visited last year. It's situated on the edge of the Heights - basically, the end of the Heights if you are traveling East. This is a quieter area, so more conducive to peaceful browsing and discovery. The owner of the store and I got into an interesting conversation about film director Billy Wilder and other film topics. While there, I noticed a strong film section, a good philosophy section, and numerous French titles by Genet, Robbe-Grillet, and Lévi-Strauss. A charming cat named Oliver greeted me when I walked to another section of the store which houses fiction. Definitely look forward to returning, and please support local indie bookstores!

    One of three rooms.
    Daniel R.

    Books! Books everywhere. Not the best bargains, but the selection is amazing...Not very organized either, but half the fun is going thru everything!

    Michelle W.

    Beautiful shop and kind staff. I had to take off a star because they don't have a public restroom. :-(

    Andrea C.

    such a relaxing spot! all books are used but half off the cover price. I got a nice Picasso autobiography copy! huge selection- if i had more time i would've gotten more for sure

    The Brothers Karamazov with Eichenberg's illustrations. Classic!
    Steve L.

    So if you want to get lost in a bookstore, come in to Kaboom. You'll never want to leave. A hulking fig tree towers over you as you enter, and 110,000 books greet you. Over 80 different sections and it is massive. Books stacked in the front, shelves as high as you could see (with handy movable stepladders for your use), I was content to simply walk around the first hour, gingerly taking out old books that caught my interest and soaking it all in. This bookstore is a go-to for all things military history, art, fiction, literature, social sciences, philosophy, and biographies. They also have an impressive section on African history, Asian history, and even a section on humor (GK Chesterton's Collected Nonsense and Light Verse). And for you Chessmasters, check out the back for the largest group of strategy books and books/memoirs by famous Chess players. Baseball fans, the Sports section is dominated by baseball... I didn't see any other sports represented, which is a nice nod to our greatest national pastime. I loved going through the First Editions section and just picking up old, forgotten treasures from a bygone era. Although it wasn't a first edition, picking up a beautiful red hard bound edition of Brothers Karamazov with illustrations ( $175) was a highlight. The service was great. They are probably used to peoples eyes bulging out from under their masks if it's their first time coming, so they point out the major sections and make it a point to ask if they could help you find anything. I found a great copy of Mark Twain's Roughing It, a personal narrative of his travels and vagabonding through the Old West, and the owner was quite generous to knock down the price due to some yellowing. Really enjoyed the time checking out this bookstore and will come and get lost again!

    See all

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of k.a. B.

    k.a. B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    What a jewel of a bookstore. Friendly, knowledgeable owners, amazing selection and fair prices. Could spend hours browsing the shelves

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    This is one of the best bookstores in the South, not just in Houston. Highly recommended!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave T.
    6
    135
    147

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Found so many gems at Kaboom Books! The owner is knowledgeable and the ambiance is cozy with seating areas!!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Daniel R.
    42
    51
    14

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    I love this area I loved the people that help me if you are looking for something to do with the family this is for sure the place for you.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of H. A.
    106
    81
    133

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Ryan B.
    15
    696
    29

    2 years ago

    Very friendly. Lots of used books. Unfortunately, we didn't find hardly anything we wanted, so I doubt we will go back.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kendall R.
    6
    148
    231

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Very knowledgeable owner, you can find old and unique selection of books. They also buy some of your used books for store credit.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Kaboom Books Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kaboom Books

    Do you buy used books?

    Kirsten, We buy sell and trade books. We have 84 sections.… Read more

    How would I be able to donate some old books that used to belong to my father?

    You can bring them by Tuesday or Thursdays Noon- 6

    Does this book store have a big biology section?

    We have more physics than biology and more biology than astronomy . 225 biology books.

    Is there an LGBT+ section?

    Thanks for inquiry and yes

    Do they have a manga section?

    We have a cartooning section which includes some magna.

    Does Kaboom Books have a meeting space for an English teacher meeting over the summer? I mean, what better place for English teachers than a book store!

    Call us or shoot over a Facebook message. We have a sizeable, beautiful patio and use both this and the inside of the shop to host weekly events regularly.

    Do they carry children's books?

    Thanks for the inquiry. Yes we have children’s books.

    Do they have cookbooks?

    Yes we have a cookbook section.

    View All 10 Questions

    Review Highlights - Kaboom Books

    A charming cat named Oliver greeted me when I walked to another section of the store which houses fiction.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Kaboom Books - usedbooks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...