What a unique bookstore! I came here with some friends for the Book Crawl and as soon as I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat. There are so many options to choose from (fiction, art, and you can literally spend hours walking around through every nook and cranny. We met the owners and they were so nice! They will gladly tell you about the store and even give you recommendations. These are used books so they are priced lower than regular books. For parking, it is street parking so you may have to walk a bit. Shoutout to their welcome sign "We couldn't be more open"! read more

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Kaboom has a good selection of books and the owners are very knowledgeable about the books they have. We browsed for about an hour and left with two bucks each. I love that they have two huge plants in the inside, and that they have a great selection of cookbooks, fiction, and non-fiction. read more

Came here looking for older books on Japanese culture and this bookstore did NOT let me down. Did a quick search to figure out where I needed to go for a thorough selection of Japanese culture and Kaboom was highly suggested. As we arrived we are welcomed by two giant indoor plants (I didn't ask what they were but they were enormous) and a man behind the desk greeting us in front of an entire ocean of books as if he were rowing his way through the Pacific Ocean of books. I then asked where to find any books on Japanese culture (I also looked into bonsai) and I was guided to just the section I needed where I found a couple 100 year old novels on Japan and some very in depth books on the culture and on bonsai. As we were checking out, we were even gifted a history lesson on the author of the 2 antique books I found. If you are suggested to go here or vaguely hear that this is a good bookstore for whatever subject you're looking for, I'd highly suggest to grab your keys to your car and grab a friend and go enjoy a book or two at this amazing bookstore. We will definitely be going back. read more

Easily the best independent used bookstore in Houston, and the only one that holds a candle to those famous, historic bookstores like The Strand or The Last Bookstore. There is a vibrancy in the selection, decor, seating, layout, and personality here that is sorely missing in the corporate, cheugy, and otherwise lifeless bookstores that populate this city. Parking kinda sucks, but it's a nice walk to here! read more

Bookseller has the best collection here and he is extremely knowledgeable. I'm so glad thus bookstore is in our neighborhood.

If you were looking for a super niche or unusual book, I think this store could be interesting to search through. But I wouldn't go in there expecting they have standard classics or well known titles in stock. They had a large section of diaries/journals/letters, which was really cool and I might return one day to purchase something out of that section. Most of the books I looked at more closely though seemed in fair to poor condition (brown spots, sun/light damage, and or damaged bindings), and I felt the prices were a little high taking those things into consideration. I also witnessed something odd: a worker was giving another customer hassle for picking up something off a shelf that had a price tag on it - the worker said it wasn't for sale and that wasn't really a price tag, and then complained about the situation loudly to what seemed to be another customer. It just left me feeling a little uncomfortable. read more

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 read more

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Kaboom earns 5 stars for being everything a great bookstore should be: knowledgable owners, great selection, excellent service, and fair pricing. On two recent occasions I've called to ask whether they have a particular book, they had the answers in a minute, and set aside the books for me. There is a friendly resident cat and two dogs, and the store has the wonderful scent of old paper which brings back my childhood bookstore and library (the old paper smell; the cat and dogs are a bonus). read more

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

Stepping into Kaboom Books on Houston Ave felt like discovering a literary time capsule--floor-to-ceiling shelves crammed with over 100,000 meticulously organized titles spanning fiction, history, art, science, philosophy, and rare first editions created an intoxicating maze of discovery. I lost hours hunting treasures: a pristine 1950s Hemingway, obscure Texas history tomes, and quirky art books perfect for gifting. The cozy, nook-filled layout invites lingering--cat-friendly vibes (if they have one), no-pressure browsing, and the owners' genuine passion for sharing stories made chatting about reads a highlight. Open Tue-Sun with easy parking, it's my new go-to for affordable intellectual adventures over sterile chain stores. Whether you're a collector or casual reader, Kaboom detonates bookish joy--Woodland Heights' hidden treasure! read more

I love this shop!! I've come in a few times with different friends and I have a great experience every time! The staff is very very helpful and knowledgeable of all the books and history in general. This is super impressive because there are probably thousands of books on the shelves. If you like books or old book stores I would definitely stop in if you're in the area. read more

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

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

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 read more

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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! read more

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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 read more

Kaboom Books - There's limited parking up front but plenty behind the shop! - Used Bookstore Near Me - Houston, Texas

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! read more

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So. Many. Books. That said, don't go with anything specific in mind. I was drawn to the vast selection of interesting autobiographies, astronomy and biology books, fashion and optical illusion books (lumped in the same section, why?) and a heftier than usual assortment of Covid-response books. Lots of fiction and history books, too. The shop is organized and cluttered, inviting and intriguing. Prepare to spend at least an hour wandering and wondering. read more

I went by on Sat, January 18th. After confusing directions from my GPS, I finally found the store front. As far as Google knew, they were open. What I found was that the place was locked tighter than a drum. A sign with the word "Nope" on the door with no explanation as to why they would be closed on a Saturday afternoon. I'd heard great things about this place, but a locked door with no explanation is just a locked door. So, yes, Yelp. I did "go by." I went as far as the inexplicably locked door. read more

Came here after seeing it listed in a lot of Houston bookstore lists. Given it's independent, the prices are definitely higher than I usually pay for used books. The bookshelves are floor to ceiling and there were many old books, I had trouble recognizing any familiar books despite the vast collection of books. I think it would help if they had a little spotlight of their recommended books for each section of the store. There is also definitely a used books smell. I was hoping to see the cat I saw mentioned in many reviews but there was no kitty Kat :( parking was very difficult, we ended up parking on a small neighborhood road. read more

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

Kaboom Books - One of three rooms. - Used Bookstore Near Me - Houston, Texas

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

Kaboom Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Houston, Texas

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 read more

Kaboom Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Houston, Texas

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first time there. friendly staff. great selection of reasonably priced used books. only bad thing--and it's not all that bad--is that you have to use the ladder type device to reach some of the shelves. read more

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! read more

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Best used bookstore in Houston!! Kaboom has such an impeccable collection of books. Seriously...you probably will be overwhelmed with just how many they have. It's all organized pretty well by last name and subject. The shop workers seem super knowledgeable and were asking if they could help find anything. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking to browse for a good find - don't come here to look for anything specific (it will ruin the experience of the store). I picked out 3 great books by taking my time to sift through all the shelves. Parking - very limited. The shop only has 2 parallel parking spots in front. I'd recommend parking on a nearby residential street and walking over. Seriously impressive book store. They literally have everything!! This place literally has my heart. read more

Kaboom Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Houston, Texas

(Before moving, my fiancé and I decided to do a Bookstore Tour of Houston as a last hoorah, and this was our fourth and final stop, and it was also my favorite) LOVED this bookstore. I wish I'd found it sooner before moving. This bookstore has so much personality- it was so cool to explore. Kaboom has so many categories and book sections, and I could've stayed all day browsing. read more

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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.

Such a cute place and the owners are sooo nice and helpful!!! I could get lost for hours in here. Definitely take allergy meds if you're sensitive because of dust/potential pet dander. Prices are very reasonable as well but i would ofc pay more since its a small business :) read more

Kaboom Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Houston, Texas

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

This is honestly the bookstore of my dreams! If Harry Potter ever visited a book store in Houston...it would probably be this one! There's just something so magical and special about it that gives you chills as soon as you walk in. The first thing you'll see once you enter the store, is piles and piles and piles of books everywhere you look! From the floor all the way to the sealing, the only thing you see is books! When you are walking through this book-made labyrinth, you can't help to wonder how many books are in there? how old are they? what's the oddest book you can find? Kaboom has any type of book you can imagine! From your usual love stories, to pre-hispanic history....there's just a world of possibilities at this book store! I would definitely suggest everyone to ask the owner where your subject of interest is located, because it can get a little tricky and you can get lost in this amazing store. read more

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Incredible selection! You could spend days in here going through all of the books. They have a nice section of rare / first edition prints right next to the cashier. The sheer number of books is daunting but the organization makes it easier to navigate the aisles. Prices are fair and the staff was very friendly. Bonus points for having a shop cat! read more

Kaboom Books - Rare books section - Used Bookstore Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I love used book stores and game shops so I stop in whenever I see one. We happened by this one so checked it out. It's got a pretty impressive collection of books. Around 100k according to the owner John. The service was great and very friendly. Overall you get that feel of old comfortable books. Both hardback and paperback that span a couple of buildings. Certainly feels like a neighborhood joint. Don't expect new books, gifts or coffee like you might see in more corporate used book stores. Just used books. read more

This bookstore is fantastic! I love independent bookstores like this! The owners were super friendly and knowledgeable about the books. Went in not looking for anything specific and found a few novels that seemed interesting and a cookbook I was looking to buy anyway. I think the prices vary a lot; older books are very very cheap. I got one for 3 dollars and one for 3.50. Newer books are slightly more expensive but still way cheaper than what you would get at a big box store or Amazon. And really... can you put a price on vibes? read more

Any bookstore with a super friendly cat greeter rates 5 stars. The young man working here gave the three of us stellar service, he knew where to find different genres of books. My wife and I stuck to our booklists, our friend who's a bigger book junkie than us didn't show as much restraint. We'll be back! read more

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

Did a quick book shop tour of Houston to hopefully grab some books our last day in the city. Kaboom is the kind of shop I look for at least one of in each city--unique, totally modeled on the proprietor's own likes and vision. My wife always says I will one day be one of the booksellers who creates their own store just to be surrounded by their own books they are ostensibly selling unconcerned if a customer actually purchases any of them. Kaboom is kind of that. The owner is super COVID conscious (as of April 2022) so don't come here if that bothers you. He wants you to mask before entering and hits your hands with sanitizer as you walk in. He also, according to what we overheard, refuses to sell anything he "doesn't know sh** about", which includes most popular fiction (bugged my brother who was looking to stock up on cheap beach reads in the detective serials e.g. Lehane, Child, Connelly vein). I like old editions, collectibles, and unique books quite a lot so that's okay. I didn't see a lot I had to have, saw a lot I'd like were the price right. Prices are a bit on the pricey side for what is on offer, but there are gems to be found. I picked up a music journalism/criticism book I'd never seen in a shop (on Van Morrison) for a fair price and a bio or two. Parking is sparse and iffy. The bookstore kitty is a winner! read more

Really the only decent bookstore remaining in the city. B&N are shells of their form self. Half Price closed it's 2 big stores in the Village & Montrose. Brazos is a good independent, but small. There are 2-3 other small used stores, but nothing close to the quality of Kaboom. Houston has only one decent bookstore standing. And when the old man who owns it decides it's time to pack it in, Houston won't even have that. What sort of major city doesn't have a bookstore? read more

Stopped into this adorable store for a little relief from exam week studying. (Yes, I went to a bookstore to get away from reading). First of all, I had no idea it was going to feel so expansive and like I was transported into another world!! This place was awesome from these smell of books to the sweet puppies greetings at the door. It wasn't far from midtown and felt like we weren't in the city anymore. They have tons of books (apparently a pretty expansive baseball section if you are into that) and a great outdoor seating area as well. The owners were super welcoming and love to chat! I left with a cool book about Old Brooklyn photography. I will definitely be back. read more

Kaboom Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Houston, Texas

Do not come here if you want something specific! If you want a browsing experience like no other... This is the place. Books line the walls all the way to the ceiling. They are sorted generally, but every row is an adventure. First editions and newer prints live next to each other. We found several books for ourselves, although we couldn't spend much time there due to a prior engagement. The owners are originally from NOLA and they are delightful. They can help you find what genre you're looking for. You'll also get to say hello to the pup who greets you at the door. read more