I noticed Letters Bookshop from the Pie Pushers window and just watched customers keep going inside and then leaving with bags. So I had to see for myself what was drawing all these people in. William welcomed me when I walked in, asked what I normally read, and let me know there was an upstairs as well, with more books. I did just stay on the first floor this visit, but I was so impressed by their beautifully curated inventory. They carry a wonderful selection of new fiction, poetry, children's books, and used books, along with fascinating sections on art, music, and nonfiction. They even had a discount section with books priced at $3.98 or less, which is incredible! They also have dedicated topic tables that highlight local North Carolina authors and underrepresented voices, which is wonderful to see. I found some board books to donate to the Little Free Library I was at the other day. If you've been reading my reviews for a while now, you know I love history and the architecture of older buildings being reused. It is an inclusive store, so everyone is welcome. It is a community-owned cooperative bookstore. The 1915 building, originally home to Merchants Bank, was built after the 1914 fire in Durham. It is a Neoclassical Revival-style building with massive, majestic Ionic columns that define its street-facing storefront. It later became Hood Industrial Bank and was then used for businesses like Letters. Letters opened back in 2013 at a nearby location and moved into its current space in 2021. I wish I had gone to the second floor to see the stained glass ceiling. So that just means I will need to make another shopping visit. I need to give myself more time so I can find something for me to read next time. read more

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Lovely local bookstore - excellent children's selection, range of titles, many used and new, great suggestions/staff reviews, and friendly staff. First spot for gift shopping. Also, easy-to-use online search, and when I don't find something, it's easy to request an order and receive a quick response. Have also taken many books to see if they would accept for store credit. Honestly, just happy to support them! read more

Beautifully curated bookshop. Love the lengthy notes on the staff recommendations! Really sold me on a few I may not have picked up otherwise! Also appreciate their used book section. read more

Such a nice bookshop located right in the middle of downtown Durham! In addition to a great variety of reasonably-priced, well-curated books, they have a lot of cutesy Durham merch. If you have out-of-town visitors, would recommend bringing them here for souvenirs. The shop has 2 floors housing different genres; the top floor also has some seating. I think I saw they have some drinks for sale as well. It also seems like they have pretty regular events on a weekly basis (book clubs and the like), so I'm excited to go back for one of those in the future. Fast service, great ambiance. Free parking on weekends and weekdays after 7pm in nearby city of Durham garages. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Cool bookshop with a good variety of books and puzzles. Definitely recommend checking out this independent bookstore read more

Letters Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Their best quality is their selection of gently (and newly published) used book section! They also had a great kids section. read more

Great selection! Found the book I needed with absolutely no issues! Highly recommend! The upstairs was my favorite part! Very quiet and nice. read more

Letters Bookshop - upstairs windows very very nice :) - Bookstores Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

A super cute little museum like bookshop. They have a HUGE variety & the counter person was super nice. If you go upstairs they have more & game I was thrilled to find postcards as I'm visiting from out of state and I also picked up a super reasonable priced book. read more

Letters Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Very cute local bookshop. If you want to wander for a bit and explore different books, this is the place for you. I like how there's a staff picks section. The staff are very friendly and helpful. read more

I had a delightful experience at this charming bookstore! The staff's genuine kindness and passion for reading created a warm atmosphere. The curated book selection was excellent, and I couldn't resist picking up a James Baldwin candle and a captivating romance novel. It's a gem for book lovers seeking a welcoming haven. read more

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Cute little bookstore in downtown Durham! They have a nice selection of new and used books, and they also have some games and puzzles on the second floor. Every time I have visited the employees have been friendly & helpful. I believe they now sell coffee as well but I have yet to try it out! read more

This place is a gem. Support local! Great place to buy new and used books. Loved the kids section. It's a must visit while in Durham. read more

Letters Bookshop - Kids section - Bookstores Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Excellent selection of books, new and used! Great independent, community bookstore! They even have a selection of puzzles for sale.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Letters until now. It's been my go-to bookshop for years. This newer location is wonderful. Their selection is amazing (I really love the staff recommendations!). Everyone there is knowledgable and helpful. I love that they have everything from used books to new releases and cute gifts. I really look forward to my visits. I highly recommend them to everyone! read more

They recently relocated down and across Main Street to a two-story location with an amazing skylight on the second floor. As of this writing, the have plans to offer beer, wine and coffee but have not received their food/beverage license yet. We like supporting local, so we'll come here before visiting a huge chain. We popped in on a Saturday morning a few days after they reopened, enjoyed browsing, and ended up buying three books. The atmosphere and staff were casual and friendly. Once they start offering beverages, I could see us hanging out here often. Support local! read more

Cute bookshop. Two floors. Right on the main drag where you can find a street spot after a while. Fun to browse with great staff. Will be back! read more

One of the best books stores I've been to in Durham, NC. I am a long-time patron of small independent bookstores. This place has a well-chosen and reasonably priced selection of books with a staff that is generally knowledgeable and also affable. My young friend Aaron and I were visiting the bakery across the street and stumbled onto Letters. A sign on the door next door said that the Esoteric Lending Library was open on Sundays from 2 pm to 6 pm. It is in the basement and is quite a find, though not run by the people at Letters, it is a large selection of books you can check out, just like a regular library. This is largely why I give this place 5 stars. Letters receives a solid 4 stars. The underground esoteric lending library sends this location over the top in to don't-pass-it-up territory. Duck in! read more

Big fan of Independent Bookstores and this one in Durham has a wide selection of both new and old books. .Me and the owner worked together on a literary festival and he is beyond cool. .Definitely both a student of The literary world and life in general...Real nice collection of Carolina Authors and just cool stuff. .Go and Hang out. read more

Came here on a whim while in Downtown Durham. The bookseller was very nice and helpful. I didn't come looking for a specific book but I had a few in mind. He had some and others he was willing to order but knowing that I wanted to get a book that day, I opted for browsing. And came across the book Catch-22. How I miss bookstores but the stand alones are the most fun. I will be back for sure! read more

While I have never actually purchased anything from here, it's one of my favorite places to peruse when in downtown Durham. They are a locally owned bookstore so don't expect the selection you would get at Barnes and noble, but what you can expect is to books by authors of all different backgrounds. When you enter you can see the showcasing of authors from minority groups, and they have an entire children's shelf with books featuring characters of all skin colors. I am all about bringing diversity to bookshelves and so happy I stumbled upon this gem! read more

Letters Bookshop - Children's books for all kids from all backgrounds! - Bookstores Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Ahhh. The smell of books! Actually books that you can hold in your hand, and skim through. I thought all of the small bookshops had closed; they have in Chapel Hill and Carrboro and we miss them terribly. This little bookshop has used and new books, and a pretty large selection for its size. I hate B&N and will not go in one, so I'm so happy to have found this gem! We bought two books for under $13! read more

This is a nice bookshop in a trendy downtown area. The bookstore has a minimalistic, museum-type quality. So, not the typical cozy, comfy bookstore where you might bring a laptop and coffee and hang out for awhile. However, the collection is nice. Quirky. Eclectic. There are the normal bestsellers, but I think this bookshop works best for finding a gift or an interesting find for the bored reader. read more

I was living in the Durham for a short period of time and this bookshop was one of my favorite stops! The space is beautiful, spanning two stories. ( make sure you check both out!) the staff is super friendly and they remembered me from previous visits and what I was reading. Definitely recommend! read more

Letters Bookshop is primarily a used book store with some new books offered. What makes the shop outstanding is that the condition of the books is like new. No musty smell or tattered covers. The shop itself is spacious with a cozy little reading nook in the front. Prices are reasonable. I think this is a great addition to downtown Durham. read more

Pros: What can I say about the store, other than it's beautiful and has the feel of an art gallery when you walk inside. Even though the day was gloomy due to the incessant rain, the bookstore wrapped me in warmth from abundance of wood and subtle lighting. The store also had a huge front window, that would let in lots of light on a sunny day. When I first walked into the store, at my left, there was an inviting nook with a cushioned seating area. Just perfect for catching a quick read while browsing. The store's inventory consists mainly of used books with a few new books available. Even though the store had just opened a few days earlier, the selection of books was impressive. Along the large right-hand wall was the fiction section focusing mainly on contemporary literary fiction with a sprinkling of classic literature. It's obvious that the owner, Land Arnold, carefully selected his inventory to ensure there's a plentiful supply of books you actually want to read. Throughout the store there are various displays of books. While not all of the displays have their signage yet, Land offered assistance several times with any questions I might have. The display that immediately caught my eye, was one that offered Room by Emma Donoghue, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. A good sign of what was to come, as I have read the first two books and have the Eugenides on my huge TBR pile. The store also offered local flavor with a North Carolina display of books. There was a table that displayed a selection of new books, including How Not to Lose Her by Junot Diaz and Blasphemy by Sherman Alexie. Have I said I fell in love with this bookstore, yet? Other genres for sale include, Mystery, History, Essays, Reference, Travel, Cookbooks, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Biography, Cultural Criticism, Young Adult, Poetry (I saw a Derek Walcott I plan to pick up if it's still there on my next visit), Drama, Non-Fiction, Health, Business, Religion, Philosophy, True Crime, Graphic Novels. The store had a section for Kids which had an area where they could lounge and read as their parents browsed. While there is no separate section for African American books, there were several books dispersed throughout the store (particularly in the Fiction section). My only suggestion is to add a New/Incoming Books display near the front of the store for those days where I only have time to pop in but want to quickly see new inventory. The other positive was definitely the owner as he pointed out things to me that didn't currently have a sign, such as the area of autographed books behind the cashier's station. By the way, I loved the newfangled cash register. I used my finger to sign for a credit card transaction. Gave me the feeling of being in an Apple store. Anyway, it's great having a bookstore back in downtown Durham. Though I have to time my visit a little bit better -- when Dame's Chicken and Waffles, a few doors down, isn't quite so busy ;-) Cons: Parking is the biggest issue. Because the store is located in a revitalized downtown Durham, the closest parking is street parking -- there is no dedicated parking lot for the store. However, if you are unable to find street parking nearby, you can park at one of the city garages. The day I went was very rainy, so I drove around the block a few times and eventually scored a free parking space right across from the store. The only improvement on selection I look forward to would be more books in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy section. It was a little skimpy but considering the store had only opened a few days before, I expect this section to expand as the store matures. Great Finds: I scored four books on my first visit: Child of God by Cormac McCarthy, The Queen's Man by Sharon Kay Penman, The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers, and The Information by James Gleick. All books were used but in terrific condition. In fact, the Gleick and Moers books were in near mint condition. Trade-in Policy: The store does have a trade-in policy. Please call the store for specifics as I think the policy was still evolving. read more

If we are in Durham, we have to visit this place for my husband. In fact, they were briefly closed in order to relocate and he called me in MD just to tell me. They have a wonderful selection of books and their new location is spacious. They dedicate an even amount of shelving to both fiction and nonfiction and also have a special area for local topics. Be sure to check out their discounted shelf as there are some gems in there. I recently purchased the Bitter Southerner reader volume one for about $4. If you are in town AND you love books, you should give this place a try! read more

This is such a cute independent bookstore. They sell both used and new books. They don't have a huge collection but there are enough varieties for readers to choose from. I also like the way they provide recos with handwritten notes written by the staffs. The staffs and owner are super friendly. Support your local bookstores and shop here! read more

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While waiting for a table at Dames I came across this gem of a bookshop. Even though it was a spur of the moment decision to come in I decided to try my luck and see if they carried a baby copy of Le Petit Prince which I was hoping to buy for my soon to be born nephew. The guy at the front desk was so helpful and did a huge search, checking for the book and seeing how they could possibly get it in my hands. Unfortunately we weren't able to track down the exact version that I was looking for, but once we hit a wall he offered up some other great options- one of which they had in store and I eagerly purchased! I ended up paying the normal retail value for the book (though I had never seen this version of it, even online!) so really there is no reason for me not to shop local rather than online considering I had such a great experience in store and didn't have to wait a week for shipping! I will definitely be back when i'm in Durham again! read more

This is a wonderful bookstore with a very friendly owner. If you are looking for a specific book simply give him a call. I had the opportunity to speak with him for quite a bit about how he has created relationships with many of his customers. While most bookstores are looking to sell on amazon or make money anyway possible this story is focused on small business and relationships. It is well worth the time to head to downtown Durham to check it out. read more

I LOVE LETTERS. When we moved here 4 years ago, this is the first place that made me feel like Durham was home. Locally owned with a ton of stock and right in downtown, Letters is my favorite place to get my read on! I've gotten some great recommendations from the staff, as well as their awesome table placements. It's a great mix of newly published works with classics and underrated options. I think my favorite thing is just being able to email them a request and being able to pick it up whenever it comes in (usually less than a week). It saves me some time and is also a great local alternative to the big box stores. Grateful that Letters is a pillar of our community! read more

Try to name another charming, independent bookstore that finds new homes for used bokks. Land had built a destination for bibliophiles and casual readers alike at Letters. You will find new books as well, still at great prices. You can also bring your books in for store credit, which is a great way to feed your book buying habit. Instead of clicking purchase on Amazon or another big box retailer, do yourself a favor and visit Letters on Main Street. You never know what story you will find between pages that you didn't even know you were looking for. read more

This place has a fantastic selection of books. One visit here will make you wonder why you're so devoted to your Netflix account. Get a break from the screen and pick up a book here. You're bound to find something you like! read more

I loved the atmosphere, very s imple, well lit with furniture for reading. The shopkeeper was very attentive and helpful. He was able to quickly look up the authors I asked about in the inventory. read more

Great selection of books and a great atmosphere. Owner was very friendly and helpful. I went in to browse, and left with two books I've been looking for for awhile. Also had the owner place an order for a third book. I'm excited to have such a store so close to me. read more

Good selection, clean and organized, cozy and helpful friendly staff. What more could yoy need!?

Have now shopped at Letters Bookshop three times and come away impressed each time. Have always been warmly greeted upon entering but left free to browse knowing I could ask for assistance needed. The shop is large and clean with plenty of room to move around: no squeezing by other shoppers as in many used bookstores. And the books appear to all be in conditions varying from very good like new but are priced lower than I'd have guessed given their conditions. I've found the table of recommendations up front to be especially helpful when I've been in need of a quick pick but unsure what I was in the mood for. read more

A very well curated bookstore. The lights/shelving/space is really well done, you feel like you're in a boutique bookstore. most of the books are used, but in great condition, and the pricing is staggeringly low; often below what you can get at amazon. that being said, there were also a number of really cool rare, out-of-print items. read more

Letters Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Great used bookstore with a curated selection of books. Other bookstores have rack after rack of whatever books people were getting rid of; Letters has books that people actually want to read. read more

I'm a sucker for a good book shop, and one that is next door to Dame's where I can peruse the shelves while I wait for a table is even better. The store caters mostly to fiction readers, with a decent selection of local authors and some non-fiction. I was really impressed with the sheer number of books curated by the staff - their well-thought-out reviews made me ponder books I would not normally give a passing glance. I docked one star because the space just felt.... sterile. I come from the land of used books shops with dusty volumes and cozy nooks for reading your new purchases. The space was bright and open, but just doesn't feel well loved. I'm not sure how long they've been open, but maybe they'll age like a fine wine. read more

Small but Wonderful and comfortable book store. Prices are right for someone budget conscious. There are comfortable places to read. It is rather quiet inside. Can get crowded at times. read more