A book is like a whole new world waiting to be opened and explored. And visiting Too Many Books for…read morethe first time was like a journey to many worlds in one space and time. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Too Many Books, a beloved independent used bookstore located in the heart of Roanoke's Historic Grandin Village, is a perfect example. Owned and managed by Linda Stedman for many years, this cozy, two-story bookshop features a massive inventory of approximately 50,000 used books, which include fiction and non-fiction. There one can easily find vintage paperbacks as well as hardcover books in categories such as children's literature, history, science fiction, art, and philosophy; with extensive sections dedicated to Virginia, Civil War history, and genealogy. I was very impressed with the selection of books which included: antiquarian books, leatherbound books, out-of-print titles, limited editions, first editions, signed books by the author, and other collectible ephemera. It was a pleasure meeting the owner who came across as a very warm and deeply knowledgeable bookseller, as well as her other friendly staff in this bookstore with a very inviting atmosphere and fair prices. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its amazing merchandise. The store lists portion of its specialized inventory online via its AbeBooks Merchant Page. It also hosts author signings, literary discussions, and ocational major storefront sales. As a matter of fact it was holding one of those sales today where hardcover books were 20% off until the end of the month. I particularly liked a book by former Predident Barack Obama's Chief Official White House Photographer, Pete Souza, titled: "Obama: An Intimate Portrait." The author also served as an official photographer for President Ronald Reagan. The used book in almost new condition was selling for $50, so with the discount one could buy it for $40. One can check their official Too Many Books Instagram for events and most current inventory of books. I highly recommend this used bookstore, for its inviting ambiance, fair prices, and deeply knowledgeable and hospitable owner and staff.

The only thing missing from this classic style used bookstore is giant piles of books in corners…read moreand backrooms that threaten to fall over at any moment. Instead, they are all categorized, priced, and shelved under the watchful eyes of the proprietors. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and any time we had a question, they were there to answer it. What a pleasant way to spend and hour or two, perusing the shelves looking for treasures.

I love delicately curated old bookstores. Were there something for everyone, magic just under the…read moreold leather books. They have done a phenomenal job of creating such a cozy space with lots to offer.

The Library of Congress is a heap of garbage in comparison to this cathedral of the written word…read more This collection has EVERYTHING -- best sellers, rare gems of publication, maps, postcards, and much more. The staff have an eye for acquisition and know their stock like the back of their hands. Customer service was excellent and a smiling proprietor was behind the counter the whole time. Will be making frequent trips back to support this incredible shop!

Stopped in here on the last day I lived in Lynchburg. I was missing out. This is packed full of…read morebooks. Three stories worth. The owner is super friendly and helpful. The books are reasonably priced. Worth a day trip to Lynchburg.

So many options and a very helpful staff. We have already made a second trip there and I know it…read morewon't be the last.

This is my new favorite spot in Appomattox. Cozy leather couches, the smell of books and coffee,…read morecreaky hardwood stairs... SUCH an incredible atmosphere. I got the iced Campfire Cold Brew, which was delicious. The staff was friendly. And they have open mic on Thursday nights. I'm going back with my sister this week to check that out. In love with this place!

Love going to Blaine's! We always have great service! They have the best smoothies & frozen hot…read morechocolate!

This quaint independent bookstore is located at 112 Market Street in a small building right next to…read morethe Historic Roanoke City Market Building in Downtown Roanoke. I have always been fascinated by bookstores, especially ones of this size and nature. So today I decided to walk in to explore it first hand. One of the things that impressed me the most was how clean and well organized it was. From the shinny windows of its storefront to its clean floors and shelves. As I entered, I received a warm welcome by a young lady employee with a nice personality who you could tell she loved her job. She most enthusiastically explained what they had available and where everything was. They carried bestsellers, new fiction, and non-fiction, classic and local interest books, along with high-quality used books. BNF features books about the Roanoke and New River Valleys and the works of local authors along with a special selection of Appalachian fiction and non-fiction. They also provided special orders service, helping find hard-to-find books, and book club specials. Their collection also includes the works of more than 50 local and regional authors and the surrounding areas. Book No Further isn't just a bookstore; it's also a gathering place for the community. The shop regularly hosts book signings, author talks, and book clubs, featuring celebrated writers and spotlighting new talent from the Blue Ridge region. Before leaving I had the privprivilege of meeting Doloris Vest, one of the co-owners of Book No Further Bookstore. I thanked her for the great contribution she is providing to the Star City of Roanoke and its community with her engaging bookstore. Books open windows of knowledge and opportunities as well as provide value and entertainment to all of us. With her creative imagination by incorporating different book clubs, community members gatherings, and many other diverse events, she is contributing to the quality of life of this community and to making the City of Roanoke so special.

This fun little bookshop was in the heart of Roanoke's downtown area. There was a smaller upstairs…read morearea with (from what I recall) children's books, while the lower half held fiction and other genres. There were also fun trinkets such as stickers and bookmarks. The staff was helpful and friendly. Would definitely visit again when in town. While the downtown area itself is relatively small, there are tons of shops and restaurants to explore. So if you're interested in visiting this bookstore, consider coming with an appetite so you can make an evening of the adventure!

Do you like books? Of course you do. Go to Daedalus. Do you like unique spaces with lots of…read morecharacter? Obviously. Go to Daedalus. Spend an afternoon getting lost in the stacks. Find something old but new to read. Just vibe. You won't regret it.

Yes, it really is that amazing. There are three floors, don't forget to see the top floor!…read moreSelection was a wide range of oldies & more recent releases. Prices were excellent, especially compared to the other secondhand bookstore a block away. Bonus points for plenty of stools & seating amongst the stack. Also the labels were funny

This location has a pretty awesome selection of manga and magazines. I come in probably once a week…read morefor both of those things. Anytime Leah is working, she's extremely friendly and goes out of her way to ensure I get what I'm looking for. I'd recommend this location over others I've been to.

This B&N is a mixed bag for me. While the associates are…read morefriendly and seem to have general knowledge of what they sell, and the store is clean...It has its downsides. For starters, how do you offer a cafe and free wifi, and only have one place with outlets? Seriously, the only place you can sit and study and charge your laptop is with three tables...with a big power strip. But, for the other tables, there are no outlets. Seems a bit off. Why offer the service, if you don't provide places to charge adequately? My last issue is the bathroom. I can't speak for the women's bathroom, but the men's bathroom is always a mess. Now, I know a lot of that has to do with customers who don't care and will make a mess...but, this place is clearly not doing hourly checks. I have seen the bathroom a complete mess...paper towels all over the mess, excrement all over the stalls, and urine everywhere. So, why aren't the bathrooms being checked every hour or two? Other than those two negatives, I really have no major gripes with this place. I rarely buy books here, mostly because they are overpriced (you can find most things $5-$10 cheaper on Amazon or Target) but I do enjoy coming here to read on my iPad or hang out on my laptop. The staff makes it a nice experience.

Such a cute and quaint bookstore. And the staff make it so much better…read more My husband and I were in Charlottesville for the weekend. With a rainy weekend on tap, hiking was out of the question so we went to the Downtown Mall and wandered through the stores. I love Charlottesville...I want to live here. But that's a story for another time. Back to the review. We walked in and were immediately greeted by the nicest person I encountered all day. She was taking down Christmas decorations but offered her time to help us find our next read. She also offered some restaurant recommendations and went above and beyond to help us as we shopped. If course we bought books! She was so lovely that I would have bought something even if I didn't want it. We went to Blue Whale later that day and it was like night and day as far as shopping experiences go.

I went there earlier with a friend and they didn't have what they were looking for my friend so we…read morewent to somewhere else but still a nice store.

We stopped by with relatives to enjoy the music and to have an adult beverage (they also sell…read morecoffee). Both were outstanding. The venue is great and intimate (which is to say that you're going to be sitting pretty close to them that brung you, if you know what I mean). I heartily recommend Rapunzel's, and plan to visit again in the near future.

Easygoing unassuming place to relax and listen to good music. Nice people. Reasonable pricing. Fun…read moreto peruse used book collection if that's what you are into.