Still one of the best bookstores EVER. Delightful space, collection, staff that is friendly and book people.

Well curated extensive selection of classic literature, local history and culture and titles you may not be able to find at a chain.

It's been 13 years since writing my first review for Octavia Books, a business so genuinely great that although not much has changed, another review is warranted. Octavia Books is a little refuge Uptown, tucked back from Magazine Street on a residential block. For anyone on a Magazine Street stroll, find your way here for a lovely little break. If you're a visitor to NOLA, you're going to want to check out the array of local authors' work which is extensively available here. Five stars for their strong support of authors and setting up such great reading events! Sign up for emails and you'll be privy to their excellent calendar of events. I love readings here because they transform the space into an intimate arrangement. It just feels really special. I love the owners and staff because they are clearly so passionate about books. They are the real heros. Let's keep indie bookstore culture alive. read more

What a gorgeous bookstore.. It's organized  and spacious, with wonderful natural lighting. There is street parking, so you'll have to get in where you fit in. The staff is cool and efficient. This was my first visit here, but it will certainly not be my last. read more

Octavia Books - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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The service and the selection are phenomenal. The book signing and readings are enjoyable and really quite interesting. It's a great independent bookstore.! read more

I am just visiting New Orleans and I always love finding independent bookstores when traveling. Octavia books did NOT disappoint. The store is bright and well organized. The staff were friendly and helpful. I enjoyed browsing their book sections and definitely walked out with more than I planned on buying. They had a great selection of gift items, stickers, notebooks, shirts, etc that made the book nerd heart of mine extremely happy. If you are looking for a great, local bookstore, come to Octavia Books! read more

Incredibly local. Delicious food. A real find and special independent store and cafe. Some enlightened photography book selections.

As a book lover, I had to find a shop during my Nola stay. This place is quaint and has something for every one. The employees are polite and helpful! Definitely recommend you stop in here! read more

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Octavia Books is one of my favorite independent bookstores, I highly recommend them. They are always helpful and polite.

This is literally one of my favorite bookstores in the nation. First of all the staff is always helpful and the store is well laid out and cozy. Second of all, New Orleans is truly a reading city with plenty of independent coffee shops to spend a relaxing day reading. read more

Wow 12 years later for this review... Octavia books is my go to local book store mostly. I like their local sections of cookbooks, fiction, history, whatnot. They also have a great section of staff recommendations. I've always had great service from the staff here. I recently needed to order a few things as a gift and it was easy peasy and quick. I've also pre-ordered books with them to pick up as signed copies when they are released. The store is large enough to for almost everyone to find something of interest and yet small enough to be very accessible. Parking is mostly on the street. There is a very small parking lot on Laurel St and you can enter the store by the backdoor, but right now that space has some outdoor tables for the restaurant in the same building. Even in normal times I would not try the lot with a large vehicle. read more

It's such a lovely, aesthetically pleasing book store to walk into. All the books are lined up neatly and organized that you don't even want to touch it. They have all books of all kinds. If you can't find a book, Just ask for the people at the register to help and they will kindly assist you. You can also order a book and pick it up here as well. This place is lovely to stroll into to find your next to book to read and maybe snap a few pictures too (cause it's just too pretty not to!) read more

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Classic local, small-ish, neighborhood bookstore. The kind you wish there were more of. I still try to make a point to order from them, even if they don't have what I want in stock, because I do want to support local, and I do want to avoid Amazon. It's just a shame that my presence there always seems almost like an annoyance to them. They just don't seem to be happy, and on my most recent trip, the dude behind the counter seemed bothered by having to figure out which two books were mine on the completely disorganized special order shelf. With so many "one click" options out there, driving across town to shop here should feel a little more gratifying, and should come, at least, with a smile and eye contact. read more

What a lovely bookstore! I always love coming here. It feels like a comforting blanket coming in. They have a wide variety of local writers and national writers. Very neat, clean and well organized. The employees are a bit stand offish, but I enjoy that. It gives me time to look and smell the books. They always have something that I want, and I always seem to want way more than I have funds for. I love a good local bookstore. The prices are the same as most other bookstores. read more

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11 out of 10. Outstanding bookstore with cheerful atmosphere, great selection, funs gifts and friendly staff. Highly recommend.

Love this quant little shop. Lots of selections & very pleasant employees! I will be back.

I recently went to Octavia Books. They are stocked with all the books you'd want. The bookseller was giving me details and good recommendations. The space is bright with light which is great for pursuing. They also have your non book essentials like notebooks, bookmarks, and puzzles. read more

This bookstore became an instant favorite for me. They've got a variety of books from a wide range of authors. You can also find lovely gifts, cards, stationery, and journals. I enjoyed taking my time to decide on a few books. Normally I run in and out of bookstores, but here, I felt comfortable taking a seat in one of their large wooden chairs and perusing the books I had pulled from the shelves. My point is that I appreciate being able to go into a bookstore and not feel like I can't take a seat and make an informed decision about what I want to buy. Octavia Books is a beautiful shop located on a residential street and I sure wish I lived next door to them. read more

Wide selection of books. Useful online ordering from their website. Active in the community with many author-themed events. Pleasant setting, with attentive and helpful staff. My bookstore of choice! read more

This bookstore is incredible! I needed to buy a gift for a holiday gift exchange, and I wanted to send something from a local business. I decided to shop online with Octavia Books. They had the books I wanted, and their website was great. In the notes section of my order, I mentioned that this order was a gift and asked if they could include a gift receipt. When I heard from my friend, I found out that not only had Octavia Books done the gift receipt, but they gorgeous gift wrapping free of charge! This was such a lovely and unexpected touch, and was much appreciated by me and my friend. Would definitely recommend shopping at this lovely little store. Thank you! read more

Octavia Books - Gift wrap - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I love that it's tucked into a neighborhood and truly has the feel of a local bookstore. The selection of New Orleans books is fantastic. However, the overall book selection is not ideologically diverse. Everything on offer leans WAY left and if you're searching for something from a different perspective, I don't know that you'll find it. I'm sure they can order anything you want, but I can do that on Amazon. The joy of a brick and mortar is the browsing of physical books and discovering something new. It's painfully obvious that the goal of their curation is not to expose people to new and varied ideas, but to reinforce a political agenda that further narrows the echo chamber of many in this beautiful city. read more

Octavia Books is such a gem! I've made it my mission to make more of an effort to shop local. Instead of running to Amazon to purchase books for 50% off their face value and having them delivered to me in 2 days, Ive decided to patronize local bookstores. The upside is you're keeping your money in the community, getting to know your neighbors, and local bookstores often have the deets on book clubs, author signings and new releases. Octavia was such a breath of fresh air. The interior is so clean and organized, the salespeople are friendly and helpful, and the major plus is that their website always has an accurate inventory of what is available in store. I can't wait to read through my new classics so I can make another trip to Octavia Books. read more

Great bookstore! I appreciate that they have a section on local history, politics, etc. But I did not expect their fantasy/ fiction section to be quite so large. It's a little ways away from the French quarter but I think worth going read more

Octavia Books has a great selection for a small, local bookstore and are always happy to order anything you want that isn't in stock. This week, that included an esoteric book on canning and preserving. I ordered it over the phone (I didn't know the exact name of the book, but the owner helped me figure it out), my books came in a few days later, and I supported a local business instead of helping a billionaire send himself into "space". read more

I have lived in NOLA for many years now, but somehow only recently went to Octavia Books. It is easy to miss at first, but once you make it inside it is a rather large bookstore with so many great options. They have books of all genres for anyone. They also have some games and puzzles. I placed an order for a book when I was there and it arrived the next week. I love supporting local bookstores and Octavia is a great place to go! read more

Cutest little local bookstore hidden in the uptown neighborhood. They have a wide range of selections to choose from. I came here looking for books that talks about New Orleans and learn more history about the city. Found a few that interest me. I will definitely be back to pick up more books from them. Friendly service that inform me of their newsletter and invited me back for their events. You can go to their website for more info on their books and musical events. Street parking. read more

Octavia Books - Bookstores Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I think that Octavia Books sets the standard for independent book shops in New Orleans a little higher. The store is well organized. Walking in you don't feel overwhelmed or like there are just books piled everywhere. Everything is clean. There are a good number of popular books, older books, and local books. The staff were nice but not overly pushy. There are very few seats for grabbing a book and flipping through it- only two wooden chairs. I feel like I'm cheating on the Garden District book shop in my neighborhood, but Octavia is just larger and more organized, offering more of a selection. Of course, if Octavia doesn't have what you're looking for they'll order it asap. Also gotta love that Octavia Books is right around the corner from Laurel Street Bakery where you can bring your new purchase to read outside at a quaint little table while you snack on brioche and coffee. I'm not sure about parking in the area- since it's bikeable distance for me- but it might be difficult because it's located in a neighborhood. But, once you find parking the walk in fresh air to find Octavia will be nice :) read more

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Cutest book store, lots to choose from especially New Orleans history and gifts.

Adorable book store with a decent selection of books in a cozy part of the city. Unfortunately, the service doesn't match this humble book store. My mother went to pick up a book she pre-ordered and was completely ignored by the female employee who was working August 13th. She was not acknowledged until a guy came from the back of the store. Upon leaving, the woman who was now behind the counter, still did not acknowledge her. A simple "thank you for coming in" or "sorry for the wait" would have sufficed, but nothing. There are many other book stores in the city with much better service to patronize. read more

Best selection of contemporary and modern fiction in the city. They also have a solid classics section. The whole shop is beautiful, clean, well-organized. Any book they do not have, they will order and notify you in less than a week. Will pick Octavia over Amazon any day! read more

Great selection of sci-fi and fantasy. Very friendly staff. I like their 3D popout style birthday cards, I got the dragonfly one for my mother's birthday and she loved it. read more

This is a great local bookstore that adds to a charming neighborhood. To find Octavia Books you need to venture off the beaten path, a short way down Octavia St from a busy commercial section of Uptown's Magazine St, you will find this gem chock full of wordy delights. When you walk in you can expect to be greeted by a genuine, helpful staff. These guys know their inventory, they can assist you with items in stock or with ordering that tough to find or out of stock book. Octavia hosts author events and readings. They carry and impressive selection of fiction, nonfiction, bestsellers, children and most notably local authors and local interest. If you enjoy the printed page I highly recommend spending some time exploring this space. read more

Its sad that a store like this is becoming less and less common even in cities, a full service book store that is focused on local books and authors. This is one of those kinds of stores, its really a gem and a store I will return to whenever I am in New Orleans. Great books on local history or all things Louisiana. Excellent service from the staff, everyone is very helpful and knows their inventory. If youre a book person, this place is not to be missed. read more

I was excited to come here when I moved into my new condo on Magazine street. It's the only bookstore that is nearby and I'm an avid book collector and reader. When you come into this charming little bookshop you are greeted by well... no one. The staff seems pretty preoccupied with the computers and telephones more than their patrons. To see if this were true, I asked if they had a book I was looking for. She looked at me completely puzzled and said they didn't have it but could order it on Amazon. Ah, she said the answer. I can order this book on Amazon with a lot friendlier service and a cheaper, better experience. read more

After driving by this place place multiple times I finally stopped in to grab a few books for my wife and I could not have been more impressed! The two women working the store were super helpful in helping me find exactly what I Waac looking for. The customer service was the best I have encountered In a long time. The shop itself is very clean and inviting! I would highly recommend checking this place out! read more

A beautiful store! We enjoyed coming here a few months ago. Always so nice to see independent book stores thriving.

This is a fine, even lovely neighbourhood bookshop. Great selection and everything you want as a reader. Why the 3 stars? Well, the surliest employee gave me a "howyadoinletmekonwifyouneedanything" as I walked in the front door. Went & picked up my new hardback ($28 there, $17 on Amazon/B&N), and just had gruff, surly service, as though the man would rather be reading his book. This is why people shop at the big box & online retailers. It's unfortunate. Contrast this to Maple Street or the much-missed Little Professor, where staff are knowledgeable, reading, and can't wait to help you. read more

Nice selection and some interesting local books that were new to me. A obviously grumpy employee abruptly ended my shopping experience after a holding a 5 minute defensive & condescending phone conversation to tell us it was 5pm and they were closing. I had one $30 book in my hand and was looking for more to enjoy on vacation. Looks like I'll keep using Amazon and McKeown's. I get that people have a closing time, I don't get rushing people out the door of a brick and mortar book store unless there's been an industry shift I've missed. read more

Uh pretty garbage. I ordered a book and it took three months to come in. Never buying from here again.

What a great bookstore! They have a wonderful local section and host a lot of local book signings as well as big book signings such as Stephen King and Alton Brown. They also facilitate a lot of book clubs. The staff is very helpful without being pushy. There are some fabulous picks on the "staff recommendations" shelf. It is always a good sign when a bookstore hires people who actually like to read! (tip: if you're looking for McSweeney's, they've got it) read more