We absolutely love this bookstore. From New to used, they have a good selection of books from most genres. In this day when many people have gone to e-readers of one type or another, it is a breath of fresh air to go to a store where a love of books (if you are reading this, you already know what I mean - if you just happened on this review - I am talking about actual books - paper, ink, glue ...). Stop in for a hard to find book, a pre-loved book, or just to browse the shelves. read more

This was a nice stop directly behind the goodwill in west Salem. I thought this was strictly used books but they have some new as well. This place is very well organized and they have the pricing written inside the front cover. You can sell back books and join their club to get a discount on future purchases based on the books you sell back. All in all a great set up and I look forward to dropping in again. read more

Fabulous selection, knowledgeable and friendly staff, book buy back program with discounts for future purchases. Something for everyone in your group or family! read more

I love the selection and the service, they make ordering a book really easy and reselling super easy too. I've been coming here since I moved to west Salem. It is really a treasure. read more

My family have been customers for over 10 years at Reader's Guide, they have the best selection in the area. Trade credit program is very good, and credit doesn't expire. They are the closest thing to Powell's Books you could find without the drive to Portland. Staff is always friendly and courteous and tries very hard to find what the customer wants. I have never been disappointed, can't recommend them strongly enough. If you want a large selection, great price, and helpful staff, you will love this bookstore. read more

A neighborhood treasure! We've shopped there for more than a quarter century. Long live bookstores and libraries!

My average purchase volume of books is between three and five per week. There is not much better in life than discovering a bookstore stocked with high quality writings. Cards This is a WONDERFUL space if you are looking for cards. Beautiful selection which rivals higher end stores in Portland and Seattle. Books The selection is average at best but that is not necessarily a negative. Used book stores in small towns tend to reflect their constituency. Since Salem, although the capital, is rather rural, their selection of books reflects this. This bookstore can place orders but anyone with a computer can as well so this is a moot point. Their book selection is not cataloged which means everything is a manual process. The whole "wandering the isles" idea is nice but this is a small store so a bit of technology is needed. The Book Bin in Downtown Salem is more progressive and current. Of course there is always Powell's which is a stones throw away. Customer Service I must admit that this is where the bookstore failed to meet minimum standards. It appears the standard greeting is "so you have a question?" This is delivered in a myriad of tones and with or without eye contact. It is rather rude and unfortunately sets a negative tone but it Is how all customers are spoken to. Not sure what happened to "how can I help you". Conclusion Average used book store with an AMAZING card selection. I go there for cards but for books...I look elsewhere. read more

Loved this bookstore. Great prices and it was pretty easy to find what I was looking for. Kids section was good too!

This is my favorite bookstore! It has used and new books. I take my books in and receive credit towards other books...heaven help me. I don't need anything to enable my book addiction. Seriously! This shop always seems to have something I need. The he staff is very helpful. They are very knowledgeable about many genres. I just love this store so much! You gotta check it out! read more

When coming to sell books, you'd think they'd be flexible on cash or trade for a new customer. They were not. The employee took 60 seconds or less to look through my books for cash and said there was nothing they could take, so when I said if be willing to do trade instead, she said it's very complicated why they cannot go through the books again for trade. It doesn't compute for me. I will not shop here. Also, they practically bit a man's head off for trying to look for a restroom. When he asked about using one, the employee made it seem like getting into Fort Knox. Just saying. read more

Knowledgeable and helpful staff. They are a long-standing treasure in This community. Try them before Amazon!

I have been shopping here for years. They have moved three times and I keep following them anywhere they go. Great customer service and very nice people. They give you a fair trade in value. read more

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I've browsed this bookstore for 17 years, ever since they were in the wonderful building where I'd get lost in the labyrinth. The current location is laid out in a rational way and shopping by subject or genre is simplified. The owners are discriminating and maintain the best-vetted inventory of any bookstore I frequent. Very strong in local history, more than anyone else in the mid-valley, classic fiction also, the only bookstore in all my circuits to stock major poets. I don't do trading. Prices eminently fair. Behavior of staff can be unpredictable and in that department I would grade rather low. The card selection is excellent, perhaps the best in Salem for stock not found elsewhere, and the selection is refreshed often. Not cheap, but nice, and unique. An open floorplan, very accessible for handicapped people. Good lighting. Close to many other desirable destinations like good cafes, a Roth's flagship store, etc. As other stores have changed or gone under this has become one of my two favorite mid-valley bookstores. read more

Staff is so nice they have a calming presence while searching books! They have such a wide selection with specific genres. Their new book section has all the new popular books, my only complaint is that while this is a used book store and i got a great deal when they have books for sale for the cover price it can be expensive. They have new books cheaper on amazon but i still enjoy walking around! It's such a great bookstore will definitely come back again! read more

I disagree heartily with the November, 2018 that stated this bookstore has cold , impersonal staff. I have been going here for many years and the help has always been cheerful, helpful and can be engaging. It's the BEST IN SALEM.... read more

This is a marvelous bookstore with a WIDE array of books in varied categories and hundreds of authors. I've gotten and traded too many books to count. In addition they have a wonderful assortment of greeting cards and children's toys. Most of all the staff is knowledgeable and always eager to help you locate an author or find an hard-to-remember book title. read more

My first time going in there, I was looking for a used Harry Potter book and the woman who helped me said I could have a trade credit on the price since it was my first time there. So I got to take home a nice book, in excellent condition, like new, for $3.25! That was very kind of her! Thank you! read more

I just made my first visit. The store is clean and well- organized. I thought the selection of fiction and mysteries was good. I'm not a romance or sci fi fan so can't speak to that. I thought they had a decent children's section also. I got a hardback bestseller from several years ago for $5. A good deal. Re: trade-ins. It isn't something I normally do so can't speak to that either. The staff seemed nice. After reading other reviews I'll check out the cards next time! read more

Nice store with good turnover of books, cards, and children's toys. HOWEVER, the place has the strangest atmosphere. No friendly greeting as you enter, NO friendly help, and deathly quiet. Weird. PLAY SOME CLASSICAL MUSIC. Do something....it's like a tomb in there. read more

Love this store. They give credit more often than cash and will take books Book Bin rejects. They only allow me to use credits for half of their price. I found more of the series mysteries here than at other stores. read more

While it's true that the staff can be a bit cold and standoffish, that is generally speaking just the way people in Salem tend to be. Salem is not the warmest town, much in keeping with the Pacific Northwest in general. The area is sort of a "closed community." (Ever hear of "Seattle Freeze"? Generalize that to the entire PNW.) That much being said, I would consider this to be THE BEST BOOKSTORE IN SALEM that I am aware of. I agree with others that the selection is great; they always have what I'm looking for, even rare and obscure titles. And I love the atmosphere: the view of the Willamette River out the beautiful front window is gorgeous. So, not a perfect bookstore (does such a thing exist?), but certainly the best Salem, Oregon, has to offer. read more

Fantastic selection of books. Didn't try trading but their trade policy seems legit. Just spent hours there. Love the place!!!!

My favorite place. I trade on a regular basis with no issues.

this is good stuff man, and the girls that work there really know the place. excellent selection of books

I have been shopping at Reader's Guide for about 8 years. The newest location is light and spacious. They rarely don't accept my books for trade. They look for high quality books they can sell. Ask what kind of books are best for trade to avoid bringing in books they will reject. The trade credit system is phenomenal, especially compared to one of their competitors (Book Bin). I can use the credit for greeting cards, toys and new books as well as used books. Reader's Guide is my go-to bookstore. The owner and staff are wonderful! read more

I called this bookstore in mid- to late-September about selling my books, what days/hours are appropriate to bring books in, any limit, etc. I was told any day is fine, however, to bring the books in later in the day to ensure enough cash is on hand. A late Sunday afternoon around 3:30 was suggested as perfect. I dutifully arrived at 3:15, the clerk helped get my books into the store (3 large bags and a small box). I noticed the clerks in a huddle, then one came and told me they couldn't buy my books because it was too close to the election! These approximately 30 books were mainly cookbooks, currently popular historical books, Ken Follett Edge of Eternity, etc., all in pristine condition, with only four that could be considered political. The clerk insisted they couldn't buy ANY of my books because of the weird excuse it's too close to the election and immediately offered store credit. Shocked, I stupidly agreed. They kept most of my books, returning only a handful that were obviously used books. When I tried to buy 2 books, they told me of the 25%-75% store credit policy. I left the books on the counter. It will cost $200-$300 cash purchases in their store to use up my "store credit" at 25% per purchase. I will not return to this store and consider them to be unbelievably dishonest. Check out their website and the math in the example of the 25-75%. Stay far away from this business if you wish to sell or trade books. read more