This place has a lot of unique and vintage books--you could easily spend hours here! The collection is huge, and they also accept book donations. I'm only not giving it 5 stars because the prices are surprisingly high--you can find many of the same books cheaper online--and the store is a bit disorganized and crowded. read more

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The whole place is stuffed with books. Every time you turn around, you risk knocking over a stack. The shelves are full, and the ground is, too. There was a whole section of Indigenous murder mysteries, which sparked a love of the genre. The adult coloring books were impressive with underwater themes. I highly recommend stopping by as soon as possible. read more

This was an impromptu visit after breakfast on my day off. I always love a good bookstore. This one was much bigger than it looked like from the outside. They had a lot of sales out front. I stepped inside and all I saw were books. A little organization could have helped but all in all it was pretty well maintained. They had a large selection of book of all topics. They even had a 21 and over section on the back. It was sectioned off by a retractable arm with a bell on it. The lady at the counter was super nice. This was a great store. read more

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While they may be more expensive than other places, I don't mind paying extra to support a local business. There are so many books in here, new and old! I also really appreciate the customer service, I don't know how he knows what he has (there are really A LOT of books) but he can tell you what he has available and what he doesn't. I bought the wrong book once and he let me swap it out for the one I meant to buy- I will always come here for my books. read more

I was in this shopping center for Birdland Records and noticed this book store. This is an awesome book store. Like something from the 80's. Jammed with books everywhere you look. All the way up to the ceiling. Rows are a bit close but they have loads of great books. If your into books this is paradise. My husband and great niece got lost in here. I had to finally say I was hungry and we had to go. I think they would still be there today (haha) if I hadn't dragged them out. read more

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This small bookstore is located in Providence Square. There are magazines and books. You can browse in the aisles while the friendly staff is ready to assist. Great place to bring kids for the children's books read more

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It's still two stars here three years later because there are still no real deals here. The books I checked were all very close to retail price which is high for used books. They have a lot and it's mostly well organized but the aisles are extremely narrow and the shelves go up quite high. I'd say that they have too many books here to make for a pleasant shopping experience. All of that said, if you are looking for a recently printed paperback, they will likely have it here. And yes, they still have cigarettes for sale and a cooler with a few drinks. read more

Smith Discount Books - Smith Discount Books in Virginia Beach - Bookstores Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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This place used to be a Kempsville icon. Now it is just a place to buy overpriced books. That have a lot of out of print books but do yourself a favor and check other places first (thrift stores). Anything they have that is still in print is less expensive at Barnes & Noble. read more

Unorganized. Felt "watched" the whole time as if I were to steal something. The person at the register (older man, I assume owner) was unfriendly and almost rude while ringing me up. It's a bummer as I really wanted to like this place since I love supporting small book stores. The prices are pretty high too might as well go to Barnes and Noble. Unfortunately, I will not be returning to this place. read more

Tough sell. I fully support locally owned businesses as much as possible and understand competing with Amazon (Bezos!!) can be difficult. That said, word of mouth and repeat business should be important to a store like this. Some books are priced at or $1 below the book's cover listing price even as used. Numerous items were marked up $4-6 more than Amazon. I was dropping $93 and typically would appreciate a 10% discount either military or just in general. That would have amounted to $9. I asked instead just to throw in a heavily worn $6 book that was outside in the elements for free and the gentleman behind the counter (Not the owner obviously and I asked him such) told me to give Bezos my $$ instead!! I still made the purchase as I felt I owed it due to my 30 minute time in the shop and my inquiries but it's really hard to say if I'll come back or recommend this shop to my family and friends. It's sad. I know it's hard to hire good help during COVID but I would highly reconsider how this shop looks at repeat customers vs one time deals. I hope the $6 was worth the potential loss of this customer's satisfaction and loss of any positive word of mouth. read more

More expensive than Barnes and noble.. Used paperbacks 5$ and up?? Very disorganized, Not shopper friendly..i am handicapped with a walker, aisles were too narrow for two people to occupy at same time.. read more

Good selection of books but not much of a discount on pricing. I was drawn in by signs stating there was a sale but it was really their standard pricing. read more

I love this bookstore! They have a great book selection and friendly, helpful staff. However, I think the books are slightly overpriced. A lot of the times I can get the same books from Barnes and Nobles at marked down prices. read more

I try and only support small Bookstores. However this one is lacking. It's disorganized but not in a good way- less of the old school bookstore feel and more like I don't care so I will just dump books on floor kinda way. There is messy and disorganized - but this is more like someone doesn't care enough. There is an 18-over section which is weird to be looking for classics and then find yourself embarrassed because maybe somebody is getting the wrong idea- and they sell cigarettes which - fine- I guess. Lastly there are no deals- the books are mostly years old and beat up- and then only $1 off the original price. Fix up the store please and maybe taking a dollar off a 20 book that is beat up and five years old isn't a good enough deal. read more

Lovely employees! They have a good selection, lots of categories and alphabetical. Conveniently in a strip mall with plenty of parking. Truly a hidden gem. Will be back! read more

Loved the re-organization of this store. Over the past year, all the aisles were cleaned up and there are no longer books on the floor. It much easier to navigate. It's a lovely mom and pop shop. read more

Smith Discount Books - Books - Bookstores Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Nobody greeted or asked me for any assistance. Books are overpriced. Used books cost more than new books elsewhere. Other bookstores welcome my business. read more

Too costly. Maybe a dollar off retail for used books, some in not good condition. There is very little organization though every now and then you'll spot a group of an author's books but the you'll find that author here and there as well. Also a bit hard to walk in there. Twice I kicked things. I wasn't about to spend three or four hours trying to find what we wanted so left. We ended up going to two thrift stores where my grandaughter got 3 dvds and 5-6 books for the price of the one book she thought about buying in that store. By happenstance, one of the Meg Cabot books was about 7 dollars used at this store but she found one in same condition at the thrift shop for 50 cents. So there is that. read more

A wonderful book store. Large selection of categories and very well arranged all sections. Impressed and a gem for book lovers. Ok

I started shopping at Smith Books 20 years ago when I was buying comic books, and when Mr. Smith sat behind the register. Not much had changed when I stopped in to buy a gift for a friend last week, but it looked like they had not organized in the last 10 years. The aisles are pretty close together, with books stacked up at base of each side. In some places the books are stacked on the floor so high that you cannot see the first row of books in the shelves. The selection is great, especially for such a small place, but finding what you are looking for can be a real challenge. If you have the time to spend you can find some real hidden gems in here, with the emphasis on "hidden." Unfortunately, the prices are not cheap, and not very competitive with larger book sellers. I knew this going in, but I wanted to support the little guy. They have a decent magazine selection, but I didn't see any comic books. They sell cigarettes, and would not be surprised to see lotto tickets here someday if they don't already. read more

If Barnes and Nobles and Borders are the Wal-marts of books and entertainment, then Smith Books is your local mom and pop book shop. Smith's has tons of books, and I mean tons. I walked into the store and was very intimidated by the selection. I think it was the presentation--the books seem to be literally stacked on top of each other. I found it hard to simply peruse a section; the titles seemed to all jumble together in my field of vision. I was afraid to take a book out, fearing that I would be buried in an avalanche of literature. And maybe I'm just used to the manufactured friendliness of a chain store, but I felt ignored by the staff of two here. I walked in and a lady was putting away books. She looked at me without smiling and went back to what she was doing. After browsing the store for several minutes, another employee yelled hello without leaving his perch behind the counter. Interesting side note: this is the only bookstore I've ever been too that sold cigarettes. read more

Love the place, classics upon classics!!!!! My 13yr son enjoys coming here searching for books he enjoys reading. The owners are so helpful and kind, reminds me of the old days in the 80's!!!!! read more

The prices didn't seem very discounted for a place with "discount" in its name. The narrow aisles with piles of books on the floor probably made it seem like there were more books than there actually were; they definitely made it seem like a firetrap and impossible for you to get by someone who was standing at a shelf. Organization was a little confusing and the selection wasn't what I'd hoped for. I like independent businesses, but I didn't think this was a very good one. read more

Overpriced and unprofessional. I was perusing the science and math books which happen to be right near the bookstore lady's disturbing used 18+ 1970s magazines section. As I got closer to that section she yelled across the hall that she would need to see my ID although I was clearly not in that section. I told her I was not going back there, then she proceeded to stare me down for a solid 10-20 seconds. I kid you not. She stood there and just stared at me like a looney toon while I kept looking at the math books, trying to make sure I wasn't gonna make a break for it and run into the 18+ section. I tried not to burst out laughing at this absurdity. If you enjoy being treated like this as a customer, then by all means, go right ahead. I will stick with going to other bookstores where the staff is actually sane. read more

Was looking around for homeschool books. Saw this store on Google and couldn't imagine it being as bad as the reviews i saw. Well it is. You literally can't walk down the isle as it is full of books on books on books. The people who work there were friendly but seemed annoyed when i asked for a certain book. I had a stroller and literally couldnt even turn around. I found a book that i bought at another used store and the price was 3 times what i paid at the other store. If youre a book lover this would be a gold mine, but if your looking for 1 book or 2 it's not worth it. read more

Dont be fooled by terms like " Discount Bokks" or "Used".....the prices are not that far off from a brand new shiny book of your own. Also when you try to sell them books they give you next to nothing, but turn around and sell them for almost new prices. I try to support small businesses, but dont claim to be something your not, just be a book store, not a discount book store with barely a discount! read more

I wanted to love this store so badly. There are buckets and buckets full of books on sale before you even walk in the door; inside, there are shelves with double rows of books, boxes of comic books in front of feature shelves, and books stacked all along the floor. Personally, I enjoy crowded bookstores and do not mind spending extra time browsing leisurely. I teach first grade at a Title I school and am always on the search for bargain children's books to send home with my students. I brought books in to trade in hopes of store credit, but was informed there is a 'Trading Freeze' until September--a little disappointing, but completely understandable. While I was browsing the children's section, I was pleased to see how many skill building workbooks, parenting, and professional development books were stocked in the same area. The excitement was quickly replaced with shock when I saw the prices. The books truly are in great condition, but not at ALL what I would expect from a 'discount' book store. There was one resource (a book of reproducible Folder Games for 1st grade math published in 1995) in particular I wanted to purchase so badly, but it cost ~$10! I knew I could get it online cheaper but wanted to support the small business (spoiler alert: customer service led me to leave the book behind; it has since been ordered online for $3--shipping included.) They would have made the sale if one of the clerks (possibly the owner?) hadn't been so curt and rude. The first clerk I spoke with had been friendly and I noticed that both women had a great rapport with many customers who seemed like regulars (they were in to buy cigarettes I believe). As I was browsing I noticed the 2nd clerk staring at me. Feeling as if she were telling me to get out, I apologized thinking they may be ready to close the store and asked what time they closed. I got a short, "6." in response and told her I left my phone is the car and couldn't check the time; trying to be considerate, I said, "Ok, please let me know when it's close to that time. I don't want to keep you guys." She pointing to clock hanging beside her (that was impossible to be seen from my position in the children's corner) and said, "We have a clock. You check." I was absolutely flabbergasted. I put all my books back except for one and went to check out, leave, and never look back. The 1st clerk was kind enough to notice I was unhappy with how I had been treated and did ask some questions about my students. Her effort was appreciated. All in all, the store has so much potential, but it's overpriced and the customer service is inconsistent. For regulars, I'm sure it's great, but as a new customer, I did not feel welcome in any way. I will not be returning. read more

I would like to take the time to recount my experience(s) at Smith Discount Books. I am a bookstore lover. Though I do not have a vast collection of beloved literature and books of my own ($$$), I personally find that one of my favorite pastimes is browsing through personally owned bookstores such as this one. I said it before and I'll say it again, I adored the cute and cluttered atmosphere of the bookstore and I appreciated the variety of books in terms of old tales, serious literature, nonfiction, modern young adult stories, and children's books. I unfortunately did have a rather upsetting experience in terms of being misunderstood by a clerk at the store though now meeting both owners, I fully understand that they both do not tolerate that kind of prejudice. We had a wonderfully pleasant talk about the misunderstanding in which they explained that they would mever condone anyone getting harmed especially since they care very deeply about their store and value all their customers. I explained also on my end that I had never meant to sound aggressive or cause harm, but instead voice a concern that was properly met with a sincere apology, and we were able to work out a mutual understanding of one another. I also never wanted to give this store any kind of bad rep in which the second I fully discovered that no harm was ever intended, I completely agreed to take down my posts without compensation of any kind since I didn't find it right to take from a store I had caused trouble to already and a store that in general seemed genuine and struggling like any other. I was very happy to sort things out and have my concerns heard but also met and dealt with in proper manners to which I fully decided to continue and be a customer. It also turns out that they do have a few LGBTQ+ novels out on the floor, but they do have to be requested like any other book! I was still happy to see those! I hope to share the genuine, kind, and accepting nature of the store and owners and wish that all goes well! Keep it up!k read more

This is a wonderful bookstore and oddly enough a rarity. It seems as though people do not read enough in Virginia beach as this store was the only used bookstore I could find. The prices are to be expected though. If it's a new book then it is understandable to be nearly the same as shelf price. I found that all of the books though that were over two or three years old were the expected wonderful discounted price of $2-$4. This is a very good bookstore with wonderful owners and am glad that I didn't let the previous reviews stop me from going. read more

I always check here before I buy from Amazon or anywhere else. If they don't have it, dude orders it for me.

This store is what bookstores should be. It is a treasure trove of every book I ever wanted. Once when I needed a trade copy and they only had it in mass market, they found it and had it ready for pickup within 48 hours. I couldn't find one anywhere online. The staff is helpful without being intrusive, so you can browse all you want. The price is great, too. I stop here before every semester for the kids' books and cliff notes, then again for summer reads. Like I said EVERY book I ever wanted. read more

Hit or miss. I've been here two or three times, and found nothing most visits (there they have many books), and found several neat books the last time I visited. The prices are higher than expected, and most books are new but older editions, so priced at about 75% of retail, versus 50% or 25% like other used bookstores with truly used books. read more

This store is amazing. It reminds me of everything I like about book stores. They've got a great selection at very good prices...sometimes hard to find things but the employees are always very happy to help. When "present time" (Christmas/birthday) comes around I always request they shop here as opposed to the box stores. read more

This place is awesome! The only book store in town that carried what I was looking for! The used book I bought was half off the cover price and the new books were at a 10% discount. For being new, it's still cheaper AND you're supporting a local business at the same time! Plus, it has a homey feel to it. Nice little gem :) read more

I love this bookstore!!!! They have everything and their prices are a lot better than the big chain stores. The employees were extremely helpful and it has wonderful lighting. I'd highly recommend this bookstore! read more