Really cute bookshop and the prices are on-par with stores like Barnes & Noble but I was a bit disappointed. I wish they had more stickers and other small things like postcards, buttons, patches, etc. I can't afford to buy new books but I like to support local bookstores in the ways that I can. The ladies working were nice but mostly kept to themselves. There's a great atmosphere in here and I could see myself attending some of their events if I lived nearby. read more

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This is an amazing bookstore located on Delmar. I always stop in for a good book everytime I walk the street. The smell of fresh books always gets me. They have a good amount of different genre of books. They even have a children section which I believe they sit and read books to them. The service is always great they even helped me out pick out some good books to read! The value of the books are pretty reasonable. read more

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This is a really adorable little bookstore with a great selection of books and the nicest staff you could ask for. The interior is cozy and beautifully done--it's the kind of place that makes you want to browse for hours. That said, the prices are definitely on the high side, which made it hard to justify buying more than one or two things. I love supporting local shops, but I do wish the pricing was a bit more reasonable. Still, it's a lovely place to visit, and I'd stop in again just for the atmosphere and friendly vibe. read more

Subterranean Books - Interior - Bookstores Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Amazing selection of books and stuff! Good quality journals, writing supplies, and books across the spectrum. Books these days are way too expensive imo but nothing beats a good local bookstore. They've also got good suggestions and staff picks. An excellent store if you're not sure what your next read is. You'll find something worth a look! They've also got some local books, too. read more

I always shop at a local bookstore every time I make a trip and this one was gorgeous. Great selection!

Small but mighty bookstore with lots of options packed in. Really liked the staff pics and the merch. read more

Subterranean Books - The Repeat Room - Bookstores Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

I loved it soooo much!! So many great books and it's pretty cheap as well! Stop by and immerse in the world of literature. Buy a book of a local author. read more

I absolutely love love love small bookstores just like this. I could have spent many hours and emptied my wallet there purchasing books to read. Next time I'm in the area, I will have to make sure I have more room to for new books in my luggage! I loved the staff recommendations and selection of books. I love how they personalized this store in all the details and the limited edition t shirts with book themes to the little spot for the resident dog! He wasn't there at the store the day we were there but we read all about him and his book faves. read more

Subterranean Books - Amazing little bookstore! A dying breed... - Bookstores Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

When I walked into this bookstore, i felt like I was home. The selection was fantastic and the staff are amazing!! I love the idea of getting a "surprise" book that someone that works there suggested! I highly recommend this bookstore!! read more

Subterranean Books - My "shelfie" with my surprise book!! - Bookstores Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

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Stopped in here a few months back while waiting for a dinner table down the street. Spent at least 30 minutes just viewing all of the books. Staff was very nice & helpful! Helped me determine which book out of 2 I had would be a great next read. Really lovely place. read more

I have to second another reviewer who complimented Subterranean on their exceptional customer service. When I was visiting St. Louis, I happened upon this store after hours, but I knew I was destined to be a fan after seeing some of my favorite titles in the window display. I also noticed signs that they were offering curbside pickup, so I went straight to the website and started browsing. I picked a few books and my boyfriend did as well. The next morning, we tried to order from the site but there was some kind of glitch in the payment form during checkout. I called them, and they apologized and said they were working on a fix - and then wrote down each book we were looking for, double checked inventory, and took our payment info over the phone. The books were all ready within an hour from when we placed the call, and my boyfriend even ordered some extra titles based on their recommendations. The curated selection at independent book stores and the knowledgeable and helpful staff is truly such a great resource. This little shop definitely did not disappoint! read more

Nice little bookstore that has so much! I can never walk on without making a purchase. It's neat to have a choice other than major chain store read more

This has been my go to independent bookstore (even when I moved out of state for five years) for 15 years. Wonderful, knowledgeable, and kind staff greet you, will get to know you, and are always helpful guides of the eclectic stock. Every visit, even my most focused trips, leaves me informed of a book or two I didn't know existed. The varied tastes of my family and friends are all satiated here. This is a must visit place if you're in the Loop or visiting the Lou. You'll spend an hour and not even realize it. read more

A staple business in the Delmar Loop. The staff is friendly and always willing to give recommendations. Basically every single book on their shelves has a review personally written by the staff. read more

Came into here to get a book as a gift for my girlfriend. Waited at the desk to get help for 10+ minutes to try to find a book as the staff walked by me multiple times without trying to help. When asking the employee why she was ignoring people in the store she blew up and went on a political rant about how "Men are useless". It wasn't until I grabbed the manager that I was able to finally get help simply looking up the book I was trying to buy for my girlfriend. Truly think people should keep their political or personal opinions to themselves and not try to impose them upon customers just trying to buy a book. Won't be coming back. read more

I was walking around the Loop and we saw this. I'm a book lover, and I decided to come in here and look around. When I walked in I thought it was a really huge place, but after a bit of browsing around it wasn't as big as I thought it would be. They still have a good selection for the amount of space that they have, but they didn't have books with varying interests and subjects. I ended up finding three books I liked though, and I bought them. If you have a specific interest or topic you want for your literature, I suggest you visit somewhere bigger, but if you have an open mind and are just looking, this place is nice. read more

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A well laid out selection with lots of space for browsing. Never felt cramped. Nice local flavor. I had no reason to, but I was expecting a used selection. read more

As much as I love independent bookstores and enjoy shopping in the Loop, Subterranean Books isn't one of my favorites. It's small, which I don't mind, except that it is full of books I don't want to buy. My first purchase here -- a local history book -- was after some half-dozen visits over the last 12 years. Your experience may be better. Small bookstores need the support, so I hope it is. read more

This is the cutest little bookstore ever on the loop. It's just tucked behind a bunch of different restaurants. However, it's definitely worth speaking out. They have this gorgeous little reading area upstairs. Definitely makes me want to curl up with a new book and a pot of tea. Highly recommend this place. Their selection is somewhat limited compared to mainstream stores. However, they carry so many other selections you just cannot find anywhere else. I found quite a few interesting reads for one of my English classes. The prices are fairly comparable to other stores. Best part though? Some of the books they have are autographed by the author! Nice little way to build up a great collection. read more

Support your local independent bookstore! I would like this place more if it sold used books (it does, but very few). So, it is an indie store with new books, so expect to pay list price. That makes it too expensive for browsing and impulse buying (that is what used bookstores are for). However, if you have a title in mind that you must purchase and you don't mind spending an extra buck or two, come here instead of a chain or Amazon. The clerks are very pleasant and it has a great classy bookstore vibe. For some reason they have put David Sedaris in three sections--Fiction, Humor, and Essays. Too bad the shop is not bigger. read more

My favorite part about this store are the many many white tags with helpful suggestions of books to try. There is also a section of bookshelves devoted to recommendations by the staff there, complete with white tags stating why. It is located near the cashier at the front. What I don't like are how small the book aisles are and there are not many of them (3) but to the later, quality over quantity makes the lack of space unnoticeable.. well until someone walks past you, down the same aisle, as you are trying to look at the book on the bottom shelf. You will be standing and shuffling aside a few times. Again.. quality over quantity and I do enjoy this store. read more

Great little bookstore, they carry some off the wall titles that make them in class of their own. I love the little section that has books on local neighborhoods, restaurants and history of St. Louis. Another thing I found very helpful were the shelf talkers that gave blurbs and recommendations on books. Also, look for bookmarks sticking out of the books, it means that it is autographed by the author. read more

I'm partial to Prospero's in Kansas City, but the name Subterranean Books caught my eye while walking down the Delmar Loop.Very wee little beat shop, with narrow aisles, but full of books upstairs and downstairs. I'm sure the store is named after the Jack Kerouac book The Subterraneans. There were other people in the shop, kind of hard to walk through the aisles. I wanted the place to myself. Another place on the Delmar Loop I want to spend some time in...all to myself,and I probably won't get that. I was tempted today to just start searching, for what book, I didn't know. From the small window display to the inner stacks of books, I could've spent alot of time in there. I like little stores with tons of books. I did manage to look for my favorite writer's books, I didn't see any, but with the Ice Carnival going on, I may have missed it. This is a really cool place for the Delmar Loop. The store carries with it a certain felt vibe. And I like that. read more

Excellent selection and easily our new favorite book store. Staff was friendly and helpful.

Incredible customer service. Took them up on their curbside service & made into an impromptu evening out by walking down Delmar & picking up dinner at the carry out window next door. I'll be back! read more

Subterranean Books is a feast for the creative person's soul. Located in the Loop on Delmar, this quaint bookshop with the periwinkle door has a selection of both the strangest and most essential books one could find. The staff is friendly, taking delight in conversations with their clientle. If you are in the market for rare books, this is definitely the place to go as they can order just about anything your heart would ever desire. Sometimes their regulars even get their own section to recommend books! If you follow the steps up to the second floor, you will be pleasantly surprised with a small art gallery on the upper floor. Admission is free, and visitors are welcome to spend as much time as they like. What's even better, the staff doesn't try to pressure their customers to buy. The store does tend to have a focus on the subculture of St. Louis, hence the name. Anyone and everyone is welcome and do indeed visit. Simply put, not only is Subterranean Books a store, but it is also a beautiful melting pot of the extremities of St. Louis life and culture. You will not be disappointed and you will become a repeat customer. read more

This bookshop on Delmar Blvd sells new books, although when I walked in I was expecting a used book shop. Inside, Subterranean is precisely as a book shop should be; clean, orderly, the smell of new tomes and their implied adventures immediate and pervasive. There is still a place in my world for new bookshops, but in the age of Amazon their role has shifted just slightly to the service and taste/selection aspect, and for my tastes, I found Subterranean well curated. The American history section pushed all the right buttons with me, as did their holdings in music/music criticism. I found a book on Neutral Milk Hotel that is in my Amazon wish list. Conversation with the clerk was gracious and helpful, and she helped me turn a purchase into a nice, impromptu gift for the friend who was hosting our St. Louis visit. read more

I believe the measure of a good bookstore is one in which you go in expecting just to browse, and come out with an armful of books that you just discovered you can't live without.This was my experience at Subterranean. We've walked up and down the loop a few times and always passed by this little shop. Until last weekend, I was convinced it was once of those wierd stale bookstores that just peddled used copies of "A Brief History of Time." Boy was I wrong! So glad the hubby dragged me in there. I saw so many good books (a good bookstore is like a candy shop) that I wanted to get, and settled on an photo guide book of sprawl (ie. urban sprawl, suburban sprawl). Doubt the big bookstores have that instock. And that's the charm of this place. read more

This is a cute little indie book store. It has books all the way up its walls (kinda makes me want to JUMP to reach them or climb put a side ladder and SWING the way belle does in beauty and the beast during the opening song) I came here with my boyfriend when his friend published a book and was doing a reading. There is a really cute upstairs section. During the reading, the bookshelves got shoved to the sides and chairs were placed in a few rows. It was a nice small-group setting for a book reading. Afterwards, I browsed the downstairs and found a present for a friend! There were these cool punch-out robot paper crafts that were perfect for my robot obsessed friend. I like indie book stores and this one is no exception. read more

I went to this place frequently when attending school in St. Louis, and I have mixed feelings about the store. It's great that there are still small bookstores like these around, and while I enjoyed browsing and getting lost in great books, I think this store could use improvement in a lot of ways. The positives of the store deserve mention. I really like the unique interior; the first floor features mainly fiction titles, while a narrow staircase leads one up to the nonfiction section. There's a distinct feeling of coziness that the small space gives off. The selection of books offered is diverse and ample, and I discovered plenty of fascinating authors while shopping here. The employees are nice and leave you free to browse and explore the books, and one part of the store features staff recommendations for what to buy and read. Subterranean Books also has a terrific website that I had a fun time going on. As for what needs improvement... 1. I noticed that quite a few of the books on the shelves already had some damage. Bent spines, ripped dust jackets, folded covers and pages, and color that was chipping away really upset me and I avoided buying some books because of the damage I saw. I'm disappointed that the store hasn't taken better care of their products. A number of books are displayed in a way that they become distorted. I'm surprised that the store has been so careless with brand new books. 2. As I said before, the employees are nice, but not really friendly or helpful. I keep hearing about how independent bookstores offer a level of service and warmth that big businesses like Barnes and Noble don't possess, but I've encountered far friendlier folks at my local Barnes and Noble than at Subterranean Books. 3. This is because I'm extremely allergic to spending lots of money, but I think the prices could be cheaper. While it feels good to support small businesses like this one, bigger booksellers still offer better deals and promotions, and that's why I'm not in a rush to shop at independent bookstores like Subterranean. I'm aware that it's rough to stay in business when competing with big companies, but when comparing books sold at this store with books sold on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, the big companies will save me a lot more money. read more

I always look a good book, and I had some time to waste before I went to the movies. A book store always catches my attention. This place had some different titles of books. They are very big on books on St Louis, also a big erotica section. I love the book blurbs with the scratchy handwriting. read more

This store is NOT a Used Book Store.... On Google, Subterranean Books comes up as one of the few Used Book Stores in the StL area. Much to our chagrin, we planned our day around visiting this store, only to learn that they no longer sell used books. I informed one of the owners that their store still comes up on an Internet search as a used bookstore. She replied in a rather lackadaisical manner that "she has not been able to fix this". I find this unacceptable since they got out of the used book business 15 years ago, in 2004. It was a big deal to my family, because my son has Asperger's, where disappointments can ruin our entire day (and even into this evening). read more

This is a great independent bookstore simply filled to the brim with good reads. When I was in high school and unable to partake in any bar fun, one of my friends and I always used to come to the Loop to browse this store (yes, we were dorks). And it's just the best place to do that. You can get lost for hours in this store and wonder where your time went. There is an abundance of obscure titles and interesting reference books that you couldn't find at another store. This is a locally owned store you can feel good about supporting. Don't come in with a specific title in mind you want to buy--just walk in, start looking and see where it takes you. read more

Sadly, the financial realities of owning a brick and mortar indy store finally took their toll and Subterranean is only about half the size it used to be - which means any bookstore amenities like chairs to sit in are gone. But SubBooks was always more about handpicked gems, a decent selection of radical lit, the cliche (but always useful) staff favorites shelf, and good recommendations than curling up in a cozy chair with coffee and a book. When I want to buy books, I go to Subterranean. When I want to read books without buying them....I'll go curl up in a chair at Borders. read more

Subterranean is a fantastic bookstore! As a small, local shop, their collection isn't large, but what they have is fantastic. I especially love the handwritten recommendations. read more

Excellent selection with great staff. I was very impressed with the number of books to choose from across multiple different genres. I'll be back in soon! read more

Teeny bookstore that, unfortunately, does not carry much of what I'm interested in. Sweet shop dog, nice employee that I encountered. Small loft area in back with more books. I love books and I hope this place has continued success. Just not for me. read more

I've never met a used bookstore that I didn't like, so this review will be blissfully short. Subterranean Books is a good bookstore located in The Loop. It has a huge selection (that could be organized better), fairly hand-off staff, and that great used bookstore smell. The books themselves are reasonably priced, but I like my used books a bit cheaper. It's a good place to find out-of-print and unusual titles. read more

Subterranean Books - Bookstores Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Ah, Subterranean. Many a time have I browsed thy shelves. Though I'm sure the owners wish I did less browsing, more buying, but I digress. Not as large as Left Bank, but chock full of quality books covering a variety of genres and subjects. Particularly, I also seem to find great stuff in the music, cookbook, and architecture sections, and the novels and poetry sold are top-notch. Admittedly, the history section isn't always the greatest in my opinion, but while that is a problem I think it should only knock off half a star, and you know what Subterranean? I love you so much I'm going to round up. Buy great books and burnish your "I'm so cool cause I buy from the local independent bookstore" cred. read more

Wonderful, truly independent bookstore. Nice, small, well chosen kids collection. New non-fiction is also reliably good. History section kinda sucks. Would be great if there were more interesting picks. Nothing surprises. A lot of it's schlocky pop stuff. (I'd be happy to advise). Fiction is ok, but not terribly comprehensive. Nice atmosphere. Really, really wish there were chairs. I guess they're afraid of "unwanted guests" hanging around. Believe it or not, guys, most of the great bookstores in the world have dealt with this problem. read more