Love this place! If you love books, old and new... this is your place to be! The owner is super…read morenice! Always love chatting with them as we walk around and look at their fantastic selection! Def worth stopping in! Jon & Terra Scantic Antiques

Well... Size really isn't everything. This warehouse (no kidding--it's huge) full of used and…read moresometimes rare books caters to every interest and every taste in that interest. The staff is friendly, able, well-read, and genuinely helpful. And many of the books are remarkably affordable with some rare gems going for under $10 and more common books priced under $10 (often $6, $7, or $8!) Size, selection, service and value,--well, what could possibly stand against that? On my latest visit to this bookshop after more than nine months, I actually found little turn-over in much of its well-stocked shelves. Indeed, my experience recalled my last experience. And that, the one before... New titles leapt out me as I scanned books that I remembered languishing on the shelves for... well...years and years. Many of the books, while old, are actually rather common and, for the person interested in a deep dive into a subject, not particularly useful. Indeed, the bookstore suffers one of the most uncomfortable drawbacks in the antiquarian world of used and rare books: stale and/or stagnant stock. Now, that's not to say the place isn't worth the trip--it definitely is! One is almost certain to find something in any agglomeration of books this large and varied, but the compelling book, that genuinely rare and special book, is often elusive in the overwhelming power of the seemingly endless stacks of this shop. Nevertheless, it is a great spot to browse at your leisure and--yes, buy at reasonable prices, but don't expect to find the truly fabulous... Though it could be there... Somewhere... Who knows? Check it out and find out. It's well worth some of your time.

We've been coming to this bookstore for years and I think each visit gets better and better. The…read morestaff there could not be friendlier or more interested and knowledgeable. They were great in making some suggestions for my next reads and they were spot on! The selection of titles, gifts,and games is fantastic and I love supporting a local book seller. Prices are great. Do yourself a favor and stop in. You won't be disappointed!

I've been raiding these shelves for decades. Aside from the new area (upstairs), the downstairs…read moresection of used books contains some rarities for the impecunious collector which can be had on the cheap. Over the years I pulled out Katherine Raine's excellent two-volume set of William Blake studies, a first edition for review of John Updike's Carpentered Hen, and a signed first edition of Stephen Spender's first book of poems published by Fabers in 1933! All these books were well under $20 each. A first edition of Elizabeth Bishop's Geography III for $10? Yes, please. A proof copy of the first edition of J. G. Ballard's The Atrocity Exhibition with proof dust jacket for $10? OK, if you insist. A first of Raymond Carver's Will You Please Be Quiet Please for $20? Surest thing you know. Pencil-whipping used books appears to be a specialty here, and for the serious collector on limited funds, the place is an absolute God-send! A marvelous place to visit and well worth the ride out from Northampton's numerous troves of used and rare books.

1st stop this morning on my "Used bookstore trail in MASS" journey. The SF/Fantasy section was…read morefairly diminutive, only took me a short time to scan everything and realize there was nothing I was interested in purchasing. Didn't see anything else interesting, but as another Yelper stated, the Romance section was pretty extensive. On a side note, they had the music cranked up REALLY loud. Decent tunes, but I still found it a bit annoying. Jumped back in the vehicle and Hit the road again !

A nice place to get lost & decompress. Love to browse in hope of finding something of interest…read more Something to take me out of the present moment.

Booklovers Gourmet has been around for quite awhile now, but they recently moved to a larger…read morelocation with plenty of parking. There's frequently something going on in Booklovers, author talks, book signing, and demonstrations. They have a large book selection to pick from including local authors and autographed copies of books. There is also a good selection of used and children's books in the back part of the store. I love the selection of gifts also, cards, jewelry, honey. I'm sure you could find something here for lots of people on your list! Make sure you try one of their delicious made to order drinks, coffees or smoothies and take a look in their dessert case for an amazing treat!

It's one of the few small book stores still around. They have used and new books and cute…read moreknickknacks. I haven't had their coffee yet but everything looked clean and smelled good.

3rd stop today on my "Used bookstore trail in MASS" journey. This was the largest book shop I…read morestopped at today, unfortunately, I couldn't find anything interesting to purchase. As other Yelpers have stated, this store is packed with "inventory of every genre and subject", but just nothing for me. On a side note, I'm almost happy I didn't buy anything here today. The clerk was sitting at a desk right near the front entrance, no acknowledgement of me entering or leaving the place. Would it hurt you to say, "Hello" ? Sorry, lack of customers skills irks me a bit. Anyway, got back in the vehicle and headed to the next Used bookstore !

What took my travels to Grey Matter Books was (besides the promise of books) they have actual road…read moresigns directing you. How, in this day and age with stuff everywhere, they pulled that off, I can't tell you, but it's 100% worth following them. It's an amazing inventory - every genre, every subject seems to be represented. They're used books with the asking price a reduced portion of their cover price, and I honestly could have spent hours and hundreds of dollars. They were all books I didn't know what I want (including one book on a haunted Connecticut house that just appeared on a shelf), and I am glad to add to my To Read collection. The outside is guarded by a gargoyle who seems to work for pine cones and a herd of enclosed ducks. The cashier must be a saint to tolerate the quacking, these are opinionated fowl.

This is a gem of a store; I could easily spend hours here scouring the shelves for antique gems…read more They sell used books here, and you'll find originals here that might look rough around the edges, but their value is gold. You immediately get that smell of old books when you walk in. That leather bound scent that just doesn't exist in books that are made now in days. I always wonder about the people who previously owned these books, were they treasured? given by a loved one? These aren't thoughts I contemplate when I'm at Barnes and Nobles. (Don't get me wrong though; I live B&N) It's worth a visit, even if you don't end up buying anything.

Excellent selection! Highly edited!…read moreI found clean used copies of Muriel Spark, VS Naipaul, Herman Melville. I always try to stop by when I travel on the 91. It's a real place of love and integrity.

Lots of great reads to find here and also so many music selections both new and old as well as cd…read moreand vinyl! Cannot believe how many areas there were that had been filled with books, yummy lunch options at the cafe as well!

Haven't been to the mail for quite a few years since I moved out of state. Decided today to try it…read moreagain and check to see if it's the same. Thank goodness it really hasn't changed. It's just a fabulous little place. There are so many books in this place at a really good price. If you are of any kind of reader, this is a must go check. After I bought three books, I decided to try their restaurant. Service was fast and the food was fabulous. Had the udon noodle bowl. It just packed full of flavor And filled that empty spot. I'm quite sure you'll find something on the menu and enjoy.

As a West Coaster I have many bookstores to patronize and usually order from Amazon as I read as…read moremuch as I can. However after finding this little gem of a bookstore I can now say I order from Broadside! The shipping is more than reasonable and the selection is as all encompassing as I see online. The staff is tenured and reliable, one of the staff "Brenna" keeps a running log of what I read and like and when they have three or four they go ahead and charge my card and ship them out. It is so delightful to find a package of books waiting for me when I get home, I just dive right in. Thanks Broadside, Brenna and the rest of the fabulous crew for making reading even more fun.

Very cute new book store in Northampton! It's across the street from the Smith College Academy of…read moreMusic, in front of a "15 minute free" curbside parking spot. In addition to books of all genres, they sell a lot of adorable book related accessories - I do regret not getting the book earrings, but love my ribbon bookmark (the purchase of which helps with community hunger). They also have POSTCARDS! There's a bunch of local cards for Northampton and Smith, and the rest of vintage pictures, political, or just best described as random (but would be perfect for someone out there). Masks are required as of April 2022.

This place is a continual joy to visit…read more Very good selection of books including many by local authors. Very good used books section as well , which includes a really delightful oddity. if you look up you'll see one of the larger collections of model planes hanging above your head. As a bonus Aesop's table, a fun little lunch place is located within the bookstore.

What a tonelessly snarky fellow. The tall one who periodically visits the cafe staff, where he…read moreconverses in loud yells. I brought two books to the counter today and took a moment to look in my bag for my book discount bookmark for him to stamp. I carefully put my laptop, wallet, glasses, and clean paper wrapper containing the cafe's fresh veggie sandwich half, all on the broad counter for a moment, in the manner of Lucille Ball. I'm old enough that she was my mentor in a special graduate class on clowning, eons ago. But the bookstore clerk zeroed in on the sandwich. "Get your greasy sandwich off the counter. This is a bookstore." Who talks like this? Yes, the wrapped sandwich was anomalous there, matter out of place but for a moment. He had no right to sound this way, but I apologized. The purchase came to under twenty. He was so excitedly thrilled by this. "You can't have a book stamp because you didn't spend twenty today!" He bounced as he said it. New to the discount program because who cares, I quietly accepted this news. "See?" He went on, "Look. It says so right there, right on the bookmark!" I gave no reply to him. "But, of course, everyone just hates to read!" There was no humor going on. He was claiming the right to scold an old person for being nothing but that, in his eyes. I'm older and small in size. What a bully! I looked him in the face and said, "What is wrong with you?" Off balance, he said, "Nothing. This is just what's called having a sense of humor." He turned and sped off. There was no 'thank you' to complete the transaction. To me, a comic to the core, incivility is not humor at all. It's disrespect. It's a man Indulging in meanness towards an older woman because he can get away with it here and there. "Get your greasy sandwich off the counter," was so inappropriate to say, to anyone, the cruelness of it must have felt like free-flight. It was so absurdly rude he brought to mind Monty Python. I spend up to $400 a month on books. I find everyone else here at Toadstool polite, but similarly distracted and disinterested in the customers, except for the owner. But no one else is disrespectful except for this guy.

We were quite excited to check out this bookstore during our vacation. We had just arrived in our…read morecar with our 13-year-old Labrador Retriever (we planned to take turns in the bookstore with the other hanging out with the dog), when our cellphones let us know that we were under a tornado warning and should take shelter immediately. We had no place to go, so my husband ran in and asked the manager/owner if, given the circumstances, we could take shelter there until the emergency was over. We thought, given the types of folks who tend to run independent bookstores, that question would be a no-brainer. To our stunned amazement, he said no. "Nice" guy. Our everlasting thanks to the employee who ran out into the parking lot and helped us find our way to the local Tractor Supply Company, where we took shelter. We give this place 1 star - zero for the bookstore and its owner and five for the employee, because at least one person in that place has a truly kind heart.

Owner was very helpful and a nice selection! We stopped in after walking near the river, and he…read moregave suggestions for around town for our short stay.