A neighborhood isn't a neighborhood without a good bookstore. I'm so grateful to have a GREAT bookstore in our neighborhood. Experienced staff and a wonderful vibe, great to browse, find gifts, and discover your next life-changing read. read more

I've been a long-time patron of Community Bookstore (which offers excellent readings, great staff selection and service, a friendly resident cat with a Twitter following, and effective publicity for events both in the store and Borough-wide) and was thrilled to learn that the owners would be opening a sister shop specializing in used books and "out of print editions, old editions with cool covers, oddities, etc." My English professor friend and I were very pleased to have stumbled upon some rare first editions and limited print editions with stunning cover designs and illustrations (available at reasonable prices because slightly flawed), discovered works of whose existence we were hitherto unaware written by some of our favorite authors, and received excellent and friendly service. For example, after ringing up my order, the staff member pointed me to a pamphlet from a quirky rare bookseller whose philosophy seems akin to that of Terrace Books and which really resonated with me: "Honey & Wax Booksellers offers great works of literature: rare first printings, beautiful and curious editions, copies with surprising stories of their own. We handle unique books, striking books, books with no downloadable equivalent. Our name is inspired by a nineteenth-century epigram: "use books as bees use flowers." We like to see books, like flowers, in the field: on nightstands, in backpacks, given to friends, shared with children, passed across the bar at last call. And we like to hear readers buzzing: 'You have to read this.' 'I marked a page.' 'This made me think of you.' Don't be afraid to open our books, don't lock them away for safekeeping. Use books as bees use flowers, and pollinate the world.'" Terrace Books also contains a well-curated children's section, which is de rigueur for this area, which I've dubbed "Mr. Roger' s Neighborhood." Quite a few families in fact stopped in during my extended perusal. Terrace Books is exactly the kind of shop--ripe for serendipitous, singular findings, in tune with its environs, and proffering individualized customer service--which should remind everyone to support their local, independent book stores and not let Amazon bots insidiously, albeit cheaply, dictate one's selections. My friend and I were immensely pleased with our rare finds and will savor them for decades. I know that I will be stopping in to browse here early and often, and I highly recommend that others do go and make their visit. read more

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There is nothing like reading an actual physical book. I know that's a bit of an ironic thing to write in a digital review app, but while I enjoy reading reviews on my phone, it's not my preferred device for longer form reading. Anyway, so books. Yeah. And as long as I'm ordering books online because of COVID-19, why not support an actual local retailer? I love the way the terrace books website is easily searchable as well as browsable by category/season/etc. They have an excellent selection of books for all ages and interests, and it's easy to find and support authors who are women+/BIPOC/etc. What they're doing now is that you can order books for pick up, sign up to get alerts when they're ready, and then show up to the store, call from outside, and they'll pass your order out to you. It feels kind of weird, but it's definitely a low risk approach to retail commerce. Support local businesses! read more

Terrace Books - Beautiful chalk art! - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Another visit....another Home-run!!! Patrick, the wizard of books is phenomenal....the prospect park location is perfection!!

This is a nice little bookstore with a decent selection of local books as well as the popular and typical best sellers you'd expect to see. It's a tad on the cozy side, but does a surprisingly good job of stocking what you'd want to see. It has a very respectable kids and young adult selection as well and despite the small footprint doesn't feel claustrophobic. The prices weren't unreasonable for the few books I took a look at. Essentially seemed justified for being an independent brick and morter bookstore that has to pay rent. read more

I'm so grateful to have a local bookstore, especially one with workers who are able to advise and suggest titles to meet specific needs. I've gone in with pretty vague requests ("something for a college student who doesn't read a lot" "a book for someone with a dry sense of humor") and they've been able to point me to books I'd never have found otherwise and that made great gifts. Also supplied spot-on and unusual recommendations for my own ongoing "any great ghost stories?" requests. It's got a tiny footprint but very wide-ranging selection and can source from its larger sister store when needed. I use the website often to special-order specific books and, if not on the shelf, they get them within a day or two and are happy to hold for me. (I'm notorious there for delays in pickup but they're never snarky about that.) Very convenient! Excellent communication by email, as well, and no spam or ads. Friendly, knowledgeable, and the kind of customer service that brings me back. Plus, the smell of books! read more

Watch out for stores like this which sells their books much more expensive than other retailers. For example the book "Free Women, Free Men.." by Camille Paglia they sell for around $28 (I purchased it at a book event) when the same book is $12-16 on the online bookstores like Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. So much for helping out "mom and pop" stores like Terrace Books... they are just rip-offs. I will purchasing all of my books online in the future like I have in the past and avoiding these places. read more

I love that this bookstore exists!! I am always made to feel welcome. There are, of course, the basics: extremely well stocked and anything they don't have, they will check with their other location first, then they will order it, you'll have it in days. Plenty of times, I've just been walking around and I'll pop in, just to look around, and I'm still always made to feel welcome. The staff always has time to chat, it's the kind of place that is rapidly disappearing, so please patronize them!! I love this store. And they do have a rewards program, become a member! This place deserves to exist, we need it! So come on in, bring your dog, too, tasty treats are always on hand!! read more

This is a nice looking bookstore (although a bit cramped due to the narrowness of the space) and I always try to patronize indie bookstores. However, I walked out tonight without buying any books after overhearing the incredibly snooty guy behind the counter (he might have been the owner but I cannot say) run down the previous owner of the bookstore. What a snob!!! He went out of his way to condemn the previous owner because she kept a cat in the store and, in his mind, was dirty. "People think we bought new shelves, but we just cleaned them," he sniffed with a self-satisfied air. He left such a bad taste in my mouth that I fled in disgust. I'll patronize Powerhouse on 8th instead, an indie store closer to my house. (BTW, the previous owner of the bookstore where Terrace Books now stands, was a nice woman trying to do her best. The store may have been a little rag-tag but she was not an elitist snob!) read more

Small Bookstore with new and Used selections. Also sells cards. Friendly staff for searching. read more

Yes, it is small. But they use the space very well and carry absolutely the best variety of new and used titles I have seen in a small local bookstore. Babbos was also great. I miss the owner and her cat. My son loves story time on Sundays and I try to buy something each time I bring him. I want places like this in the neighborhood and I know how difficult it must be to stay in business. What is the profit margin on retail books? 5%? The place is about 500 sq/ft and in a very desirable retail location so they must be leasing it for at least 5000/month, maybe a lot more... At least two full time employees, there's another couple of grand a month... I need to start buying more books to keep this place in business! Tip- At the time of this writing they offer a frequent buyer program whereby they give a $10 discount for every $100 you spend. It doesn't get much better than that. I have special ordered titles and they arrive quickly and I get a call to pick the titles up. ***I wish I could order online and pick books up at the store. Surely there must be a way for them to integrate this service?*** read more

Excellent neighborhood bookstore with very helpful and patient staff. Good selection for kids and grownups.

I love everything about this place! Friendly and helpful staff, and the used books are sold at great prices!! Just give yourself time to look through the shelves and you'll find a treasure! read more

Terrace Books has taken up where Babbo's left off, at the same spot in Windsor Terrace! They continue to buy back and sell used books. Since the new owners also run the Community Bookstore of Park Slope, it's no surprise they're already engaging with the community. Terrace Books was a stop on the inaugural Morley Walk for Brooklyn readers in August. http://morleywalk.tumblr.com/ read more

I wanted to love it but couldn't. They had "snooty bookstores" selection of postcards by the cashier. That's pretty self aware. The person manning the store seemed extraordinarily bothered by my asking a couple questions, to the point where despite the fact I wanted to pick out a couple additional books, I didn't because that would've required more asking and presumably more annoyed glares. He was eating his sushi lunch and listening to a podcast ABOUT podcasts loud enough for everyone in the store to hear. One of the books I wanted was a coffee table book that they just had one copy of, but it was unfortunately so badly used by people browsing through it that there was no way I was going to buy it, much to the clerks surprise. Just kind of a bummer overall. read more

It's sad to say I understand why people buy from Amazon. I bought a copy of Barack Obama's Promised Land and was astonished to see that the price was $45.00. I specifically wanted to patronize an independent, part of the community shop, but at $20 more than Amazon and even $9 more than Barnes and Noble, I'm sorry I won't be back. read more

I love it here. Everything I have wanted that I couldn't find, they have ordered and gotten into my hands in a matter of days. It is VITALLY important to keep businesses like this going. Yes, you can get cheaper/easier/faster/shinier WHATEVER online, or at a chain. I would personally rather have an interaction with a human and support someone doing something worthwhile. I wish they would get a few cats, though, because I love stores with pets! read more

Wonderful and welcoming. They're tiny, so they don't have everything (or even close to it), but the staff will do its best to get it for you. And they understand why sometimes booklovers just need to stop in and browse. read more

Great local bookstore! Good selection of kids' and adults' books, can order books quickly, and have a discount program for regular shoppers. Friendly, helpful, and perfect for last-minute gifts! read more

Delightful bookstore with an amazing selection and helpful staff. I always find something here. It's a gem. Plus, they sell used books which is rare these days! read more

Most of these reviews are outdated. The store has changed a lot in the past year. The people in the store are extremely nice for the most part and they are trying really hard to keep their customers happy. I miss Babbo's for a multitude of reasons, only one of which is the great selection of used books. It had a broad based community thing going. When the new owners took over, they at first said they would continue to take used books, etc. Then they said they would open a sister store, selling used books. I'm feeling a little used myself at this point. It's not so much the lack of used books, though that is a bit of a concern. More troubling is the abandoning of the promises to continue some of the best features of Babbo's and their disregard for the needs of the actual local population. So the great ambiance and the "great finds" referred to in earlier reviews just aren't there anymore. Each time I go in there it looks a little more like a tiny store making a big effort to snag some imaginary upscale clientele.Too bad, it used to be on my list of favorite spots. I just hope this community deprivation results in some profits for this store so our loss is for a good cause. Or, hey, maybe the new owner could get some hints from other businesses who are thriving while supplying the needs of the (still) diverse demographic in this area. read more

Great addition to the neighborhood. Great selection of used books, as well as new copies of recently published "hits." They also have new copies of kids books. I actually mostly use them to order books. If I place the order on a Sunday, it typically arrives on Tuesday! I am a member of the frequent-buyer club, which gets me $10 off every $100 spent (I think). The staff are so helpful, and I've had interesting conversations with them about what they're reading. Just LOVE this place. read more

I needed a specific book and they had it! Small place, and super friendly guy working there.

What an amazing store to have in the neighborhood! Well-curated selection with a super helpful staff. It's a lovely place to linger and browse, and my kids are obsessed with the cozy kids' section, complete with reading chair. And it's so nice to have a place to take kids to buy books without distracting them with a million toys and other book-adjacent stuff. I also love their frequent buyer loyalty program. Thanks for being part of our neighborhood, Terrace Books! read more

One of the bookstore's employees is apparently an avid reader of young adult fiction and discovered "Vango", which was on their shelf during Xmas, which I bought for my 11 year old nephew. He devoured it and ordered the follow-up book. I imagine it being better than the Percy Jackson and similar genre books he was reading... Anyway, I asked for another recommendation from the same employee and am confident he'll appreciate it as well. This is my go-to place for more reading recommendations for my nephew! read more

Delightful place to spend a little time browsing their lovely collection. The store is small but comfy, with a few places to sit in the back where the children's section is. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Overall such a pleasant experience to shop here. read more

Wonderful bookstore. The incredibly sweet staff will help you find whatever you need and will order it if they don't carry it. read more

The best. Great new book recommendation. Could not have more helpful service and a more knowledgeable staff. This bookstore really makes you miss the old independent stores in ny. I have requested specific books for them to order that are not I stock and they always are thoughtful and follow up. read more

The owners are wonderful and it is so hard to find a small, locally owned bookstore anymore, with interesting stock. However, the blonde woman, whom also is the creator of the beautiful cards sold in the store, is as unfriendly, rude and ungrateful as a person can be. She is also terrible at customer service, particularly if she is the first person you encounter at the front. Too bad, since this turns customers away. read more

Great little store. I always find something good to read here. Staff is friendly and helpful.

awesome friendly people, lovely kids books section which has lovely story-time on weekends in the morning with free milk and cookies! Assiatnts are very sweet and the space is small and cozy with some chairs inside and a restroom if your child needs to go.. read more

Love having this bookstore in the neighborhood. If they don't have what you are seeking they can get it from the Community Bookstore. Very knowledgeable and nice. read more

I love the modest size of Terrace Books. I walk by often, and can always justify a quick tour through its shelves. Because it's so well-curated, nearly every visit is rewarded with a new discovery. I avoid the online giant, and order all my books here. read more

Small community bookstore with helpful staff. Good for browsing and serendipitous finds in literature, fiction, history, and kids' books. Reasonable prices. On two occasions, I overheard one of the owners give helpful suggestions to customers who were buying gifts. read more