Any time I'm in a new city I visit the local used bookstore. Wasn't sure any would be open during…read morethe covid-pocalypse, but I stopped by anyway. They had a table set up at the door doing "take out" service, i.e. you say what author/genre/topic you are interested in and they bring up a small pile of books for you to look at. Got a nice stack of seven or eight sci-fi novels (it would have been more, but it has to fit in my carry-on when I fly home). Nice to see a small business finding a way to operate safely even in the current circumstances.

Although it is true that, as a previous review mentions, its catalogue isn't as deep as it could be…read more- in this day and age of a choice between Chapters/Indigo and Amazon for most book buying, I still give this vendor a 5 star rating. Book prices really don't vary when you're buying new, and given its size, location, and stellar service, I won't ding them for that. The store is in the heart of the downtown area and occupies a large, corner unit. They carry a large selection of calendars and daytimers in addition to the usual best seller books. Their sections include a New Age one as well as the more expected Children's, Canadiana etc. if that helps impress the range of merchandise. We found several books that were not on that list and really appealed to our imagination. The sections are labeled well enough and in good order, decently stocked and re-stocked throughout the day judging by the fact that was what one of the staff was doing while we shopped. I was looking for a specific Atwood title which wasn't on the shelf, but had been before selling out and could be ordered. Being a tourista on this occasion, I had to decline the offer. Speaking of the offer, the staff were all around excellent. One staff overheard me talking about daytimers to my family and politely interjected to assist. No one seems to be carrying 18-month, 2021-22 daytimers that begin in January rather than July, so he couldn't help on that score, but then no other retailer I've been to lately could either so that's also not something I'm going to consider on them. Checking out for the books I did find was very pleasant. The cashing staff was the one who had also offered to find the Atwood title in their catalogue and made a bit of conversation that was relevant and not long, intrusive or pushy - something of an art it seems when dealing with staff who converse with their clients. They'll provide a plain plastic bag or you can buy a cloth one if you want the tourista bag-with-logo part of the shopping experience. I would happily come back on a return trip to Kingston.

I owe novel idea a lot. It was here, 20 years ago, that I was I introduced to the fantasto-parodic…read moreliterature of Sir Terry Pratchett. I needed something to read, you see, on the trips back and forth to my driver's ed class, so I picked up a rather unassuming book called Pyramids. This is not unlike the friend who introduces you to your future spouse. That any independent bookstore has survived 20 years is somewhat miraculous. But Novel Idea has stayed in the same limestone corner location for all that time. It's comforting to come back to Kingston and know that I can visit it and pick up a few things. Now, as a local indy bookstore its catalogue isn't as deep as it could be, but it's pertty darn broad.

My wife discovered this gem of a store through a google search recently. We paid our first visit…read moretoday and couldn't have been happier. Service was excellent and staff was very patient and supportive of our curious 9 year old the entire time. If you're looking for a new age store for books, gems, cards this store needs to be on your must visit list!

I ordered a book from rivers end bookstore through groupon and they never mailed me the book I…read morepurchased. Then they tried to email me and send me an ebook. I emailed them back and they never replied back. I didn't order an ebook. I ordered the physical book. I would be very leery with doing business with this fraudulent... misleading company.

If I could give 10 stars I would. I am in California, my sister in a convolesent home in Oswego. I…read moreordered a book from RIVER'S END that they did not have in stock. I asked if when they received the book, they would deliver it personally. 3 days later I got a call from Neil. He said, they received the book and was personally taking it to her. Such freindly, helpful and complete is extremely rare. They live up to their claims 100%. Thank you River's End . For me Christmas came early this year complete with real angels.

This is a must stop for any book lover passing through or living in Oswego. The super friendly…read moreowners will help you find your favorite authors or recommend new ones.

The folks at Time and Again Books are friendly and helpful. There is not an inch of free space…read morewhich is great if you are looking for a specific book or other publication. Somehow they know where the book will be without looking anything up! I find that pretty amazing. Highly recommend!

This is an amylase of you are a book collector or like to buy books at great prices. The owner has…read morea few ideas. There are miles of books. The place is a bit of a maze which helps to create the ambience of hunting for hidden treasure.

I always have to go at the start of camp to load up. Plan to spend a couple of hours wandering the…read morestacks. It's quite a sprawl of books.

It's not every day you find a place like this. Berry & Peterson is one of Kingston's "hidden gems"…read morefor book lovers. Be aware, there are books piled from floor to ceiling - literally. As a result, it's not very accessible. The floors are a mix of wood and stone and can be uneven. There's an upstairs as well. Make sure you take a look there for more recent books. If you're into collecting old books, this place is for you! The shopkeeper is very nice and knowledgeable. I think he's one of the founders although I'm not sure which one. You can find him there most days listening to the radio or reading something. The prices can be a bit high, but that's the case with most book stores these days. I'm happy to support this local business as an alternative to some of the bigger chains that we have in town. I expect that they could probably use the business as well. You'll find the entrance near Chez Piggy downtown. Easy to miss but you won't regret a quick peek inside!

Love this place! The owner is a true small business owner who cares a lot about customer service -…read morehe jotted my name down months and months ago for an album I wanted, and actually contacted me when it came in! Very impressed, and I will never, ever visit Perth without making this my first stop! This place is absolutely wonderful. Thanks again for Astral Weeks - its a beauty. Justin from Toronto

From the owner: Backbeat Books and Music is a locally owned store in Perth, Ontario…read more We specialize in new and used books, vinyl, turntables, audio gear and CDs. We carry new turntables and related accessories from Pro-Ject, Rega and Music Hall, cartridges from Ortofon, Audio Technica and Shure. At Backbeat we also have all the products to help keep that vinyl collection and turntable in top shape. We carry the Spin-Clean Record Washing System, Mobile Fidelity accessories, carbon-fibre record and stylus brushes, outer and inner sleeves, speaker cable and connectors, and much more. We are focused on providing a book and record store experience so we do not offer any online shopping. We are a real store where you can browse records, maybe take a listen to one on the turntable, grab a book off the shelf and hang out for awhile. Whether you are visiting from Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, Montreal or beyond, we hope that when you are in Perth, Ontario you stop by and enjoy some time at our store.