Rainy Day Books is kind of the best of both worlds - a book lover's paradise staffed by book…read moreworms. It's a cozy space, but it's jampacked with books from all subjects. If you can't find what you're looking for - which for some reason happens me a lot - the staff is happy to order a copy for you. They're book club friendly. They also host a ton of fun book-related and author events. If you're interested, please follow their social media accounts. They'll keep you up to date.

Indie bookstores are the best. This one being the oldest in KC, just celebrating 50 years is…read moreabsolutely amazing. They have amazing author events either in their shop or the Unity Temple on the Plaza. There is a great kids section with a ton of options. Employees are super helpful and will help you look up books as well. I needed to make sure a book was appropriate for kids and they looked up the details for me! Great bookstore all around!

I stopped by the Blue Springs store today and Barnes & Noble no longer sells or carries magazines.read more

I went there specifically for the new issue of Sommerset Magazine. I held off getting a…read moresubscription cause Barnes and Noble was opening in Blue Springs. I loved the Independence Barnes and Noble. I'd go every month for....magazines. It closed. I went to the Blue Springs Barnes and Noble to have a look at the new books, and magazines. It's a tiny Barnes and Noble. You could fit 3 Barnes and Noble (maybe 4 the size of the Plaza) into this one. Worse: no magazines! It is a very tiny Barnes and Noble. I don't even think there's a coffee shop. The gift section is tiny, sparse. I believe I'll bypass this one and go to the one on the Plaza.

It was kinda overwhelming at first,but I asked an employee where to find what I was looking for and…read moreshe showed me the correct section,Iwas happy with the selection and the price.I will be going back again soon.

These guys were champs at my most recent visit. They continue to buy books during the strange…read morecorona crisis, but you need to make an appointment first, and those appointments go quickly. This is the location of the four in Kansas City that you're likeliest to either get an appointment or run into a cancellation during the week. Good selection and helpful staff.

This is a small book shop tucked away inside a co-op art center. The floors creaked upon entering…read more I was greeted by one of the arts who joked how no one can sneak up on them anymore. According to the workers, their shops were new-ish due to half the space being constructed into a microbrewery. Prior to that, they were spread out around the space. Blue & Grey is the only book store within the four walls. The majority of the selection are history books and cookbooks. I found a large copy of the Illustrated History of Jackson County which detailed postal codes, city development, and land ownership in the early years. Other history topics include WWI, the American Revolution, and the Civil War. I also found the Collectors' Guide to Cookie Jars.There are some VCRs on the shelves too. Everything is reasonably priced. Becky, the owner, was bubbly. She talked to me about what's inside the store and showed me the adjacent art gallery featuring 12 local artists. It seemed that she really enjoyed working in this space with the artists. In short, this space is worth a walk through, and if you can support any of the local artists/vendors inside, do it!

From the owner: The Blue & Grey Book Shoppe has an expanded inventory of Civil War, Local History and other…read moreAmerican History books - New, Used, and Rare. Plus a selection of Fiction and Non-Fiction books, Doll Clothes, Maps, Curated Gift Items, Fine Art, and Much More.

This was my first time at Afterword (though I have been meaning to go for a while) and I am already…read moreplanning on coming back! I love the vibe of the space, which is lined with bookshelves and they even have a card catalog. The drinks are fun and with some Literary references for the names. I had the poppy war and really enjoyed it. We sat inside but they also have an outdoor patio. The bathroom was also extremely clean. Service was very quick with barely any wait before the drinks were ready. I would recommend anyone that loves a cocktail to stop in!

Cozy, book-filled, and perfect for unwinding with a drink. I tried the drink of the month the…read moreBoozycatipillar, a fun literary-themed cocktail supporting Read to Lead KC delicious! The only downside? Ordering at the bar makes it tricky to hold your seat as a solo guest. Drinks are a bit pricey, but the ambiance is worth it. Great spot for book lovers looking to relax with a cocktail!

I like this small used book store…read more It's cluttered with books yet to be shelved. Good selection and fair prices.

Anastasia has a wonderfully cluttered bookstore. He shop is full of life. If she doesn't have the…read moreitem, she will help try to find it.

I was wondering around on a Saturday evening and found this local gem. What an incredible place…read more Enchanting. I immediately felt at home exploring the 3 floors. The books cover every subject. Some were probably harder to find. I happened upon a hardback about Eleanor Roosevelt and the years she spent alone after FDR's death. I also found a copy of an old magazine which explored all sorts of Tibetan culture. I purchased both. The book on Eleanor was found in the basement which is a bit of a labyrinth. I got tickled because I was entranced by the books so much that I nearly tripped several times on the very uneven floor. And it's painted all the same color so you can't see the weird level changes well but I was weirdly not even upset about it because it added some intrigue to the mystery of searching the shelves in the basement. Even on a nearly 100 degree day, it was chilly down there. Cool! Upstairs on the 3rd floor where it was toasty, I found the magazine. There were some cool lounge areas up there too. Record albums and a music section. I was mesmerized. I believe there were a couple of people putting out books but I'm not sure. I never asked anyone for help because I wasn't sure who worked there and I didn't really need any. The guy who checked me out seemed pleasant but I can't speak too much on the service except to say it was fine. I felt it was very acceptable to read through books even though they were for purchase and except on the crowded main floor, they had places for you to sit and read so it was even encouraged! I love that! The only thing I'd have liked that I did not see is a bit more merchandise that is book and reading related. They had a few Prospero Books tshirts and a tote bag but that was about it. I admit it wouldn't necessarily fit the vibe to have a section like this or maybe it could if done in a nonchalant way. The messages from customers written on the walls and shelves throughout the store along with photos were absolutely perfect! There were some photos that showed the basement before it became the magical place it is right now. Reading the messages and seeing the photos let me know I was in the realm of my people. All the books and magazines I saw were reasonably priced. I spent less than $15 on my large hardback and magazine. I didn't have nearly enough time to explore. I hope to go back!! You should definitely go and support a local bookstore treasure!!! I'm so thrilled they are here! We need more like them! And they carried ALL types of books. There is no censorship. As noted on Prospero Tshirts, "There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." - Joseph Brodsky And you'll find in my friend's book, The Sun Does Shine, they can strip you of everything but if you have an imagination, they can't take that. Books and reading develop that ability. Let the words transport you! READ!

Such a delight! Enjoyed an hour Saturday browsing their selection-- could spend days here. Looking…read moreforward to returning soon. Purchased a book printed 50 years ago comparing where I lived for two decades in California and Kansas City, MO and an out of print philosophy of fairytales companion. Such a find!

We were in the area and we stopped by this bookstore. We have been to this bookstore at a previous…read morelocation years ago. The store itself is completely unorganized and you wonder if the shelves are going to topple in. But he has an exceptional collection of used non-fiction books. He has all types of genres and classic books. His Christian section is better than most Christian bookstores. He has very high-quality authors. He has manuals, a selection for black voices, various countries, cookbook, health, psychology, you name it on the non-fiction and he probably has it. He is friendly and helpful and it would probably be best to ask him where some items might be since the store is overcrowded and not organized very well. Some books have the prices on the inside cover and some you have to ask him and you can bargain with him as well as long as your bargaining is reasonable. Even though the photos that I have submitted show disorganization, he really does have an exceptional amount of good books.

Original review no longer accurate…read more So, when I first went to this place it was filled with books and heavily disorganized. It got a little better over time. They buy books but only twice I guess? I reached out a couple times to sell books or trade and been told they're not buying. Which is perfectly fine if you don't want to buy customers books. You get final say. It just ruined my view on the business.

Well put together museum where all the books you grew up comes alive…read more Brought my kids and their cousins here. They loved it. Got to sit on a story time and caught the bus. Make reading great again!

An incredible way to experience books…read more I went with my nieces and we had a wonderful time. My sister had read most of the books to them before they went so they were familiar with the stories. I loved that the books were in the exhibits. There is a parking lot a block south of the facility ( on Knox Street ). There are team members throughout and kids are able to play as well as experience the settings of thier favorite stories.

My husband and I were in the area today for breakfast and so we decided to go into this particular…read morelocation. We both separated inside the store and went to our genres of books we liked. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing and generally quiet. They have a Starbucks café inside to enjoy. They have a wide variety of books, music, magazines, and an assortment of other items. My husband ended up getting some magazines and I bought a journal. The service when we checked out was nice and quick, and the woman was nice. The books are generally more expensive because their new but they do have areas where there are inexpensive books and a variety of sales, they also have a clearance section.

Great, knowledgeable service employees, opinions very helpful. Nice to see a physical book store…read morestill thriving. Incredible selection, could spend days there and barely scratch the surface. Good Starbucks inside.