What a tonelessly snarky fellow. The tall one who periodically visits the cafe staff, where he converses 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. read more

We've loved every visit to the Toadstool. They have a wide selection of genres, a friendly staff, and cafes at both locations. I've even had used books ordered without any problems. They also offer events and an invaluable source of community to the surrounding area. My only hope/wish was for extended evening hours in the summer. read more

I absolutely love this place! Been here forever, everyone who works here is kind and helpful. I never hesitate to order books through them, they make it super easy. I've gotten so many wonderful recommendations from the staff. My favorite place to shop local! read more

What a great bookstore. We pointed at the map and ended up in Peterborough- glad we did, so many great shops in Depot Square. We could have spent all day here. Especially loved the used book section decorated with hundreds of model planes on the ceiling read more

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I wouldn't expect a nondescript bookstore in the middle of NH to carry the D&D Rules Compendium (or other related books), but there it was. *strokes chin and nods* Not bad, not bad. It's a decently sized bookstore, with an enormous second room dedicated to a great selection of used books. My only gripes were that it was a little hard to find the various sections, and they didn't carry any Gregory Maguire books, as I've been looking for Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. But I can always find that online if I'm so inclined. I'd say it's definitely more friendly than a place like Waldenbooks or B&N, because here the people actually smile at you when you ask for help. But I guess surly bookkeepers are an NYC thing. HOURS: M-F 10-6; Sat 10-5; Sun 10-4 read more

Toadstool Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Peterborough, New Hampshire

The old stool, nestled in the middle of downtown Peterborough. The perfect selection for anyone, lots of varieties of and types of books, the CD selection is great and the record selection has a lot of covers that you will want to try, Eric is great at helping with suggestions and , again not a lot of what I would think to look for but an open mind will lead to great new discoveries. With that said I think they are very helpful/useful to the local area residents, as this seems like a book store that is appropriate for the local demographic. Kind, decent people can usually find a fair amount of what you are looking for if not they can offer to buy online. For me I think I would skip right to buying online. Once in a while really good shows are put on here with multiple bands, although sometimes hard to get into with the library setting. read more

Perfect indie bookstore with café, extensive selection to browse, very responsive & able to locate anything. Well maintained used book section. Rare music audio section. Food made from scratch. The Toadstool provides for a quality of life that is not seen in other villages this size. read more

I have a soft spot for independent book stores, and this one is one of the best I have ever been in. Seriously. Their selection of books is so not the type you find in big book chains. Their selection is curated by the owner to offer unique and fascinating reads, books by local authors, and books that are unusual enough to spark you to want to read them. You can lose yourself for hours by picking out some books, settling into one of the comfortable chairs, and taking your time. Great book store! read more

The atmosphere and stAfffriendly and helpful. I found it to be a very well stocked bookshop. read more

This place is a continual joy to visit. 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. read more

My second-home, with the greatest batch of staff who are the nicest, most knowledgeable, and accomodating bunch of people who have been working at this location for years. This is a Peterborough landmark, with its used book section where great unique books can be found on any given day, to an eclectic selection of music and movies, to its range of brand-new books. There is a pretty good cafe at this location as well. I wholeheartedly recommend anyone, tourist or local, to give Toadstool Books a try. You'll find yourself returning whenever you're back in Our Town. read more

What a great independent used/new bookstore! (Disclaimer: I only visited the used part of the shop) I was very happy to find this place, which was quiet, well stocked especially in fiction, and neatly organized. The prices were fair and I walked away with a few things. Will happily stop by again next time I'm nearby. read more

What a great bookstore. Highlight of my day of driving around the area. Great selection of new and used books, and great prices. If I lived in the area I would be there all the time. read more

Great bookshop! Fun to browse with a broad selection. The used section is very reasonably priced. Aesop's was closed when I was there, but I've heard great things. read more

This rating is only for the music section. I finally checked it out & found it's a VERY small selection of music & the only vinyl appeared to be Record Store Day selections. read more

Awesome bookstore with new and used book areas...will never buy my books anywhere else. Everyone I meet who visits from out of town wants to go to the Toadstool and none are ever disappointed! read more

What does that first reviewer mean by nondescript? The Toadstool is in historic downtown Peterborough, one of the coolest small towns in New England. Sure the building kind of looks like an old A&P but a really old one. Its got a walk around an auspicious section of the Contoocock river, one of the few rivers that flow North. You can dine at the diner, 12 Pine or the coffee shop inside. Great authors have signings here but it would be good to have more room for them. Why would anybody be rude to anybody? We're all flowing merrily down the stream in Peterborough. Come visit. read more

Great bookstore all around, but the used book section is really top notch. Highly recommended.

Fantastic independent bookstore with a good selection and nice, helpful staff. It is also very community minded, with revolving locally themed book table displays. I could not say enough good things about this shop. The Peterborough branch is their best, too. The town would feel hollow without it. read more

I love this bookstore and was going to jump on and give it five stars until I read the other reviews here and stopped to think for a moment about my most recent experience. I go to the Peterborough shop every time I come down from Maine and visit my folks who live in the area. Maine is just about out of independent bookstores of a certain size that can carry a variety of books. We've got a couple of BAMs-a chain I do not care for at all, and a Barnes and Noble-which I enjoy. Going to the Toadstool is a treat, treat, treat. Great selection and you can spend all day in the downtown eating, chatting, shopping, doing even more bookshopping...sigh...wonderful. So, why only (although 4 is good) 4 stars. I have to agree with other posters about the staff...they rarely give you aid, make inquires, or even just greet you. Usually, I'm not too fussed about that-I don't need people jumping down my throat. But this time I was carting around an armfull of books and staff sped by without an offer to help-just as I dropped a few. Huh. In the end I usually spend over 100 per trip...5 times a year. It is a good store. However, don't expect to chit chat about the latest good book..they seem to want you gone once you are at the check-out counter. Toadstool people, if you read this, please take note-a simple 'Hi, how are you?' would have gotten you five stars from me. BOOKS Pluses-great sections in fiction, thriller, philosophy, local authors, science, kids, teens, current events, sports, art, building/crafting, cooking. Weak in sections like world history, and pretty awful in sci fi/fantasy. OTHER Not a lot of nick nack garbage-yay, but you could find something in a pinch....bookmarks, a few games, some science kit stuff-hey-you came for the books, right? CAFE Not bad food at all, but I tend to wander over to the 12 Pines cafe right next door. I like the atmosphere better-Aesopes Tables (bookstore cafe) is a bit cramped. CUSTOMER SERVICE Snort. None to speak of. But no one is a jerk-everyone is just...distant, I guess. read more

Have had to edit my review after a few "meh" experiences. I love supporting local shops, but I'm getting a little sick of the staff at this one. They never great customers & aren't particularly friendly when you check out, even if you pay them a compliment. If you have a question or want to order a book through them, they're very friendly & accommodating, but they don't go out of their way to be friendly up front. I do love the used book side but they can be a bit over-priced - most of the kids/toddler books are marked down LESS than 50% off, & considering all of the great clearance books on the new side of the store, it's hard for me to justify spending $3.50 on a used book that costs $5 new, retail, full-price. I'd love to shop the used side more if they ever had bigger markdowns or $1 bins for "very well-loved" books. Also the guy who runs the used side is super unfriendly. If you ask if he is taking used books he will cut you off mid-sentence, every time, & either just say "no" or tell you what he IS currently taking. He would do a much better business if he marked down his used books more. Like the staff on the new side of the store, however, he is friendly if you call up & need him to order something for you. read more