My mom and I went to this bookstore during our trip to Chatham. It's a new and used bookstore, so I wasn't entirely sure which books were considered new or used. I asked an employee, he is an older man, the price of a book. He looked at me with such disgust and discontent and said, "The prices are on the back." It's a shame because it's a lovely store; however, the employee makes me never want to go back. He talked to me like I was a child. read more

Well, Cape Cod was a dream , we were very excited to roam in a bookstore but BEWARE of elderly man behind the register and don't ask for prices of books cuz the elderly man will glare at you with a look of disgust and say the price of the book is on the book . He was very rude, even though we were so polite. I had an history person in our group . We left with a bad taste and wouldn't go back due to this demeaning behavior. read more

Lovely little bookstore. Lots of choices and really appreciate that they offer used book for half the price. A great way to recycle.

Great little bookshop on the Cape. They have a nice selection of used, new and rare books and quite the selection of Cape Cod inspired books and local authors. The owner was very friendly. Used books were half the retail price which seems to be the common pricing model on the Cape for used books. read more

I love this bookshop! It's been around forever and carries books I rarely find elsewhere. Yep! It's a new, used and RARE bookshop! If you're looking for books on Cape Cod, by Cape Cod authors, or about Cape Cod, this is the bookshop to stop in! The owner is quite knowledgeable about books and is so nice. My favorite place to spend an entire rainy afternoon in! This video from The Book Lovers Series features Yellow Umbrella Books, in case you want a pee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t1DSispJVU&t=48s read more

Yellow Umbrella Books - A tiny bookshop that's stacked with beautiful books, and some quite rare. - Bookstores Near Me - Chatham, Massachusetts

I've never really been in the area, but worked a quick gig and decided to pop into this bookstore. I love visiting mom and pop shops, especially little quaint bookstores. As I was browsing, I felt like I was being watched. There were plenty of people in the store, so that felt odd. I noticed a female store clerk peeping at me through the bookshelf on the aisle over. As I continued down the aisle, she too continued and again I saw her watching. I felt extremely uncomfortable as I felt like she was racially profiling me. I am Latina, and the majority of patrons in the store were white. When I came to that realization, i felt pressured to make a purchase, so I bought a small gardening book and left. I was excited to shop at the other stores but after this experience, i didn't want to risk being profiled again, so I ended up just heading back home. Not only did this clerk prevent me from making more purchases, she also prevented her fellow shop owners from making sales due to prejudice. It is not that hard to be kind. But actions speak much louder than words and her actions were hurtful. read more

Yellow Umbrella Books - Bookstores Near Me - Chatham, Massachusetts

I loved this store and the helpful very New England employee. She knew immediately what books were in stock and quickly offered a few recommendations. If you want sugary sweet service go vacation in Oklahoma or Michigan and get over yourself. read more

This location was ideal on this little Main Street in Chatham, and the selection of books was pretty decent. However, the women that worked here were so insanely rude, I had a hard time giving them my business. It was mainly just one woman but they were so rude to literally every person they encountered I just wanted to turn around and leave. Literally watched her roll her eyes at a customer for asking questions and said she wanted to hit him over the head with his cane!! Unbelievable. I also understand not every space is ideal but it was so small and packed I had a hard time browsing without bumping into other patrons. Also, the prices are a little outrageous. Probably won't give them my business again. read more

Cool little store. It's pretty well stocked for its size, which is *just* large enough to browse comfortably. The look and feel is inviting, and the staff is cordial. I would say that it could benefit from some more specific categories; "general non-fiction" leaves a bit of a question mark. The other nagging feeling in here is that this store is trying to be all things to all people in a shop the size of a studio apartment. New and used, paperback and hardcover in every category; there just isn't enough room for that. I would think it would get plenty of business as just a used bookstore, though I can't be certain of that. Now to the main issue: the prices. I imagine that paying rent in Chatham is tough, but it's just as tough for me to justify spending $25 on a Penguin classic when it's on Amazon for $5.99. Selling every new book right at the MSRP is tough to swallow. But I suppose I have to remember where I am and not pretend to know what it's like to own a business in such a seasonally polarized town. This place is at least worth a visit. read more

Wonderful independent local bookstore. Awesome selection of local books, kids books, best sellers, and unique books. Small place, but packed with charm and books. I love this book store. The woman working there was so honest and knowledgeable. It is so cute, yet full of information and knowledge. This store is one of the stores that really completes downtown Chatham. It would not be complete without this bookstore. read more

Crowded bookstore at the far end of 28 in downtown Chatham. It has books, children's toys, place mats, journals, postcards (both old and newer), and a large number of used books in the back. Check it out if you want to read something a little unique or want a surprise for a beach read :) read more

Nice place, just packed and a little hard to navigate. I ended up waiting in line to ask a question, when it would have taken two seconds for someone to help me if there had been helpful staff on the floor. However, the guy behind the counter was super helpful when I finally got to him! I would recommend going early in the day, before it gets crowded; this is not a place that lends itself to lazy browsing. They also had a book signing by a baseball player. His name was Something "Oil Can" Something. I'm not a fan of baseball, but thank you Yellow Umbrella for teaching me someone's nickname. Mayhaps that information will come in handy on Jeopardy some day. read more

Nice selection of used books at reasonable prices. Well organized with a knowledgable staff. Shelves to the ceiling makes communication necessary if you want some of the upper shelf collectibles. Found some scarce paperbacks priced right and was to add to my collection. My wives only comment against was the new and iswd seem to overlap creating a little confusion to the customer. Definitely my choice whwn buying books in Chatham read more

I think this bookstore is super cute! There's so much to look at. It's a perfect store for just exploring when you're looking for a new book with no actual specific book in mind. You can just browse through the shop. This shop also allows you to rent the books for a specific amount of time or you can purchase used books. The only iffy thing about this store is it's really small and there seems to be only one of every book. They do sell vintage versions of books which makes this place really unique. I bought two poetry books and a post card from here. They sell cute post cards with unique photos on them. I wanted to take them all home and make a collage out of them. The books were reasonably priced too. I would come here all the time if I could. read more

Hole in the wall but a great one! Great selection of simply great authors. Be back next summer! (still reading the great books I got there last year) read more

Nice little bookstore with a great assortment of new and antique books. Don't bother asking the owner questions- he'll just make you feel stupid for asking! He brushed me off rudely for asking about an first edition book. The rest of the staff are very friendly and are happy to help you find something. read more

Small but packed with great selections, and usually there's an author outside signing books--buy these when possible.

AWESOME bookstore! Thank God for the independent small business people!! Eric, the owner is extremely knowledgeable and knows his stuff. (Another hard-to-find in retail anymore). Enjoyed the entire experience and can't wait to go back to Yellow Umbrella Books! :) read more

A very polite USNA cadet of my acquaintance asked when purchasing books in this store over the holidays if there might be a military discount. The answer was no. That's okay, I suppose. But the answer was delivered with venom and a sarcastic remark about asking other merchants if they offer discounts to booksellers. Why? Why shame this admirable young person? Why not just say, "I'm sorry. We wish we could do that, but we are a small business, so we can't. Thank you for your patronage and for your service to our country"? read more

The yellow umbrella is a nice little mom and pop book shop in the heart of Main Street Chatham right near the art galleries and main business section of town. Service was friendly, and I wanted to buy a local cookbook that benefited a local church. The lady at the counter said it was the last time this was being offered and they only took cash for that since it goes right to the church. I didnt have cash as I had used all my cash for the 3 day winter trip and I don't have an ATM. The woman offered to hold a copy of the book for me and I could mail cash later which I plan on doing. It was nice of her to suggest this and go out of her way to hold one of the books for me for a few weeks. It wasn't too big a deal since I am in metro Boston and shipping won't cost too much. Nice little bookstore over all. Typical mom and pop Fare.. But good service and quaint little shop. Helpful , friendly staff. Would recommend the yellow umbrella even on a day when its not raining! =) read more

I enjoy browsing through this small, local bookstore frequently. The staff is friendly and the owner is polite. However, he's not English. I prefer hearing English accents when discussing books. Maybe he should start using an accent? I'm not silly enough to ask about first edition books (Emily C). Although, I usually forget the title of the book I'm seeking, so I just stand there with a blank expression. Sometimes I bring a cup of coffee and sip loudly to disrupt the free-reading magazine crowd. Why can't they just pay the $3 dollars? I followed a gentleman home once after he read a Sports Illustrated cover to cover. His house was enormous. I think I saw a pool out back. read more

this is NOT a used book store, despite the books all having handwritten cards in them and a lot of them seeming beat up. We picked out 4 childrens books assuming they were used because nothing was labeled. $53 for four kids' books. We were horrified and too embarrassed to put them back and walk away. I realize it was "new and used" but I have no clue where the "used" books were. read more