This independent bookstore is really a jam hidden in a shopping center next to grocery store. The staff is really knowledgeable and kind and happy to help you find whatever genre recommendations you're interested in. Pricing is decent considering that they certainly do have some things that are collectible. Albums, books, posters, notebooks, great place to find gifts for a bibliophile. read more

would come to this store more often if they made it more welcoming. It seems like every time I come in the store my husband & I are followed around by an associate. & we only pop in here & there when we're in the neighborhood & it happens every time. The last girl thought she was making it less obvious by pretending to stock books but it was indeed VERY obvious. We do not steal nor ever act in any way suspicious so there's no reason for it. It makes us feel very uncomfortable & rushed. Please do better. Customers should not be made to feel this way especially at a book store. read more

While this store has a very good selection if you're buying, it does not cater well to music sellers. Even with compact discs in very good to excellent condition, they will buy them from you for 50 to 75 cents, then retail them for $6.99. Don't bother SELLING here. You're better off donating to a charity or thrift store. read more

This place was phenomenal, I came in looking for Eminem albums and while they didn't have the one I was looking for "The Eminem show" which wasn't a surprise considering the rarity, they had plenty of vinyls. They even had the 8 mile soundtrack and ones I wasn't familiar with. The value was pretty decent too. If you got a good paycheck and wanted to spent 40 bucks or lower this is the place for you. The service was also quick, fast, and polite. Will be going again read more

AFK Books & Records - Encore vinyl - Vinyl Records Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

A hidden treasure. I've been too a lot of used book stores, AFK is the top. I took my daughter and granddaughter here. Very nice. Clean and well designed. Books, cassettes, cds and lots of records. You could spend well over an hour shopping around. Highly recommended read more

Glad I found this place. I was looking for a nice local bookstore to support and came across this one. The place is very nicely organized and the prices are great too! I found some nice used books in amazing condition! I'm not too much into comics or records but for those of you who are, it's worth a visit! So many record and comic selections! They all buy your used books and records! Happy to say, this will be my go to local bookstore from now on! (: Forgot to add, great customer service too! read more

Best place to go in all of VA. Friendly staff awesome stuff! Books, vinyl, cds and DVDs. I'm there at least once a week and always leave with something and never disappointed read more

Amazing place! Amazing staff! Great selection for new and used vinyls. Def recommended the establishment to anyone and everyone. Please check them out and give their dog some love too!!! read more

How many places in the Seven Cities can you name that do what AFK does? Well if you have yet to go in the store you may think the name deceptive indeed. Although they are book focused, they have much more to offer than meets the eye. This is a very long overdue review as I have probably done business at AFK for over a year. The location is wonderful for Chicks Beachsters like myself on the corner of Shore & Pleasure House. Parking is plentiful, this will never be a problem. On several visits the parking lot has had minor debris. On my last visit the sidewalks were clear other than rock salt due to ice. Let's start with service because the staff really make the store in my opinion. They seem to know about everything if that is possible. They know there inventory well and they have knowledge about everything comic books, audio books, cd's, dvd's, albums, cassettes, games, electoronics and of course hard and paperback BOOKS! How can they be an expert in all of this is amazing. So they really know there stuff, then back it up with being as friendly as all get out too. Inventory of goods is freaking off the hook. They have full shelves of great quality items which cover the gambit those mentioned above. They have both new and used items, but a primary focus is on used. They buy for cash, so if your looking to unload some stuff you call junk, that could very well convert into quick cash to buy something at the store, or not...your call. The children's area is strong with an expansive display of all types of titles your kids will enjoy. The games titles are building as this is a new area for them after nearby Radical Gaming closed they bought some inventory from them and also buy back games too! Another piece of the business to not be over looked is the electronics. Although not big they do have used game systems. I could not believe my eyes that I saw a Dreamcast system that was mint. I also saw turntables and other small electronic items. AFK itself is just as organized as you would find a big box book store. Carpeting on the floors and wood shelves houses the books. Also the shop is clean which I appreciate. No smell of musty old books in this place, it has a fresh pleasant smell in which to browse. There is a coffee and for $1.99 fell free to get a cup and doctor as you like with all of the items you would find at home. If there is a negative it's the fact that they do not promote a atmosphere of hanging out. Only two chairs, no tables and no wifi. Never been an issue with me, but maybe with others. The Children's area has three cubes. Places like AFK use to exist, but no longer. This is not only a gem of a place, but it operates at a high level. Misconceptions of resale books shops being a gross place to make purchases cannot be said of AFK. What you will find are great quality items at a fair price with a clean atmosphere in which to conduct your business. It may not be the most convenient for all Southsiders, but it is worth the drive for anyone in HR before you check out a chain. I am a fan and recommend. read more

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Best used bookstore in the area. Great selection of old comics and graphic novels, even if not as good as a dedicated comic store. They get cool old books and sell them at not-ridiculous prices. Also, there's a dog and you can pet him and he's real cool, too. read more

AFK Books & Records - Bookstore doggo. - Vinyl Records Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

I live in Salem, VA and came for a week and I was looking for a local book store since I read and buy lots of books every year. The guys here were absolutely awesome and accommodating to my dog which it's not always the case. I was amazed by the prices and all of the options. I'm strongly recommending this place. I wanted to buy everything read more

AFK Books & Records - Vinyl Records Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Pretty nifty place to grab books, music, albums, video games, coffee, tea, & a great laugh. This place is nearly laid out in areas and has such a wide variety of things to find in the corner. From hard to find books to portable record players. The signage throughout the store are fun to read, they have a seating area in the back of the store. They have a $3 movie cart, $2 book shelf, comic books galore. Drop in for a sip of coffee and explore the shelves! read more

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After having brunch in the area, I decided to check this place out. It's a pretty cool spot with a good selection of books and vinyl records. Found some wonderful treasures at a great price. I came across a Pierre Hermé cookbook and had to keep myself from doing a Snoopy dance (did it in my head). Speaking of canines, the shop dog is adorable! Would love to go back and poke around some more. read more

AFK Books & Records - So excited about my finds!! - Vinyl Records Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

They have a very poor selection of books for the genres I like and they won't take any of my trade ins! I'm truthfully just sad they won't take any of my books or records. I still like going in their store. They are like the ex I can't stop going back to no matter how much I've been hurt. Good book store. I'm sorry I started out negatively. I'm just hurt that's all. read more

They have a great selection of new and used books, their shop dog (Jazz) is too cute for words, and the employees are lovely!

It's a fine store if you're shopping for vinyl, but not so much if you're looking for CD's or DVD's. The prices are pretty reasonable. The book variety is pretty good as well. There is a discount rack in the middle of the store where you can find a few hidden gems if you look closely. Also, I like that they have a guitar in the back that customers can just pick up and play if they choose. I'm not saying that I can actually play it, I just like that it is there. It would be nice to have a few chairs, but there really isn't much room unfortunately. But this place does a pretty solid job with the space that they do have. read more

AFK Books is awesome!! I can't belive I hadn't been there before. I'll be back soon! They have an amazing collection of used books that are in great shape! I found my fav - Ernest Heminway and lots more. I got "The Old Man of the Sea" which I've read and now can read again. They have used and new books. I also found some great Blues CD's. I got Robert Cray and it is fantastic. I see also that they have an extensive collection of vynil albums too. I bought more than 20 bucks worth of stuff (books and music) and they said being it is over 20 - I get another 20 percent off! (I already thought I was getting a great deal - now I felt like I was robbing the joint). I can't wait to get back here. I've been reading Ernest Hemingway and have been so moved - I might have to move - I hope they ship the books to my new Island in the Caribean. Jim read more

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I've been meaning to come in here for a while now and check it out and and finally had a chance after lunch on Friday. The place is nice and very well laid out. Upon entering you're going to see more vinyl records sitting up front than you've problem seen in the last 25 years. Mostly old however I was surprised to see some new stuff in there to. Same goes for the CD's, DVD's and Blu Ray. Once I was able to pull myself away from the media section you enter the main area of the book store (about 3/4 of the place is books) and a large variety of categories. There's even a large comic book & trade paperback section. I was especially surprised by the large amount of audio books available. All in all a very nice little place and I'll be checking in again soon. read more

i really like it here! there's a bunch of stuff to check out, whether ur there for the books or the records... big selection of movies, video games, comics, cds, & manga as well! the folks working there seem nice as well! i think someone else had mentioned this before in another review, but i also like the fact that i can just browse without someone trying to talk to me or try to help me find something. first time i went, i saw a dog in the back of the shop! they weren't there when i went for a second visit, but it was a very cute dog and i'd like to see them again :-) they've also got gender neutral bathrooms, plus a little station for tea & coffee! i could see myself stopping by a lot more in the future! read more

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Every time I go inside this store it just feels like coming home. Aside from the fact I've only a few months ago become a convert to the way of vinyl, of which they have a surprisingly diverse collection, but also have CD'S, books, and movies. As well as sound gear, posters, and some assorted other cool stuff. The staff is very friendly and personable. Always makes me feel more like a returning friend than a customer. Their process are, again, surprisingly competitive with the bigger market chains and even in some cases beat Amazon. Their used vinyl is where I've found some amazing gems in outstanding condition. I could spend hours (and I have) here it's so peaceful. Cone and check it out, you'll be glad you did. read more

My favorite bookstore in the Hampton Roads area. They always have a small but well curated selection of new books up front, plus tons of great used titles to peruse at half off. The shelves are organized and the aisles are roomy (sometimes used bookstores can be a bit cramped or cluttered, bless them, but not the case here). They also have vinyl, if that's your thing, as well as CDs and DVDs. The staff is always super friendly and helpful and there's a cool dog who is often chilling in the back. Nice children's section too, if you're toting the offspring along. Overall, a warm, quirky place to spend an hour looking for some treasures to take home. read more

I highly recommend this record store!!! It's everything a record store should be and more. It has classic albums and new albums. An amazing book and movie section! A-plus customer service!! Like, the absolute best customer service. They make promises and keep them. If you are in the area..please stop by and get nostalgic for record stores and excited about music again! They are also doing a great job keeping customers safe during this challenging time. Local companies need our support now more than ever. Special thanks to the staff. You rock! read more

5 stars for existing and offering a unique service to the public. I was somewhat disappointed, but I was mislead by a colleague and fellow vinyl collector. He lead me to believe it had a huge vinyl selection, which it does not. The 2 guys at the counter didn't even acknowledge me, but it was 10:05 a.m., maybe they aren't "morning people. As far as the books, it looked somewhat organized. I did see a ZZ Top album that interested me. I might come back. read more

As bookstores go in this online shopping era, this place is good. I have trips in which I've found nothing, and others during which I purchased many books. The staff is helpful and friendly. read more

So I came here with my sister and Andrew last weekend, and I was blown away! This place is super cool! My sister buys vinyl records, and this place has tons! They even have lots that are on sale. What I love most about this place is how organized it is. Everything is categorized and alphabetized. Not only do they have vinyls, but they have used books, video games, CDs, and DVDs/blu-rays. From the outside it looks fairly small, but it's actually pretty big. I was actually surprised with how roomy the place is. Lastly, they offer free tea... And I love tea, so I was super excited! read more

I absolutely love this store and recommend this to all my friends. The cosy feeling and animal friendly space in the back are so calming. The games in the back give it so many uses and I just love the HUGE variety of books there! Finally they have the scents at the register that just top it all off wonderfully! 11/10! read more

I was zooming down Shore Drive when my hood popped open and blew back onto my windshield. It happens every now and then and I guess the bungee cord that kept it down had fallen off somewhere. No - I used that bungee cord to keep my screen door shut on my front porch during a storm last week and I forgot to move it back to my hood before I left that morning to go see a man about fixing my typewriter in Ocean View. Anyway, I had to stick my head out of my window and safely swerve across a few lanes of traffic. I found some old packing tape in my trunk and permanently fixed my hood. Just as I was about to get back on the road, I noticed I was right in front of this bookstore. I have wall-to-wall stacks of books taller than me in nearly every room of my house, but something was telling me to go into this store. I did my best to resist the urge, but something was quite literally pushing me to enter the store. A mysterious, forceful energy. I nodded politely to the man behind the counter and received a polite nod and a "How are you doing?" in return. I smiled and replied "Hood" instead of "Good" because I was still thinking about my hood. I don't think he noticed. I walked straight ahead and when I suddenly stopped and looked to my right - the very first book that my eyes settled on was a book that I've been trying to locate for over 30 years, "Conan the Freebooter". I couldn't believe it and let out a loud "Holy Sh*t". I have pretty much every Conan book ever written and this one has escaped my grasp until now. I read about half of it there, but they were closing and didn't want to be impolite, so I put it back on the shelf and I'll be back soon to get it. I looked up and down the other bookshelves quickly and was very impressed. Books presented in a neat, orderly fashion on modest, sanded wooden shelves that smelled as if they were freshly cut. I briefly glanced at the records, but I only have a cassette player since my messy divorce. Saw records by Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Clash, The Coasters, Chubby Checker, Culture Club, Johnny Cash, and The Chambers Brothers in the section labeled "C". Very impressed. read more

AFK Books & Records - I've been looking for this book since 1972. - Vinyl Records Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

good selection of Records and used books.. Records need more room.. hard to shop the vinyl section due to the # of records in a limited space. ***Update- they have since made many more bins, & have more vinyl.. much easier to shop & is organized well.. Go check these guys out, def. worth your time. Prices on NEW records are the best in Hampton Roads for sure.. and if you buy anything new, you are eligible to get %50 off any used item. Check them out.. staff and owner are super nice as well. that's all . read more

I love this book shop so much. The fact that I can bring my corgi in with me makes me want to visit more. The staff are super friendly and are always happy to help. I do my absolute best to come here before I look any where else for the certain book I want. My corgi would like to add "Bark bark bark" I have no idea what it means. Let's just assume he loves this book store as much as me read more

I was able to order a vinyl from their website that I've been wanting for a long time! I talked to them through Facebook messenger, and they were very kind, knowledgeable, and quick to respond. My vinyl just got mailed today and I couldn't be happier!! read more

This was my first time here and I had a great experience! The gentleman working (unfortunately I didn't get his name) was very hospitable and helpful! The collection was great and i left with a great bargain! The used books for the most part were like new and they also sell new books for less than the full price! read more

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Vinyl shop in my neighborhood? Oh hell yeah. I am sure the entire store is excellent but I haven't made it past the front 1/4 where the records are. They have a neat little tube amp headphone setup to demo records. I love this place. Loads of used and new vinyls. Also sell a small variety of hardware like players, preamps, etc. Compared to the other local record shop I've been to, the prices here are pretty damn good. -Jim read more

Staff was friendly and it has been a great place to sell new and gently used books. The store has been clean and well-organized. They have a vinyl record section. It was easy and free to park. read more

Large selection of new vinyl and modern reissues at full retail prices, small selection of used, great condition records at high prices. Very nice store, just much higher prices than what I've seen. read more

I found this place when I lived in Oceanview but now that I live 45 minutes away, I'll still make the drive to get a stack of 4 used books for about $30. And I've found amazing books here and in pretty good condition. At home vibe, I like supporting this place and would rather see them do well than Amazon... I definitely recommend coming here and getting books/records/knickknacks like incense or socks read more

The two ladies working were so rude, bad customer service.... I was bummed out that I couldn't sell my books for a good price and they didn't even look through all the books I had and i had about 3 box including cds, I told them that I was having bad day and told them im sorry y'all were being nice and their was response was "really? Are we being nice?" Said with an attitude, basically saying they weren't being nice lol wtf how rude could you be... I was just trying to negotiate about the books and they came off like that. Honestly the worst place to sell things to, they buy your cds for 15 cents for each thing and then sell it in the store for like $10-$20 Its bullshit..... also I have rare comic that was out of print that goes for $70 and they tried to give me $8 for it ..... haha no read more

A locally owned book/record store that is clean, well stocked, and well organized. The place is not cluttered, it's well lit. Not enormous but there are plenty of gems to be found. Friendly and professional staff. read more

I love this place and have been coming for years. Without question, my favorite record shop ever. The staff is amazing and they can find pretty much any record for me. The pre-owned selection is in fantastic shape and there's an incentive to buy with the purchase of a new record. Super clean, always more than accommodating. read more

We came here yesterday through a recommendation from a friend. They did have a nice selection of books, dvds and records. All the books are pretty much like new. On the other hand, with everything in the store being used I would have thought the prices would have been priced as such. If you were to do a little digging online (especially on Amazon) I'm sure you could probably find the same book for the same price but of course it would be brand new. Now, this is not to say I was able to compare every book in the store so I'm sure there are some good bargains in there. My recommendation is to check it out for yourself. If I happen to be in the area again I may give it another chance. If your into records though they really do have a nice selection of various artists past and present. They also have a few seating areas so that you can check out a book at your own leisure. read more

I could spend so much money here. From records to dvds to books, I want them all. The staff is always super friendly, the store is organized, & you just get a cool vibe from being in there. They have great prices too. You even get to spin a coupon wheel when you check out! read more