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 go to romance bookstores in cities I visit and Under the Cover is probably the best I've seen!…read moreIt's large and organizes books by tropes. There's just a lot of small details that the owners have taken note of and implemented in the store. It's 2 large stores now (it's gotten bigger) and the decorations and gifts are wonderful. Very Instagrammable. Lots of books and gifts like candles, shirts, bags, knickknacks. Cute signs and decor. Books by local authors are highlighted. Staff is very helpful. Bathroom is clean and cute. There's lots of ladders that remind you that you're not Belle, do not stand on them! A must-visit if you're in KC!

I used to be in the bookstore business. Remember bookstores? Those cavernous spaces with endless…read moreshelves of books of which maybe only 5% actually got purchased? Yeah. Good memories. That's not the case at Under The Cover. This is a legit, almost boutique-ish, book and gift store. It's not a warehouse of books and just 'stuff'. No, their specialty lies with LGBTQ+ literature, awareness, and advocacy and that theme is everywhere in this cozy space. Under The Cover is moving books aplenty and their merch and sundries game is amazing. Throw up a hand if you're an LGBTQ+ supporter. Heck, throw up a hand if you're on the other side of those lifestyles, because Under The Cover will WELCOME you, too. There are plenty of Christian bookstores, so balancing that ledger with inclusivity and love by patronizing an alternative choice & lifestyle business should be on anyone's radar. The service is uber-friendly and they will give suggestions for just about anything. Sign their guest book (so fun!) or just drop your email to receive future discounts, notice of specials, or even in-store author events. Support local is not just a rallying cry for farmers markets or service industries. It's critical to buttress our friends and neighbors who pour their hearts and souls into offering the great city a neverending array of shops & locations by supporting their businesses. The value in a place like Under The Cover is not just in the price tag of the items. No, it's more in the merit of small businesses and their place in the fabric that is Kansas City. Parking is city-style, which can mean you're on your own. Prices are fair and consistent, and you will appreciate what this space has become and how it can add to the Union Hill area. Take the time, and the opportunity, to stop in and feel the love.

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.

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 had some time to kill today before brunch and went into The Dusty Bookshelf. What a great place!…read moreIt has a very solid selection and the staff was helpful. I love the table with the Grab Bags! I only ended up purchasing one book, but I would love to go back next time I'm in Lawrence.

As longtime fans of the dusty in Manhattan, we had to stop at Lawrence's…read more It's so interesting in here! Like a really old library you just want to move into. It's packed with books and every corner has another cool thing to see

Wise Blood is a lovely bookstore in Westport and is a great addition to the area! They have variety…read moreof genre selection (including used and new books), a kid's books section, coloring books (adults and children), notebooks/pens (moleskin style stuff), and were very welcoming when my husband and I walked in. They feature local art on the back wall - we went to a "meet the artist" event one evening (Hubbard Savage is the local artist featured - he's super talented!). There were also some musicians who played and also did some spoken word type of stuff, both of which were delightful! They have a little seating area that's comfy if you wanna sit and flip through a stack of books when you're trying to decide which to get. I will definitely be back - this place is amazing. Highly recommend you stop reading this review, get in your car/on a bike, and go check it out!

It was my first time in town and ran across this store. Great selection of books in titles and…read morediversity of genres. Used and new books in great condition. You can tell a lot of love and thought went into the titles! Great collection and will definitely be back.

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.