For me, there's just something special about a real book that you can hold in your hands. Turning the pages, feeling the weight of the book, and even that familiar smell of the paper is an experience that an e-reader can never replace. If I didn't have a hundred other things pulling me in different directions every day, I could honestly spend hours getting lost in a bookstore and reading all day long. Books-A-Million is one of those places that reminds me to slow down. It's easy to wander through the different sections, discover a title you never knew existed, or leave with a journal, puzzle, or thoughtful gift along with a new book. I love that bookstores like this still exist in a world that's insanely digital and unhealthy. Maybe one day, in my later years, life will slow down enough that I can spend entire afternoons curled up with a stack of books and nowhere else to be. Until then, I'll keep sneaking into bookstores every chance I get, because there's something about being surrounded by books that just feels like home. read more

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Usually find what Ive come in looking for. The employees are pretty good at directing me to where the book is located. Only wish they had a couple other places to set. To I can figure out which of them I need. read more

It is a nice bookstore with a wide selection. It is also very organized. The workers in there are pretty nice and have helped me locate books before. read more

The prices here are insane. It is crazy to charge 11 dollars for a book that is destroyed as you can see in my picture. and they also do not require masks which in a pandemic is crazy. You need to make sure your customers wear masks. read more

Books-A-Million - Meditations - Bookstores Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Good place to hang. Lots of seating, coffee area, large space, lots of books but lots of toys too. Prices are high if you do not belong to their club. I am not use to paying full manufacturer printed prices. There are many sale tables. Nice check out staff but good luck finding someone on the floor to help you. Warning: Parking lot is full of pot holes! read more

Books-A-Million - Toys - Bookstores Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Great place to study, I had a mango smoothie. Delicious. Great atmosphere too. Highly recommend.

After reading Brandon's review of Books-A-Million I was inspired to review it also. I used to have a low opinion of Books-A-Million, honestly: it seemed to me on most visits in the past that it was filled with best-sellers, magazines, and Christian stuff. Now though, after meeting a good friend there at his request, I discovered that they have a great selection of manga and other graphic novels, a very good pagan and New Age section (to be fair I suppose in contrast to their sprawling Christian studies section). The store is comfortable enough although the lighting is not very pleasing to me. Also, I, like Brandon, love reading history books and was surprised to find that the Gainesville (Newberry Road) store's selection of Civil War history books is impressive, including some new titles on specific battles that I didn't expect to find at a mass market chain bookstore. I will still purchase most books either from Book Gallery West or Amazon.com; the former to support a local bookseller and the latter simply as they are cheaper, when factored in their free shipping, than other outlets. However, I've bought some manga at Books-A-Million and will return for that certainly. The selection of books I feel probably represents simply what sells, which of course is a fair means of providing books to the customer. Hence, I am sure Sarah Palin's new autobiography and the latest Twilight novel will get the lion's share of shelf-space, but the store doesn't lack for diversity, either. read more

They have a little coffee shop called Joe Muggs where clubs can meet and hang out. Lots of seating and a full cafe is available. They will buy your used books and when shopping for books if there is a used copy available it is shelved right next to the new copy. Lots of free parking located next to Hobby Lobby and Panera bakery. read more

It's a joy to come to this bookstore. It's like a premier library that sales books. The lounge chairs are so comfortable. There are books and magazines, games, a coffee shop and the whole nine yards here and if there is something you are looking for and they don't have it they will order it for you. read more

Books-A-Million - The best bookstore in town! - Bookstores Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

As of 2016, this is the only bookstore in Gainesville that is not a text book store for UF or Santa Fe. If you need a best seller or new release, they probably have it in stock. If you want a specific book, but it's not a new release or bestseller, they probably don't have it. You can get a better selection online, then pick up at the store a week later, with no shipping charge. That works well, and is a way to get one specific item without a shipping charge and without minimum orders required by online shopping. I usually come here to shop for birthday presents for children. There's a good size children's educational section (where books about dinosaurs, trucks, etc. are), and what's on the shelf seems to rotate. Mostly it's rotating, because new releases go on the shelf. This is good for finding a book about a specific topic. There's also a child's clearance section which is good for making a gift bag about half the times I go there. When clearance is good, you can get a good quality large hardcover picture book for 2 dollars and board books from 3 to 7 dollars, and have maybe six options to pick from so you can match the child's interests and situation. When clearance is bad, it's got lower end stuff like softcovers. The Books a Million website always has a coupon for 20% off one book. Print it out and bring it. read more

I'm a sucker for book stores! I love browsing through bookstores and getting lost in the covers. I know that bookstores are a dying breed- it's usually cheaper to buy on Amazon. But, I love getting to touch and feel the books. The employees here are pretty friendly, and the selection is huge! There are lots of selections with discounted books too. Keep in mind, many books will be close to cover price, but the experience wins me over! read more

I love this place! The employees are super friendly and helpful. Its always a joy coming into books a million to browse there vastly diverse book choices. Its always nice to grab a coffee from Joe's Muggs and chill in there comfy lounging chairs. There vanilla mocha's at their Joe's Muggs are a little watery these days though. read more

I actually like parts of the bookstore very much. There is a surprisingly diverse selection of books, bright and inviting appearance and good prices. But I HATE checking out here. I hate it so much that I rarely visit. I had to turn down buying their rewards card 4 times in a row on my last visit. The cashier could not have been more obtuse or annoying. Every time I turned him down he kept repeating over and over "We're just here to save you money" and tried again. Do they refuse to pay or beat employees who let someone get out of the store without purchasing their card? Because this happens whenever I visit, this must be something they are all trained/forced to do. I will just choose to do business elsewhere to avoid that kind of hassle. read more

A bookstore that doesn't carry Albert Camus. The only positive is the bargain section has a few classics in trade editions. Employees are nowhere to be found. I walked to the register with a book while a manager and employee walked past me with a cash till not acknowledging me or even calling for someone to assist me at the cashwrap. It doesn't look like they give a damn about recovery and upkeep or customer service. Sad read more

This might be a bitchy review, but in general I like our Books-A-Million aside from the "Cafe" area. The chicks who work there have terrible customer service! They are rarely in the area to wait on you and when they are they are too busy making conversation with other people to help you. And god forbid you want something from the case the food is displayed in, a couple of weeks ago my friend got a moldy bagel. read more

This is a Nice Book Shop Only 2 Miles from my Home in Gainesville FL. The CSRS are so friendly, Helpful, and Courteous. For a Relatively Small Book Shop it Has a grand Variety of Options and In Every Sense Surprised Me. I'd Recommend Books a Million Over any Barnes and Noble or any Franchice Book Shop For This Matter. read more

When I checked out, I was offered "three free months of three magazines". No mention was made of the fact that they were going to hijack my debit card information and automatically subscribe me to the magazines when the three months were over. It was presented as a free sample. THIS IS THEFT! This place has lost a customer. read more

Bummed to find that the 13th location closed, I wandered to the Newberry location only to find it was just lovely. The sales and bargain books are really the best deal you can get. Now not everyone is going to qualify for an educator discount card, but those who do will find that it is a fantastic discount--I saved about $8, the price of a new book! If you know what you're looking for, it's easy to traverse the bargain sections and pick up some great, current titles. If you don't know what you're looking for, you'll still probably get lost in all of the wonderful things they carry--aside from books, they have an impressive collection of comic books and graphic novels as well as other collectibles for fandoms such as Star Wars, Doctor Who, etc. Employees have always been friendly and helpful for me without being pushy. All in all, it's my favorite place to get a gift card for. read more

We like the store. We like the deals on bargain books. What kills it is the harassment I get every time I check out. The cashiers always try to sell me the "discount card." I politely decline & they get an attitude. I'm sure there must be a commission involved but I am not ever paying $18 so I can save $2. read more

The staff is very helpful and the coffee store there is VERY good if you like a more sweet coffee. The building itself needs a facelift. Even a little remodel would freshen it up sssssoooooo much better!! read more