I was on the hunt for a few books for my book club. The staff were very friendly and helpful, each…read moretime taking me to the section to look for the book/author. Out front they had several bookshelves of .50 books and their paperback books were all very reasonably priced, about 3.99 per book. I found 3 of the 5 books I needed. I sold a few books and that process was seamless too. Parking was easy as it is next to seve other shops. I will definitely go back!

This place is a gem…read more The prices cannot be beat, insanely cheap. Bought out half their classics collection when I was there. I wish there was more Russian literature; if they stock more of it, they will have a very loyal costumer. Lovely staff, huge selection of contemporary fiction. That is most of their stock, it seems. Beware: you will definitely come out of here with more than one book so make some room on your bookshelf.

I'm a big fan of this bookstore! I like that it's their bookstore model and not just the standard…read moreairport shop model with one wall of books. The whole store is devoted to books with a few convenience store items thrown in. The prices are your standard book store prices and they have all the latest releases. They also do have a pretty decent sale selection of bargain books. The titles aren't new releases, but they aren't ancient either, it ends up being a pretty good deal if you find something you like. I always like to browse here when I have extra time before my flight. They also have a display of Papyrus cards which has saved me more than once when I'm on my way to a wedding or for a birthday and I didn't have time to pickup a card before I left. Recommend checking them out when you have extra time at RDU Terminal 2!

Solid bookstore saved my behind - I needed a quick gift for a friend's little girl and hadn't found…read moreanything at all cute when at home. I had to leave it for the last minute and luck score, found just the right things here at the airport bookstore. Thanks HB for having my back.

First ever Romance bookstore in Raleigh! I've been waiting for this store to open ever since it was…read moreannounced on Instagram months ago. Such an awesome idea to have a permanent location open on Independent Bookstore Day. My sister and I came during the RDU Book Crawl, and it was better than what we expected. The interior is tastefully decorated with deep green and brown. Lots of cute seatings for you to get a drink or two and read books. I cannot wait to see this place grow within the community. There is a parking deck next to it, which requires a parking validation through a QR code with a free 3 hour parking.

Great monthly book sale!!! So many great books. They also take trades. Lots of scrounging but…read moretotally worth it. No AC but they have a fan or two so be prepared for that. Definitly worth a visit

I ordered books on 4/26 and paid that day via credit card. They answered all my emails leading up…read moreto sending me an invoice but once I paid my invoice, I haven't heard from them since. I followed up on 5/6, 5/9, and 5/15 about my books via email and Facebook message. I have received nothing. Terrible customer service and completely not responsive.

Bluestocking Books is a "been-there-forever" permanent outside dealer at the Raleigh Flea Market…read moreevery Saturday and Sunday. They can be found every weekend right smack in the middle of the antique section. They carry everything from current bestsellers in paperback and hardback to children's books, cookbooks to military history, Westerns to Sci-fi.... And their selection of classics is amazing! --from paperback to leather-bound. And it's ALL at a fraction of regular retail!! And that doesn't include all the cool vintage and antique books they stock! It's also very cool that they rotate their stock every weekend, so that if you're a regular at the Raleigh Flea Market, they always have loads of new selections each time you stop in. This is a VERY cool place to browse and easy to end up walking away with anywhere from one or two books, or even a box full!! (BTW, if you do buy a box full, they'll hold it for you while you bring your car around and they even load it for you.) One tip: Cash only!

I have been looking for a record star for quite some time in the area and I finally stumbled upon…read moreCarolina Soul. This place had hundreds of selections and some very classics records at deals you cannot beat. The service was great and the quality of records was impressive. Surely to be my go to spot for all my record needs in the future.

Great operation. I wish I had you in my hometown! Helpful staff. Large selection of rare vinyl…read more Good condition standards.

We have been considering homeschooling for years. This year things became more and more clear that…read morewe should at least try it for second grade. I was overwhelmed with the greeting and helpful information I was given immediately upon entering the store. When I shared that I was considering homeschooling and was hoping to look through curriculum to make decisions based on what was available to me, the store clerk pulled out a few guides as to what subjects are generally covered. She then proceeded to patiently walk me through each section and hand pick options for me to look through based on what I shared with her about my son. Additionally, anything on the new curriculum side of the store that I was interested in, she would make sure they didn't also have a copy of in the consign part of the store. If they did she brought it to me to look through as well as this would save me a considerable amount of money at times! I loved being here so much that I can't wait to go back. For anyone who is newly considering homeschool or I imagine anyone who homeschools at all, this spot is a must visit! They even have a playroom for kids, tons of Usborne books, and lots of used picture books and novels for kids as well. As a former teacher of eight years I cannot more highly recommend. A hidden treasure box!

We are newer homeschoolers and found this place to be the go-to resource for materials as well as…read moregenuine expertise. An invaluable resource if you're new to homeschooling. It is super helpful to be able to look at some of these materials in person.

Some of the best places aren't hidden on purpose they simply let the people who are looking for…read morethem find them. That was exactly my experience with Sorry State Records. It was my first visit, and after spending time there, I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of its name. I was the one who felt sorry: sorry that it had taken me so many years to discover one of Raleigh's most beloved independent record stores. Tucked into downtown, Sorry State Records is easy to miss if you don't know it's there. But step inside, and the pace immediately shifts. The shop is bright, thoughtfully organized, and refreshingly unpretentious. Shelves of carefully curated vinyl invite slow browsing rather than hurried shopping, making it the kind of place where time slips away unnoticed. I brought my brother-in-law, an avid record collector visiting from St. Louis, and watching him explore the collection was almost as enjoyable as browsing myself. While I'm far from a vinyl expert, he immediately commented on how well organized the inventory was; a detail seasoned collectors genuinely appreciate. His visit was made even better when he unearthed a copy of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the kind of unexpected find that makes digging through record bins so rewarding. Beyond vinyl, the shop also stocks cassette tapes, music publications, and a carefully selected mix of merchandise that reflects the store's deep roots in independent music culture. It's less of a retail space and more of a gathering place for people who genuinely love music. The staff struck the perfect balance between being available and giving customers room to browse. Although they were helping others when we arrived, we immediately felt welcome, and the relaxed atmosphere made it easy to settle in and explore at our own pace. Parking is convenient, with both a surface lot nearby and a parking deck just a short walk away, making a visit surprisingly easy despite its downtown location. Sorry State Records is the kind of independent shop every city hopes to have but few can sustain. Authentic, thoughtfully curated, and deeply connected to Raleigh's creative community, it's a destination worth seeking out: even if, like me, you're a little late to discovering it.

Visiting Pour House and Sorry State in the same hour let me really compare the two and finally…read moreleave an informed review of each. Sorry State is purely here to buy and sell records, nothing else. So you get a great variety to look through, well maintained, plenty of quality originals. The downside? Not a great visual ambiance. But if I'm looking for a good record or three, I'd be starting here.