Parallel Universe Books is a new bookstore located in the City Goods shopping centre on W. 28th…read morestreet in Ohio City. They are down the street from Amba restaurant. I believed they opened their store in November 2025. My friend Christina and I stopped by in mid-March 2026 to browse books as we waited for our dinner reservation next door at Amba. BOOKS/OTHER -- There are 2 levels of books to browse with the upstairs filled with used books and downstairs containing new books. I bought two used books for $6 each - one is titled Disgrace and the other is titled Sapiens: A brief history of humankind. I haven't read these 2 books yet but I am excited to later this year. Besides books, I noticed other items for sale such as some cute handbags (small tote bags with jewelry or charms on them) and t-shirts. FANTASY/SCIENCE FICTION -- They offer a wide selection of fantasy and sci-fi books which my friend Christina appreciated which is her genre. I don't read fantasy or science fiction books so I can't comment on that but I did notice some Andy Weir books on the shelf, including, Project Hail Mary, which I only know about because of the movie that was recently released. SERVICE (5/5) -- Top notch service. My friend and I were greeted upon walking into the bookstore by the owner, Craig, who was very nice and helpful. While they don't seem to have a large selection of non-fantasy and sci-if books, I still recommend visiting this bookstore if you enjoy reading, want to explore a new genre such as fantasy, or are just in the area and need something to do. I certainly will be back to browse more books. **** GOAL of 250 reviews in 2026 - 16/250 total reviews in 2026 - 857 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 13 April 2026

Fantasy is my comfort genre so to have a bookstore that's specifically fantasy and sci-fi is…read moreliterally a dream. Located next to Amba, this curated bookstore has a VERY solid selection of fantasy and sci-fi books. There's also a number of board games, a sprinkle of other genres available and an upstairs that has used books. They seem to also have community events upstairs as well which is always great. The prices for new books are comparable to other brick and mortar stores. Anything that isn't in stock but available for order can be ordered. The owner was lovely and very knowledgeable, we talked books spanning multiple subgenres of fantasy and sci-fi. I will be back, to the detriment of my wallet. Highly recommend!

New romance focused bookstore in the Cleveland area. Located in Kamms Corner, this cute and super…read moreorganized store has all the romance novels you could want. The owner is super nice too. I got a book from the local Cleveland author section, they support their local authors for sure.

SPRING INTO A GOOD BOOK!…read more The Checkered Shelf Bookshop is a new bookstore that officially opened on the first weekend in April 2026. There were some soft openings in March 2026 that I heard about after the fact. They replaced Appletree bookstore which closed last year (2025). I visited for the first time on the 10th of April 2026. There are a few chairs to sit on as you browse books and the store is bright due to the light coming through from the windows. BOOKS -- I bought 2 books - The Second Chance Convenience Store and 84, Charing Cross Road. They offer a selection of mystery, sci-fi, historical fiction, horror, translated works, children's books, fantasy, etc. They have fiction and non-fiction books. The selections appeared smaller but since they are a new bookstore, I won't be surprised if they start getting more books in store. OTHER ITEMS -- Besides books, they also sell, stationery (pens, notebooks, etc), journals, bookmarks, candles, mugs, and numerous other items that are great for gifts. SERVICE -- I visited on opening day, on Friday, April 10th in the evening and I met the owner immediately upon walking inside. She was friendly and explained the layout of the bookstore. PARKING -- There is a free parking lot behind the bookstore. I can't wait to visit the Checkered Shelf Bookshop again when I'm in the Cleveland Heights neighbourhood. **** GOAL of 250 reviews in 2026 - 21/250 total reviews in 2026 - 862 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 13 April 2026

Such a cute shop. There are actually two buildings. So many books and a lot of local authors as…read morewell. They carry oddities like crystals, small oils, stickers, prints, and other unique gifts. The staff is nice. The prices are very reasonable. Check out the Edgar Allan Poe room. I will definitely be back.

I had a great time visiting this shop and their sister location located nearby. The employee…read moreworking that day was very friendly and knowledgeable. I loved the layout of the store and all of the unique touches to really tie the genre into the decor. They carry much more than books. I saw bookmarks, candles, local made gifts, stickers, collectible Goosebumps items, and much more. I thought the prices were affordable and comparable to most bookstores in the area. This was much more than a warm stop on a cold day. I'd recommend to any bibliophile!

Love this great little shop. I happened to wander by it while grabbing dinner in Berea and was…read moreimmediately enchanted. The store is clean and has an organized feel you don't often find in book stores. As their name suggests, they also have an impressive selection of handmade goods that would make a perfect gift for anyone in your social circles. I had a lot of fun chatting with the owner as well. Even though I popped in right before closing, I didn't feel rushed out or like I was an imposition (which I was, oops). While some of the items are a few dollars more than what you would pay on amazon, the experience and the atmosphere are more than worth the spend. And the chance to support and local business that enhances the community is absolutely priceless. PS. They also send out a bunch of goodies on their email list so make sure to sign up for that when you go in!

Cute bookstore, not a huge selection for adults or YA but for children yes. Price are comparable to…read morea Barnes and Noble but they seem to run good sales so you have a better chance at a good deal. It's worth checking out, if you have super little kids I would not have them come in if they like to pull things and touch everything, just my opinion!

Great book store! Lots of variety and they can look uk what you're searching for. They also have…read moreCD's, games and records.

I think I've found my new favorite local bookstore. Book Brothers has something for everyone with a…read morewidespread book selection including fiction, nonfiction, art/ architecture books... graphic novels, poetry collections, philosophical text, cookbooks, & more. Not to mention the collection of CDs, DVDs, vinyl, VHS tapes... The books are in good condition, and checked for proper condition upon checkout. I found the pricing to be as expected. Today was my first time visiting Book Brothers, and I must say--I will likely be back again soon.

The service in this bookshop is always excellent. I was looking for a gift for a baby shower and…read morethere was a certain book that I remembered my kids liked and sure enough they had it. They're awesome.!!!

Fireside was a cute independent bookstore right in the middle of Chagrin Falls. The store was three…read morestories and filled with books. They some unique books and very cute book bags. Overall a very cute and cozy bookshop.

I called Comic Heaven before making the drive and asked how much a box of cards would cost. I was…read moretold $100 per box over the phone. After driving about 20 minutes to the store, the owner suddenly changed the price to $120 per box. When I mentioned that I had been quoted $100, I was told, "That's not my problem. The guy on the phone is new. It happens every day." If pricing mistakes like that really happen every day, it's hard to understand how the business continues to operate that way. Customers shouldn't be expected to waste time and gas because employees aren't given accurate pricing information. The experience was made worse by the rude attitude. During my phone call, the employee even told me what the store had paid for the boxes, and once I arrived, the owner gave a different explanation about the pricing. The whole interaction felt dishonest and unprofessional. On top of that, many of the cards and packs were already priced higher than other local stores and online retailers. Based on my experience, I won't be returning and can't recommend Comic Heaven to other collectors. Zero stars !

Love Comic Heaven!…read more Have gotten comics there for years, soon after Jim opened in the 90's. I love what new ownership has done, I no longer live in the area but will be planning a visit the next time I'm in town!