This is a gem of a store; I could easily spend hours here scouring the shelves for antique gems. They sell used books here, and you'll find originals here that might look rough around the edges, but their value is gold. You immediately get that smell of old books when you walk in. That leather bound scent that just doesn't exist in books that are made now in days. I always wonder about the people who previously owned these books, were they treasured? given by a loved one? These aren't thoughts I contemplate when I'm at Barnes and Nobles. (Don't get me wrong though; I live B&N) It's worth a visit, even if you don't end up buying anything. read more

Brattleboro Books - Bookstores Near Me - Brattleboro, Vermont

Excellent selection! Highly edited! I found clean used copies of Muriel Spark, VS Naipaul, Herman Melville. I always try to stop by when I travel on the 91. It's a real place of love and integrity. read more

I could have easily spent several hours at this bookstore. They have a huge selection of used books - fiction, non-fiction, classics, arts, biographies, you name it. I had to self-impose a budget, and walked out with three books - a collection of Parisian short stories, a collection of feminist essays, and a lovely book about Japanese woodworking. If you are in the vicinity and you love books, I highly recommend stopping by Brattleboro Books. read more

See all

I visit a lot of bookstores, I own a lot of books. I went out of my way to visit this one because of the great reviews and this time they were ill-placed. This smallish shop had a lot of books with extremely narrow aisles and above average prices for what they offered. Sorry, no, there are just way too many really good bookstores to give this one a recommendation. Brattleboro is one of the dirtier Northeast cities, one need walk only a block up to be met by a bunch of scrawny addicts with nothing better to do than to stand outside the bus station. No reason to come here. read more

Fantastic second-hand bookstore! Was here a few days ago and walked in to check it out after reading the reviews here and so glad that I did. Found classics by Alan Garner and his Aderley Ridge trilogy on my first shot. The lady behind the counter was very helpful and indeed the children and young adults section brought me down memory lane, especially after seeing titles of books I read as a kid myself. Brattleboro has always had a literate reputation with no less than 3 Nobel Prize winners in Literature who have lived in the area (Alexander Solzhenitsen, Sinclair Lewis, Rudyand Kipling) as well as J.D Salinger, it's nice to see the literate tradition continuing and people in the area still love their books and the power of words. I walked out with a stack of books for $22 which could have easily been over $100 had I bought them brand new, I'm coming back here if I'm in the area again. read more

This is a great bookstore -- a nice selection of books displayed in a very inviting manner that makes it enjoyable to browse for yourself or for gift-getting. There is a comfortable area to sit and read and another section tucked away exclusively of children's books. The store also has a fantastic selection of notecards and holiday cards, as well as calendars of all themes -- art, nature, animals, photography, progressive / liberal political views, science, Vermont, and humor. read more

This is a glorious place. The woman who worked at the front desk was immediately accommodating of my needs and helped me find all of the books I was looking for by Maya Angelou and Elie Wiesel. Charming book store with a really good selection of older books and okay prices (could be a little less, but I'm happy to support places like this)! It's tucked away in a little nook around the corner from the main road, so don't miss this little cutie! read more

Always a fan of used bookstores and wandering the aisles here is very enjoyable. The prices can be a bit high, but it's still lovely to browse around. The owner leaves you to it, but is very helpful and friendly when asked questions and at checkout. read more

Um, I kind of love this place! mmm!!! Smell those old books! It hits you right when you walk in the door. LOVE IT! I don't know where they find all of these great books, but somehow the manage. They have a great selection of used books, including some really rare old ones. They do know that, and they price for it (as in, a book from 1830 in good condition might be $75), but that's fair. The children's section is phenomenal. They have a very large selection, and a great place to sit and read book with kids. It's really quite sweet. Overall, this is my favorite bookstore in Brattleboro, and I'd highly recommend it. The women who work there were incredibly helpful when we asked them for even really unusual and obscure books. They really know their stuff. read more

Only one visit to this place for me, but I would recommend it. The woman at the counter could not have been more helpful, both with help in the store as well as directions around the area. Friendly service, used books available on the cheap, a nice atmosphere to browse the stacks; what more could you ask for? read more

I've been a fan of this bookstore since high school, and I'd usually come in on a weekend or free day to browse the used books. Their selection is so eclectic, and the books are not just new, but used going back generations with many classic first editions. If you can't find what you need, there is a good chance that it can be found for you, if not on the spot, then a time in the near future. If you're a fan of that classic bookstore smell (you know what I mean) and love browsing through aisles of endless books, like you're searching for buried treasure, then you're going to love Brattleboro Books. read more

Floor to ceiling books - and reasonably priced. If you can't find something to buy here; you won't find it anywhere. This is what a used bookstore in New England should look like: a bit musty, a bit cluttered and a bit old fashioned. They're friendly, knowledgeable and helpful here and just one more reason to detour off of I-91 to visit downtown Brattleboro and this unique used bookstore. read more

I love used books. I buy used books. This store cost me umpteen dollars in extra gasoline when I moved west. I still have a few hundred of their books on my shelves at home. Oh, and their free bookmarkers- I'm like a bookmarker kleptomaniac. I used to sit downstairs in the basement until closing, and almost got stuck inside on more than one occasion. I remember a pretty big children's section next to the pretty good foreign language section (I once bought a copy of Ivanhoe in French...I still don't read French...any takers?). read more

Dang it, Arwen O, I disagree--I think it would hold up in more august company. It's all a-gusty and a-dusty just like it should be inside a used bookstore, and they had a mountain of Colette paperbacks in there (and you can't say that about any old bookstore, believe you-me). Plus the folks at the counter know where their books are located and what they have (by heart). Maybe you were just miffed because they didn't have a Store Cat. I don't think that they do, but they have plenty of art books and photo books and 501 Spanish Verbs and who (I ask you) could ask for anything more? read more

Lovely atmosphere; it's just the way I like it, a little shadowy, with tall, tall bookshelves stretching into the distance and a big window out front. A pretty decent selection of used books, both old and newer. It's definitely the best bookstore in Brattleboro, although it wouldn't hold up in more august company. read more

Good selection, but the downstairs basementy area isn't creepy enough, which ruins the whole dungeon vibe I would've liked more. Also why is the poetry section next to the new age mumble jumble section? Now my friends think I'm all wiccan n shit. read more

My only gripe with this place is that if my boyfriend saunters in I know I'm not likely to see him for hours! Everything a used book store should be and a beloved treasure in our town. read more

Love it. Love it. Love it. Nice folks in what could be a model for all bookstores. My shelf runneth over.

Another favorite for shopping. I can find cookbooks, and childrens book alike, and if they do not have something your looking for they will let you know if it comes in. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Running to my aid for anything I seek. read more

I used to frequent this little bookstore, it's quiet, cozy, and soft atmosphere. This place has the most eclectic collection of books, and it's a journey walking through the store. I encourage you to check this place out, even if you have no intention on buying anything. read more

Traveling to this part of Vermont was a revelation. As more and more bookstores-both chains and independents-close up shop in New York City, it's refreshing to see a town where people seem to love reading and buying books. Not only is this a picturesque, beautiful town, it's a wonderful place to go if you want to find some fantastic used books. Brattleboro Books is one of my great bookstores you should dive into the next time you travel to New England to check out the scenery. read more

This past weekend, we came into town to peruse the shops. It was early and we milled around waiting for this shop to open. I could have easily spent hours just browsing. But...prices were high for a used book store and when I was ready to make a purchase, there was no one to help me. We waited at the register for several minutes without seeing anyone. Other people lined up behind us, but there was no bell to alert a staff member that people were waiting. And waiting. I ended up putting my books on the counter and leaving empty handed. Judging by the stack of books already on the counter, other people had too. read more

Very nice bookstore. I visited when they seemed to be in the process of moving or transitioning, but there were still plenty of finds to be found by browsing. read more

Very nice little used book store. We stopped by on our way through Brattleboro VT. While I was in there buying a couple of paperbacks, I dropped a sizable amount of cash in the store. Due to the upstanding nature of the owners of the store and a very honest customer, I have my money back (and had a much more relaxed vacation). Its nice to see there are still honest, ethical people out there. I only wish I lived closer so I could give them more business! read more

I have to agree that Brattleboro Books is my very favorite boodstore. Wish I lived closer so I could go there daily! I prefer paperbacks and there is such a large selection to choose from, I always come home with a large bag of reading material. Personnel is so friendly and helpful, too. Hope to be back there again soon. read more

Brattleboro Books is exactly what a bookstore should be. A haven for anyone who loves old books and loves to spend hours looking through them. read more