The best thing about Burke's Books in Cooper Young is the element of surprise. The smallish midtown store doesn't carry a huge selection of brand new books and the new and used tomes are grouped together on the shelves. This means that the selection is constantly changing and it's entirely possible to find a pristine used copy of a book for a fraction of the cost of a new one. When I was there last week, I picked up the new issue of Vanity Fair and a copy of Mona Simpson's "Anywhere But Here" (used - $5!). Burke's is one of the last independent bookstores in Memphis and the experience you'll have shopping there is definitely more personal than the one you'd have at a big chain book store. The owners know their store and are plenty willing to make recommendations and suggestions. Also - Burke's has a very complete selection of books by Southern and Memphis authors, some rare and signed books, and a very cute children's section. read more

I love stopping in a Burke's Books for quick gander at their wares. I've been able to find several books here that I had been unable to find at other book stores. If you're in the neighborhood it's worthwhile to stop in and walk down the aisles. The one drawback is that Burke's Books isn't as much a used bookstore as it is a bookstore with used books. They have lots of great options here but a lot of them are new and full price. But even so, it's still fun to go in and see what you can find! read more

One of my favorite places in Memphis - Burke's Books. They offer a decent selection of new and used books. They won't have everything you're looking for, but they will have something of interest you didn't know you needed! Customer service here is also great. Love that they offer free gift wrapping too! Makes last minute gift pick ups super easy! read more

An excellent combination of new and used books at reasonable prices. Worth a detour to the Cooper-Young neighborhood. I have been here twice, and always find something unexpected. It is not particularly big, as bookstores go, but the selection is carefully chosen and very well organized. read more

A piece of heaven in Midtown! They maintain a great selection of new and used books, brilliant staff, and fantastic decor. Their window displays are consistently lovely. I dread the day I move from Memphis and can no longer enjoy this gem. read more

Great selection and super friendly staff! The staff picks section was well curated, and they seemed to have a great spread of old and new titles, across fiction and non-fiction. Was a fun stop! Thanks for helping me track down my lost phone!! You were so generous with your time! read more

my copy of the latest john waters book arrived four days after i special ordered it. the staff is super friendly, and the shop smells fantastic- like old books and murphy's oil soap. if you order books off amazon, you may as well be shopping at wal-mart. just cuttin' through the treacle folks!! read more

This bookstore is a cozy, neighborhood bookstore. They have plenty of used books and some signed copies. There is a large selection of Memphis authors and books about Memphis. My friend found a lot of very niche books for his field of study. They have some books for only $1. They also had a table of free books if you spend $10. The free books are pre releases that are unable to be sold. If you are looking for a hard to find book, this could be the place to find it. The staff is very friendly and knowledgable. read more

I was so excited to see this bookstore and then I go inside and it's a major letdown. There are not many choices in my opinion. I have been to a few used book stores and there is usually something for everyone's taste. Not so much here. The people aren't that friendly, at least not to me. They are choosy about what books they are willing to buy ; maybe that is why like another comment states, there aren't many "used" books inside. Maybe someone else will have better luck. I didn't have any. read more

the only bookstore that ever stole my heart more than burke's was the strand in new york city, and that place has 18 miles of books. aside from size, though, burke's has all the personality and charm that made me love the strand. and some bargain basement good deals on books, too. i like that no one is in a hurry here, and no one is rushing you. You can just stand in the stacks and pick through things, read, grab a chair to get something on a high shelf. And they almost always have a good section of $1 or $2 proof copies of books -- love digging through those. It's probably going to be authors you've never heard of, but I like getting intrigued by a title and just going for something new when it's only a buck. It's always hard not to buy too many books here, but luckily it's still easy not to spend too much. They also do trade-ins and book buying, too! read more

I love Burke's simply because you don't find many bookstores like this anymore. It's a tight squeeze right in Cooper Young, and it is packed full of books, many that are probably hard to find elsewhere. I've found a lot of great books during their sidewalk/$1 sales, and other times I go in just to soak up the smell of the pages. read more

For buying new books, I'd give Burke's a 3-star review since the selection of those is small and they're overpriced here. However, as a used bookstore, Burke's is the best (and pretty much only) in Memphis. You'll find everything from local history to popular fiction to obscure poetry chapbooks to classics. The bookstore is tiny, but it's easy to become overwhelmed by the selection--it's that good. If they don't have what you're looking for, they'll order it. They also frequently host readings from fabulous and famous writers--from Jill McCorkle when she's passing through town to Richard Bausch on his night off from teaching at U of M. Burke's is picky about which books they will accept for cash or trade--no textbooks or mass market paperbacks. If you opt to put your trade-ins on your store account instead of taking cash, you'll get 50% more bang for your buck. read more

This is a great little used bookstore. Memphis is seriously lacking in bookstores in general, and even more so in used book stores. The location is the best thing about Burkes because you can stop in after work, grab a book, then swing into one of the local restaurants for a nice evening read & dine. Their prices are very good here. The place is somewhat small so their selection is a bit limited, but if you ask they can have most books on-site within a few days. Very friendly staff also. Be sure to check out their discount book rack, as there are always a few gems hiding out there! read more

Every small, hip downtown needs a little place where you can pick up a good read and Burke's is that place. Small, clean, and with a good selection of unique titles, I'm always happy to spend a good amount of time browsing the selection. I'm rarely bored with what I see, and the staff is very helpful. I agree with the reviewers that state that going there without a specific title in mind is a good idea, as it doesn't carry the selection of a Barnes and Noble, but that's part of its charm. You go there to find something different. read more

Visiting from out of state and stopped here. Great bookstore with very nice owner/staff.

This is hands-down my favorite bookstore in Memphis. I've only bought used from here, so I can't speak for their collection of new books. But their selection of used books is pretty phenomenal. Everything is in great condition and very fairly priced. I've found some nearly brand new "collected works" books of poetry that usually go for around $30-$40 for less than 10 bucks in Burke's. I've also found some more obscure books that I don't usually come across in stores. I've never really interacted much with the staff, but they seem pretty cool and friendly. Go buy some books from them. read more

Great selection of books the only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because I was under the impression that it was a used bookstore but there is only a small section that is used books. Everything else is pretty pricey. Great service, people are very helpful read more

I like coming to Burke's because the selection is always different, and there are always bargains to be found. The drawback; the staff is usually a bit aloof and not very helpful. Usually the only time I'm spoken to is when I am told my total. I suppose that's the small bookstore experience. They do not offer much when buying used books, no matter how new there are or what the condition is. read more

If I can't walk to my Oakland, Ca., bookstore haunts at least I have Burke's Books and Cooper-Young. Thank you.

Was awestruck by the extensive southern lit section (considering very few bookstores have one) plus well-manicured shelves of cheap paperback classics. read more

my wife and i stopped into this bookstore while visiting memphis. it is really neat! they have a large selection and the atmosphere was really quaint and welcoming for the most part. Only complaints were that i wish the sections were organized or labeled more clearly/intuitively and some of the prices seemed a little inflated. all in all, a really nice spot with helpful staff, but not overbearingly so read more

The owner refused to handle my books; I have written five novels. Good enough, they are, to be in his store. It was as if I had come to the oracle, and the oracle turned his back on me. read more

great bookstore; i like this location better than the previous one. small selection of new books and a large used book section. they do buy books although i agree the prices they pay are low. however, that allows them to sell the used books at a lower price, so it all comes out in the wash. i don't agree with comments that the staff is unfriendly. not at all. read more

One of my favorite places in Memphis, grew up going there. Love the staff, love the products. Perfect place to go and browse or talk.