walked over to Caliban after breakfast one morning. easy parking in craig street for the time of day we were there. an eclectic used bookstore which is neatly organized and has many types of books. no textbooks. also has vinyls and cds. a helpful book seller reminded us about their 40% off sale during August. we walked out happy with 5 books. read more

Shelves are packed with gems. It was a fun bookstore to rummage through. Ended up going downstairs and finding a fiction paperback for under 5 bucks. Yeah. I'm a fan. read more

This place had a ton of used books to peruse through. 20% off for small business weekend which was nice. They did have a mask policy if that bothers anybody. Ps. If you are claustrophobic do not attempt. read more

Caliban Book Shop - Bookstore entrance - Bookstores Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Really wide selection of used books, so many old books, in great condition! Guys at the front were friendly, prices were reasonable, masks are provided but not required. They also have lots of records, CDs, and some trinkets like postcards and matchboxes. Excellent! read more

Cool books! You definitely get transported back to time. They have pretty cool postcards even cool photos that we can be taken back in time. Close to cmu and the museum read more

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Checked out this cute little shop for the first time. I was surprised when I heard that there was a downstairs, it's a lot bigger than it looks on the outside. read more

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Lots of antique books - fun to browse through for an hour or two - I saw a travel book about life in Japan, published in 1883! Unfortunately it was so overwhelmingly dusty and musty I had to get out of there. The aisles were really narrow with books lined up on the floor, too, that you almost couldn't help stepping on/brushing your shoes against them, which I felt really bad about - I guess they need a bigger place, or to cull some of their treasures. I saw a sign directing people to another area through a heavy door in the back for paperback fiction, but it was a little unclear and sketchy, so I skipped it. The nonfiction genres I was interested in I did not find well curated. The bookshelves outdoors were nice, to draw people in. read more

Been going to Caliban for now 30 years. Everyone who cares about literacy in our culture should visit. It would be nice if there were spaces for sitting and reading, and a coffee, but space is space. The only annoyance is the "mask up" sign still plastered on a window. Someone needs to pursue better scientific literacy than is typically available on Facebook. read more

Going to this bookstore makes me feel like I've stepped back in time. As I wonder around taking in the scents of old books and history my mind often gets lost thinking about how the collection came about and where the books had been; who had read them, etc. This rare bookstore truly is a go to if you're looking for that hard-to-find or out of print novel. What an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. We're lucky to have this gem in our city. read more

Had a terrible experience attempting to sell hundreds of books from late 1800s/early 1900s. I brought a few in to find guidance on what to do with them as they don't have isbn numbers and are hard to find information on. I was blown off by the staff member, told they weren't worth anything, which is fine but keep in mind i had 3 the books on me and hundreds more at home, i just wanted someone more knowledgeable to GLANCE at them. If any of them were worth anything I'd gladly sell at whatever price was fair. This employee literally walked away from me after 15 seconds. i am now updating my review to include a screenshot of the reply to my prior yelp review In the reply I'm told by what i presume to be the owner or manager that; 1. It didn't happen (because it doesn't ring a bell?) 2. They feel my frustration (how? they say it didn't happen) 3. They never at any point try to fix this by simply asking me to bring the books in (which would fix the frustration) This is a good lesson on how not to respond to an unhappy customer. Maybe the employee was having a bad day and was incredibly busy, i get it. But this response is infuriating. To say none of your employees could have done this because it "doesn't ring a bell"? Appalling. I still have the books, the best option I've found is to wait until my next trip to NYC and take them to the Strand, who appear to have a modicum of professionalism. read more

There are so many books in this shop---I especially enjoyed their local history collection. There are also amazing paperback fiction deals downstairs. read more

Sent an email asking about selling books to them because mine didn't fall into the categories of what they weren't asking for, anyway, I was told by "John S" what I had was not for them and amounted to the worth of a cup of coffee and that I'd be better off donating to a church! Lol while I found this entertaining, I must say that I would not recommend supporting a store whose staff behaves that way. --- update to review, after I posted this the shop emailed me again and called me creepy, vindictive, hostile, etc! And that they feel sorry for me and I have issues. Wow! read more

Caliban Book Shop - Don't review this shop unless it's positive -- unless you want to be harassed afterward! - Bookstores Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Amazing condition of the books, a lot of hard-to-finds, first editions and autographed copy. Well organized and not chaotic this is a bookaholic's dream! Parking isn't too bad and it's walking distance from Carnegie Mellon! read more

Caliban Book Shop - Orderly enough - Bookstores Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

My ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW was 100% a real review. ReaI enough to know that you have a Geoffrey Beene book on the top shelf of the bookcase just to the left of the door and and Art Visive 80: Catalogo Genrale in the sale section, so yes, I have been inside the store while I was visiting Pittsburgh. Accusing me otherwise because I am new to Yelp and dont socialize on yet another platform is ridiculous. My review was only about MY opinion about the selection of books. I didnt even mention the RUDE and COLD service I witnessed to the poor soul trying to sell their books. The person at the counter could not even be bothered. But since you accused my original review of being fake, it definitely should be noted. "I don't get all the good reviews about this place. I stopped in last week on my way to the museum and maybe my expectations from what I read were just too high. Just from my personal experience a lot of rare book stores unless a specialty was specified offer a range of books in the art, design, photography, fashion, architecture, and other creative subjects. This store did have those things but the selection was very underwhelming and the prices too high. Especially for being so close to the museum and colleges. Of course they had their Warhol books and such but how cliché. The music section was so small, why even bother?!!! Oh well." read more

Eclectic and wonderfully curated collection of books, records, magazines, anthologies, post cards, etc. that doesn't seem as curated as it is and always smells like the best of old books. Everyone that works there is super friendly and I always leave with a good recommendation. They also buy good books, rare books, old books. Stop in for an old map of your neighborhood, or a classic collection from an author you love, or a weirdo magazine or anthology, or some philosophy, or books in other languages, or locally printed poetry and fiction, or records, or more records, or go downstairs for some sweet science fiction, or go back upstairs for more records. I love this book shop. read more

Best bookshop in town and arguably one of the best in North America, though, I hesitate to add, that one of it's co-owners has been invariably condescending and rude to me, once even accusing *me* of being a petty book thief! Well, that turned out to be a matter of psychological projection. What's good for the goose, so it goes ... read more

Caliban Book Shop has to be the most remarkable bookstore in the 'Burgh. It isn't quite a used bookstore. You don't go here expecting to find used paperbacks of Steinbeck or Dickens. No, this is really much more of an antique and collector's bookstore. As a reviewer on another site says, the first thing you notice upon entering the place is the sweet scent of old books. I found an old book on pop music once as a gift for my dad. He really loved it. They do get used textbooks and not-so-rare paperbacks too. So if you want to escape the look-alike world of the major chains (Barnes & Noble or Borders, not that there's anything wrong with those places) then by all means, drop in here! read more

Walked in, no hello. Walked out, no goodbye... Prices extremely high - especially for PGH-related materials. Just not what you expect from a used book store experience. Not sure what the owners are trying to accomplish. read more

Pretty radical. Although personally I'm more of a 'used bookstore' kinda guy rather than the 'antique/first edition bookstore' kinda guy, Caliban is a great place to poke through. Tons of potential gifts and 'impress the person you brought over to your house from the bar for a one night stand with your amazing bookshelf' type books. Even better, the place is not dusty. All too often these sort of places get a bit unkempt and cause my allergies to freak. No such problems here. They even have a graphic novel section! Nice! read more

I've bought many a book in this quaint little store. The minute you walk in you're bombarded with intimidating stacks and bookcases piled with numerous books that you probably never heard of and will never even develop the interest of reading. I usually make a beeline for the fiction section located downstairs, this is probably where I spend most of my time moseying around Craig street. I usually scour this place for their cheap and interesting books. I usually find something located on the smallest bookcase in the middle of the fiction basement. Overall, I got to say I'm a huge fan of this place. read more

I broke my nail, like really badly, while I was here. I still remember how much it hurt, even though it was five months ago. But I can't fault Caliban because I broke my nail for the very best reason: the books were packed so tightly on the shelf that I somehow cracked it trying to pull out a desired title. See? Awesome! When I go to bookstores I check out the photo/art books, and now history and Western US history sections. Caliban had a really nice selection of titles -- not just the picked over bargain book stuff, but a good mix of recent and older/classic titles, all in great condition and at competitive prices. It's definitely worth the visit. I found them on my third trip to PGH, and only wish I found it sooner. read more

Caliban has a great selection of interesting and diverse books. It's organized in a good way and even though it's not all that big, I've found that I can get lost in a section while perusing what's there. Within each section, there's a lot of diversity. Upstairs has almost all hardbacks, and the smaller downstairs is just paperback books. One of my favorite parts of Caliban is their record section. Tucked into a corner, their record section has been growing over the last 6 months or so. There are a number of record stores in the city, but every once in a while I find something at Caliban (actually the record section is called Desolation Records) that I can't find elsewhere. They started selling a few used records as well, and you can find a few gems there too. If you like books, or records check it out. read more

This book store is super convenient, especially if you are a student. One thing that is especially great is that they have a really good score selection with some older prints that are more difficult to find. With it being perfectly between Pitt and CMU, it is a gem within the area. read more

Support local bookstores and try to buy your books from places like this. Great vibe here, the place is pretty small so don't expect to find every book you might be looking for. In addition to books they have a small selection of vinyl records with bunches of rare titles. Caliban is the home of Pittsburgh literary magazine "The New Yinzer" so check out their website and support Pittsburgh's local writers. The reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because they don't have a great selection of paperback fiction. read more

One of the BEST bookstores I have ever been to! I had heard the section on astrology/occult was really great here and had been wanting to come - finally glad I did because their section and ALL the other sections of books here was like a treasure trove! I scored about 15 books on astrology, the occult and dream interpretation for such a great deal! Also, this bookstore is impeccably organized and so easy to navigate the different topics of books! Super friendly and helpful staff as well! read more

I've rated Caliban at at 4 stars, but in truth, it's more like a four and a half. I'll start with what keeps me from bring the rating up to five stars. First, the books are a little pricey for a used bookstore in Oakland. However, there are some great finds and some really good deals to be had among the tightly packed shelves of Caliban, so it's really a small quibble (mostly because I always end up buying more than I meant to). Secondly, I really wish they opened a little earlier--sometimes I'd love to drop by at 9 or 10 am and I'm always frustrated that the doors don't open until 11. Other than these two minor quibbles, I can't say enough good things about Caliban. As mentioned by other reviewers, they have a great selection and there always seem to be new and interesting titles popping up. I have also never encountered a more helpful or knowledgeable bookstore staff. Seriously, I'm always amazed by their ability to recommend titles based on books you've read or authors you like-- they've never steered me wrong. If you haven't checked them out, you should really stop by! read more

Ok, I just wanted to throw a little dissent into the mix. While I really love the atmosphere of Caliban, it's just a little bit on the expensive side. They have a great selection , which is great, but definitely don't go in with less than 10 bucks expecting to be able to get what you're looking for, unless, of course, it's in the sale section outside. In which case, GO! P.S. The main shop guy with wire-frame glasses knows a lot about the underground literary scene in Pittsburgh; try talking to him sometime read more

awesome collection well edited and curated. huge poetry section. huge and varied fiction section. great pittsburgh history section. tidy. read more

Awesome customer service! I ordered a first edition of Charlotte's Web as a Christmas present for my daughter. I even paid for expedited delivery but unfortunately the shipment was lost. Seth at Caliban worked with me the entire time to help find and track the package.....even offered a full refund....good news is that the book arrived in time for wrapping and all is good. I was a little worried ordering a special book on-line from a small store I'd never done business with but Seth and the folks at Caliban books proved to me again that the best companies to do business with are small businesses! Thanks for the great service. Next time I'm looking for a collectible book you guys will be my first stop! read more

I've always been a bit underwhelmed with this book shop. I feel that the selection isn't great. I know that they have to be a bit picky when it comes to what books they accept to turn around to sell, but every time I have come in with a box of old books that I no longer want, they never accept any book that I have. I know at least one person who works here who is as nice as one can be, but there is at least another guy who works here who has always been short with me over the phone or in person if I have a question about buying/selling/ or donating a book. Don't get me wrong, this is still a nice store to walk in to browse on a stroll down Craig Street, but in my opinion is by no means the best used bookstore in the city. read more

I asked some local family members where to go to find cool old books, and used books in general, and I was directed here. When we walked in it only took a few seconds to realize that the place was very well organized. I took a moment to scan the store to see the sections before selecting a place to start. It was not like one of those confusing old bookstores where everything is hit or miss. We found old books in foreign languages (mostly german and french, with some latin, spanish, portugese, and others). The old books were really amazing. They were reasonably priced. Fairly priced. Unlike some other bookstores that just push for profits. They had some that were more valuable up in front, and some glass cases that you could peruse without even asking for help to open the cabinets. There were more unusual cultural studies academic-type books, and other sections that you might not always find. And perhaps most unusual, was that they had an incredible art section, complete with architecture, photography, and even old music scores. I found the medical selection a little lacking, but no place is perfect--though this place probably comes pretty close... We were able to get a lot of great stuff, and I will certainly try to come back to this place every time I am in town. read more

The stock is interesting, but the aisles are narrow and it's hard to browse. The guy who's always behind the counter has always been weirdly rude/passive-aggressive when I have bought, sold, or traded books there. He's the worst thing about the store. He reminds me of a pawnbroker who reluctantly and contemptuously accepts or refuses what you brought in. I've spent a lot of time in used bookstores in Berkeley, Portland, OR, and Cambridge, Mass, where the bookstores have a much larger stock and more room to wander, and never did I encounter a clerk with such a negative attitude read more

I don't know how to rate things. In a world with Labyrinth Books, Powell's, and Capitol Hill Books, why do I rate every good bookstore as five stars? Because this isn't the restaurant world. Great bookstores deserve superlative reviews because it is a herculean task to keep a bookstore open these days. Caliban's is easily the best bookstore in Pittsburgh. It has a terrific vinyl collection, some lovely prints, and oh DO NOT FORGET TO GO DOWNSTAIRS. That is where all the paperbacks are. It took me several visits to figure it out (yes I am embarrassed but I see other reviewers made the same mistake so I want to be sure other visitors have the best experience possible). Their history and philosophy section is phenomenal. They have some very, very nice first editions which I cannot possibly afford, but they have so many good, affordable editions of those same books that there's no cause to complain. This isn't just a shop for antique collectors. Also, I like the stuff they're always playing in there. On the wish list? I wish it was bigger. And served pie. But that's pretty much my wish list for every bookstore, so ignore me. read more

A true book lover's bookshop. Like walking into an old library. Surrounded by leathery spines, dust and that musty old-book smell that makes any reader feel at home. Narrow passages for browsing, and bearded college professor types reading on stools. Books stacked haphazardly everywhere. The literary equivalent of a cup of coffee on a cold winter day. read more

Great used bookstore. I probably frequent this place way too often, and almost always get something. Don't let the website mislead you into thinking it's only rare books. There's something for everyone. Paperbacks are mostly under $4 or $5, and I don't recall ever seeing any above $8 or so, unless it's a special edition (e.g. Advance Reading Copy). Also, huge plus: they finally organized the paperback sci-fi section, alphabetically by author. You can now find the good stuff without having to dig through endless rows of weird crap. Yessss! I've also gotten some nice hardbacks, like a couple of beautiful illustrated Steinbeck novels in cardboard dust-jackets. They were relatively inexpensive ($10-$15). Not rare editions, but they don't make books like that anymore, and that's still even cheaper than new paperbacks nowadays. I always see lots of nice hardcover sets like this. They'd make great gifts. If something is signed but not rare, it's probably $30-$50. They tend to keep these among all the normal books, so try some shelf-digging and you might find something cool if you're into signed books. The rarer books are in the glass case by the register. These are nice to stare at while you pay for your cheapo books :) read more

Not a used book store as regular folk think of it. Antiquarian and rare, limited selection. Lovely atmosphere and mostly new vinyl, but not for us. read more

I recently went to a house sale and bought a few old odds and ends in the form of prints and old newspapers and Puck Magazine cartoons. I ask John Shulman the owner of Caliban to give me his two cents and he gave me much more. He was honest, helpful and above all realistic about what and how I could sell. When trying to make a buck it is nice to know that an expert is ready to help me figure out my best path to profit. We are lucky to have a knowledgeable and approachable bookseller in Pittsburgh. It is also fun to show him things as he can get excited about finds too. I watch the tv show PBS Hidden Treasures and you will see John Shulman on the show giving his two cents to participants on the show. Make an appointment and be ready to learn a thing or two. He does charge for appraisals. He did not charge me to check out my stuff. read more

Simply adorable inside. Tight space, but i didn't mind. So many selections and super cheap! I went with my dad and he found a few CDs he liked for only $1 each. I got some art books like Matisse and Van Gogh. The person working there was very friendly. Overall i would go back. read more

This shop is so charming! I love the tight shelves with books at their feet. There are so many cool books that you'd never see in a Barnes and Noble, They also have some old music and scores and a basement full of paperback fiction. There are some pretty good deals. I usually go just to browse the shelves, not to look for anything in particular. I could spend a day in there if I had the time! The shop is organized by topic, but the sale section (almost an entire wall of $.50 paperbacks and $1 hardcover books) is shelved randomly, as far as I can tell, which just adds to the allure of the place! I'll be living really close to this shop soon. I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time there! read more

One of my favorite book shops ever. Has this amazing scent of old books - gosh, I could get high off of the aroma here (don't judge). Also, awesome staff that is super accommodating and knowledgable of the curation of books in this store. Which brings me to the books they have here...almost EVERYTHING you could imagine. There's a reason why books are literally crammed into every nook and cranny in this space, and it's because they just have so many of them. Also, they have an awesome collection of records. read more