Love that we can always find interesting stories and trade books at each visit. Easy online book trade scheduler.

I walked by this bookstore a million times and finally went inside. It's in a cute little building and has two floors and multiple rooms with books. What I like about this bookstore is everything is well curated and organized and there isn't an overwhelming amount of books. It's mostly popular titles or current titles and you can easily pick out books to read. They had a small seasonal section as well which I picked from. I bought 5 books each were around $5 or so which is such a good deal . I spent $27 in total. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the mood for a current book to read, it's much easier than browsing thrift stores and the like. The girl at the counter was also nice to boot ! Shop small and keep this gem around. read more

Central Books - Just a sample of of the books I picked up ! - Bookstores Near Me - Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Unsure why this place has such poor reviews, because you can find some excellent books for a decent price. I'm not sure exactly how they organize, so you'll have to look a little bit. I came out with 4 books for $20, which at any bookstore would be upwards of $70. Incredibly friendly staff as well, loved this place and wish I lived around here to come back more often read more

Incredibly rude staff. It also smells bad. The lady at the counter pretends the books are super rare and valuable; well they're not.

I never walk out without one book...usually 3-4! Paying less than half price for a book that looks like new is the best!

This is a great bookstore! Since they sell used books, they certainly don't have everything, but they have a great selection of used books, and they sell them for very reasonable prices. Back in college I used to buy books here frequently, and it saved me a lot of money. Plus, with the huge selection, it's fun to browse. The only thing that would push this up to 5 stars for me would be some staff recommendations marked on the shelves. Especially considering the huge number of books they have, it would be nice to have a quick way to easily find something unique and good. read more

My husband and I have been frequenting Central Books about once a month for the last 3 years. Books are in great condition, and though it's a small shop, there is a large selection of recent fiction, along with classics, cookbooks, history, etc. I don't think we have ever left the store without buying something. I give it three stars simply because the owner is downright unfriendly. One would expect the owner of a small town business to maybe, look up, or even say hello when a customer enters the shop and say thank you when she checks you out. I don't need a friendly owner to enjoy browsing a good used book shop, but I can see how her demeanor would scare off patrons who would otherwise stop in again. She has had some friendlier staff working there. read more

Not a safe place. I was a longtime customer until yesterday when the owner approached me. She accused me of coming to the store too often, never buying anything and then she said I was taking advantage of her. The truth? I frequent the shop once every 3-4 months, have spent over $200 on children's books in the last couple years and am a very quite and consientious shopper. I was shocked and scared. As I walked away from her increasing hostility a stranger behind me put down her stack of books and said out loud, "well, I'm never coming here again." Even to an outside party, the scene was clearly hostile and even a bit frightening. Buyer beware. read more

I second BK's review of Central Books. My boyfriend and I had the most bizarre experience we've ever had in a bookstore, maybe in any retail establishment. Here's what happened. The layout of the bookstore is not one big space, but is instead broken up into several small rooms. The owner was in the front of the store and said nothing to us when we entered, which is no big deal, but then, as we moved through the various rooms, she came back to "check" on us at least three times over the course of maybe 15 minutes. Naturally we got the distinct impression that she thought we were going to steal. What finally sent us out of the store screaming was when she "checked" on us the final time, and just stood there staring at us for what seemed like an eternity and then finally barked, "Well it's clear you're not interested in buying anything so I'm gonna take my break." With that she stormed out of the room and I said, loud enough for her to hear me, "We're just browsing; isn't that what everyone does when they come into a bookstore?!" Of course I got no reply. My friend and I just looked at each other in amazement and said, "Okay, it's time to get the hell out of here; this woman needs psychiatric help." After reading BK's review which was posted on February 16, 2013, I noticed that there are a slew of positive filtered reviews posted after this date with most of them having been posted on the same day, February 25th. I can't help but think that the owner wrote these reviews herself. There's REALLY something wrong with this woman. Need I say more? read more

The bookstore is ok, I have bought quite a few children's books over the last year or so. The shop over all is nice. My problem is with the owner/employee. I'm not sure if she owns the bookstore or just works there. I've seen two woman there, one is friendly enough the other is creepy and the reason I will not return to this store. My friend and I had lunch and on our way back to the car we decided to stop in to check out the science section for a new book to read and to see if there was anything that interested me. We search the whole store trying to find the science section because no one was around to direct us. We eventually found it and looked though the options. There was not a very big selection but honestly I wasn't expecting much from a used bookstore. Anyway I found a few books that interested me and picked them up to look though them. I noticed the price inside was $12.95 was crossed out and then $4.95 written below it indicating the price was 4.95 obviously. When I flipped the book over I noticed the cover price was $8.99 and JOKINGLY said to my friend "oh they're using marketing tricks on us, making the book seem more expensive so 4.95 seems like a better deal." I was just kidding around, (I know, I'm hilarious) but next thing I know a woman (presumably an employee) comes up behind us and explains the pricing like I'm a moron and I've offened her. I tell her I get it, and thanks for the help and return to checking out the other books I picked up. Meanwhile she is still standing by us staring us down, making the experience as uncomfortable as possible. As I flip though the book she speaks to me again and says "could you not do that with the books? We like to keep them as new as possible and don't want them to get damaged." Um what? I'm not allowed to look at the book I am considering purchasing? (I should mention I already found a book I wanted but I wanted one more because I didn't want to charge less than $5 because it's a small business.) She then continued to stand there and stare us down. So I returned the books to the shelves and left. It was by far the most uncomfortable experience I've had when trying to buy something. The level of creepiness can not be conveyed in the review. But anyway, word to the wise if you're going to shop there; don't assume your conversations within earshot of this lady are private and for the love of god don't open the books. read more

This shop (in the same building as Bucks County Bookshop, which makes it a little confusing to navigate and distinguish between the two) sells mainly newer used books of the fiction genre, and has a small children's book section. Most books are priced around $4-8 from what I've seen. It looks like they get slightly newer used books regularly, which are gathered on an island near the register, and I found some philosophy and film books in great condition upstairs. As some reviewers have pointed out, the woman who owns the store, or at least manages the register most often, is not friendly. Both proprietors will not greet you or say much of a goodbye, so that's one thing you'll have to overlook if you're just there for the books. It'd be better for business and better for the locals though if she were more attentive and both owners would do better if they combined their shops into one cohesive bookstore. Central Books is not well organized, and the collection is not impressive, but you can find some goodies if you look thoroughly. Check the porch for books discounted or under a dollar, and check upstairs in the boxes on the floor hallways for more last-chance-type books. read more

My favorite used book store by far. I have bought my kids summer reading list here for the past three years. The owner is so helpful and kind. And the bargains!!!! We never leave without a grocery bag full of books. I always find hard to find cookbooks and craft books. Centrally located in Doylestown, lots of parking which is hard to find. This store is mine and my children's favorite and always makes us happy when we are there. read more

central books is fabulous!!! i've been there a hundred times and the service is great and the selection of books are diversified and well maintained. if you've ever had a problem, it may be with the bookstore on the right when you walk in. they are separate!! go to the left or upstairs and treat yourself. i've taken many friends there and it's like a gold mine!! read more

Central is far above average as used bookstores go. Their prices are rock bottom, perhaps half of most competitors. Their inventory turns over reasonably quickly and they add new stock constantly. Their strengths areas are history and popular fare, both fiction and nonfiction. The store is pleasant, comfortable, and you can find a spot to sit upstairs whole you review your potential purchases. I've been coming here for over a decade and plan to return regularly as long as they'll have me. read more