I love that independent bookstores are "coming back"…read more I love books - especially physical books with real pages. I love checking books out from the library. I love buying brand new books. I love buying used books. I love everything about books. I actually came here while running errands with someone else. I don't think I would have ever known this was here otherwise. I wandered around the store while the person I was with was taking care of whatever it is we came in there for. It was such an immersive experience. I appreciate how the store is laid out. There is/was so much thought put into not just the layout of where sections should be, but where each book goes. It is so well curated. I got so many incredible recommendations from the employee picks that I have loved, shared with others, and they have loved too. It's been a month or so since my last visit, so I'm excited to see what the latest recommendations are. If you're a book nerd, this is absolutely worth a visit. I will absolutely be back.

Since my last review this location has taken a new name (Schuler Books) and with it came a bigger,…read morebetter experience! First off, everything you may have loved about this place is still here. The hearty selection of books and periodicals, the rewards program, the massive lineup of puzzles and other items like journals, stationary, board games, stickers, home goods like candles and drink ware, tote bags, and more. Looking for a gift for a book nerd? Look no further than their shelf of carefully curated wares like "Book lover" candles, home library bookends, literary charades card games, etc. It's all here and better than ever. But what's been particularly exciting to watch unfold is their recent expansion next door. While it was sad to see the former tenant (a Thai restaurant) go, it was great to see Schuler's take over the space and convert it into a dedicated children's area. Here you'll find an expanded selection of kid's books (from toddler to YA), toys, educational games, etc, all in a kid friendly environment filled with bean bags and other cozy places for kids to park and read or play. In the former kid's section at the back of the store is now an expanded used book section, which is a great place to browse if you're looking for discounted pricing or want to give an old book a new home! They also host regularly programming like author readings, book signings, story-time for the kids, etc. During my most recent visit I happened upon them setting one of those up near the cozy fireplace in the back and I made a mental note to check the schedule so I could come back for a gathering. I'm so grateful that we have this little slice of literary heaven on the west side and I'm so grateful for all they bring to our community!

Cute location with a little turtle friend. Good selection of books but a little expensiveread more

Nice little bookstore with seating to look through my potential choices. Very nice children's…read moresection! And free frequent buyers club which gets you $10 for every $100 you spend. Staff is very helpful but not intrusive. Recommended

I have volunteered for this organization, so I know it well and of course am biased ;-), but the…read morequality, selection and prices of the books here are second to none. Lovely staff, clean, cozy space conveniently located off Jackson Rd.

If you love books, the best discoveries in town are at the Friends' Bookstore in the basement of…read morethe Ann Arbor District Library, downtown. They sell books, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes. Most of the books cost a dollar or two. When the shop opens in September the book buyers from the bigger used books shops line up at the door and buy boxes full of stuff. The shop goes through mountains of books every month, and a lot of it sells for less than what you would end up paying anywhere else. The best part is that the money you spend goes to the library. Only open on weekends, and hours are not the same as the library's hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The bookshop closes during the summer months, so do your shopping between September and May. Full disclosure: I'm a paid employee of the library. And an avid supporter of the bookstore.

My heros of a bygone era, local and mega chain bookstores used to be where you'd go to find the…read morelatest and greatest print media. Used bookstores on the other hand, were where you'd go digging for treasure among aged tomes and other peoples' cast offs. Perhaps that's what's keeping West Side Book Shop around. When the instant gratification of new novelty is clicks away at your fingertips, the promise of unpredictability, mystique and snippets of nostalgia draws customers to enter its doors. The space isn't large, really more of a living room transformed by wall to wall shelves and mini mountains on the central surfaces and displays. Here you too can own a piece of history or simply extend the life of a book or periodical. Sometimes you can find a rare edition or obscure title. Past times I've been there I haven't had much interaction with the staff though they were pleasant when checking out. The shop is located in downtown Ann Arbor so parking can be a pain, though if you're not too picky and prefer not to pay, you can always park a little further in the more residential areas and walk over. There are plenty of structures and lots too. They'll be celebrating 50 years in 2025. Hope they continue to be celebrated in Ann Arbor for years to come!

What an amazing little gem in the heart of Ann Arbor! There are so many books stacked all around…read more Had a great feeling and I have bought some great books from there. In my experience, this is one of those places where the "book will find you." Great place to stop in and look around. Prices were not too bad on the purchases I've made. Highly recommend! Will definitely be back!

Great workers, great values. I love this place and always go here when I need a book.read more

Great bookstore with friendly staff. Decent selection of books and comfortable place to browse…read more Only downfall is no food/coffee or bathrooms.

Hedger Breed, owner of White Raven Books, is one of kind. Highly recommend that you call him when…read more you are moving and show him the books you may need to give away. He picks out books that you may not realize have market value and takes them away to (hopefully) appreciative new readers. I had a very good experience interacting with him--and even made some money on my books!

White Raven is the best place in Ypsi for rare, collectible, scholarly and other hard-to-get books…read more The store is located at 117 Pearl Street, but is open by appointment only. If you don't call ahead, there definitely won't be anyone at the store when you get there, so don't just show up and knock on the door. Hedger Breed is an interesting character and he knows a lot about books. One day I walked in and asked him where he keeps the old stuff, and he showed me a book printed on a Gutenberg-type press, and another book almost as old with copperplate engravings of the destruction of Sodom. Text was in Italian, so I couldn't read it, but holding books that old in your hand, and feeling where the movable type bit into the vellum, it's a little bit sublime. Didn't have enough cash on me to buy those books--still don't. But fortunately, Hedger always keeps boxes of $2 books around, and those are worth going through.

I used to volunteer here, so of course I give it five stars. Even if that wasn't the case, though,…read moreI'd still give them five stars for atmosphere and prices. The staff are all volunteer and will talk your ear off about books if given half a chance. For the most part, the books are 50 cents for paperback, and $1 for hardcover or those larger "trade" paperbacks. If a hardcover book is especially popular or very new, it might be $2-3. I haven't seen many books at all there that were more than $3 unless it was some really nice specialty hardcover or a first edition of something. The selection is fair and organized well. There are no books cluttering up the aisle, and it's clean and bright. The books there are in stellar condition- they don't sell anything too yellowed or ripped. They also have to big bag sales per year, one in spring and one in fall. You can get a bag and fill it full of books for a flat fee. They do put some books in slightly more battered condition into these sales.

I love this book store because of their EPIC book sale. When I say epic I mean epic. Oh my the…read morebooks are such a large variety and most are only $0.50!!! This place gives me such a great opportunity to read at a great and affordable price! Can't wait until the next sale!

Very adorable bookstore located right off Plymouth! It's a hidden gem. Excellent children's book…read moresection representing many cultures and backgrounds. Staff is very friendly as well! My daughter had a fun time exploring and they had some comfy chairs for her to sit on and read.