Rainy Day Books is kind of the best of both worlds - a book lover's paradise staffed by book…read moreworms. It's a cozy space, but it's jampacked with books from all subjects. If you can't find what you're looking for - which for some reason happens me a lot - the staff is happy to order a copy for you. They're book club friendly. They also host a ton of fun book-related and author events. If you're interested, please follow their social media accounts. They'll keep you up to date.

Indie bookstores are the best. This one being the oldest in KC, just celebrating 50 years is…read moreabsolutely amazing. They have amazing author events either in their shop or the Unity Temple on the Plaza. There is a great kids section with a ton of options. Employees are super helpful and will help you look up books as well. I needed to make sure a book was appropriate for kids and they looked up the details for me! Great bookstore all around!

This was my first time at Afterword (though I have been meaning to go for a while) and I am already…read moreplanning on coming back! I love the vibe of the space, which is lined with bookshelves and they even have a card catalog. The drinks are fun and with some Literary references for the names. I had the poppy war and really enjoyed it. We sat inside but they also have an outdoor patio. The bathroom was also extremely clean. Service was very quick with barely any wait before the drinks were ready. I would recommend anyone that loves a cocktail to stop in!

Cozy, book-filled, and perfect for unwinding with a drink. I tried the drink of the month the…read moreBoozycatipillar, a fun literary-themed cocktail supporting Read to Lead KC delicious! The only downside? Ordering at the bar makes it tricky to hold your seat as a solo guest. Drinks are a bit pricey, but the ambiance is worth it. Great spot for book lovers looking to relax with a cocktail!

Monstera's Books is sooo cute! I love that there are plants along with supplies and books to take…read morecare of the plants. It's a small place but has plenty of variety. They found the book I needed asap and were so kind! They also had cards and stationary items that were so cute. There were also some free book marks at the counter that were so cute!

Omg !!!! LOVED this bookstore. I live in the Northland so I don't often make it down to the OP area…read morebut stopped in here on a day out and I totally will be back at some point! They had a great selection of books and easy to find your way around with the organization of the books. Walked out with a nice little haul :)

We made a trip this past weekend to KC and had a blast. This was our first stop! I had seen clips…read moreon social media and knew my little book worms would love it. We bought our tickets ahead of time, so we could secure our time slot. However, it looked like you can get tickets there the day of. Tickets are fairly priced, $16/person. This place is a lot bigger than I thought. Once you go down the rabbit hole, there are little burrows to crawl through, stop by and check out the rabbits little house before making your way through. It took us about 2 hours to go through, my kids loved all the interactive pieces to it. They could climb in nearly everything, there was a slide, a fire pole, etc. If you aren't familiar with the books, don't worry, they keep them stocked at each section so you can read it! Once we were done, we made our way to the bookstore. They had a wonderful large staircase that people could just relax and read books which I thought was wonderful little touch. They had a great selection of books and had a section of all the books from the displays. They have a coffee shop but unfortunately it was closed when we were there. The staff was wonderful, the volunteers are all scattered throughout to help customers. The volunteers and staff truly love books and children. We will absolutely be back again!

Well put together museum where all the books you grew up comes alive…read more Brought my kids and their cousins here. They loved it. Got to sit on a story time and caught the bus. Make reading great again!

I was wondering around on a Saturday evening and found this local gem. What an incredible place…read more Enchanting. I immediately felt at home exploring the 3 floors. The books cover every subject. Some were probably harder to find. I happened upon a hardback about Eleanor Roosevelt and the years she spent alone after FDR's death. I also found a copy of an old magazine which explored all sorts of Tibetan culture. I purchased both. The book on Eleanor was found in the basement which is a bit of a labyrinth. I got tickled because I was entranced by the books so much that I nearly tripped several times on the very uneven floor. And it's painted all the same color so you can't see the weird level changes well but I was weirdly not even upset about it because it added some intrigue to the mystery of searching the shelves in the basement. Even on a nearly 100 degree day, it was chilly down there. Cool! Upstairs on the 3rd floor where it was toasty, I found the magazine. There were some cool lounge areas up there too. Record albums and a music section. I was mesmerized. I believe there were a couple of people putting out books but I'm not sure. I never asked anyone for help because I wasn't sure who worked there and I didn't really need any. The guy who checked me out seemed pleasant but I can't speak too much on the service except to say it was fine. I felt it was very acceptable to read through books even though they were for purchase and except on the crowded main floor, they had places for you to sit and read so it was even encouraged! I love that! The only thing I'd have liked that I did not see is a bit more merchandise that is book and reading related. They had a few Prospero Books tshirts and a tote bag but that was about it. I admit it wouldn't necessarily fit the vibe to have a section like this or maybe it could if done in a nonchalant way. The messages from customers written on the walls and shelves throughout the store along with photos were absolutely perfect! There were some photos that showed the basement before it became the magical place it is right now. Reading the messages and seeing the photos let me know I was in the realm of my people. All the books and magazines I saw were reasonably priced. I spent less than $15 on my large hardback and magazine. I didn't have nearly enough time to explore. I hope to go back!! You should definitely go and support a local bookstore treasure!!! I'm so thrilled they are here! We need more like them! And they carried ALL types of books. There is no censorship. As noted on Prospero Tshirts, "There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." - Joseph Brodsky And you'll find in my friend's book, The Sun Does Shine, they can strip you of everything but if you have an imagination, they can't take that. Books and reading develop that ability. Let the words transport you! READ!

Such a cute spot in westport to check out if your walking by or are wanting a new book. There are 3…read morelevels so many many books to sort through with every single genre you could imagine. the variety is insane. Not impressed with the staff, as they didn't say hello or anything to us (they were watching videos behind the desk in their computer). But, the atmosphere is phenomenal and takes you back to nostalgic days in an old bookstore. One of my favorite parts of this place is a little glass window pointing downstairs. Little things like that keep the character of this place alive. Most of the prices seemed fair as well. Not too ridiculously expensive for kc.

Wise Blood is a lovely bookstore in Westport and is a great addition to the area! They have variety…read moreof genre selection (including used and new books), a kid's books section, coloring books (adults and children), notebooks/pens (moleskin style stuff), and were very welcoming when my husband and I walked in. They feature local art on the back wall - we went to a "meet the artist" event one evening (Hubbard Savage is the local artist featured - he's super talented!). There were also some musicians who played and also did some spoken word type of stuff, both of which were delightful! They have a little seating area that's comfy if you wanna sit and flip through a stack of books when you're trying to decide which to get. I will definitely be back - this place is amazing. Highly recommend you stop reading this review, get in your car/on a bike, and go check it out!

It was my first time in town and ran across this store. Great selection of books in titles and…read morediversity of genres. Used and new books in great condition. You can tell a lot of love and thought went into the titles! Great collection and will definitely be back.

My husband found Seven Stories when visiting the area before we moved, and he told me all about the…read moreincredible owner, Halley, and her family. It was my first bookstore stop the week we moved. Since my first visit over a year ago, Seven Stories has quickly become a "third place" for me. I love how dedicated Seven Stories is to supporting local artists, BIPOC artists and writers, LGBTQIA+ stories, and the Shawnee community overall. Whether you are looking to browse or stay a while, it is always worth the visit. Check out their special events and book clubs, too! Seven Stories, and the community they have built, feels like home.

It's a bookshop & local gift stop rolled into one brick & mortar spot in Shawnee. Locally owned…read morewith a book inventory that rotates fairly frequently, and who doesn't love a good book? Plenty of children's titles, lots of current fiction, and a strong selection of biographies all round out the shop. You can also browse the games & puzzles selections, locally made postcards & prints, and other Kansas City-oriented items. I picked up a fun game of 'Haikubes', a series of cubes with differing words and themes with which to build Japanese poetry. What a find! Parking is easy and browsing is easy. Definitely a vibe of a 'book store' with the space & service. Check it out!

I go to romance bookstores in cities I visit and Under the Cover is probably the best I've seen!…read moreIt's large and organizes books by tropes. There's just a lot of small details that the owners have taken note of and implemented in the store. It's 2 large stores now (it's gotten bigger) and the decorations and gifts are wonderful. Very Instagrammable. Lots of books and gifts like candles, shirts, bags, knickknacks. Cute signs and decor. Books by local authors are highlighted. Staff is very helpful. Bathroom is clean and cute. There's lots of ladders that remind you that you're not Belle, do not stand on them! A must-visit if you're in KC!

I used to be in the bookstore business. Remember bookstores? Those cavernous spaces with endless…read moreshelves of books of which maybe only 5% actually got purchased? Yeah. Good memories. That's not the case at Under The Cover. This is a legit, almost boutique-ish, book and gift store. It's not a warehouse of books and just 'stuff'. No, their specialty lies with LGBTQ+ literature, awareness, and advocacy and that theme is everywhere in this cozy space. Under The Cover is moving books aplenty and their merch and sundries game is amazing. Throw up a hand if you're an LGBTQ+ supporter. Heck, throw up a hand if you're on the other side of those lifestyles, because Under The Cover will WELCOME you, too. There are plenty of Christian bookstores, so balancing that ledger with inclusivity and love by patronizing an alternative choice & lifestyle business should be on anyone's radar. The service is uber-friendly and they will give suggestions for just about anything. Sign their guest book (so fun!) or just drop your email to receive future discounts, notice of specials, or even in-store author events. Support local is not just a rallying cry for farmers markets or service industries. It's critical to buttress our friends and neighbors who pour their hearts and souls into offering the great city a neverending array of shops & locations by supporting their businesses. The value in a place like Under The Cover is not just in the price tag of the items. No, it's more in the merit of small businesses and their place in the fabric that is Kansas City. Parking is city-style, which can mean you're on your own. Prices are fair and consistent, and you will appreciate what this space has become and how it can add to the Union Hill area. Take the time, and the opportunity, to stop in and feel the love.

They actually have a decent collection of new vinyl records, and sometimes they are few dollars…read morecheaper than other stores in town. Check out their bargain aisles, lots of cheap books to choose from. Super friendly staff. They will ask you to become a BAM member. beware, unless you come here often or order your books from their website, it probably won't be worth the annual fee.

Average books a million, is not very memorable. One of the more average ones, but smaller than the…read moreKansas City one. They have a huge variety, but is not very clean. The prices are kinda ridiculous for some items. Okay, I recommend traveling to the Kansas City one if you're really interested in the books, this store doesn't have a huge variety. Like I said, it is very average and the layout is very unorganized. It is hard to walk in and everything is tight there. It is also very nasty, and I expect that with carpet, but plastic and gum on the ground? The prices are expensive for most items, even though they have huge sales. The random extra items like color pencils are around 25 dollars, but maybe they're branded, but it's a little unorthodox.

My husband and I were in the area today for breakfast and so we decided to go into this particular…read morelocation. We both separated inside the store and went to our genres of books we liked. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing and generally quiet. They have a Starbucks café inside to enjoy. They have a wide variety of books, music, magazines, and an assortment of other items. My husband ended up getting some magazines and I bought a journal. The service when we checked out was nice and quick, and the woman was nice. The books are generally more expensive because their new but they do have areas where there are inexpensive books and a variety of sales, they also have a clearance section.

Great, knowledgeable service employees, opinions very helpful. Nice to see a physical book store…read morestill thriving. Incredible selection, could spend days there and barely scratch the surface. Good Starbucks inside.