As Alexandra mentioned, the only downside to Joseph Beth is the parking situation. Avoid the area during the brunch/lunch rush (First Watch is right next door and responsible for a great deal of the traffic) and you'll be fine, though! I love Joseph Beth not only for it's extensive book collection and cafe, but also for the events that the bookstore is hosting all the time. Last summer I was able to see Red's pitcher Bronson Arroyo do an acoustic set in the middle of the store and I've also met a few notable authors at Joseph Beth...Barnes & Noble and Borders just don't offer the same. The employees at Joseph Beth seem to actually want to be there, something that can't be said for other large bookstores. Every time I stop in I'm greeted by an employee who genuinely wants to help me find a book that I will enjoy. Even when I turn down the service, if an employee spots me looking at a book they'll grab another and say "If you think that one looks good, check out this one." They're usually right on target. The Bronte Bistro is another part of Joseph Beth that has to be mentioned. This is no ordinary bookstore cafe or coffee shop, Bronte draws from recipes that can be found in various cookbooks the store carries to create their menu. I have had the "Barefoot Contessa" Tomato and Mozzarella panini on a few lunch occasions and it is delicious! This cafe is a great lunch spot and it's always less crowded than First Watch! read more

I like supporting local businesses like Joseph Beth. However, the workers in the kids part aren't very friendly and almost always seem annoyed that kids are there. I always feel like I need to rush out of there as a worker is always saying 'oh be careful' or 'don't touch that' to my 2 year old. It's a kid's bookstore with a train table where you are supposed to encourage play. read more

I really wish I could give them a higher rating since I do love going there and I do love how expansive it is. The primary problem is that they're poorly organized. Whenever there are live musicians (often!), they play right in front of the poetry display. Which would be okay, but they are close enough to it that I can't get to it. Such a shame, since it's so hard to get people to read poetry anyway. In addition, writing manuals and dictionaries are, improbably, in the YA area. As if only kids would want those. Lined and blank journals are mixed together. I could go on. read more

The bookstore has everything you need but what is even more amazing is Bronte the restaurant! I highly recommend a breakfast because the omelets are delicious because they are made to order. Enjoy a breakfast or a enjoy a lunch Bronte is definitely a place to check out and of course head out to the bookstore for quick browse or spend the afternoon Joseph Beth has it all! read more

This is a great, service-oriented book store. While bookstores themselves maybe on the endangered list, this place reminds me of what we'd be losing if we lost all of them. They have a good selection, and while I haven't always found everything I've come in for, the staff have been SUPER friendly, helpful, informed, and informative. I really like their local Cincinnati/Ohio section. They also have a nice little cafe stand for coffee outside of the full restaurant (which is also top notch). Shop here to keep our local bookstores in business! read more

This place is so ghetto. Food in bistro sucks with poor management. Bathrooms are so trashed. Don't waste your time

Everything you could possibly need from a bookstore. Calm music playing in the background, delicious coffee and bistro inside, and racks upon racks of books. I love sneaking into a corner chair and settling into a good page turner. Although it can be busy on weekends it is still quiet enough to get some reading (or work) done. This place fills me with so much warmth and joy. I love it! read more

I had just finished a fun family meal at Frenchie Fresh with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. Then we decided to go to the book store to give my 17 month old grandson jude a chance to play. Upon entering we to the back where the children's area is located. It is designed to be very interactive. There are many educational toys, games and books sold here. Many of these the children can play with on the two low rise floor display stands and the big carpeted steps that create a seating section for guests to relax on. I really liked the car and train themed play sets and the fun games and puzzles that parents can enjoy doing with their children. Then there are the books, balls, dinosaurs and stuffed animals. With the hands on atmosphere and the friendly and helpful staff this is a great place for families to spend time together and to find something cool, fun or educational to take home with them. My grandson wanted to explore everywhere! I suggest that you visit this Joseph-Beth Booksellers for some quality family adventures. Until next time be kind to each other. #yelpcincy #joseph-bethbooksellers read more

Similar to Barnes and Noble and Borders but not as big. J-B is a regional chain with stores in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Charlotte and Lexington. They are more friendly and helpful than the national chains. It's more diverse than just a bookstore. They have an amazing children's section, a small but very good card section and great prices with sales seemingly every time we go here when in the QC. I love browsing there sports books and calendars and JB is always a great place to find gifts. This is a great company to support if you are fed up with Borders' and Barnes and Noble. read more

This is my favorite bookstore in all the world (though I admit Vancouver and Paris have some good ones). The selection is great and they can order you anything they don't have. The events ate wonderful; I've met many of my literary idols there. They don't crowd the shop with too many non-book products; there are some but they tend to be cool and don't take up too much space. Best of all there ate plenty of comfortable quiet corners where you can take a stack of books and get lost for hours. read more

I love this bookstore! They have a great cafe with delicious chocolate milkshakes, lots of author visits, and tons of great books! I will say, their media is usually very overpriced, but I don't typically go there in search for a DVD or CD. It's a great independent bookseller! read more

I adore this store. It's got great selection, but isn't so big that visiting it is exhausting. The children's section is phenomenal - my daughter saves up her money and asks to go there to look for her favorite books! read more

You belong here if you are a book lover. The staff is so knowledgeable and friendly. You can almost picture yourself sipping wine with them at book club. The selection and displays are always engaging- and there are great gift ideas. I always come here when I have no clue what to get someone. I leave feeling a little more cultured and happy with what I found. Bronte Cafe next door is also phenomenal. The food and ambiance are perfect. read more

I do love that a local bookstore is able to thrive, and provide the same quality experience as a bigger named store in Cincinnati. However, that can be a downside. I often find that local bookstores are a haven of hard to find or great recommendations. And every time I go to JoBeth, I feel like I am still in a B&N. The same displays, the same buy one, get one 50% off deals, etc. However, as Amanda said below, they often don't have the book I'm looking for! I am a library girl, so I rarely buy a book unless I've already read it, but sometimes the library's hold time is way too long so I decide to purchase before reading. That's when I usually head out to JoBeth. But pretty much every time that's the case, I can't get the book there, either! My brother reads a lot of manga, and he's complained recently that they've condensed what used to be a nice little section of manga and graphic novels into just one set of shelves. It's also located right by the entrance to the kid's section, and mangas have the deception of looking kid friendly but usually their content is not. He said they put a little disclaimer there, but that's not gonna stop a kid from picking up a "picture book" on their way to the kid's section. The upside to JoBeth, to end on a good note, is that I think their displays are awesome. I always leave with a good list to bring to my holds list at the library. Even if they are a little obsessed with the mystery genre. Seriously, every other shelf is a special display of mysteries! read more

My kids love to read, and love going to Joseph Beth. They have a good selection of books for all ages, and they always have great help. Need to find a book? Their employees will walk the store with you to find what you need... and order it for you if they don't have it. The summer reading program for kids is fun... discounts on books and freebies for the kids for finishing books. If you're a reader, Joseph Beth is highly recommended! read more

Hands down best book store in Cincinnati. I live in Philadelphia now and the bookstores here suck compared to Joseph-Beth. The prices are great, the selection is awesome and the restaurant is really good! read more

Joseph-Beth is my favorite book store in the City. I cannot go into book stores too often since I tend to spend too much money in them, but if I go to one, this is the one I would go to. Even though they have some hard times recently, they still do some great things like donating some of their funds to worthy causes. This past weekend they were donating parts of their profits from book sells to the Know Theatre. Also, the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. If they do not have the book you are looking for they can usually order it and get it in quickly. They have a great selection of local books. Bronte's restaurant is a nice addition. I go to a book club that meets there and even though it is not associated with the store, they let us use some of their tables to hold it there and even give us a 20% discount if we buy one of the books for the club there. read more

Forget about the incredible children's department. Forget about the amazing bistro , the award-winning magazine section, and the free author events that happen more days than not- what makes Joseph-Beth a destination, instead of a retailer, is their incredible staff armed with vast knowledge on new and old books, great gift ideas and pure desire to help connect me with what I'm looking for when I walk in their doors. Unlike other bookstores- when customers sign up for their member program, a percentage of every purchase they make goes to a non-profit group that the customer selects from a list. It's not hard to understand why this bookstore continues to thrive when so many are failing- it is a cornerstone of the Cincinnati community. read more

I love Joseph Beth! Friendly, helpful staff along with an amazing selection! If they don't have it, they'll find it! What's not to love! Plus, Brontes has wonderful lattes! read more

Nice but expensive. I love to browse here on a lazy Sunday. Good cafe too.

I spent a summer in Cincinnati several years ago and practically lived in this bookshop. It is very cozy and welcoming. The cafe inside is pretty jam as well. Every time I come back to visit Cincy I stop by here to grab a small bite and browse books read more

I really like to come to Joseph Beth to browse their merchandise....I always find great gifts here! I love their Spartina line of handbags. Bronte Bistro is good and the atmosphere of the bookstore and café is nice. I am a member of the bookstore's rewards program which is an excellent value and more than pays for itself with monthly coupons, coupons to thE bistro and additional savings,,,plus it supports charities like the zoo! read more

Love this bookstore ;-) Employee gave my son so many suggestions on different books that I picked one for myself. I wish I got her name. She was awesome! read more

This is a nice place to find new books and magazines. It's big, new, and pleasant, with a good selection and a cafe and restaurant. Basically, it's a slightly nicer, slightly more independent version of a Barnes and Noble or a Borders. The difference is minimal, but there's a difference. It's okay. read more

Love it. Great for parents as well as kids. The Bronte cafe is also a great accompaniment and fits perfectly. We have three kids younger than 8 and our kids love going, especially reading and playing in the kids area and as parents, we love the clearance section right outside the door! read more

This bookstore feels friendly. I also love that they commit to hosting authors in house. While many bemoan the extinction of the record store, this is my haven. I pray JB and eeven lesser bookstores thrive in this digital age. They have a lifetime customer in me. read more

Incredibly knowledgeable staff that is focused on having actual conversations with their customers. I have found many of my new favorite authors from the booksellers there. Great selection, incredible staff. read more

Love this bookstore and it's fun to browse and pick up real books instead of always searching online. Staff is friendly and helpful.

BEWARE GIFT BUYERS! I like to shop early for Christmas presents. They will not accept any returns WITH RECEIPT after 30 days. No store credit, nothing. They were very rude about it when we tried to return a tablet holder. Sales person said, "it says so on the receipt." That is true, however how many of you buy something then sit down and read the bottom of the receipt? In this age of super prices and excellent return policies at Amazon I would think local businesses would try to do better to keep our business. I'm sad to write this because I loved to browse, shop, eat and purchase items from them and wanted to support my local businesses when I could. read more

Hands down, the best bookstore in Cincinnati. Incredible staff, wonderful events, and huge selection. Bronte Bistro serves up incredible cuisine and is a hidden gem for Cincinnatians featuring selections from the accompanying bookstore's cookbooks. The children's section is 5x bigger than most kids bookstores, and they have great storytimes hosted by staffers who just love children. I can't imagine shopping at another bookstore in Cincinnati other than Joseph-Beth. read more

Bookstores are the most dangerous places for me. I heard a quote somewhere that said, essentially, when I have money, I buy books, but when I have more money, I buy food. Depends on what most nourishes you I suppose. If you're the type who can live on prose alone, Joseph-Beth Booksellers is the best place in the city of Cincinnati to find your sustenance. It's a unique combination of ersatz-Borders meets struggling corner book seller. The staff is knowledgeable and approachable, the lay-out of the store is fairly navigable and intuitive, and the selection is both indy and NY Times Book Review/Bestseller. Many hours can be very well spent in Jospeh-Beth, perusing and plopping down on a chair or piece of carpeted floor to thumb through the latest flashy-covered Michael Chabon novel or a book of Dickinson poetry. You'll feel more educated, cultured, and thoughtful even through the briefest encounters with Joseph-Beth. Worth wading through strip-mall concrete for. read more

I used to love this bookstore. I am a strong supporter of independent and small business in my town. Bought almost all bday and holiday gifts there. But after two bad customer service experiences, I've abondoned it. The first was almost laughable. But the second was not. A young salesgirl in the kid's section upbraided me in a loud and humiliating manner for letting my son touch the merchandise. She tried to shame me and asked if I didn't know better than to let him ruin the merchandise. I went to purchase the item, because I felt so bad (and customers were staring at me). Long story short, it was a display that had been put our for kids to play with!! A store manager responded to my call, but there was no real resolution. So I won't shop the chain bookstores, but Amazon is mailing to our house once a week at least. Hey -- it's cheaper and seems to want my business more than J-B. read more

I have been in every section...from Childrens to Bronté Bistro and everywhere in between. We love everything about this place. Over the past week, I have been there with my child, a few times. Everytime we go the staff is couteous, knowledgable, and friendly. The place is clean, well-organized, and aesthetically pleasing. While I could say I wish gift items and books were more cost-effective I do notice everything is high-quality. There are bargain shelves for books and some on sale (especially for members-membership is$25 for the year. You get coupons for the bistro that cover this cost-good food, quaint atmosphere, good service.) I have never been to any special events. There happened to be a jazz group playing once when we were making a quick stop for a gift. That was a really nice surprise. This is one of those places that you may be willing to pay a bit more for books and gifts due to quality and atmosphere. read more

Went to the Bruce Campbell book signing a week ago. Thought it would be a fun mother son activity. Bought my book and ticket just like everyone else, stood in line like everyone else, but when I was our turn to meet Bruce I was flat out told no, my stuff I brought to be signed was taken from me and I was made to wait by the stairs until they returned it to me. Don't know why I was treated differently from everyone else. Contacted them many times asking for an explanation and got nothing. So thank you for ruining what was supposed to be a fun family evening, will never return. read more

Couldn't get an employee to help me for anything. Instead they were all immersed in conversing with each other. Gossiping about if some employee was going to come back to work and whether she was trustworthy or not. I needed to find books on help with college science courses and their scientific section was small and pathetic, same with their school based section, which was squeezed in with sciences. There were more books on dogs in the science section than anything else. And the medical section, which was squeezed in with tons of cookbooks, was more books on some doctor trying to make you fall for whatever "diet they believe is right" than true reference-type books. Very disappointed.. read more

I am utterly in awe of this place. It has the best art section I've seen... well.... ever in a large book store. Instead of only having those obnoxious 'learn to manga' books they actually have art books for ARTISTS. I was able to pick up a catalog of facial expressions that was organized by age with 3000 photos and 100 people. By far the coolest reference that i've seen in a long time. Their art section is actually organized not as a blob of drawing books, but by graphic design, and typography, and the like. It's so much easier on the eyes, and you don't end up rolling your eyes every few moments when you come across particularly feeble how to draw books. read more

Took my daughter to signing w/ Chris colfer(Glee). I was not looking forward to this but the staff was awesome..so kind and enthusiastic to hundreds of teen girls. Everything was so smooth. Plus, they have great gift-y items for sale. Their cafe has cocktails-so a great time had by all. Support your local businesses! read more

Don't bother trying to go here when they are about to close. I went to Joseph Beth about five minutes prior to closing knowing exactly what I wanted and where the book was. I wasn't shopping around. I was greeted at the door with a sour faced employee that informed me that they were closing soon and I replied that I'd be out before they even locked the door, of course that was before I knew they were locking the doors before the advertised closing time. I was then blasted with tacky music all themed around closing, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy singing "so long bye bye" and the song Closing Time, they are putting the "K" in "Klassy." The book I was wanting was upstairs in the history section so I jogged up the steps to grab it when the employees shut off half the lights in the store. Up stairs was pitch black and I almost tripped over a stool so I called out over the din of music playing for someone to turn on the lights so I could see and was immediately told in a harsh tone "we're closing!" After tying to explain to the employee that I needed the lights on to leave they finally turned on the lights which allowed me to put the book I was going to buy away and then drive to Barnes and Noble. I'll never shop there again. read more

it's not bad but it always feels somewhat disorganized or something to me- i can't quite put my finger on it. i'm glad it's an independent bookstore and not a chain in this shopping center. read more

This is a great bookstore. I'm not sure what it is, but the actual layout of the books leads me to always find books that I wouldn't have otherwise. I'm much more likely to find something at Joseph Beth than I would be at other stores. It's also a nice place to take my family for brunch when they're visiting from out of town. Even if there's a wait at Bronte, the store can keep them amused for quite awhile. read more