Stepped in to this unexpectedly lovely independent bookstore. This truly is a 3rd space, an…read moreinformal public space outside of home and work where people can gather and interact. Odobo means the importance of active involvement and participation in one's neighborhood to foster a sense of community. This bookstore does just that. They offer different community events like story time for children, adult yoga, karaoke night and even a self defense class. Today I simply bought some stickers and perused the books. I have my eye on a book for next time. I'll be attending a class next weekend. The space feels welcoming and safe. Looking forward to more visits.

Obodo Serendipity Books is such a welcome addition to the community…read more They have a great selection of books (new and used) and are happy to order whatever they don't have in stock. They're also making a concerted effort to be a community space by hosting various events, like reading groups and kids story time.

I walked in and I was immediately greeted by a dog. I told the owner, who was holding a book club…read moremeeting, that I was happy about that because I had seen a picture of the dog while researching the store and I figured that the dog wouldn't be there anymore because it was a three year old picture. They all laughed. After that, I took a cursory look at the fiction section. Then I wanted to look at the nonfiction section, which was next to the book club. I observed them for a minute out of curiosity. The novel they were discussing seemed interesting. I then spent a good five or ten minutes skimming through a book I found interesting and looking up information about it online when the owner walked up to me and asked me to go to the other side of the store because she thought I was eavesdropping and worried it might make the others uncomfortable. I apologized and sat down in a chair for about half an hour while I waited for the meeting to end so that I could browse that section again, but I eventually had to leave because I ran out of time and needed to be elsewhere. The book selection looked good from a distance. Wish I could have checked it out. At least I got to pet a dog, though.

Possible Futures is a bright, colorful, quirky bookstore in a little corner of edgewood. I came…read morehere for an album-release event hosted by my friends which Lauren, the owner, graciously supported. Walking around the store, I perused through all of the carefully curated book selection from culturally-savvy children's books to invigorating reads on advocacy and change-making. The store's environment is one of warmth which invites you in for a friendly cup of tea or one of their many events like a mahjong night I'm looking forward to attending. Once you make it, you'll want to stay and have a convo with the many regulars who swear by the magic of this store . Everything about this place embodies acceptance and welcome. Possible Futures is my new favorite bookstore in New Haven and I cannot recommend a place more. Bonus: Lookout for Sugar, the bookstore puppers!

we love this store! they are friendly and kind and we really like the staff. they always have all…read morethe cool toys and tons of legos too!

Had a great experience with management and staff and it was related to a small order right before…read moreChristmas. That is how you build goodwill with your customer base. Kudos to Awesome Toys and Gifts.

Great little indie bookstore with a good selection of current books and books for children, along…read morewith some fun reading-related items like stickers, pens, etc. Beautiful art for sale as well, and many terrific events in their schedule. If they don't have the book you want, they'll order it. Highly recommend!

Went for a book signing of Mike Sorrento. Waited for 3 hours in line, the staff made sure to keep…read moreeveryone in line updated . For a three hour wait it didn't seem like it.

Greatest little book store going! Helpful staff and will order what you need if not in stock.read more

I stopped in today during my lunch break because I had a gift certificate given to me by one of my…read morestudents. It's a great little shop with a wonderful variety. The store is well organized, clean, bright and inviting. Many of the shelves display books by cover, not by binding which makes them more appealing and intriguing to the potential buyer. As an art teacher, I naturally gravitated to the adult coloring books and fresh sets of colored pencils. I purchased a small book, but now I wish I bought the colored pencils to go with it. I also got a baby book for my son, it was totally adorable. The nice older lady working there greeted me when I entered and was also super kind during check out. I ended up having money left over on the gift certificate to come back and spend at another time. Next time, maybe I'll focus towards the greeting cards, thank you notes, or better yet...those colored pencils.

Our bellies were full and we needed to burn off some calories while in downtown New Haven, so my…read morefriends took my wife and I over to Grey Matter Books since we are big readers and don't care to just walk into the Barnes and Noble down the street. From the moment you walk into this place you are slapped in the face with the lovely smell of used books. This shop is filled from front to back with thousands of used books all separated in little sections. This place definitely doesn't have a ton of newer titles, but is definitely the type of place you can spend an hour or so in just digging through everything and finding some weird and quirky reads. Overall, Grey Matter Books is a very solid used book store with a wide array of different types of books. Although I didn't leave with anything (I live in LA so I can only travel with so many new books, which is a shame) this place is definitely somewhere I'll continue to stop at when visiting Connecticut in the future.

I had been to their "main" (original?) store in Massachusetts, and was so excited to see them as I…read moredrove through New Haven. In fact, even though they were not participating in the Dessert Crawl I was there for, they were my first stop. I made such a smart decision. This store has the same type of fantastic inventory you find in Massachusetts, just fewer ducks guarding it. Every space that can reasonably hold a book shelf has one. It's clean, well faced, and has the occasional folding chair to sit and take it all in. The clerk let people browse quietly, which was more appreciated. The prices were written on the inside cover, so it was nice and clear. I'm excited to go back for the next Crawl and include this store as a stop!

I love the layout of the store, it was my first time in and I enjoy supporting small business, and…read moreKindred Thoughts is so vital to the community in Bridgeport and elsewhere. I came from 30 minutes away to pick up books, and I will continue to order hard to get books for my personal collection and patronize this beautiful space. I enjoyed visiting and speaking to the owner and I appreciate that Kindred Thoughts exists!

Exploring the are we came across this huge store. It not only has books but clothing and a little…read morebit of history. I liked the selection and the service. Everyone watches and greets people around Pretty impressed

The bookstore has everything-from books to souvenirs. We even bought 2 fans for my daughter's…read moreapartment. Great location to the school too. Prices were high but of course... it's Yale!