Excellent prices and selection. Not as many science and math, but plenty in other areas of interest. Knowledgeable and helpful staff pointed us in the right direction. read more

Monroe Street Books - Bookstores Near Me - Middlebury, Vermont

I drove by here early in the day. I was heading North and knew Id be passing back by on my way back South. When I passed by in the morning it wasn't open, but even then there were books outside just calling out to be perused. So upon my return, some 7 hours later, I stopped in. Easy parking out front. It's huge. Books for days. These are used books, and many are in great shape, and priced accordingly. This isn't the cheapest used bookstore I've come across, but I think it's the most extensive. I wasn't looking for anything specific so didn't ask for anything. But I spent time in the cookbook and travel book sections. Huge. So many to choose from. Many decades of choices, including recent, especially important in the travel book section. I found the pricing a little higher than I expected, but I picked up some books anyway. Used bookstores keep books relevant and out of landfills both. Gotta love that. read more

See all

I completely disagree with Dorothy on this one. First, in such a small state like Vermont, it's remarkable to find a used bookstore with so many books (80,000+, from what I understand). And considering some of the bookstores I've been to that feature piles upon piles of haphazardly-arranged books that give me what I like to call "Disorganization Headaches" (you know who you are, My Croft in Underhill, VT and Yes! Books in Portland, ME), it's a pleasure to walk into Monroe Street and see neatly-organized shelves from floor to ceiling, not only with plenty of ladders to use to access these books and chairs in which to sit and read these books, but also with plenty of space to browse without any danger of claustrophobia setting in. If that means an "impersonal and generic warehouse" setting, so be it. Used bookstore beggers can't be choosers. Besides, I'm not there to live, I'm there to browse. Second, I can vouch for Dorothy's statement that the employees are plugged into their computers, but unlike Dorothy, I don't have a problem with this one bit. When I go to bookstores, I go there to browse, not to socialize. The times at Monroe Street when I've been unable to find a book or have been curious if they had one in stock, the staff has responded to my queries with nothing short of friendly professionalism. And by the way, 9 times out of 10, yes, they did have what I was looking for. Their selection is incredible. Regarding the prices, I will admit that the prices aren't ideal for used books. They're certainly not at the bottom of the scale, but they're also not unreasonable. For example, my most recent purchase, a flawless copy of a hardcover 1st printing of American Rust by Phillip Meyer (winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize) which is currently being sold online for $15 and up, I purchased for $10. $10 for a flawless copy of a recent-but-hard-to-find novel with a bonus of not having to pay for shipping? Not bad in my book, not bad at all. Finally, I've decided to change my rating from 4 stars to 5 stars because of my most recent visit, which served to further confirm my perception of this place. I drove 45 minutes to the store for a specific book for my book group. I drove there after I discovered that ALL bookstores in Burlington were out of stock of this book. Within 1 minute of entering Monroe Street, I found two copies of this book. One priced higher because it was a first printing, and one priced reasonably because it wasn't. When I attempted to pay for this $4 book, I was told they don't take credit cards for such a low amount. The owner handed me the book and said, "You can pay us the next time you're here." After approximately twenty visits to Monroe Street, I can still say that I have yet to leave this store empty-handed. read more

This used book store has the impersonal feel of a generic grocery store (Stop N Shop, for example). It's a huge warehouse overflowing with books that are, in my opinion, overpriced. It's located on Route 7, two or three miles north of downtown Middlebury, with easy parking in front. When you walk in, there are two people on either side of the entrance, plugged into their computers. They barely notice you. A short hello would suffice. I am aware that used book stores are conducting most of their business on line these days, but come on. These folks are more focused on the computer than on the customer. Not one word as we walk in. It's all very organized, and there are a LOT of books, but you will not find any bargains. In fact, when I saw what they are selling some of their books for, I was amazed that anyone would pay that much. You will find lots of fiction, art books, local material and children's books. If you are buying used books, please look closely at the condition. You want really great quality at these prices. (If they are charging over $100 for an obscure, unsigned first edition, it should be in a Brodart wrapper for you, as well.) You will have fun here if you are a book lover, for sure, but you should know what you want and how much you want to pay. I shop all over New England for used books and build up relationships with the owners of the shops. This is one of the few spots where I usually leave empty handed and that is pretty tough, as I LOVE my used book stores. read more

Very big selection of used books. Not as extensive a selection as 'the Strand in NYC, for example, but much cheaper pricing. According to the owner, even more are housed in 'another room'. The owner has extensive knowledge of the books, so I advise you to pick his brain if you are looking for something specific. The prices are very good, even for the older issues. I could spend hours in this store without noticing the passage of time. They also sell books online, but the prices look much higher than appeared in the store. read more

I bought a book from this book store through ABEBooks.com and cannot thank them enough for 1. listing the rare book that would have otherwise been lost and 2. the great extent that they went through packing the book to make sure it was shipped with care. Thank you again for the book! read more

If you live in Vermont and lived elsewhere you may notice one thing not so maple-syrup-exhilarating: local city libraries may be in wonderful, spooky historic buildings, staff may be wonderfully friendly and inventory cards still on lovely tactile paper in little drawers, just: the book selection is noticeably, sorry people!, C.R.A.P. Have you ever tried looking something up on, let's say a topic in BIOLOGY and patronized Burlington Library? Art history? Yes, the kid's section there is great, only I am no longer seven... I have been refereed to use Middlebury college library, but on the way out there I got stuck in Monroe Street Books and found everything I need. It is simply unbelievable, and it is the kind of place where one thinks: "This? HERE?" I need frequently books on art, theater and photography. They also have other topics, but I need those less, so go and check according to your needs. Prices are normal. Check amazon and compare. Just here you can check the book's condition and take it home without mailing fees. Staff. They are not overbearing, but also not horrible, they let you be, if you need something they will check if they have it. Occasional sales offers with extra percent off. In this area, surely as good as it gets! If you wanted something more sleek you are better served with the sales table in Barnes&Nobles, it is a different thing. Up to you. read more

Best bookstore ever. Great hours, huge collection, excellent prices, and the guys are pleasant and helpful.

Driving home, we passed this store. I assumed it was closed, the wife assumed otherwise. Thus, we turned around. EXCELLENT decision on her part. This store is amazing. Don't stop here unless you have some time to browse. Or better yet, do stop and make time to browse. This place is amazing, if you are a book lover. Plan to spend some time here. Not a lot of money, but a lot of time. We've added to our places to be sure to come back and see again! read more

I come here for books I know I will keep lovingly on display for years to come. Precarious because the selection of rare books is so immensely comforting. The website is also highly useful. A delightful find and well worth a visit. read more

The best way to spend time here is exploring instead of shopping. The quantity of books is staggering, and it pays to look around at all of the different sections. It also helps to be comfortable on a ladder! I worked at Monroe for a few months organizing and shelving books, and contradictory to another reviewer's impression the owner and the handful of other employees are great people. They're relaxed, friendly, and unpretentious. Most importantly, they don't engage in any sort of retail showmanship (think of walking into a clothing store in a mall), which makes for an honest, comfortable atmosphere. The store also gets a fair amount of books resold by college students. Sections like philosophy, sociology, and literature have a lot of current (and most likely barely read) books in great condition. read more

What a great bookstore, and knowledgable, helpful, staff. I pulled in on a whim, having left my place an hour away to explore beautiful Vermont on a glorious day. Have been reading the Jed McKenna trilogy, in which he cites several titles, among them Moby Dick, 1984, Candide, How to Read a Book, etc. So I stopped at Monroe when I saw the Used Books sign from the road. Walked into what seemed to me a scene from The Truman Show. Asked the gentleman standing near the door if he had a copy of 1984; he must have detected the urgency combined with an unwillingness to comb the shelves. He knew exactly where there was a copy outside on the sale shelf. Bought it for $1! Will definitely come back here some time when the cues have scratched their design on my mind. read more