Northshire Bookstore is a bookworm's paradise! There's something for everyone - fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, romance, biography, cooking, banned books - you name it, they've got it! They have a section of used books for a lower price along with a cafe. They even sell records. There's a full section of greeting cards, stationary, planners, notebooks etc. Plus a small section with Vermont touristy/souvenirs. What's not to love?! I left buying 4 books for myself and one as a gift. read more

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This is the best bookstore I have ever visited! You are literally immersed inside a world of books. There are multiple floors fully stocked with every book you can imagine. They also have a cafe. I did not get a chance to visit it since I was happily overwhelmed by all the books. The third floor has the children's section which has colorful decorations, as well as cards, trinkets, journals, and vinyls for sale. Northshire has friendly employees who were very helpful. I am pleased to report they have a large used book section on the second floor. I will definitely be visiting this charming place more often! read more

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I spent an hour here on a recent trip to Manchester, and it was nowhere near enough. I think I barely saw a fraction of this awesome independent bookstore. Next time I'll plan on spending the day there! The store has an expansive collection of books from all categories and genres, as well as a used book section where I snagged some great deals. Everything is well organized, and the displays are lovely. I especially liked the section of banned books decorated with caution tape. Helpful and knowledgeable employees can be found throughout the store if you need help finding a particular book or are looking for recommendations. Plenty of seating is scattered around the store and there's also an attached cafe where you can grab a latte and a snack. Customer restrooms are also available. Don't miss stopping in if you're anywhere near Manchester! read more

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This is one awesome bookstore. Friends who live in the area took us here. I haven't been to a big independent bookstore like this in decades. I was surprised at how it just kept on going. Room after room with an extensive collection in every category. They also have gifts, cards, and a cafe. What a gem and a great resource to this community. read more

This is honestly the COOLEST bookstore imaginable. I won't lie, I've fallen into the Amazon trap of convenience and forgot how magical it is to actually explore a bookstore and I'm glad I picked this one to reinstate my love of bookstores (for more reasons than not wanting to support Bezos, but that's a whole other story). Northshire is HUGE first of all. Rooms and floors and nooks of everything imaginable. What I loved the most was how personable everything was - staff picks are everywhere with notes of why they loved certain books and there are these awesome little touches everywhere. One thing I really loved was their section of banned books and the reasons why they've been banned or challenged - I thought dedicating a section to this and making them accessible is incredibly important. Each section is labeled and in alphabetical order so it's really easy to peruse and find what you're looking for or to use the suggestions of the staff favorites to find your next favorite. Also, make sure you check out their cookbook section - I was blown AWAY (and walked out with Matty Matheson's new cookbook, which I consider a major win to buy in-person versus online). Not only do they have rooms and rooms (and multiple floors) of books, there are also a ton of gifts and also a beautifully curated record section too. There are all different price points, so there's something for everyone and the value is on par with an online retailer, but you're supporting local (they also ship! Free shipping on orders over $75, so I've found my new spot to order books). All in all, I walked out with a cookbook, a Stephen King novel, A Little Life which the cashier told me will break my heart into a million pieces, and the Kendrick MAAD City album - talk about an eclectic haul, but that in and of itself sums up Northshire perfectly. I cannot wait to be back! read more

Such an adorable bookstore with tons of seating, staff pics, whimsy galore, and so many new and classic books. However, the air in the room changed upon seeing walls and walls of pro-Palestine, anti-Israel books in the front of the store, unabashedly being promoted by the staff, with no thought about how it could make their own patrons feel. Why take any political, heavy-handed stance at a charming, small-town bookstore? Was there any thought to how this could make your patrons feel? Sadly disappointing and wouldn't recommend. read more

It's been over a decade since we wrote about Northshire, but it's not for lack of visiting; we're here every time we go to Vermont, which is just about every year. And Northshire only gets better and more appreciated by us. To be brief about it: their stock of books, new and even used, is formidable in so many areas (we're especially admiring of their history and cookbooks). The store continues to grow, literally and figuratively. The people who work here are knowledgeable about books and about the specifics of the store. They seem able to resolve just about any request. And there's a lot to Northshire that's beyond books, things like gift sections, a deli and drink bar with a comfy seating area where you can snack while reading (and it doesn't have to be a book you bought here!). It's a busy independent bookstore, and we definitely believe it's one of the best in the country. Lots of alcoves and alleys to explore, all loaded with books, so it's fun, too. Do yourself a favor: if you're anywhere around here drop by. We believe Northshire is a gem! read more

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I spent 3 hours in this place, browsing and taking in the atmosphere. I adored all the nooks where they created dedicated genre sections. It was like an endless maze but a fun one. The staff notes were fun to read (particularly loved their banned books shelf). The kids section upstairs is not to be missed! So whimsical and sweet! read more

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I popped in to look around. This bookstore is so much fun for meandering. The multi-level locale has such a vast offering, you can't go wrong here. Really impressive bookshop. read more

While I haven't had the opportunity to shop in person, I have ordered online from Northshire Bookstore. Simply amazing. The selection of books is wide, the prices are fair and the staff is very communicative and friendly. I don't know if I'll ever make it there, but this will be my go-to for rarer books. read more

Such a nice bookstore! We stopped by after a hot day at the horse show. Once you entered the bookstore it is like you walked into a castle filled with books. There are many chairs/couches for you to sit and read. No one ever bothers you. There are many notecards on the shelves of staff recommendations. The children section on the third floor is breathtaking. Highly recommend if you want a peaceful afternoon reading. read more

Such a quaint and charming place! The employees are super helpful and nice. I loved all the book reviews from the staff and others. I loved all the beautiful flowers and pumpkins outside the store. Definitely stop here when you're in Manchester! read more

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Fabulous bookstore! Cheerful helpful service. Enormously attractive displays. Better than Powell's in Portland!!! read more

#1/2023 #558 ++ Ambiance is an intimate independent bookstore. TNB is surprisingly larger than its first appearance but feels cozy, bright and comfortable... the Northshire Bookstore is a bookstore that you want to get lost in. It is made of continuous small rooms filled with books, small treasures with a few seats. Outside there are a couple of small benches next to creative sculptures and quote filled floors. ++ TNB has a little bit of every genre. While they won't have every title, they likely have at one to two titles of an author. If not, they are happy to locate it for you. They have an awesome children's section upstairs up a gorgeous Hogwarts wrought iron stairs. Besides books, I found many trinkets and small gifts. They have a small coffee and café with a decent size self-serve DR. Their food choices are pretty decent quick pick me ups. Homemade soups, chili, sandwiches, desserts and froufrou bevies. + Price is on the higher side but not unreasonable. ++ Service was pleasant at both the café and the bookstore cashier. + Parking is a small private lot. It was packed and street parking is also available. The Northshire Bookstore is one of my favorite independent bookstores left that is actually thriving. A must stop in Manchester! read more

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After enjoying some great coffee, we decided to explore the downtown area and stumbled upon a charming bookstore with a cozy coffee shop tucked inside. Walking in felt like stepping into a magical space, rows of both used and new books filled the shelves. I picked up a World War II book for my son and a bee lotion set made with clean ingredients. The store was incredibly well-organized by genre, spotless, and had a warm, small-town vibe. I absolutely loved it. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the prices were quite reasonable. When I return to Vermont, I'll definitely make a point to visit this bookstore again. read more

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How lovely! Such a big selection of new and used books. I found the prices to be reasonable and all staff I encountered extra friendly! Will make a trip out of my way to come back. read more

Northshire Bookstore - Music & DVDs Near Me - Manchester Center, Vermont

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this is a very fun bookstore to walk through. Great location. we always find something interesting to read at this bookstore.

A book lovers dream store from the archway made from book spines to the little nooks. You really can get lost in this bookstore for hours. I was looking for a particular book and my friend found a copy in the used section! Score! I'd definitely be back to get some of the local items in the shop section. Really unique gifts and keepsakes. read more

Northshire Bookstore - Look at this archway! - Music & DVDs Near Me - Manchester Center, Vermont

Just my fav place to visit and hang out ! I love that you can purchase used books as well. The best thing about Northshire - the staff! They will find any book you need. It's a must visit while in the area read more

Northshire Bookstore - Music & DVDs Near Me - Manchester Center, Vermont

The best bookstore! It's huge and rambling with many cute gifts and things beyond books and even a used book section. Wish it was closer to me; I'd be there all the time. Love VT and love this bookstore!! read more

Really loved this place. Almost too much since I walked away with 5 used cookbooks!!! We had a little lunch snack and coffee too. Delicious. Absolutely worth a stop if you're in town and love books, need a coffee break, or a snack, or lunch. read more

[1142] 12/2020 We saw all the great Yelp reviews so we decided to check this place out while we were in Vermont. I'm glad we did as this place is a book lovers dream. You can spend hours here just looking thru all the different floors of books of new and used books My son picked up a ton of books which made me happy. We decided to come back a second day since the place is so cool. Parking sucked since the lot was small. I'll definitely be back. read more

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What a most wonderful bookstore. It seems like it is a small, quaint place but actually it is quite large and spacious. They have plenty of small places of different genres of books in addition to many areas to be able to pick up local goods and souvenirs. What an amazing place with so many options to buy so much stuff. If you happen to be in the neighborhood you have to stop in and see for yourself. read more

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Oh, what a wonderful bookstore! It just goes on and on. Good selection and decent staff recommendations. Long live independent bookstores and real books! read more

Amazing bookstore! Great selection and very helpful staff. There was a selection of gifts, new releases and signed books

Love this bookstore and visit whenever we come to Manchester. We needed guidebooks this time for an upcoming trip to Spain and found three candidates right away (and bought two)! The cafe is nice and the overall decor is perfect, including the cute doorway made of books. read more

A temple of an independent bookstore. I can't think of a better one. The trick is not that they have everything. The trick is that they highlight cool books you wouldn't otherwise get to know about and which may make your life better (tongue in cheek staff notes on an edition of Gone With the Wind: "excellent movie potential"). And the space itself it simply compelling and excellent. You should go here. Be a part of it. You will buy some books and be glad you did. read more

This is the BEST independent bookstore I've ever been to. Their ambiance and selection are above and beyond. This is my happy place. You can get a book cheaper online, but the shopping experience is so worth the money. Support your local bookstore read more

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This place is great and any reason to be able to support a local bookstore, yes please. There is a great variety of all sorts of books, and a comfy atmosphere to be able to check them out in: a handful of armchairs throughout, open spaces and rooms where you can easily spend a couple hours checking out the many options. There's also an adjacent cafe with ample seating upstairs, if you want to grab a bite. I also am a big fan of bookstores that carry a variety of stationery and other assorted random items and Northshire also delivers. :) I was in need of some cards, and found a cute little set here. The location of the bookstore is right in the heart of town, so it's a great way to kick off the day and spend some time. read more

Northshire Bookstore looks at first view, like a small Mom & Pop bookstore in an old New England town, occupying an old Colonial home with a relatively unimpressive frontage. That is, until you walk in and realize that its size is not only the house but several buildings attached to the old house, which makes it the size of a competitor in a large city. The store is a bit of a maze as it takes the inside footprint of several buildings but it meticulously organized. Every conceivable book is there. I was also impressed by their compliance with health rules which are part of their business model. We felt safe. If you're in Manchester, this is a must stop for any bibliophile... read more

Honestly this place holds a near & dear spot in my heart for over 2 decades now. My Nana & I regularly would come over from NY for a girls' day & spend hours in this bookstore. The upstairs section for children is phenomenal, while the downstairs section has so much variety and a great assortment of used books to shop from too. The cafe is a nice pit stop spot to keep you caffeinated as you hunt down all the treasures here. Whenever I'm in town, I always make a point of stopping here! read more

A great bookstore. Lots of variety and a balanced selection of books. No political agenda here. They carry what sells. Isn't that what a bookstore is supposed to do? read more

We came across this fabulous bookstore recently while on a stopover in Manchester. This place is a book lover's heaven. Shelves and shelves stacked with books of all genres, including a wide selection of eclectic titles not typically found in other bookstores. Some popular classics are available leather bound with gold embossed details, while others feature beautifully designed special edition book covers. No doubt these will make wonderful gifts and keepsakes for collectors. In addition to new titles, Northshire Bookstore also stocks secondhand books on standalone racks littered across its shop floor. What an eco- friendly way to recycle pre-owned books! We whiled away the afternoon exploring and browsing, finally leaving with several interesting publications. If you love reading and hanging out in a proper bookstore, this is the one place you would not want to miss! read more

Everything a bookstore should be. Even if you are not in the market for a book but are in the area you need to come see this place! The ambiance! But also great selection including gift items and vinyl. read more

Overwhelmingly positive experience at this bookstore! At every turn there were diverse books in interesting subjects that weren't run-of-the-mill, typical offerings. Thrilling to see book displays of current hot topics such as corona and Asian culture for all ages. read more

This used to be a favorite bookstore whenever visiting Southern Vermont. However, this time, we've regrettably discovered it is no longer what it used to be. All the books in the window were solely representing "Woke" agenda, which demonstrated clearly any other opinions are simply not acceptable. The same happened when walking inside, and noticing all the recommended books were from the same point of view, and books that represent other views are not there at all. A bookstore shouldn't be about the politics of the store owners, but rather, a safe haven, where book lovers of any background can feel they are welcomed. It's a shame the owners don't try to look around their town - which by now is literally a ghost town, with 80% of the stores deserted - and understand the agenda they are promoting does nothing positive even to their own town. We chose to leave the place (which was almost empty, compared to former visits) and not support this agenda. Let all the "woke"sters enjoy it on their own. read more

What a charming bookstore! It's conveniently located downtown, near the outlets and restaurants. I spent quite a bit of time here and ended up purchasing several books and locally-made knick-knacks. read more

This is a great local bookstore with a massive selection! It's very large - two floors - and has a great kids section, for those of you with children. It was a very popular spot - even at 8pm, and I can tell it's a local favorite. There are a few small seating areas throughout the store, and there's an attached cafe for those who want a bite before browsing. There is also a large used book section, where I found some great deals. An added bonus is that the bookstore is open "late" - until 9pm on a Saturday while the outlets close at 6. That definitely caught us by surprise! We easily spent over an hour in Northshire. It's a must-see for book lovers! read more

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Northshire is a book haven. By far one of the best bookstores I've ever been into. Found out about them about 15 years ago and my purpose in life is to read more so that I can in turn take a few hours to get lost in here. There is a cafe attached so you can grab a coffee and walk around. Not sure if that still stands with covid. Either way you won't be disappointed even if you're not typically a reader. Guarantee you'll find something at Northshire. read more

Such a cute local bookstore! I stopped in on my stop through Manchester, which I'm glad I did. Aside from an abundance of books, this shop also sells clothing, toys, home decor and much more. I love the clothing options they had for children. The material used was organic cotton and was so soft that I couldn't resist buying some things for the kiddos. Also, the book selection was really great! They did a great job to keep your social distance and required masks, so I felt safer going in to shop here. Definitely a must stop when in Manchester! read more

Northshire Bookstore - Music & DVDs Near Me - Manchester Center, Vermont