My name is Randy and I have a problem. I'm a bookstore-holic. I should stay I'm an independent bookstore-holic. In today's day and age we usually have several, depressing options: big box, megastore, super club book emporiums where the atmosphere is glowing with fluorescent bulbs and dim minded staff...or...click, click on the mouse, shipped to my door in a beige box, I hope I like it online book buying experiences. If you ask me none of those options are all that appealing. With that being said there is hope in Rhinebeck, NY and that hope comes in an Oblong form! (Ok I'm not a comedian) Oblong is the answer to the all too often disconnected book store experiences of the present. This store serves as a sanctuary to those longing for the bookstore of the past ambiance. Tall stacks of books on display with index cards handwritten by the staff strategically placed to provide insight. A friendly staff who goes out of their way to assist you and even remembers you; that's how customer service should be! I recently purchased a book and came back two weeks later for a signing. Upon walking up to get in line a member of the staff recognized me and pinpointed that I was there two weeks prior to purchase to book. Talk about small town charm! Speaking of signings, they often host them as well as meet the author events with Q&A. If you need a book, a place to escape or a time machine to those better days gone past just take a trip to Rhinebeck and visit Oblong. You're welcome. read more

Good selection of new books. I didn't see a used section, but I wasn't looking for one. Well organized by genre. Friendly staff. Stickers, toys, books, of course. read more

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Cutest little bookshop with the most helpful staff! Loved browsing, and then someone helped me with great recos so I could find a book to bring home! read more

Oblong Books - Outside - Bookstores Near Me - Rhinebeck, New York

I placed an online order for an author my daughter loves. I was able to get a signed copy through their store. The book arrived in great condition and quickly. They were very helpful with any questions I had and were easy to contact through a DM. They also provide complimentary gift wrapping. We loved the wrapping paper it came in! There is nothing like purchasing from an independent seller and small business. The small touches like wrapping, bookmark, and sticker add so much to the purchase. Thank you Oblong Books! read more

Oblong Books - The extra goodies that came with the book. - Bookstores Near Me - Rhinebeck, New York

A bookstore like they don't make them anymore. They have recent books as well as CDs and vinyl records. It is refreshing to see that there are still some stores resisting to the Amazon onslaught. read more

Oblong Books - Bookstores Near Me - Rhinebeck, New York

incredibly kind staff, and an amazing variety of books/toys/games to choose from. I love the atmosphere of the store, and can never resist buying something read more

Love their selection of books in Millerton and a Rhinebeck. Diverse selection and knowledgeable staff read more

Well stocked and larger inside than it looks. Good collection of fiction and great kid section. Liked the poetry section. And liked that there were reviews by the staff. Very helpful. read more

Amazing bookstore! They have a vast selection of everything from non-fiction to tarot cards. After seeing one too many Trump signs during our Catskills vacation, is was a relief to find intelligent, anti-racist life up here. Several books by our favorite authors like Robert MacFarlane and N.K. Jemisin. Also, if you love puzzles, this is the place to find some unusual ones. Impressed they had Tim Okamura's art! read more

Bought a signed book online (they have a great selection available for those who collect rare/autographed books). The customer service is impeccable, and even through our online communication, I could tell that this store was passionate about their books and customer's experience. Absolutely would recommend this store to anyone looking for a special book for themselves or loved ones. I wholeheartedly believe in supporting independent book sellers - especially ones with lovely people like those at Oblong!!! read more

I always go here when visiting Rhinebeck, but I was really disappointed this time. I get that this area leans liberal, but come on. In the current events section, there were at least 15 anti-Trump/pro-Democrat books for every one that even remotely supports him/Republicans. In the religion section, I couldn't find a single Christian book. You're living in an echo chamber as well as putting off potential customers. read more

Their website was having issues, so I sent an email at night and I got a response the very next morning from Ella! I then called the Rhinebeck store and got Noel (Noelle? I forgot to ask how to spell her name. If you're reading this, I'm sorry!) who was just wonderful. I'm very happy to buy from small business, especially when they're so wonderful. Thank you to the staff for being helpful and quick! read more

One of my favorite places in Rhinebeck. Just had them hold a book for me that B&N didn't have online or in their stores! Hell, even AMAZON didn't have the book! But Oblong surprised the hell outta me! Oh yeah, the place is really cool, especially for browsers! And if you're early for a movie at Upstate, get your tix then go to Oblong to kill time. read more

The eptiome of the independent bookshop. Oblong has an awesome selection of books that are priced according to industry standards, which makes Oblong very reasonable. They also have a very small selection of CDs which are terribly expensive. All in all a great locals experience read more

I had no idea they had expanded!! In an age when small indie bookstores are struggling, this has to be a very good thing. I like the new layout and the improved selection. They also always have a selection of calendars I can't find anyplace else. read more

The independent book shop is becoming a scarce commodity in a book selling world increasingly dominated by Barnes & Noble and Amazon .com. Northern Dutchess county is lucky to have Oblong books where you can receive personalized attention from a staff that loves books. For the size of the shop Oblong has an incredibly diverse selection. No matter what your literary interest you are sure to find something interesting to read and every time I go there I always find new selections. read more

Great Indie Bookstore with Large sections for Cooking, Hudson Valley tales, and children. read more

I want to buy local and show my support, but they make it very challenging. My son used his own money to buy a $27 toy (costs $10 on Amazon). Anyways, the toy hurt his face to wear and was therefore completely unusable. I came to return it two days later with original package, intact toy and receipt and they wouldn't even consider an exchange or return. I USED to shop here at least 2-3 times a month for a multitude of bday gifts, but I can no longer support this business. I can't imagine ANY other business not honoring such a straightforward return. It's a shame for them to loose local customers in this way, I hope they change their policy for the sake of keeping their doors open. read more

Never been in person but its on my bucket list now. I ordered books from them online and it was an awsome experiance. They came packaged with a little book catalog like what I used to get at the book fair as a kid, some book marks, and alittle booklet on the town of Rhinebeck. I LOVED it. See you in person soon! read more

I want to support mom and pop shops but they do make it hard. My 6 year old bought an Aaron's putty that had a blue top (thinking it was blue). He used his allowance. He pulled the plastic seal off (but did NOT pull the clear seal off the putty) in the store in front of the cashier only to find it was not blue. He was very disappointed and sad. I asked the cashier if we could switch it as he hadn't actually opened the product. It only required a new plastic seal. She said no and that if he read the chart he'd see that it wasn't. Said chart required him to grow 12 inches taller, crane his neck and have bionic vision to read minuscule print. In short, she was rude, not willing to consider it hadn't even been opened and had no idea what it is like to treat customers. This plus after checking on Amazon there was a 250% profit. This is why you will eventually close shop. Please also note, a similar scenario happened two years ago when we visited the store. We will not visit again. read more

The staff at this bookstore are always knowledgeable about their inventory and always recommend the best books. They have chosen some of my children's favorite books over the years. Today they were even able to help me remotely. Over the phone I just described the likes and dislikes of two 6-year olds and they recommended books perfect for them. They will wrap the books, put in a birthday note, and ship them to the kids in another town (only $5.50) for shipping 4 books. This whole transaction took only minutes and I didn't have to leave the house in the era of Covid-19. Great book store and great service. Support local! read more

My Shameful Tale of Woe and Redemption: A few months ago I had compiled a list of few books I'd heard and read reviews of, and I was ready to head into a store and pick up a couple. Even though I live three minutes from Oblong books, I made the stupid and shameful decision to stop at B&N on my way home from work. I know, I know. Y'all are judging me so hard right now, but I had a couple old gift cards knocking around in my purse, and the books on my list were not on any best seller lists so I thought the bigger book store would be more likely to carry them. Don't worry, it didn't work out for me. B&N didn't have A SINGLE ONE of the 4 names I walked in with. Then I did what I should have done from the beginning. Used up the last of the old gift cards on a PSL and a reading light, and went to Oblong Books where they had EVERY SINGLE BOOK that I was looking for. I was puzzled about this at first. Why would a smaller store have all the books I had researched and not the store many times larger? Well obviously the person selecting the books for Oblong's shelves has similar taste as me. Or if not, s/he is stocking titles with someone like me in mind. Whatever the reason, it's good to know that I only need go down the street to find the perfect selection for me. :) P.S. I'm really sorry about the B&N thing. I promise never to doubt you again. read more

First I will say this shop is cute and clean. For the most part it was a lovely experience IN THE BEGINNING. I found my book and I brought it to the front counter. It is here that the whole experience just left the worst taste in my mouth. The older lady (50's maybe) who was running the cash register up front was incredibly rude. Any question I asked her was like I was putting her out! Ex: how much is the book, is there another in the back that the bind isn't bent, can I have a paper bag instead of plastic. Are these question's too much?!?!? You would of thought I was spitting at this woman. She was awful. I finally paid for the book and as I stood there I wondered if she would ever say thank you and of course....she never did. I even took my own sweet time waiting for something....but no....nothing. I wanted to return the book immediately!!!! It is just RUDE, I purchased the book, the very least you can say is THANK YOU! Ugh...the management should be ashamed at allowing people like that to be their front house greeter. Put that ugly nasty woman in the back or out of job...she is a miserable person. ****************************** As you can see below, the management address my issue, incredibly speedy I might add. THAT is a sign of Great Customer Service!!! read more

Purchased a signed book from Oblong Bookstore online for the first time. Easy to navigate website, which offers several books signed by various authors. Received the book within one week, which exceeded my expectations especially since it's personalized. I am also happy to support an independent bookstore. read more

I really loved how spacious this bookstore is! They have a ton of staff recommendations posted throughout the store, which is a bonus for someone like me because I love picking up books I've never heard of before. The staff was also helpful and recommended two books to me while I was there! read more

I feel it's important to support and preserve places like this. I intend on making my next book purchase from their website. I'd rather pay more, for a mail order book from Oblong Books, supporting this sort of community business and keeping around an enjoyable sort of shopping/gathering place "life style" that seems to be vanishing all too fast. Where will we go to meet authors, attend events like the ones that they offer, and gather in our communities if we keep buying from the online giants? I'll be taking the train ride up to Oblong next time I'm in NYC. read more

I'm a sucker for a good book. I'm also a sucker for a good bookstore. Stopped in here before eating at Terrapin and thought this store had a great atmosphere. As opposed to other bookstores, I found myself really browsing books I would've never looked at otherwise, whether it was children's books, DIY home books, Hudson Valley/NYC historical books, and so much more. I even ended up stumbling upon a book which ended up later on being one of my recent favorites - Being a Rockefeller, Becoming Myself: A Memoir by Eileen Rockefeller (great read, by the way). If you're in Rhinebeck and are looking for a new book, I would definitely recommend stopping at Oblong. read more

What an amazing place. Owner greeted us, helped me pick out the perfect gifts for a 8 year old boy.....they were the hit of the party !!! I will be returning!!!! read more

Fabulous book store. Well stocked and great for browsing. Such an asset to Rhinebeck- we really treasure this place. Thanks Oblong!

Consistently heard great things about Oblong and finally got there-it exceeded all expectations. Its a special shop with a fantastic collection of books, toys, games-where we were welcomed to cozy up on one of the many comfy couches and explore new books on a rainy day. read more

Really nice indie bookshop, great selection for kids too

Love this shop; great selections of books, music, cards and super kids' area and staff that's wonderful. Worth spending your money here rather than going on Amazon; help support another independent bookshop; they're a dying breed. read more

Anyone who knows me, knows I hate e-books. So I make it a habit to buy all my books from bookstores. Especially local bookstores. So when I found myself in the Albany area, I thought, "What a great chance to visit Oblong Books! I hear them on the radio every time I'm here!" So I took the hour and a half drive and found myself in the cutest little bookstore! I was so excited! I was also a little put off. I walked in and wasn't greeted by the girl sitting at the door, but that could be because she was on her phone or any of the other workers in the store. Okay, no problem. I walked back to their awesome children's section and asked a girl there if they had a list of all the books that were talked about on the radio today. "They're on our website. Or you could have written them down." "Yes, but that's a little hard to do when you're driving." She nicely went through the list and I found one of the two books I was looking for. The other was currently out of stock. I found two more books and a card and took my gifts up to the register. Same girl, same attitude. I told her I thought the store was great and it was totally worth the drive to get here and I got a grunt. A woman with a rucksack and mountaineering cap said the same thing as she was leaving and the cashier was like, "So glad to hear it! Come back and hang out longer!" Me, I got my receipt, a "Do you want a bag?" And no thank you or come again or piss off. Despite this, I still recommend Oblong books. They have a wonderful selection of local history and books by local authors, a fabulous children's section and the recommendations written by the staff are really helpful. I hope this was an off day. I'd like to come back. read more